Great Lakes Sustainability Fund

Table of Contents

• Successful Restoration Work Results in the Return of Rare Species
• Government of Canada’s Great Lakes Sustainability Fund Joins in Celebrating the Commissioning of Innovative Low-Cost CSO Treatment Facility
• Environment Canada Celebrates the Successful Completion of the Northern Wood | Preservers Sediment Remediation Project
• Southern Wild Rice Back in Cootes Paradise
• Computer Modelling Assists with Targeting Rural Sites for Restoration
• The Economic Benefits of Remediation - Great Lakes Sustainability Fund
• An Empowered Citizenry #2: The EcoSuperior Success Model
• Federal Government and the Community - Supporting Local Efforts
• Fish Telemetry Studies Identify Preferred Fish Habitat
• Greening the Rouge Watershed

Successful Restoration Work Results in the Return of Rare Species    

The Royal Botanical Gardens, in partnership with the Great Lakes Sustainability Fund, has started to see some exciting results in the restoration of natural capital through their successful Grindstone Creek and Cootes Paradise Rehabilitation Project. This project was initiated in 1998 to address some of the concerns within the Hamilton Harbour Area of Concern and includes many targeted actions for restoration including the management of the Royal Botanical Gardens fishway, wetland and riparian plantings, and invasive species control. 

As this restoration work slowly returns the Grindstone Creek and the Cootes Paradise wetland to a healthier condition, uncommon species in Ontario have begun to return. During the past year, several important visitors have been observed. The Prothonotary Warbler, which is listed as Endangered under bothOntario's Endangered Species Act (ESA) and the Federal Species at Risk Act (SARA), were seen successfully breeding and fledging young. The discovery of two baby Northern Map Turtles (Special Concern - both ESA and SARA), the confirmation of the continued presence of a population of Blanding's Turtles (Threatened - ESA), and the American White Pelican (Endangered - ESA) have all been noted within the area. Finally, a possible Chestnut Lamprey (Special Concern - Schedule 3 SARA) was examined at the fishway which, if confirmed, would be the first record of this provincially rare species in the Great Lakes.

Using an ecosystem approach, this project is helping to ensure that biodiversity in the Great Lakes Basin is conserved and protected and has resulted in the return or reestablishment of a number of Species at Risk. 

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Government of Canada’s Great Lakes Sustainability Fund Joins in Celebrating the Commissioning of Innovative Low-Cost CSO Treatment Facility

On September 29, 2005, the City of Niagara Falls (Canada) held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to launch its innovative pilot high rate Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) treatment facility. Speakers included Niagara Falls Mayor Ted Salci, Niagara Regional Chair Peter Partington, Nancy Giles representing Niagara Falls MPP Kim Craitor, and Sandra Kok, Great Lakes Sustainability Fund (GLSF), on behalf of federal Environment Minister Stéphane Dion. David Watt from the City ofNiagara Fallsprovided technical details, highlighting the $100 million in potential cost savings compared to conventional methods of CSO control.

CSOs result when the sewers become overloaded under wet weather conditions and some of the sewer contents (including untreated stormwater and sewage) bypass the normal processes and are discharged directly to the receiving water.  CSOs are often a significant source of pollution in Great Lakes municipalities.  

GLSF and Environment Canada’s National Water Research Institute have provided technical and financial ($130 000) support to the City of Niagara Falls CSO Treatment Studysince 2002. The study evaluated high rate treatment technologies for CSOs at the overflow site. GLSF funding was used to establish the final design of the pilot facility. Results from the pilot facility will contribute to the City’s CSO implementation program and will be extremely valuable to other municipalities in the Great Lakes Basin, and across Canada. 

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Environment Canada Celebrates the Successful Completion of the Northern Wood Preservers Sediment Remediation Project

One of the most contaminated sediment sites in Canadahas been successfully cleaned up. Through the joint efforts of industry and government agencies the Northern Wood Preservers Alternative Remediation Concept, NOWPARC, a $20-million sediment remediation project, was developed and implemented.

Local Thunder Bay MP Joe Comuzzi, along with provincial MPP Michael Gravelle, was on hand Tuesday, September 20, 2005, to congratulate the parties involved in bringing the project to completion. Environment Canada staff Simon Llewellyn (retired), Roger Santiago and Ian Orchard received awards of recognition for their outstanding contribution towards the NOWPARC project. Environment Canadaand the Ontario Ministry of the Environment worked cooperatively with Abitibi-Consolidated Inc., Northern Wood Preservers Inc. and CN Rail on the clean-up project which was initiated in 1997. 

Highlights of the project included isolation of the creosote-contaminated site, mechanical removal and thermal treatment of 11,000 cubic metres (m³) of highly contaminated sediment, containment of 21,000 m³ of contaminated sediment and the creation of 5 hectares of fish habitat.

The sediment contamination at Northern Wood Preservers was a key component to be addressed in the Remedial Action Plan for Thunder Bay Harbour.  Completion of the remedial work is a major step forward in addressing local water quality issues and towards delisting Thunder Bay Harbour as an identified International Joint Commission Area of Concern. The Government of Canada’s Great Lakes Sustainability Fund provided the federal share ($5.8 million) of the $20-million project.

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Southern Wild Rice Back in Cootes Paradise

Prior to 1934, Southern wild rice (Zizania aquatica L.), was among the dominant plant species in Cootes Paradise, a marsh area at the western end of Hamilton Harbour. However, the plant was gradually extirpated due to a variety of environmental pressures, including impacts from carp. With the construction of the Cootes Paradise Fishway in 1997, this pressure was virtually eliminated.  In 2002, following the spontaneous reoccurrence of a few wild rice plants in 1999, Dr. Peter Lee from Lakehead University, in partnership with Great Lakes Sustainability Fund and the Royal Botanical Gardens, began to examine the potential for reintroducing this rarely found Carolinian species.

A GIS model was developed that identified suitable wild rice habitat within the marsh, and extensive sediment sampling and test plantings were conducted.  It was found that wild rice would grow throughout the marsh, however the best production conditions for this annual plant occurred in areas with seasonal water coverage, sediments with elevated levels of nitrogen (N) and phosphorous (P) and higher than average organic content.  Pore water analysis from the test enclosures revealed that the wild rice reduced the levels of N, P, and potassium by two to three times.  This suggests that the plant could act as an effective natural filter, as phosphorous is a problem in the Hamilton Harbour Area of Concern.

Recent monitoring has shown that the enclosures, while experiencing some yearly variability, are progressing well with respect to seed production and self-sustainability.  Hopefully these plantings will expand in Cootes Paradise, and will also be used as a seed source for other reintroduction sites in Southern Ontario.

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Computer Modelling Assists with Targeting Rural Sites for Restoration

Over the last ten years, the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority (NPCA), with support from the Great Lakes Sustainability Fund (GLSF), has implemented a successful non-point source pollution (NPS) abatement project in the Niagara River Area of Concern (AOC). This project has resulted in the establishment of 7.2 ha of wetland, 240 ha of reforestation, and over 126 km of riparian buffers. Through this project 2,500 livestock have been restricted from watercourses, and 57 manure storage improvement projects have been completed.  These activities have removed more than 73,000 m³/year (roughly 900 average size swimming pools) of liquid manure run-off from the watercourses.

The NPCA uses various project management tools, including the Raison Object System - Agricultural Non-point Source (ROS-AGNPS) computer model, to successfully deliver this program.  ROS-AGNPS is a single storm, event-based model that predicts impacts on water quality and quantity from non-point pollution sources.  GLSF has been working in cooperation with a number of project partners to modify this tool for use in the Great LakesBasin .

Earlier this year, the NPCA used the ROS-AGNPS to run comparative simulations and target restoration work within the Oswego Watershed. The simulations showed that by targeting a local dairy farmer for restoration work the highest return to the environment would be achieved.  With assistance from the NPCA, the landowner completed a manure storage and livestock fencing project, thus enhancing water quality in the Oswego Creek sub-watershed.

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The Economic Benefits of Remediation - Great Lakes Sustainability Fund

• The Great Lakes Sustainability Fund (GLSF) contributes up to one-third of the total cost of projects that implement remedial actions to complete the restoration of Areas of Concern. Since 1990, the Fund has provided $87 million of the $205 million to support 700 projects that included habitat restoration, contaminated sediment remediation, stewardship and control of urban and rural runoff. 
• In addition to improvements to the quality of environment, communities also realize economic benefits from environmental restoration. Some examples include:

  -tax savings of over $70 million in capital costs through the optimization of sewage treatment plants in municipalities in four Areas of Concern, a return of 20:1 on investment

  -for every dollar provided by GLSF, more than two dollars were spent, in cash or in-kind by local partners

  -an increase in total employment of over 7,000 full-time equivalent jobs

  -$174 million increase in wages and salaries in Ontario, $257 million increase in Ontario's Gross Provincial Product, and $81 million increase in federal, provincial and local tax revenues

  -avoided costs associated with wastewater treatment, streambank maintenance and flood protection,enabling the Hamilton-Halton Watershed Stewardship Program to realize a 10:1 benefit to cost ratio, the Severn Sound Environmental Association 16:1, and the Bay of Quinte Remedial Action Plan, 13:1

  -increased recreational value resulting from the clean-up of contaminated sediments in the St. Clair Area of Concern, generating over $300,000 per year in economic benefits from improvements in recreational fishing in the lake

  -new trade and development opportunitiesas restoration knowledge, tools and technology generated and supported by GLSF are drawing international attention (e.g. Chinese central government for environmental restoration work in the City of Wuxi)

  

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  An Empowered Citizenry #2: The EcoSuperior Success Model

• EnvironmentCanadais working to build capacity in local communities to help achieve departmental goals in Remedial Action Plans (RAPs) and Lakewide Management Plans (LaMPs). To this end, EcoSuperior has proven to be a model for success in the Lake Superiorwatershed.
• EcoSuperior, incorporated in 1994, is a not-for-profit organization, operated by a volunteer board of directors who represent government, industry and academia. Through partnerships with local businesses and industry, as well as all levels of government, Ecosuperior strives to increase public awareness and participation.
• Canada's Great Lake Sustainability Fund has provided funding support of over $150K to EcoSuperior since 2000. This effort is part of the Lake Superior Binational Program's Zero Discharge Demonstration for toxic contaminants and includes Ontario as a partner.
• EcoSuperior has focused on diverting mercury found in commercial products (button batteries, fluorescent tubes, thermostats and thermometers) from reaching landfills in the basin through working with industry, small businesses and other community groups in theLake Superior watershed.
• EnvironmentCanadafunding also allows EcoSuperior to conduct outreach to communities, including First Nations, on garbage burning, and to carry out other programs including the mercury switch-out program with the Clean Air Foundation. Thousands of transactions (outreach, recycling) with citizens in communities from Thunder Bayto Sault Ste.Marie have occurred.
• EcoSuperior was recognized by the Recycling Council of Ontario when it received a 2003 Ontario Waste Minimization Award for not-for-profit organizations participating in innovative waste control programs.

In 2004, EcoSuperior received an Environmental Stewardship Award. Coordinated by the Lake Superior Binational Program, this award recognizes important contributions that individuals, businesses, industry, communities, and First Nations/Tribes have made to protect and restore the natural resources in the Lake Superior basin in the US and Canada. EcoSuperior has demonstrated that local expertise, knowledge and networks effectively deliver programs through engaging municipalities, citizens, industry and other organizations.

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Federal Government and the Community - Supporting Local Efforts

• The Government of Canada's Great Lakes Sustainability Program (GLSF) supports community-based projects that restore Canada 's designated Areas of Concern (AOCs) in the Great Lakes Basin .
• Since 1990, GLSF and its predecessor program (Great Lakes Cleanup Fund) have provided $87 million towards 700 environmental projects in 17 Canadian AOCs.
• Key elements of all GLSF projects are the funding and technology partnerships that are developed. Project partners range from federal, provincial and municipal governments, conservation authorities, non-government organizations, first nations, educational institutions, private industry and local community volunteers. Together, they have contributed $213 million in financial and in-kind resources.
• Working in collaboration with 25 conservation authorities, and other agencies, shorelines are enhanced for improved fish and wildlife habitat, and landowners are encouraged to implement best management practices to reduce sources of contaminants from agricultural activities and improve stewardship.
• One example of a successful GLSF project is the Hamilton Harbour Watershed Stewardship Project (HHWSP). The HHWSP received the Wildlife Habitat Canada 's Countryside Canada Stewardship Award in 2003. Former Environment Minister David Anderson presented this award to the HHSWP honouring its achievements in promoting exemplary stewardship programs in harmony with nature.
• The HHWSP project is just one of the GLSF projects that has been very successful. This success is largely due to the partnerships it has formed assisting with the funding of the project, developing new technologies, and its implementation. The following is a sample of the over 30 partners that have been involved directly or indirectly with the success of this project: GLSF; Fisheries and Oceans Canada; Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources; Hamilton Region Conservation Authority; City of Hamilton; Wildlife Habitat Canada; Hamilton Naturalist's Club; and, local schools and landowners.

The approaches and technologies employed by the HHWSP project have been transferred to other AOCs, and across Canada . The project leaders have shared their knowledge and experiences of non-point source pollution reduction, fish barrier remediation, community involvement, and Natural Heritage Strategy with other private agencies, provincial and non-governmental organizations.

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Fish Telemetry Studies Identify Preferred Fish Habitat

One beneficial component of stewardship on the landscape is the establishment of vegetative buffers along watercourses.  These buffers benefit water quality and wildlife habitat by reducing bank erosion, filtering sediment and nutrients, providing vegetative corridors for wildlife to use on migration between woodlands and improving in-stream habitat for fish migration.  The Great Lakes Sustainability Fund (GLSF) has been involved in several projects that illustrate the benefits that buffer restoration provides to fish and their habitat. 

The Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority (NPCA), in partnership with GLSF and the Niagara River Restoration Council, recently conducted a telemetry study that investigated the migratory movement of 20 northern pike (Esox Lucieus) to characterize their preferred locations for spawning.  Data was collected to identify the habitat conditions that these northern pike favoured.  Understanding the northern pike’s preferred locations and the relevant habitat conditions allowed the NPCA to target the best upstream areas for restoration.

The James Drain in the Welland Riverwatershed was identified as one area that was inhabited by northern pike but was not being fully utilized.  Prior to restoration of this area, northern pike migrated only 200 m upstream along the Drain.  In order to increase habitat, buffer widths of 10 - 15 m were incorporated on the both sides of the watercourse, resulting in 1.5 ha (3.7 ac) of restored riparian habitat.  With the completion of this restoration project, pike can now use an additional 1200 m of desperately needed habitat in the watershed. 

The use of this monitoring technique has been very successful.  Based on these results, the NPCA can now use this procedure to target additional sites for restoration of northern pike habitat.  For more information about this study please see www.biotactic.com/Pike Telemetry 2003.pdf *

The use of monitoring tools such as telemetry studies helps ensure that projects are located in the most favourable sites, and that restoration work is completed in a manner that provides the best opportunities for success.  Through these activities, the NPCA and GLSF are helping to move the Niagara River AOC further towards delisting.

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Greening the Rouge Watershed

Located on the eastern edge of Toronto, the Rouge Watershed is an area facing many environmental concerns. One of the main concerns is the loss and degradation of fish and wildlife habitat. The Rouge Park provides habitat for many species of wildlife including some that are considered to be rare, endangered and vulnerable. The Species at Risk Act (SARA) lists species such as the Red-shouldered Hawk, Red Headed Woodpecker, American Ginseng and Redside Dace, species that call the Rouge Park home. In effort to restore, reconnect and increase the forest, wetland and meadow habitat, provide the species with a suitable environment for breeding, and to increase species abundance, the Friends of the Rouge (FRW) began the Youth & Community Greening the Rouge Watershed project.

Funded in part with a contribution of $50,000 from The Great Lakes Sustainability Fund (GLSF), the FRW and their partners have reached their project goals on many levels.  By expanding and enhancing habitat opportunities for local butterflies, moths and insects, many regionally rare species are beginning to appear in the Rouge watershed.  The involvement of youth and local schools is not only providing education with reference to the importance of wildlife and habitat conservation, it is also creating awareness within the community.  More than 2,500 students and volunteers have participated in the process of schoolyard naturalizations at three schools located in the Rouge watershed. The Youth & Community Greening of the Rouge Watershed is a project making a difference - “planting seeds” in the minds of future generations and instilling the importance of conserving the environment.  Toronto Parks, Ontario Trillium Foundation and Toronto Works, along with many others in partnership with FRW, are helping reach project goals in the Rouge watershed. By including corporate and community participation, involving supportive dedicated volunteers actively participating in restoration workshops, the Youth & Community Greening the Rouge watershed and its partners are assisting with the success of this important project.

The project’s main objectives included the restoration and enhancement of meadow, forest and wetland habitat, and native seed collection in the Rouge watershed.  The planting of 21,150 native trees and shrubs on 19.2 hectares of priority Rouge Park sites, the addition of 12 frog ponds and 70 habitat structures (such as nesting boxes, raptor posts and log piles) as well as planting 18,535 native wildflowers in several plots have created and enhanced existing habitat for wildlife in the area. 

Monitoring has indicated that an 80% success rate has been achieved in plant growth and survival of planted species. Wood Ducks, Bluebirds, Tree Swallows and Kestrels have successfully nested and raised young in nesting boxes around planting sites. Dozens of Green Frogs, Grey Tree Frogs, Leopard Frogs and American Toads have been seen using the frog ponds. The wetland habitat and increased vegetation attracts Green Herons, Blue Herons, Night Herons, and Trumpeter Swans to areas where these species were not previously observed. Great Horned Owls and hawks such as Kestrels, Red Tailed and Rough-Legged are consistently utilizing the raptor posts to perch and hunt for prey. Several Milk and Garter snakes have taken to the snake hibernaculum and over one dozen Painted Turtles were observed on the logs in the Bear Road Pond.  The log piles placed at the planting sites are providing habitat for many species including Deer Mice, snakes, Meadow Voles, field sparrows, butterflies and moths. 

photo courtesy: Friends of the Rouge Watershed

The Youth & Community Greening of the Rouge Watershed successes will live on for many years to come, as endangered species like the Red-shouldered Hawk, Red Headed Woodpecker and many other species of wildlife begin to appear and thrive in the enhanced habitat.  MP Derek Lee explains that the “Friends of the Rouge Watershed projects combine expertise, education and community involvement to achieve valuable habitat protection and restoration.”   The Youth & Community Greening the Rouge Watershed project is assisting in the restoration of this degraded area.  Thanks to the hard work and efforts of all involved, the future of the Rouge Watershed is green and growing.              

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