The Big Bay Point developer appears to be building access roads over the old marina to start construction of a new one.
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Minister’s Annual Report on Lake Simcoe Protection Plan
In late January the Minister of the Environment released the year one report on the implementation progress of the Lake Simcoe Protection Plan. The Lake Simcoe Project Team at the MoE has done an immense amount of work getting policies implemented, researching new policies, and analyzing options. The LSRCA and scientists are doing important research and planning. Municipalities have changed some official plan policies, and many are planning water conservation programs. Local people and organizations are planting buffer strips on rivers, and improving their shorelines.
But we are not out of the woods yet. The Environmental Commissioner of Ontario, Gord Miller says, “concern for Lake Simcoe’s watershed remains; uncertainty still surrounds the lake’s response to ongoing and future environmental stressors in the watershed, such as increased development and population growth, land use changes, climate change, and new invasive species.”
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Mandatory Septic Inspections are Coming
Septic systems are responsible for about 6% of the phosphorus that pollutes Lake Simcoe each year, more than the Holland Marsh and smaller polders, at 4%, and just slightly less than sewage treatment plants, at 7%. All of us have a responsibility to keep our systems working properly. And soon we’ll HAVE to, because of the Lake Simcoe Protection Act.
Within five years of January 1, 2011, maintenance inspections will be required in the strip of land that is located within 100 metres of the Lake Simcoe shoreline, with the exception of certain portions of the shoreline. To see the maps of the excepted areas, go to: http://www.mah.gov.on.ca/Page8822.aspx
Within five years of January 1, 2016, maintenance inspections will be required in the strip of land that is located within 100 metres of the balance of the Lake Simcoe shoreline (the excepted areas) and within 100 metres of other lakes or ponds and permanent rivers or streams in the Lake Simcoe watershed. |
A couple of boys examine their perch catch. If the Lake Simcoe Protection Plan is successful, they'll be able to come here with their own children for ice-fishing some day.
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Hole drilled for ice fishing - new measures that reduce phosphorus loading into the lake will help keep the lake healthy and the perch biting. |
Good news! Federal government further limits phosphorus in cleaning products
The federal government brought in new regulations effectively banning phosphorus in most household cleaning products, such as dishwashing and laundry detergents. The new rules prohibit the manufacture and import of these products containing phosphorus beyond 0.5% by weight. Similar regulations in the United States banned the chemical in 17 states. The new rules were consolidated and published in February this year.
Google “SOR/89-501” for more information.
In the news: http://news.nationalpost.com/2011/01/06/phosphate-ban-means-streaky-dishes/
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Lake Simcoe Clean Up Fund
This Federal fund of $30 million has now allocated all of its funds to environmental remediation projects in the watershed, though demand for funding remains high. To see where the money has gone, and what actions people and groups are taking to help the lake, see:
http://our30million.ca/index.aspx?AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1
Water: The Exhibition (Featuring some Lake Simcoe content!)
Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto
Opening March 5, 2011
Water is essential to life on Earth, but what happens when there is not enough?
This innovative exhibition illustrates the indispensable roles that water plays in our world. Underlining that all water on Earth is finite, linked in a vast cycle, and unevenly distributed, Water alerts visitors to the problem of competing demands and highlights the urgent need for further progress in water management.
Families will love exploring many aspects of water through the past, present, and future. The exhibition instills in visitors a new understanding and appreciation of this priceless resource through towering walk-through displays, cutting-edge technologies, hands-on activities and live aquatic animals - including fishes, frogs, salamanders and more!
A review of the show:
Canada Water Week, March 14 – 22, 2011
Canada Water Week wants to raise the profile and understanding of water across Canada through a week-long celebration of this precious resource, culminating with World Water Day on March 22, 2011. National Canada Water Week activities are being organized jointly by the Walter and Duncan Gordon Foundation, WWF-Canada and Living Lakes Network Canada. Local activities will be coordinated by individuals and community groups across the country!
Paddle - Drink - Protect: the Confluence of Water in Simcoe County
Mountain Equipment Coop Barrie and Sierra Club Ontario
March 16th, 2011
6:30-8:30 pm
MEC-Barrie, 61 Bryne Drive.
Join with us as we explore issues, challenges and solutions around water quality and quantity in Simcoe County.
Panelists include:
Peter Farr - Whitewater Ontario
Claire Malcolmson - Environmental Defence
City of Barrie (invited)
Panel will be followed by a screening of some short water sport themed videos including some selections from "This is Canoeing".
A Toast to Ontario's Rain Barrel - The Oak Ridges Moraine
STORM- Save The Oak Ridges Moraine
March 21, 2011 - 5:00pm - 7:00pm
Join STORM and raise a glass of local water to toast the Oak Ridges Moraine. Displays, refreshments and networking with individuals and groups who value water and make the protection of it a priority. One of the moraine's most important functions is as a water recharge/discharge area - sustaining the health of the many watersheds, which originate in the moraine and directly providing drinking water to over 250,000 people.
Contact Debbie Gordon 1-905-841-9200 ext 121
Sheppard Bush House
93A Industrial Parkway South
Aurora, ON L4G 3V5
Canada
For more information: http://canadawaterweek.com/event/123
Get help planning a local improvement project
The Lake Simcoe Community Stewardship Program Team: Upcoming Workshops
At the workshop you will find out more about sustainable property
management practices and stewardship opportunities through the Lake
Simcoe Community Stewardship Program.
Take home your complementary Lake Simcoe Stewardship Guide to create a personalized environmental action plan. Address lakefront and stream restoration, septic system health, tree planting and naturalization, woodlot management, wetland enhancement and more.
2011 Dates:
Monday March 28, 7pm - 9pm
Innisfil Town Hall
2101 Innisfil Beach Road, Innisfil
Tuesday March 29, 7pm - 9pm Joyland Beach Community Centre 4303 McRae Park Rd, Ramara To register for a workshop or for more information please respond to this email or by calling Joe Halloran at 905-713-6544 or joe.halloran@ontario.ca.
The 2nd Annual Celebration of Lake Simcoe
Saturday August 6, 2011
A Celebration of Lake Simcoe, the event that celebrates the lake’s history, the lake today and the lake in the future will take place at Innisfil Beach Park.
SPLASH The Floating Water Festival!
August 13, 2011
De La Salle Park and Beach on Lake Simcoe, at Jackson’s Point, in the Town of Georgina. This is one summer event that is not to be missed!
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