The Lake Scugog Enhancement Project (LSEP) aims to improve the water quality and recreational function of Port Perry Bay through the creation of a healthy wetland habitat, waterfront trail, and installation of stormwater management infrastructure.
The range of benefits from this project is broad, including environmental, social, economic, tourism and recreation.
Project Objectives
Project objectives include:
- Creating a healthy 1.4 hectare wetland habitat
- Creating a 245m walking trail connecting four fishing platforms along the edge of the wetland
- Enhancing stormwater treatment processes through the installation of oil and grit separators
- Increasing recreation and tourism opportunities through a revitalized outdoor space
- Increasing the navigational depth of Port Perry Bay to 1.8m
- Reducing invasive aquatic plants in Port Perry Bay
Project status
| Basic Impact Assessment - Parks Canada (under review) |
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Two Basic Impact Assessment applications were submitted to Parks Canada in 2023 and are currently under review. This review will assess:
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| Fisheries Authorization - Fisheries and Oceans Canada |
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A Fisheries Authorization by Fisheries and Oceans Canada is required before project commencement. A component of this authorization is a Fisheries Offsetting Plan, which details the following activities:
The Fisheries Offsetting Plan was submitted for review in April 2019, April 2021, January 2023, and April 2023, with the most recent submission (April 2023) currently under review. |
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Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (Schedule B) - Ministry of Environment, Conservation & Parks (in progress) |
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A Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (Schedule B) undertaken by the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation & Parks began in 2018 and is currently in progress. This assessment evaluates risk and identifies potential impacts to the environment so that they can be eliminated or reduced during project implementation. To date, the following project requirements have been completed for the Lake Scugog Enhancement Project.
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| Navigation Protection Program permit - Transport Canada (in progress) |
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A Navigation Protection Program permit is currently in progress through Transport Canada, which includes the following applications:
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About the project
The project was initiated by the Healthy Lake Scugog Steering Committee (HLSSC), a Committee of Council to the Township of Scugog. The HLSSC is comprised of representatives from:
- Port Perry Business Improvement Association
- Scugog Chamber of Commerce
- Kawartha Conservation
- Durham Region
- Durham MP Erin O'Toole
- Durham MPP Todd McCarthy
- Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry
- Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation
- Parks Canada / Trent-Severn Waterway
- Scugog Lake Stewards
- Township of Scugog Council, staff, and residents
- Local business owners
Kawartha Conservation is the scientific and technical lead on the Lake Scugog Enhancement Project.
To learn more about the project, contact Kawartha Conservation's Water Quality Specialist, Tanner Liang, by email or by phone at 705-328-2271 ext. 228, or contact the Director of Public Works and Infrastructure Services with the Township of Scugog, Carol Coleman, by email or phone at 905-985-7346 ext.149.
This project was undertaken with the financial support of the Nature Smart Climate Solutions Fund, a Government of Canada’s Department of Environment and Climate Change program in partnership with Conservation Ontario. Other funding sources were obtained from the Greenbelt Foundation and the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation.
