Lake Simcoe Protection Plan Review

Lake Simcoe Protection Plan Review

The required 10-year review of the Lake Simcoe Protection Plan is underway. The plan is intended to guide the Government of Ontario’s actions to protect and restore Lake Simcoe. It focuses on water quality, reducing pollutants and nutrients (e.g., phosphorus), protecting natural heritage, and addressing invasive species and other emerging threats. Progress in achieving the plan’s objectives, however, has been undermined by provincial funding cuts, policy changes enabling more sprawling development and a general lack of implementation. Of particular concern are rising phosphorus levels, and the continued loss of forests and wetlands in the watershed.

The Rescue ...

The required 10-year review of the Lake Simcoe Protection Plan is underway. The plan is intended to guide the Government of Ontario’s actions to protect and restore Lake Simcoe. It focuses on water quality, reducing pollutants and nutrients (e.g., phosphorus), protecting natural heritage, and addressing invasive species and other emerging threats. Progress in achieving the plan’s objectives, however, has been undermined by provincial funding cuts, policy changes enabling more sprawling development and a general lack of implementation. Of particular concern are rising phosphorus levels, and the continued loss of forests and wetlands in the watershed.

The Rescue Lake Simcoe Coalition is calling on the government to uphold and, where needed, strengthen plan policies and to properly invest in achieving the plan’s targets. It has identified six priorities that must be addressed: 

  1. Improve water quality by reducing phosphorus loads to the lake to 44 tonnes per year; 
  2. Protect 40 percent of the watershed’s forests and wetlands; 
  3. Enable First Nations and the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority to participate meaningfully in the plan’s governance; 
  4. Stop the use of Minister’s Zoning Orders (MZOs) in the watershed; 
  5. Increase public engagement in restoration and invasive species control; and 
  6. Incorporate and implement the Lake Simcoe Climate Change Adaptation Strategy policies into the plan to reduce phosphorus loads, mitigate the impacts of climate change, and increase natural cover. 

The coalition has provided detailed recommendations for addressing each of these priorities. With respect to natural heritage, for example, the government should amend the plan to require the naturalization of shorelines, and the establishment of natural cover and restoration targets. It should also work with municipalities to identify, map and protect natural areas of 25 hectares or more. Finally, it must consult with local Indigenous communities to identify priority lands for protection, and ensure that Indigenous voices and Traditional Ecological Knowledge are meaningfully included in all decisions, plans and policies.

Please join Ontario Nature and Rescue Lake Simcoe Coalition in asking the Government of Ontario to identify and pursue ways to achieve the science-based objectives and targets of the Lake Simcoe Protection Plan. Given the ever-increasing threats to this precious watershed from phosphorus loading, climate change and loss of natural areas, political will and investment are needed to protect Lake Simcoe. 

The deadline for public comment is March 3rd

+

Urge the Government of Ontario to Reduce Phosphorus and Protect Natural Heritage

  • Minister Yurek, Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks
  • Lake Simcoe Planning Team

Compose your email

Email Tips +

Please personalize your email with any anecdotes or other information that you think will be impactful. If you experince system errors or difficulties submitting your email, please feel free to email your letter and contact info to [email protected] and we will submit it on your behalf. Thank you.