DFO concerns delay Drayton river dredging project

Planned dredging of the Conestogo River through Drayton won’t happen now until at least 2015.

The Grand River Conservation Authority planned to do the work, part of an effort to reduce flood risk in the village, this summer and set aside funds in the 2014 budget.

However, at the Sept. 9 Mapleton council meeting, public works director Brad McRoberts reported the authority had been forced to postpone the job due to concerns from the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO). The DFO places restrictions on when work can be done in watercourses under its jurisdiction. However McRoberts said the issue is not related to DFO seasonal restrictions for in-river work.

Mapleton council has been pushing for the dredging project for some time now.

“Hopefully we can just keep the pressure on,” said Mayor Bruce Whale.