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Monday, February 16, 2004

OTTAWA, ONTARIO--The Honourable David Anderson, Minister of the Environment, today announced funding of $1.5 million from the Great Lakes Sustainability Fund, to support 47 restoration projects in the Great Lakes Basin. The fund provides financial support to projects that improve the ecosystem health of Areas of Concern around the Great Lakes, which have been identified as being environmentally degraded pursuant to the Canada-US Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement.

"Restoring the health and sustaining the integrity of the Great Lakes Basin Ecosystem is a priority for the Government of Canada, and we're advancing through concrete action", said Minister Anderson. "We must continue to protect and restore this precious resource, which serves as the primary source of drinking water for the millions of Canadians who live, work and play in the Great Lakes Basin. Building on our success in the full restoration of Collingwood Harbour and Severn Sound, we're working with our partners toward ensuring a healthy and sustainable future for the Great Lakes."

Great Lakes Sustainability Fund projects, involving partnership with local government and community groups, focus on a range of restoration activities. These include improved practices in the treatment of wastewater by-products, restoration of habitat for fish and wildlife, and preventing agricultural run-off from flowing into waterways that empty into the Great Lakes.

The funding announced today is part of the Government of Canada's Great Lakes Sustainability Fund, first announced by Minister Anderson in July 2000. Through the fund, the Government of Canada is investing $30 million over five years to help restore the remaining Canadian Areas of Concern. This funding is a key component of the Government of Canada's Great Lakes Basin 2020 Action Plan which is an inter-governmental partnership between Health Canada, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Canadian Heritage, Transport Canada, Natural Resources Canada, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Public Works and Government Services Canada and Environment Canada.

A backgrounder outlining the 47 projects is available on-line at www.on.ec.gc.ca

Individual backgrounders are available by contacting: GLSF@ec.gc.ca

(Egalement offert en francais)

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BACKGROUNDER

Great Lakes Sustainability Fund

Winter 2003-2004 Projects

All Areas of Concern:

Optimization of Aerobic Digestion Processes for Pathogens ($30,000) to evaluate modifications to aerobic digestion processes that would reduce the pathogens and pollutant content of biosolids to reduce the risk of exposure to these harmful substances after they have been land applied. Work will also look at how these substances pass through the aerobic digestion process, complementing a parallel study of the optimization of anaerobic sludge digestion processes. Once the research is complete, it will be used to develop recommendations for modifications to current operating procedures.

Bay of Quinte:

Bay of Quinte Natural Heritage Initiatives ($42,000) for retiring fragile agricultural lands, restricting livestock access to watercourses, constructing nesting structures, establishing buffer strips (non-mown areas), developing forest management plans and planting native vegetation.

Central Cataraqui Region Natural Heritage Strategy ($42,750) to consult with participating municipalities and other partners, establish a technical steering committee, assemble necessary background information and data, conduct initial fieldwork, begin the development of the Natural Heritage Strategy and hold initial public consultations regarding outcomes and criteria of the project.

Detroit River:

Ultraviolet Disinfection Manual for Area of Concern Municipalities ($4,000) to complete final revisions to the Ultraviolet Disinfection Manual and to distribute it to interested municipalities and agencies.

Biodiversity Conservation Strategy Implementation ($13,000) to ensure that projects started in 2002/03 will be completed successfully and to provide technical expertise to all residents of the AOC, on habitat restoration and enhancement for large and small sites. Habitat monitoring activities for recently concluded projects will be completed and overall progress towards delisting will be assessed.

Tree Planting and the NEMAK (Essex Aluminum) Plant, Lauzon Parkway ($4,000) for recruiting volunteers to plant 300 native trees on 2.8 hectares in the Detroit River AOC, and to erect a sign on the site acknowledging the project and partners.

Update of the Model-based Estimate of a Retention Treatment Basin (RTB) for Combined Sewer Overflows (CSO) Control - City of Windsor ($20,000) to allow the researchers to undertake field and laboratory research activities necessary to refine and finalize the design of the RTB proposed for the treatment of CSOs in the City of Windsor.

Fort Malden Shoreline Habitat Enhancement Project ($75,000) to complete construction of habitat embayments designed to increase fish habitat, including providing a diversity of substrates and the placement of nearshore and offshore habitat enhancements. In addition, monitoring activities will be undertaken to demonstrate the effectiveness of the habitat creation.

Hamilton Harbour:

Hamilton Harbour Watershed Stewardship Project ($40,217) for stewardship agreements and partnerships with citizens in urban and rural areas of Hamilton Harbour and conducting rehabilitation projects to enhance 1.4 hectares of wetland/upland habitat, 270 metres of shoreline habitat and 575 metres of stream habitat, as well as provide support for the Randle Reef engineering study. Grindstone Creek and Cootes Paradise Rehabilitation Project ($70,000) to propagate and plant approximately 25,000 native plants at the Aquatic Nursery; complete a turtle monitoring project and distribute public information and education materials. In addition, funding will be used to complete improvements to the Fishway, which aims to eliminate the damaging effects of carp and other invasive species, improve the habitat in the west end of Cootes Paradise and distribute educational materials.

Spencer Creek Fisheries Project ($38,666) to manage water levels, through the installation of Christie Dam stop logs, to increase underwater and above-water vegetation as well as provide improved spawning and nursery habitat and over wintering habitat for larger fish.

Fish and Wildlife Habitat Restoration in Hamilton Harbour and Cootes Paradise ($80,000) to provide ecological consultation and project management for Cootes Paradise and Grindstone Creek Marsh restoration. Other activities include shoreline volunteer planting, site nurturing and natural areas maintenance program, waterway restoration, and fish and wildlife habitat enhancement at Stelco. Public information and outreach products will be developed, and work will begin on the Hamilton Harbour Contaminant Trend Monitoring Study.

Indian Creek Stream Restoration ($20,000) in response to increased erosion to Indian Creek, which has resulted in heightened sediment loadings to the habour, GLSF funding will support the design of draft drawings for the Indian Creek Estuary Fish and Wildlife component, and complete the Class Environmental Assessment for the Indian Creek Estuary Fish and Wildlife component.

Niagara River:

Niagara River Remedial Action Plan's Non-point Source Agricultural Implementation Strategy for Abatement Program ($130,000) to implement water quality improvement projects at high priority locations in the Area of Concern which include livestock fencing, manure storage, and milkhouse wastewater demonstration, as well as erosion control and bank stabilization projects. Erosion control projects will be conducted as identified by the GIS Habitat Strategy Map and priority mapping models. Additionally, demonstration sites for soil conservation best management practices will be organized.

Paradise Grove Oak Savannah Restoration ($50,000) to develop an inventory of plant and animal species in the area; re-introduce traditional savannah and tallgrass prairie species; create a wildlife corridor; and prepare public awareness and education materials, including on-site interpretative signs.

Niagara River Area of Concern Contaminated Sediment Management ($40,000) to test sediment in 12 potentially contaminated sites and list the potentially contaminated locations in order of priority.

Building Stream Buffers for Niagara's Rivers ($11,905) to plant up to 6,000 native shrubs and wildflowers in buffer zones where mowing is not permitted.

Welland Combined Sewer Overflow Study and Wet Weather Treatment Efficiency Evaluation ($20,000) to conduct field and laboratory research activities necessary to finalize design recommendations for a treatment solution to address combined sewer overflows in the City of Welland.

Niagara Falls Combined Sewer Overflow Treatment System ($50,000) to conduct field and laboratory experiments to evaluate the three methods of treatment for combined sewer overflows in the City of Niagara Falls.

St. Clair River:

St. Clair Stewardship Initiative ($100,000) to restore one kilometre of additional shoreline habitat, rehabilitate or enhance approximately seven hectares of additional fish and wildlife habitat and convert another 70 hectares of land to conservation tillage. Further, the funding will educate landowners in the AOC about rural water quality through flyers, brochures and news releases as well as complete two additional non-point pollution control projects.

Habitat Projects Coordinator ($25,000) to build on existing wildlife areas by linking fragmented wildlife refuge areas through investigating additional land acquisition and/or land management opportunities.

Water Pollution Control Analyses at Sarnia ($20,000) to undertake investigations into technologies that control storm water at the source and to develop a monitoring program to evaluate those technologies.

St. Lawrence River:

Wildlife Monitoring and Sustainability Fund Coordinator - Cornwall ($8,000) to continue to coordinate restoration efforts in the St. Lawrence AOC and to develop new restoration initiatives to meet Remedial Action Plan goals. The conservation authority's coordinator will serve as the primary contact for restoration projects along the St. Lawrence and will provide technical assistance to other local agencies undertaking restoration projects.

Class Environmental Assessment for the Relocation of a Disposal Site for Snow ($50,000) to review alternate sites for snow disposal, conduct a review of the environmental effects associated with these sites and make recommendations to mitigate any negative effects. In addition, the funding will be used to produce a plan for a long-term solution to mitigate the environmental effects of surface run-off snow melt.

Charlottenburg Park Project ($33,000) to conduct negotiations with the St. Lawrence Parks Commission to secure the use of the Charlottenburg Park property and to create and protect habitats. The project will conduct an intensive field inventory of the current types of fish, wildlife and vegetation located in the park; research and identify species that historically used the park property as permanent or seasonal habitat; and prepare and implement detailed design for restoration activities.

Natural Heritage Strategy for the St. Lawrence River Area of Concern ($19,000) to promote the Natural Heritage Strategy and undertake additional Geographical Information Systems (GIS) activities as required to expedite the development of the Natural Heritage Strategy for the St. Lawrence River Area of Concern.

Lake St. Francis and St. Lawrence River Tributary Restoration Project ($100,000) to implement additional water quality improvement projects such as manure storage and milkhouse washwater facilities, livestock restriction fences and alternate watering source projects; promote and secure agreements for a conservation tillage program and complete additional conservation tillage projects; and, plant native trees and shrubs and gather data about stream habitats for the establishment of priorities for restoration in the local watersheds.

Bacteria Contamination Assessment and Remediation Project - Phase II ($12,000) to conduct sampling for E. coli and fecal coliform bacteria at recreational water sites in the Cornwall AOC; compile and analyze data; and assess the status of water quality for recreational use. Results of the study will be shared with other relevant agencies and used either to support a declaration that recreational water use has been restored, or to develop a plan to remediate any areas with high levels of bacteria.

Cornwall Littoral Zone Habitat Assessment ($3,000) to support a statistical analysis and assessment of the effectiveness of existing habitat structures; and disseminate the results to other agencies that are considering undertaking similar restoration initiatives.

Strategic Habitat Restoration Workshop ($7,000) to organize and conduct a Strategic Habitat Restoration Workshop, with a follow-up report, and to establish and recommend restoration priorities and activities required to de-list impaired beneficial uses related to habitat in the St. Lawrence Area of Concern.

St. Mary's River:

Sault Ste. Marie East End Water Pollution Control Plant Upgrade ($32,500) to complete a waste characterization study to refine the biological nutrient removal process design to address the city's specific needs.

Conserving Privately Owned Wetlands along the St. Mary's River ($24,600) to secure an additional 75 hectares of coastal wetlands through low and medium security agreements and to evaluate another 86 hectares of wetlands.

Nipigon Bay:

Upgrading Waste Water ($50,000) to conduct a study that will examine processes that could be used as secondary treatment, or the equivalent to secondary treatment, in Red Rock's wastewater treatment plant. Results of the study will form, in part, the recommendations to the town council about the routes to chose when upgrading the plant, financing the project and scheduling the work.

Thunder Bay:

Moving Forward on the North Shore: A Mercury Reduction Plan for the Lake Superior Basin ($30,000) will support recycling programs for items that contain mercury; hazardous household waste collection days in North Shore communities; and, public outreach activities to encourage participation in the mercury reduction initiatives.

Toronto:

Milne Park Natural and Cultural Heritage Restoration Project - Phase III ($20,000) to develop four reforestation areas; plant connecting corridors; prepare and plant an additional 4.2 hectares of reforestation habitat to recover disturbed soil areas with appropriate cover; and to continue monitoring both water quality and habitat features.

Etobicoke Creek Valleyland Restoration Wetland Creation and Riparian Forest Enhancement ($5,000) to create a meadow marsh habitat, increase existing forest area and improve habitat structures.

Rural Clean Water Program ($20,000) to develop two water quality plans by allowing project staff to continue contacting rural landowners; support three rural clean water projects and one private land tree planting project; and, conduct one best management practices workshop and two rural community events to promote the Rural Clean Water Program.

Granger Greenway Habitat Enhancement - Wetland and Terrestrial Habitat ($35,000) to construct half an hectare wetland; plant 500 metre of shoreline with native species; reforest a 1.4 hectare area; and, install interpretive signage.

Rouge Watershed Wetland Creation Initiative ($10,000) will locate, design and create potential wetland sites in an effort to reach the 10% wetland cover recommendation by Environment Canada, and Ontario Ministries of Natural Resources and Environment. This project will create 5 to 8 hectares of wetlands and restore 1.5 to 2 hectares of wetlands.

Richmond Hill Community Stream Adoption ($10,000) to implement rehabilitation strategies that were developed in conjunction with monitoring and research conducted last year. The project will naturalize approximately 1300 metres of channels and creeks; assess fish habitat, fish and benthic invertebrate communities and develop rehabilitation plans; define and line 400 metres of channel; and plant up to 1200 linear metres with native shoreline vegetation.

Upper Humber River Rehabilitation Initiative ($10,000) to study and improve habitat and water quality as well as providing access to coldwater habitat for resident and migratory fish in the Upper Humber River and tributaries. Activities include tagging and tracking fish, conducting fall spawning surveys, performing site assessments for several fish barriers, developing rehabilitation plans, and removing and restoring fish habitat.

Lower Humber Barrier Mitigation Project ($10,000) will conduct a small scale environmental assessment for the mitigation of all barriers in the lower Humber River that prevent the movement of fish. Activities include data collection, research on lamprey control structures, selection of preferred alternatives for all Lower Humber River dams. Work includes public meetings and design of a fishway at Old Mill Dam that will allow passage of all fish species while controlling passage of sea lamprey.

Humberwood Bird Habitat Enhancement Project ($20,000) will restore a large parcel of land in the west Humber River valley, with an aim to providing suitable natural habitats that will attract a diversity of birds throughout the year. The project will be phased in over three years, with GLSF funding being used to design wetland construction, vegetation planting, initial excavation of wetland areas, and construction of bird habitat structures (e.g. raptor poles). Lower Don River - Habitat Restoration Projects ($20,000) will be used to control/manage invasive plants and erosion at Riverdale Farm Ponds. Work includes preparation of monitoring/stewardship reports for Chester Springs Marsh, Riverdale Farm Ponds and Small Scale Habitat Stewardship Initiatives. As well, the project will consult with the community regarding Crothers' Woods understorey restoration; and develop and install signage within the Crothers' Woods - Beechwood area.

West Don River Riparian Improvement ($15,000) will address the severe loss of riverbanks, the decrease in native biodiversity and the establishment of invasive species caused by land clearing, agriculture, industry and urbanization. Project work will restore and improve a total of 4 km of riparian (shoreline) zone of the West Don River. Activities include tree and shrub planting, erecting on-site interpretive signage and developing partnerships with adjacent landowners and park users.

Youth and Community Greening the Rouge River Watershed ($15,000) will reduce the pollution entering watercourses, foster citizen awareness and stewardship, protect and enhance fish and wildlife habitat and rehabilitate high priority sites in the Rouge Park. Activities include preparing the site for pit and mound plantings and a frog pond, and to plant additional native trees and wild flowers.

Centreville Creek Online Pond Removal Design Study ($10,000) to develop detailed designs outlining scenarios for removal and/or mitigation of the barrier to migratory fish.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

Kelly Morgan
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of the Environment
(819) 997-1441
or
John Shaw
Environment Canada
(905) 336-6273

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