News From Your GBA Rep – Claudette Pintwala

(contact by phone 905 935 2986, or e-mail pinty2@sympatico.ca)

 

The Georgian Bay Association Directors and Committee members have been working diligently on your behalf through the winter months.  The following is a brief update on some of the issues brought forward by the various committees that may be of concern to you:

 

* Water Quality Committee  - Results for the 2002 water testing reports are soon to be released.  The summer of 2002 was warmer and wetter than previous summers and this has had an impact.

-         Phosphorous levels in many test areas show high and indicate a need to reduce nutrient loading

-         Benthic macro-invertebrate (Bugs) studies have also identified areas of deprived water quality

-         Results will take another month or so before they will be posted on the GBA website (www.georgianbay.ca)

The Committee will be meeting with the Ministry of Environment to discuss these results

 

*  Aquaculture Committee – Both the Federal and Provincial Government are poised to forge ahead in supporting the expansion of freshwater aquaculture (open netcage fish farming) without being able to predict the impact on wild species, fish habitat, or water quality.  This GBA committee is keeping a close watch.  We met with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans in January. We have begun to network with other concerned stakeholders such as Pollution Probe, Federation of Ontario Naturalists, and World Wildlife Fund. A meeting has been arranged for next month with these groups and government officials of DFO and the Director of Policy, Office of Sustainable Aquaculture in order to voice our concerns and recommendations. Will give a report in the next newsletter.

 

*  Water Levels Committee – The Great Lakes fresh water supply is approximately 99% glacial deposit with only 1% being a renewable resource.  This committee has been extremely busy submitting GBA concerns and recommendations to the International Joint Commission (IJC) regarding the impacts of low water levels and the current issues of:

1)      The impact of climate change (Environment Canada predicts a 100cm decline in levels over the next 20 – 40 years) and the need to reduce greenhouse gases.

2)      The proposals by the US Army Corps of Engineers to deepen and widen the Seaway Channels, which Environment Canada predicts will draw down the middle lakes (including Georgian Bay) by 40 cm or more.

3)      Shoreline alteration and dredging at the outflow of Lake Huron has increased the outflow.  GBA has asked for an assessment and requested the establishment of a Lake Huron Outflow Monitoring Board

4)      Pipeline proposals. There is “talk” of:  an extension of the Collingwood pipeline from Alliston to Bradford outside of the Georgian Bay watershed; a new pipeline from Lake Huron to Walkerton; a U.S. interest in piping Great Lakes water to the American Midwest.  GBA is requesting the Federal Commissioner of Environment and Sustainable Development to review any pipeline proposals and consider water level impact.

 

*  Fisheries Committee – The revised regulations for walleye, pike, bass and perch for divisions 16 and 17 (eastern Georgian Bay and the North Channel) are now published in the 2003 Recreational Fishing Regulations Summary.  This publication is available at the usual government offices and on the web at www.mnr.on.ca/MNR/fishing/gen.html the annual GBA/MNR Fisheries Workshop will be held on Saturday, April 5

 

*  Wildlife Network Committee -

-  Reptile Stewardship Seminar – Sunday April 13th This workshop will take place in the Toronto area, in the afternoon.  The seminar is designed to train community leaders in the conservation of Georgian Bay’s threatened reptile species (Massasauga, Fox, Hog-Nose Snake and others). It will be conducted by Glenda Clayton of the Georgian Bay Reptile Awareness Program.  Participants will learn how to work with their Cottage Associations to develop education and conservation programs and will develop practical skills in snake relocation. (No previous snake-handling experience required!!!)

There is no registration fee but space is limited to about 20.  If interested, call or e-mail Claudette at the number listed at the top of this article.

-         Pet Health and Safety – Every year, incidents of pet deaths or illness are reported, most killed by predators, others made ill by infection.  If you know of incidents involving pets in our area we would appreciate hearing about it.  Contact Claudette (as above)

-         Blastomycosis – This summer a pet Labrador Retriever died of blastomycosis, likely contracted in the Sans Souci area.  Blastomycosis is a fungus present in soil and rotting wood in many parts of northern Ontario, including Georgian Bay.  The spores of blastomycosis can be released when soil is disturbed, and can cause serious illness and even death in dogs, cats, and rarely in humans.  The Georgian Bay and Parry Sound Animal Hospitals treat several cases of blastomycosis every year.  We know of only one non-fatal human case in Georgian Bay in 2002 but there were more reports in other northern areas.  It is difficult, if not impossible to prevent blastomycosis, but early detection and treatment are critical.  More information will follow. If you know of any cases of blastomycosis in the South Channel Area, please contact Claudette (as above)

 

*  Invasive Species Committee –

-         Gypsy Moths – It is predicted that the cold winter has probably killed off 75% of the gypsy moth population.  More information will be released in the near future.  (You can also refer to the “Links” page on the Township’s web site www.thearchipelago.on.ca for the latest information on the condition of our forests)

-         West Nile Virus – GBA has been in contact with the Medical Officer of Health for Muskoka-Parry Sound to discuss West Nile Virus.  There is no plan to spray wetlands in Georgian Bay.  Cottagers are advised to take reasonable precautions to prevent mosquito bites by using protective clothing and sprays and avoiding mosquito-dense areas and times of day (e.g. dusk).  Of the approximately 70 confirmed cases of West Nile Virus in Ontario, 20-30 people were hospitalized, and 4 people died.  All of the deaths occurred among people who had other chronic illnesses.  For further information about the West Nile Virus, see the Muskoka Parry Sound Health Unit’s web site www.mpshu.on.ca/environmentalhealth/mosquito or Health Canada’s site at http://nile.healthcanada.net

 

*  Forest Ecosystem Monitoring Committee – To all SCA members who already expressed an interest, and to any others who would like to participate, the GBA is planning to conduct a Training session on either April 5th or April 26th at the George Kelk Corporation building, 48 Lesmill Road, Don Mills (from 401 E at Leslie St. Exit).  A 20-by-20-metre forest plot has been set up for our monitoring on McLaren Island.  This monitoring will not only measure the health of the trees, but also give many indications about our air quality and ground level ozone.  See the Fall/Winter 2002/03 Issue of the GBA UPDATE (p.12) for more information.  Please contact Claudette (see above) to confirm your interest in volunteering to monitor the plot on McLaren Island over the summer, whether or not you are able to attend the training session.  I will let you know more details as soon as they are forwarded to me.

 

*  Massasauga Park Committee – This committee will be meeting with the soon-to-be-appointed new Park superintendent.  They will be exploring the concept of initiating a “Friends of the Massasauga Park” initiative to determine and take direction on Park issues.  More to follow.

 

*  Boating Committee – Reminder:  Anyone born after 1983 must now have an operator competency card on board when using a PWC or other vessel under 13 ft.