JACKSON'S POINT, ON, Aug. 27, 2009 -- On behalf of the Honourable Jim Prentice, Minister of the Environment, the Honourable Peter Van Loan, Minister of Public Safety and Member of Parliament for York Simcoe, announced today the third and fourth groups of projects under the Lake Simcoe Clean-Up Fund.
"We're investing in Lake Simcoe because it is a critical resource that provides safe drinking water for eight municipalities and, through recreational activities, generates more than $200 million a year for the local economy," said Minister Van Loan. "These projects represent an investment that will help to ensure Lake Simcoe has a healthy future."
"Environment Canada has a strong, comprehensive, approach to ensure clean water for all Canadians, and the Lake Simcoe Clean-Up Fund is an important part of that plan," said Environment Minister Jim Prentice. "It is a great example of how we collaborate with stakeholders to take concrete and measurable actions that improve water quality."
Initiatives funded by the Lake Simcoe Clean-Up Fund are designed to preserve and protect the environment of Lake Simcoe. Forty-four projects will receive a total of $5,504,231 as part of an overall investment of $30 million over five years, which was announced in February 2008.
"Through our previous Lake Simcoe Clean-Up Fund funding, we've engaged our partners to undertake 23 projects that have helped to reduce the amount of phosphorus entering the lake by 15 kg annually. We're proud of the fact that we've been able to restore 3.5 km of urban and rural stream banks and planted over 6,500 trees and shrubs," said Gayle Wood, Chief Administrative Officer of the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority.
This investment to clean up Lake Simcoe is part of the Government of Canada's Action Plan for Clean Water, which includes projects like the Health of the Oceans initiative to protect Canada's three oceans, the clean-up of contaminated sediment in Great Lakes Areas of Concern, and action on pollution in Lake Winnipeg.
Background on the Lake Simcoe Clean-up Fund
The Government of Canada believes that clean, safe and secure water is something all Canadians have the right to enjoy. That is why we are taking action to preserve and protect Lake Simcoe. The health of the lake has been steadily declining for many years. Declining water quality is the primary challenge, and residents around the lake are seeking solutions. Through a $30 million, five-year clean-up fund, the Government of Canada is helping the residents restore the health of the lake.
The Lake Simcoe Clean-Up Fund is used to support priority projects led by community organizations, land owners, non-government environmental groups, the provincial and municipal governments and Conservation Authorities. The fund supports projects that contribute to:
- Reducing rural and urban pollution to cut the amount of phosphorus going into the lake
- Rehabilitating fish and wildlife habitats
- Improving information-gathering and the monitoring of phosphorus levels for assessing progress
The fund is administered by Environment Canada in consultation with Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, the Province of Ontario, the Lake Simcoe Conservation Authority and other key stakeholders. Twice a year, Environment Canada solicits public input for clean-up projects.
Environment Canada is assisted by the Protect and Preserve the Environment of Lake Simcoe Committee (PROPEL), and a Technical Review Committee. The PROPEL Committee members were appointed by the Minister of the Environment on October 12, 2007, to advise on priority actions and funding recommendations.
Land owners and Aboriginal communities, nongovernmental and community organizations, agricultural associations, the conservation authority, businesses, industry, and provincial and municipal governments are all eligible to receive funding through the Lake Simcoe Clean-Up Fund. Those interested in applying, should submit a Letter of Intent describing the proposed project. Successful applicants will then be asked to submit a detailed project proposal. Go to the Lake Simcoe Clean-Up Fund Web site at www.ec.gc.ca/lakesimcoe for selection criteria and application deadlines.
The table of the Lake Simcoe Clean-Up Fund - Rounds 3 and 4 New Projects is available at the following address: http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/ENVA0827.pdf
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