Canada Opens $30 Million Fund to Clean Popular Vacation Lake

Excessive emissions of the nutrient phosphorus from both urban and farm sources have upset the ecosystem of Lake Simcoe in southern Ontario, creating wild aquatic plant growth, raising water temperatures, decreasing oxygen levels, and disrupting the lake's famous coldwater fishery.

Today federal officials announced that the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority will be receiving $6,500 from the federal government's $30 million Lake Simcoe Clean-Up Fund to reduce phosphorous and soil erosion by planting trees along the East Holland River.

York-Simcoe MP Peter Van Loan announced the funding for the Holland Landing Riparian Planting project in East Gwillimbury.

Lake Simcoe just north of Toronto, Ontario (Photo courtesy Wikimedia)

"After years of hard work and dedication, I am pleased to announce that the first recipient of federal funding to clean up Lake Simcoe is the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority," said Van Loan.

"Today's announcement is just the beginning," he said. "Over the coming months we will be contributing millions to local organizations to preserve and protect Lake Simcoe."

Projects funded by the Lake Simcoe Clean-Up Fund are designed to preserve and protect the environment of the lake, which provides drinking water to eight municipalities. These projects are part of an overall investment of $30 million over five years, which was announced in February 2008.

"We are excited to be partnering with the federal government to clean up Lake Simcoe," said Virginia Hackson, who chairs the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority. "We look forward to a long and productive relationship with the federal government that results in a healthy, vibrant, and clean lake that the residents of Lake Simcoe can enjoy for decades to come."

The Regional Municipality of York and the Town of East Gwillimbury are also supporting the project.

"We are thrilled to be able to leverage private funds with this federal funding," said Doug Blakey, president of the Lake Simcoe Conservation Foundation.

"York Region is pleased to partner with the Conservation Authority and the federal government to preserve and protect Lake Simcoe," said Bill Fisch, chairman of the Regional Municipality of York.

"Today's announcement by the federal government is a positive step towards improving Lake Simcoe and the Town of East Gwillimbury is proud to be part of it," said Mayor of East Gwillimbury James Young.

The province of Ontario is developing legislation that is intended to help clean up the lake.

In July 2007, Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty committed to introduce new legislation that, if passed, would protect the ecological integrity of Lake Simcoe and its watershed for today and for future generations.

The proposed Lake Simcoe Protection Act was introduced on June 17, 2008. It requires that the Ontario government develop a protection plan for the lake and its shorelines, with scientifically designed targets and deadlines.

Cottages at Lake Simcoe (Photo credit unknown)

"It will build on the good work done to date by the Lake Simcoe Environmental Management Strategy and the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority and be guided by input from citizens, stakeholders from farming, industrial and environmental groups, and scientists as it develops," said Lois Corbett, senior policy advisor to Ontario Environment Minister John Gerretsen.

Existing environmental problems at the lake include nutrient runoff from urban and rural sources, the stress on the coldwater fishery due to lack of oxygen and inadequate protection for important spawning areas, and loss of key habitats like wetlands and forests for key species, some already endangered, that live in the Lake Simcoe area.

Environmental stresses that will grow over the near future, include the impact of climate change and the proliferation of invasive species, such as zebra mussels.

The Lake Simcoe Protection Act will also expand the boundaries of the Lake Simcoe Conservation Authority to cover the entire watershed that drains into the lake.

The provincial legislation would enable the trading of phosphorus emissions credits if trading proves to be a viable management tool for the lake's protection after further scientific evaluation.

Located just north of Toronto, Lake Simcoe is the fourth largest lake in Ontario. Thousands of cottages dot the lake's north shore, and the lake is known for its recreational fishery, which augments a tourism industry generating more than $200 million a year.

Copyright Environment News Service (ENS) 2008. All rights reserved.