Areasofconcernupdate,environmentcanada

Presentation to:

Bay Area Restoration CouncilNovember 16, 2009

byJon Gee

Environment Canada

Canadian Areas of Concern Current Status

2

Outline

COA Goal 1 AOCs

–

Outlook for Delisting

COA Goal 2 AOCs

–

Status of Progress

3

International Joint

Commission(IJC)

Boundary Waters Treaty

(1909)

Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement

Canada – U.S. Canada

Federal Great Lakes Program

Canada-Ontario

Canada-OntarioAgreement

Great Lakes Management between Canada-U.S.

Great Lakes Management in Canada

History of Cooperation on the Great Lakes

4

The Canada-Ontario Agreement

COA is a work-sharing Agreement that outlines how Canada and Ontario will cooperate and coordinate their efforts to improve environmental quality of the Great Lakes ecosystem

First signed in 1971 to implement Canada’s obligations under the Canada – U.S. Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement

Signatories: 8 Federal Departments/agencies and 3 Provincial Ministers

Key mechanism to collaborate with implementation partners

5

The 2007 to 2010 COACOA FRAMEWORK

AREAS OF CONCERN(Annex 1)

Complete priority actions for delisting in 4

AOCs, and make significant progress in

others

• pollutants (area-specific)

• habitat

• contaminated sediment

• partnerships

• monitoring, science and research

HARMFUL POLLUTANTS

(Annex 2)

Toward virtually eliminating persistent

toxics and other harmful pollutants

• pollutants, including air (basin-wide)

• municipal wastewater

• sound management of chemicals program

• human health

• enhance knowledge

LAKE AND BASIN SUSTAINABILITY

(Annex 3)

Responding to significant challenges facing the long-term

prosperity of the Great Lakes Basin ecosystem

• encourage sustainability

• water quality (lake specific)

• biodiversity

• aquatic invasive species

• climate change impacts

• drinking water source protection

COORDINATION OF MONITORING,

RESEARCH AND INFORMATION

(Annex 4)

Coordinated scientific monitoring and research, and information

management for tracking and reporting

on environmental change

6

Integrates and clearly describes projects/activities and deliverables for each contributing agency

Facilitates project linkages and helps identify where work gaps exist

Provides for efficient tracking and reporting on progress towards COA Goals, Results and Commitments

The COA Workplan

contains a total of 850 projects/actions

301 projects/actions Annex 1 (40+ in H.H. AOC)

126 projects/actions Annex 2



Integrated Federal-Provincial COA Workplan

7

Overview COA Annex 1

Goals1.

Complete priority actions for delisting in 4 AOCs: Nipigon Bay, Jackfish Bay, Wheatley Harbour, St. Lawrence River (Cornwall)

2.

Make significant progress towards Remedial Action Plan (RAP) implementation, environmental recovery and restoration of beneficial uses in the remaining 11 AOCs.

Rural Non-point Pollution

Upgrading of Wastewater Infrastructure

Stormwater Control

8

Goal 1 Areas of Concern Outlook for Delisting

COA commitment to complete priority actions for delisting in four AOCs:

Nipigon Bay

Jackfish Bay

St. Lawrence River (Cornwall)

Wheatley Harbour

9

10

Nipigon Bay

Status: On track to complete actions

Reasons for AOC Designations

Degradation of benthos

Degradation of aesthetics

Loss of fish habitat

Status of BUIs

Success of fish habitat initiatives are being assessed

Water management plan has been completed and implemented

Degradation of benthos is related to municipal and industrial discharges (Domtar Red Rock Mill closed in 2006) assessment is ongoing

11

Nipigon Bay

Next Steps

Funding available for upgrading the Nipigon ($6.9M) and Red Rock ($9M) STPs

from primary to secondary treatment

Complete upgrading of STPs: Nipigon late summer 2010; Red Rock ~2011

Complete BUI Assessment

2009 Benthic Assessment

2009 Walleye Spawning

2010 –

11 Prepare Stage 3 Report

2011 -12 Delist

Nipigon

12

Jackfish Bay

Reasons for AOC Designation

:

Impairment of fish communities and habitat

Impairment of wildlife communities

Degraded aesthetics

Sediment quality and benthic community impairment

Natural recovery -

ecosystem is allowed to recover on its own, was selected as the preferred strategy

Decision recognizes:

The ongoing discharge from the Terrace Bay Pulp Inc.

Achievement of higher standards of effluent quality in the AOC between 1987 and 1997 (secondary, non-acutely lethal effluent)

Mill discharge complies with federal/provincial regulations

for pulp and paper industrial sector (i.e. control on AOx, non-lethal discharge, secondary treatment)

Status: On track (for re-designating as an Area In Recovery, pending community acceptance of status report)

13

Jackfish Bay

Next Steps

Continue with RAP recommendation of Natural Recovery

Recognize environmental recovery within Jackfish Bay will be slow

Full recovery of Blackbird Creek will not be realized as long as it receives mill effluent

Further remedial actions for the RAP are not feasible or recommended.

EC/MOE supporting Lakehead

U. to develop Area in Recovery status report for Fall 2009.

EcoSuperior

coordinating community engagement

Area in Recovery Monitoring Plan in development.

Area in Recover report to IJC this winter

14


Status: On track for de-listing or AIR by March 2010

Reasons for AOC Designation:

Restrictions on fish consumption

Degradation of fish and wildlife populations


Restrictions on dredging activities

Eutrophication

or undesirable algae

Beach closings

Loss of fish and wildlife habitat

Status of BUIs

Unimpaired:

Degradation of wildlife populations


Restrictions on dredging

Loss of fish habitat

Tainting of fish/wildlife flavour

Drinking water taste/odour

Beach closings

Uncertain:

Fish populations (improving)

Fish Tumours

(improving)

Eutrophication

(unimpaired)

Main issues:

Fish Consumption Restrictions

Loss of Wildlife Habitat

15


Next Steps

Funding ($37M) for upgrade of the City’s primary plant to secondary treatment (will not be completed by March 2010)

Local citizen representatives support de-listing

Analysis of “uncertain”

BUIs

on-going

Status of eutrophication

BUI to be confirmed by SLRRC

Stage 3 Report to be drafted over the summer

Final draft Stage 3:

Late fall/early winter 2009 –

SLRRC and Public review

Late winter 2009-10 COA Agencies review

Late winter/early spring 2010 to IJC review and comment

De-listing event to be held late spring early summer

16

Wheatley

Harbour AOC

Reasons for AOC Designation:

Restriction on fish consumption

Restriction on dredging activities

Eutrophication

or undesirable algae

Loss of fish and wildlife habitat

Degradation of fish and wildlife populations

■

The five BUIs

resulted from the following environmental concerns:

PCB contaminated sediments

Loss of habitat

High phosphorus concentrations

Status: On track for removing from the list of AOCs before March 2010

17

Status of BUIs

Status of BUIs: Science is indicating the five impairments have been restored:

Fish consumption: restrictions same as L. Erie central basin.

Dredging: Annual dredging unrestricted.

Eutrophication: Local TP sources controlled, concentrations lower/same as areas out side AOC

Habitat: Natural cover targets in AOC surpassed

Fish & Wildlife Populations: Healthy

18

Goal 2 Areas of Concern Status of Progress

COA Commitment: Make significant progress toward RAP implementation.

•

Lake Ontario–

Niagara River –

Hamilton Harbour –

Toronto and Region–

Port Hope*–

Bay of Quinte

•

Lake Erie–

Detroit River–

St. Clair River

•

Northern–

Spanish Harbour (Lake Huron)–

St. Marys

River–

Peninsula Harbour–

Thunder Bay

19

Niagara River

Issues:

Toxic contaminants (US sources & PCBs -

Lyons Creek)

Habitat degradation

CSO/Sewage/Non-point sources into Welland

R.

Accomplishments:

Lyons Creek East Sediment Management Strategy

Habitat strategy/significant habitat projects close to completion

CSO control projects (Niagara Falls)

Outlook:

Stage 2 Update Report with revised delisting criteria and workplan; Spring 2010

Sediment strategy being developed for Lyons Creek West (DoT

–

FCSAP)

Complete RAP Implementation Actions by 2015

Infrastructure funding needed for Welland

CSO/STP

Monitoring & Research to track BUI status a priority

20

Hamilton Harbour

Issues:

Contaminated sediments (Randle Reef –

PAHs

and metals)

STP/CSO discharges

Fish and wildlife habitat

Accomplishments:

Stormwater

and Wastewater Master Plans and several CSO tanks completed

Randle Reef EA on-going

Wetland restoration and an increase in native fish & wildlife

Fisheries Management Plan

Outlook:

Randle Reef –

multi-part agreement on remediation project is the main challenge

$700M funding needed for Hamilton CSO and WWTP Upgrade

Delisting by 2015 -

2020

21

Toronto and Region

Issues:

Stormwater

& CSOs/Beaches

Habitat loss

Accomplishments:

Wet Weather Flow Master Plan (WWFMP); Several EA’s

underway/completed

Beach Management Strategy in place

Toronto Waterfront Aquatic Habitat Restoration Strategy (TWAHRS)

Watershed Plans & Terrestrial Natural Heritage Strategy

Outlook:

$1B over 25 yrs required for WWFMP

Delisting by 2020 to be proposed

22

Port Hope*

Issues:

Radioactive sediments

Accomplishments:

Port Hope Area initiative led by Natural Resources Canada to clean up and manage Port Hope Harbour

and historic radioactive waste sites

Vision 2010 initiative by Cameco

Corp. to remove and store radioactive soil and waste

Outlook:

License from the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission for the possession, management and storage of nuclear substances granted in 2009

Site remediation to be initiated in 2009

Continued maintenance and monitoring

* Natural Resources Canada lead

23

Bay of Quinte

Issues:

Eutrophication

-

sewage treatment plants and non-point nutrient sources

Bacterial contamination

Fish population and habitat destruction

Sediment contamination –

dioxins & furans

Accomplishments:

Pollution Prevention & Control Plans

Fisheries Mgmt Plan, Habitat strategy

Sediment Management Strategy

Outlook:

Develop and implement Phosphorous Management Strategy


Monitoring & Research to track BUI status

24

Detroit River

Issues:

Habitat degradation

Toxic contaminants (point & non-point source, combined sewer overflows)

Accomplishments:

STP/CSO infrastructure upgrades –

completed/funding in place

PCB-contaminated sediment cleanup (Turkey Creek/Grand Marais Drain )

Priority habitat restoration strategy/projects

Web based info management

Draft Stage 2 out for public review

Outlook:

Stage 2 document with revised delisting criteria –

Spring 2010

Complete RAP Implementation of actions by 2015


25

St. Clair River

Issues:

Habitat degradation; toxic contaminants; Point source & non-

point source, combined sewer overflow

Sediments (Hg)

Accomplishments:

STP/CSO infrastructure upgrades underway

Significant reduction in chemical spills

Dow Zone 1 contaminated sediment cleanup

Priority habitat restoration strategy/projects

St. Clair R. AOC updated (2007)

Outlook:

Zone 2&3, Contaminated Sediment Assessment underway



26

Spanish Harbour

Issues:

Pulp mill and mining

Metals (upstream sources) and dioxins (legacy source) in sediment over large area, but no “hot spots”

Accomplishments:

All actions completed 1999 –

AOC has been in recovery

Muskie re-introductions are on-going

Outlook:

Monitoring plan to assess BUIs

Refine delisting criteria

Determine expected recovery timeframe for contaminated sediment

Enhance public engagement, including making monitoring results more accessible

27

St. Marys

River

Issues:

Effluents from Steel mill and Paper mill

Sediment contaminated with PAHs, petroleum hydrocarbons, oil, grease, metals

Hg and PCBs in fish

STPs, CSOs

and dispute over transboundary

bacteria contamination (Sugar Island)

Habitat –

wetlands

Accomplishments:

Steel mill has an EMA and effluents meet regs.

Algoma slip sediment clean up

STP/CSO upgrades (2006)

Wetland protection strategies

Outlook:

Assess current state of impaired BUIs

Determine if sediment management plan is required

Progress on stormwater

mgmt. and habitat rehabilitation

Sugar Island monitoring concludes nothing out of the norm, but stormwater

could need attention

Make monitoring results more accessible to local stakeholders

28

Peninsula Harbour

Issues:

Pulp mill and water pollution control plant

Contaminated sediment (Hg & PCBs)

Accomplishments:

Upgrades to pulp mill and water pollution control plant improved water quality and aesthetics (however, mill closed in March 2009)

Identified preferred sediment management option –

thin layer capping

Outlook:

Re-established Public Advisory Committee

Commence detailed design and EA this summer

Sediment management project implementation anticipated in 2010

Assess benthic community and fish habitat conditions outside sediment remediation area

29

Thunder Bay

Issues:

Pulp & paper, wood preserving

Contaminated sediments (Hg & wood fibre)

Loss of fish & wildlife habitat

Accomplishments:

Secondary treatment at mills & STP have improved water quality

NOWPARC sediment project

Habitat rehabilitation complete

Outlook:

Implement sediment management strategy once options have been studied (summer ’09)

Assess current state of remaining impaired BUIs

and develop a monitoring plan

Make monitoring results more accessible to local stakeholders

Areasofconcernupdate,environmentcanada

Documents

great lakes ecosystemfirst

great lakes basin ecosystem

aocs outlook

environmental quality

nipigon bay jackfish

complete priority actions

aoc126 projectsactions

information management