Newsletter

Update on Conservation - Winter 2009/2010

 

Message from the Chair

- Chair Jim McMillen

The past several months have been very exciting at Kawartha Conservation. In July, Rob Messervey joined the team as our new CAO. He has been actively networking, forming relationships and establishing capacity and new direction for the Authority to address business priorities. I look forward to continuing our work in the New Year.

Thank you to staff and all of the guests who made our 30th Anniversary celebration in October a great success. It was a pleasure to welcome the Minister of Natural Resources Donna Cansfield, our Inaugural Chair David Murray, Dr. Quentin Chiotti from Pollution Probe, leaders of Municipal Council, members of the watershed community and guests from across south-central Ontario. Their support helps reinforce the value of our work and the important role the Authority will continue to have in the years to come.

As we move forward in 2010, we will be developing a new strategic plan. Our watershed community will play an important role in this process. We will be focusing our efforts on meeting both the needs of our watershed community and maintaining a healthy environment. I encourage everyone to get involved in this process and all of the great initiatives that you will read about in this newsletter.

 

Message from the CAO

- Rob Messervey, CAO

The Kawartha Lakes region is blessed with magnificent lakes, waterways and landscapes. I am privileged to now have the opportunity to work in this geography as Kawartha Conservation's Chief Administrative Officer.

My primary role is to work with our Board of Directors and direct the operations of the Authority in a cost-effective way, and lead the organization, together with all of our watershed partners, in developing a strategic plan to guide our business goals and activities into the future. I am excited to be playing a part in helping sustain and enhance our natural environment.

Very recently, the Authority celebrated its 30th anniversary, and we had a tremendous turnout to this event of provincial, municipal, conservation authority leaders and staff, and representatives from many agencies and associations who are all critical partners in conservation.

I congratulate those who had the vision and fortitude to pursue the establishment of Kawartha Conservation and set its early course. In 30 remarkable years, the Authority has accomplished much to be proud of.

With this celebration of 30 years just behind us, we now have the responsibility to build upon past successes and work diligently into the future to ensure we all have access to clean and abundant water supplies and a healthy landscape which support recreational opportunities, agriculture, a robust local economy and wildlife.

In this regard, we are presently placing additional focus in these program areas:

• Commencing a collaborative strategic planning initiative that will help the Authority set new directions for the next 5 years:
• Building vital capacity and expertise within our Planning and Regulations Department to ensure we are providing timely, relevant and effective planning and technical advice to our member municipalities, development proponents and property owners;
• Moving from planning to action in implementing our Lake Scugog Environmental Management Plan;
• Investing in partnerships with other government agencies, stakeholder groups, lake associations, Trent University and Sir Sandford Fleming College, particularly in the areas of sampling, analyzing and monitoring water quality, water quantity and biotic data, so we can assess, on an ongoing basis, the state of our lakes and waterways for planning and management purposes;
• Completing Oak Ridges Moraine watershed and fisheries management plans that meet commitments under the Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Act; and
• Engaging our agricultural sector partners in assessing stewardship priorities and seeking partnership opportunities that will provide support to farmers who participate in stewardship initiatives.

We cannot do much on our own. Our continued success depends on your interest, your involvement and your commitment to a healthy environment.

 

Presentations from Kawartha Conservation 30th anniversary now online

Our 30th Anniversary celebration was held on October 21, 2009 at the Lindsay Golf and Country Club with over 125 people from across the region.

In a room filled with balloons, flowers and historical photos, we heard from Ontario Minister of Natural Resources Donna Cansfield, Kawartha Conservation's Inaugural Chairperson David Murray, and Pollution Probe's Dr. Quentin Chiotti. These fantastic presentations can now be viewed online, where there are photos and a brief history of Kawartha Conservation.

During the event, we also heard from MPP Rick Johnson and local municipal leaders, and a silent auction was held to raise funds for Durham East Cross Forest Conservation Area.

Thanks to everyone for a great anniversary celebration.

Left to right: MPP Rick Johnson, Minister Donna Cansfield, Kawartha Conservation Vice Chair Donna Villemaire and Kawartha Conservation Chair Jim McMillen.

 

Planning a construction project near water or a steep slope?

Any kind of construction or development in areas prone to natural hazards, such as flooding, steep slopes and unstable soils, may require a permit from Kawartha Conservation.

We administer, within our watershed boundaries, Ontario Regulation 182/06, also called Development, Interference with Wetlands and Alterations to Shorelines and Watercourses.

This regulation was established to prevent loss of life and property damage due to flooding and erosion, and to conserve water-related, or hydrologic, features.

If you are planning a construction project near water or a steep slope, please contact our office to find out if a permit is required. Please call 705.328.2271. More information can also be found online.

 

Protecting fish habitat

Conservation authorities are often the first point of contact for the majority of projects in and around water. To streamline day-to-day referrals for projects that may be regulated by both Kawartha Conservation and Fisheries and Oceans Canada, we have an agreement to review proposed work that could impact fish habitat under section 35 of the Fisheries Act.

As part of our agreement, we undertake an initial review of the proposed project to determine whether fish habitat may be impacted. It there are potential impacts, we may provide mitigation advice or review any fish habitat compensation plans.

Fish habitat may include spawning grounds, nurseries and areas that fish use for rearing, food supply and migration. The kinds of projects that can impact these habitats include construction along shorelines, watercourse alterations, municipal drain maintenance, culvert installations, erosion control and other projects that are within regulated features of the conservation authority and that also have the potential to impact fish habitat.

Already in 2009, we have reviewed over 15 project proposals to ensure they have regard for important fish habitat within our watershed.

For more information, please contact Brett Tregunno at btregunno@kawarthaconservation.com or call 705.328.2271 ext. 222

 

Community comes out to learn about Nonquon River and East Cross Creek plans

Information sessions in Seagrave and Utica in July gave us an opportunity to meet with landowners to talk about the Nonquon River Fisheries Management Plan and the Nonquon River Watershed Plan.

Many of the people who attended were interested in water quality and changes in water flow patterns, groundwater availability, road maintenance practices and how they could become involved.

In October, information sessions were held in Nestleton Station and Janetville to present information and receive feedback on the East Cross Creek Aquatic Resources Management Plan and the East Cross Creek Watershed Plan. Feedback was also received through a survey mailed to residents and businesses within the East Cross Creek watershed.

If you missed these information sessions and would like to become involved in the management planning process, please consider joining the Community Advisory Committee.

You can also provide input by filling out a survey online for either the Nonquon River or East Cross Creek watersheds.

For more information, please contact Brett Tregunno at btregunno@kawarthaconservation.com or 705.328.2271 ext. 222.

Aquatic Biologist Brett Tregunno talks about the Nonquon River Fisheries Management Plan in Utica.

 

Port Perry stormwater options presented at open house

Kawartha Conservation, the Township of Scugog and the Region of Durham held an open house on December 10th in Port Perry to provide information and receive feedback on the Port Perry Storm Water Management Plan.

Port Perry and other small, urban communities within the Lake Scugog basin, while making up less than 3% of the total watershed area, contribute 18.5% of the total phosphorous and nitrogen that enters Lake Scugog. By managing urban stormwater runoff, a significant amount of nutrients and other pollutants such as sediments and metals can be prevented from entering the lake and surrounding water bodies.

The Port Perry Stormwater Management Plan will help reduce the effects of stormwater runoff by recommending and developing best management practices and stormwater controls.

A stormwater pond helps clean runoff from urban areas and prevent flooding in nearby creeks and rivers.

 

Lake Scugog Environmental Management Plan to be presented in early 2010

The Lake Scugog Environmental Management Plan is now in a draft form undergoing a technical and peer review by various agencies.

Watch for open houses in early 2010 that will be held to present the plan and recommendations to the Lake Scugog community.

The plan was initiated in 2004. It has involved monitoring water in Lake Scugog and surrounding rivers for phosphorous and nitrogen. These nutrients impact the quality of our water and contribute to the growth of aquatic plants.

The results of our water quality monitoring show where phosphorous and nitrogen are coming from, and how much from each source.

Phosphorous sources, for example, include agricultural lands (22.6%), urban runoff (18.5%), septic systems along the shoreline (10%) and runoff from rural roads (6.5%). A considerable amount of phosphorus also comes from natural sources (21.4%) and with all precipitation types (19.4%). The Port Perry Sewage Treatment Plant is responsible for approximately 1.8% of phosphorus load into Lake Scugog.

This information is enabling us to recommend the most effective ways to reduce the amounts of phosphorous and nitrogen entering the lake and slow the lake's accelerated aging process.

A comprehensive set of recommendations have been grouped under six strategies:

• Watershed Planning, Regulation and Enforcement Strategy
• Communications and Education Strategy
• Stewardship Strategy
• Agricultural Land Use Strategy
• Urban Land Use Strategy
• Monitoring and Scientific Studies Strategy

The recommendations, when effectively implemented, will result in a healthier lake and watershed for both people and aquatic life.

 

Scugog Connections in downtown Port Perry now open

Scugog Connections is now open for business, thanks to a three-year $225,000 grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation and a three-year financial commitment from the Region of Durham. The storefront will serve as an environmental action centre for local residents looking to take small, but impactful, steps to ensure a sustainable quality of life around Lake Scugog.

Scugog Connections is an outcome of the Lake Scugog Environmental Management Plan, in which Kawartha Conservation identified Port Perry and other urban areas in the Lakes Scugog watershed as large contributors of phosphorous and other pollutants to the lake. By locating Scugog Connections in a storefront at 126 Water Street, local residents will have easier access to education and outreach programs that focus on environmental and lake health.

Scugog Connections is led by Durham Sustain Ability in partnership with the Scugog Lake Stewards, the Durham Land Stewardship Council and Kawartha Conservation.

For more information, you can drop by Scugog Connections or contact Carlie McDonald, the new Scugog Connections Program Coordinator, at 905.985.3279, carlie@sustain-ability.ca.

Scugog Connections officially opens at 125 Water Street, Port Perry, on November 26, 2009. From left to right: Carlie MacDonald, Scugog Connections; MPP John O'Toole; John Stafford, Ontario Trillium Foundation; Mayor Marilyn Pearce, Township of Scugog; and Dave Pridham, Kawartha Conservation.

 

Successful year for Scugog WATER Fund

The Scugog Water And Terrain Environmental Restoration (WATER) Fund provides assistance to landowners who undertake beneficial management practices on their properties.

Through the support of Durham Region, we funded numerous projects this year, including:

• 11 well upgrades
• 6 well decommissionings
• 2 agricultural Beneficial Management Practices, which included manure storage and stream crossing projects
• 6 erosion control projects
• 1 private septic system project

The Scugog WATER Fund has closed for 2009. Thank you to everyone who applied. We appreciate your commitment to protecting the health of Lake Scugog and the surrounding watershed, and look forward to assisting with more projects in 2010.

Apply early for 2010 projects. Contact Shalin Abbott at sabbott@kawarthaconservation.com or call 705.328.2271 ext. 223 for more information.

 

Blue Canoe completes visits to 1,630 homes on Lake Scugog

Kawartha Conservation's Blue Canoe team has visited every home on Lake Scugog. This past summer we went to 969 homes, bringing the total to 1,630 homes since we began 2 summers ago.

We would like to thank the Lake Scugog community for welcoming us into their neighbourhoods. It is clear from our visits that the health of Lake Scugog is of high importance to everyone.

Through our visits, we were able to address many of the environmental concerns that property owners had, and talk about the actions they can take to address these concerns. We provided information on shoreline naturalization, environmentally friendly lawn care, well and septic system maintenance, energy efficiency and how to access grants and other funding for making upgrades and improvements.

 

Thank you Kawartha Water Watch volunteers!

Kawartha Water Watch (KWW) welcomed five new volunteers to the program this year. Jennings Creek in Lindsay was sampled by KWW volunteers for the first time. We also reactivated sampling at Janetville Creek and East Cross Creek

During the summer months, a total of 18 volunteers throughout the watershed performed monthly testing using kits provided by Kawartha Conservation. The samples collected were then sent to us for testing.

The information gathered through this and other monitoring programs will be compiled into reports that are distributed to volunteers and agencies involved in managing water resources.

For more information about Kawartha Water Watch, please contact Rob Stavinga at rstavinga@kawarthaconservation.com or call 705.328.2271 ext.229.

Water Resources Technician Rob Stavinga trains Kawartha Water Watch volunteer Jeff Rowney on water sampling techniques.

 

2009 Check Your Watershed Day summary report now available

The 2009 Check Your Watershed Day summary report is now available at www.monitoringthemoraine.ca/cywd.

The one day, annual event held on July 18 was part of a community-based survey to quantify water flow and fish barriers in headwater streams that begin on the Oak Ridges Moraine. The report summarizes the data from all of the 159 participants across Ontario.

In the Nonquon River watershed, 19 volunteers checked 63 sites. They spent the day checking the flow of water in small streams at road crossings by measuring culvert dimensions, culvert perching, stream width, water depth and water velocity.

Nonquon River watershed volunteers check 63 sites during Check Your Watershed Day on July 18.

 

New well monitoring equipment installed

The Provincial Groundwater Monitoring Network (PGMN) was established to keep track of regional groundwater resources by monitoring groundwater levels and quality. This network provides information that supports planning decisions which help protect groundwater resources.

In August, we installed equipment on a PGMN well located in Durham East Cross Forest Conservation Area. This equipment collects and sends information directly to the Ministry of the Environment by telephone.

We currently have 10 monitoring wells across our watershed that are part of a network of over 440 monitoring wells throughout Ontario.

Water Resources Technician Rob Stavinga and Conservation Lands Technician Charlie Duggan install equipment for the Provincial Ground Water Monitoring Network to provide data that indicates the state of ground water resources.

 

Volunteers help naturalize public shorelines in Port Perry

Special thanks to our keen and dedicated community volunteers for their work at shoreline naturalization demonstration sites in Port Perry's Birdseye Park and in behind Vos' Independent.

Demonstration sites allow us to provide educational opportunities and highlight different naturalization techniques and products, while addressing local shoreline concerns on public property.

Our volunteers this fall have included the Port Perry High School Horticulture Class, the Port Perry High School Environment Club, Fleming College and local community members.

These demonstration sites have received generous support from the EcoAction Community Funding Program.

The Port Perry High School Environmental Club naturalizes the shoreline in Birdseye Park, Port Perry.

 

Shorelines get a cleaning in Port Perry and Lindsay

Kawartha Conservation hosted shoreline cleanups in September as part of the TD Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup.

Volunteers of all ages, including children, high school students, college students and seniors, picked up 24 bags of garbage, including 10 bags of recyclables, along the highway 7A causeway in Port Perry on September 19th. This event was supported by the Port Perry Lions Club, Vos' Independent Grocer and the Ontario Ministry of Transportation.

In Lindsay, volunteers from Sir Sandford Fleming College and their families helped clean up Rainbow Bridge Park, Lions Riverview Park and Nayoro Park on September 26th. They picked up 37 bags of garbage, which included 17 bags of recyclables and some unusual items such as old exercise equipment, pylons, fencing and a lawn chair. This event was supported by Sir Sandford Fleming College.

The TD Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup is a nation-wide event occurring every year at thousands of sites across Canada. It is part of the Ocean Conservancy's International Coastal Cleanup, a world wide effort to clean up waterways across the globe. Visit www.vanaqua.org/cleanup for more information.

Port Perry High School students Dylan Morash (left) and Cameron Walker (right) haul recyclables and garbage up to the road for pickup.

 

Numerous upgrades in Pigeon River Headwaters Conservation Area

We improved infrastructure in Pigeon River Headwaters Conservation Area this season by replacing a 20 foot bridge, thanks to assistance from five Ministry of Natural Resources Stewardship Rangers. We also re-shingled the picnic shelter roof and installed updated trail signage, including a trail map and directional trail markers.

The new trail sign installed at Pigeon River Headwaters Conservation Area.

Come visit our conservation and natural areas any time of year! They offer hiking, cross-country skiing, bird watching, or just a place to take a walk with your dog. Many of these areas also offer parking, washrooms and picnic tables.

 

Out in Durham East Cross Forest Conservation Area

Many people have been out hiking, cycling and horseback riding on the newly opened trails in Durham East Cross Forest Conservation Area.

The trails can be accessed at 4560 Devitts Road, where you will find a parking area, basic restroom facilities and a map which shows the 6-kilometre trail network.

Durham East Cross Forest is open to non-motorized trail use only. Permitted uses include hiking, mountain biking horseback riding, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.

 

Show off your favourite conservation area this winter for great camera prize packages

There are still a few weeks left to get out and take pictures at your favourite conservation area and submit them to the Ontario Conservation Areas Photo Contest. Great camera prize packages can be won. For contest rules, regulations and a peek at the prizes, go to the Ontario Conservation Areas website at: www.ontarioconservationareas.ca

Strolling through Ken Reid Conservation Area. Photo courtesy of Karen Anderson.

 

Students flood Haliburton-Muskoka Children's Water Festival

Kawartha Conservation took part in the Haliburton-Muskoka Children's Water Festival in Carnarvon on September 29 and 30. Over 750 students in grades 4 and 6 from schools across the City of Kawartha Lakes, Haliburton and Muskoka braved the rainy weather to participate in the festival held at the Kinark Outdoor Centre.

The students visited up to 34 hands-on activity centres that demonstrated various water themes, including water protection, conservation, attitudes, technology and science. They were challenged to think about the role of water in their lives and the natural environment, and how to protect and conserve it.

The festival was organized and supported by community and environmental organizations, businesses, volunteers and schools within the Trillium Lakelands District School Board.

Students from Langton Public School in Fenelon Falls learn how a simple water-saving device in the shower can reduce daily water usage by many litres.

 

Volunteers receive training on aquatic bugs

We conducted our first Ontario Benthos Biomonitoring Network (OBBN) training session in August, allowing participants to receive official certification.

Benthos are aquatic bugs that live on the bottom of rivers and lakes, and are used to identify water and habitat quality.

Through Kawartha Water Watch, volunteers collect aquatic bugs with Kawartha Conservation staff at strategic sites within the watershed. This sampling is conducted during the spring and fall.

 

Drinking Water Source Protection update

We held an open house in Minden in November to present preliminary draft maps which show areas around municipal residential drinking water systems that are vulnerable to contamination and excessive water uses, and to talk about what each of us can do to protect our drinking water.

In November and December, an additional 3 open houses were held in Lindsay, Bobcaygeon and Little Britain in partnership with the City of Kawartha Lakes to present these maps and provide presentations on maintaining and protecting private wells and septic systems. The presentations were provided by Well Aware, the Ontario Ground Water Association and Eco Ethic.

One more open house will take place on December 17 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Latcham Community Centre, 121 Queen St, Port Perry. There will also be maps showing vulnerable areas around municipal residential drinking water systems and presentations on maintaining and protecting private wells and septic systems.

As part of Drinking Water Source Protection, we are also preparing an Assessment Report which will be used by the Trent Conservation Coalition Source Protection Committee to develop a plan by 2012 to protect municipal drinking water.

The Assessment Report, to be completed by the end of August 2010, will include assessments of the following:

• Water quantity and quality
• Vulnerable areas, including groundwater recharge areas, highly vulnerable aquifers, surface water intake protection zones and wellhead protection areas
• Existing issues
• Existing and future drinking-water threats in vulnerable areas, and
• Significant drinking water risks.

For more information on Drinking Water Source Protection, please visit www.trentsourceprotection.on.ca

Source Water Protection Technician Jessica Mueller answers questions about protecting municipal drinking water at an open house in Bobcaygeon on Nov 30.

 

More landowners eligible for funding

More landowners are eligible to receive funding for stewardship projects. Municipalities within our source protection area have passed resolutions which extend the land area around municipal drinking water systems that are eligible for grants.

Funding is available for:

• Well upgrades and decommissioning (80% up to $4,000)
• Septic system inspection and upgrades (80% up to $7,000 for eligible projects/ 80% up to $15,000 for advanced systems)
• Runoff and erosion protection and additional best management practices (range of 25% to 70% up to a range of $1,000 to $30,000)
• Pollution prevention reviews (100% up to $12,000)

To find out if you are in an eligible area or for more information about the Ontario Drinking Water Stewardship Program, please contact Shalin Abbott at sabbott@kawarthaconservation.com or 705.328.2271 ext. 223

Information is also available at www.trentsourceprotection.on.ca/protectingyourwater/financialassistance.