Areasofconcernupdate,environmentcanada
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Transcript of 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
392 projects/actions Annex 3
31 projects/actions Annex 4
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
St. Lawrence River (Cornwall)
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
Degradation of benthos
Restrictions on dredging activities
Eutrophication
or undesirable algae
Beach closings
Loss of fish and wildlife habitat
Status of BUIs
Unimpaired:
Degradation of wildlife populations
Degradation of benthos
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
St. Lawrence River (Cornwall)
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
Complete RAP Implementation Actions by 2011
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
Monitoring & Research to track BUI status
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
Complete RAP Implementation Actions by 2015
Monitoring & Research to track BUI status
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