Minister pledges $18 million for lake clean-up
By Chris Simon

Federal Environment Minister John Baird announced a five year, $18 million funding package for the clean-up of the Lake Simcoe watershed Saturday.

About $18 million in federal money will be flowing into Lake Simcoe, says Canada's environment minister.

The federal government unveiled a five year, $18 million commitment to the preservation and protection of the lake Saturday. The funding will be used to reduce the amount of pollution and phosphorus entering the lake, by supporting various government, conservation authority, and community clean-up efforts, said Environment Minister John Baird.

"It demonstrates the initiative and hard work that will go a long way towards cleaning these waters and protecting the health, vitality and natural splendor of (the) lake," he said, during the announcement, which took place along the shores of Kempenfelt Bay in Barrie. "It's within our power to control the problem and very much worth the effort."

Specifically, the funding will be used to reduce rural and urban pollution, cut phosphorus levels, rehabilitate wildlife habitats, improve information and monitoring systems and control the amount of sewage and storm water that enter the lake, said Baird.

"This lake looks to be thriving; closer inspection unfortunately tells us something different. Excessive amounts of phosphorus from both urban and rural sources are taking hold of the lake and slowly damaging it," he said. "Excessive nutrients are stimulating excessive algae growth, which leads to taste and odour problems in drinking water."

The large amounts of algae are also having an impact on fish stocks in the lake. Rotting algae creates a strong amount of oxygen, something that is harming fish stocks, said Baird.

Last year, the government announced $12 million in funding for the lake. And Friday, the government unveiled plans to cut the level of phosphates in laundry and dishwasher detergent, which will reduce the amount of algae created in local watersheds, he said.

Richard Simpson, chair of the Protect and Preserve the Environment of Lake Simcoe (PROPEL) committee, says the government is committed to the watershed's vital cleanup efforts.

The volunteer committee was formed last year, to provide advise to the government about how funding for the lake should be spent.

"This truly shows that Lake Simcoe, and everyone who enjoys it, are important to the federal government," he said.

"We will be making recommendations to the environment minister on how the fund should be best spent on a project by project basis. It is important that all of us recognize the urgency and importance to protect our natural habitat and secure a future for all generations to come."

The lake provides drinking water to eight municipalities, and generates $200 million in annual revenues to the surrounding area.

York-Simcoe MP Peter Van Loan says the funding will help improve the overall health of the lake.

"We are taking action now for all of the people who make their home around (the) lake," he said. "Lake Simcoe is critical to all of us who live, work and play in the (surrounding) watershed.

"We've made great progress in developing a really strong commitment to (the) lake."