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 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:

Improve water quality by reducing phosphorus loads to the lake to 44 tonnes per year;
Protect 40 percent of the watershed’s forests and wetlands;
Enable First Nations and the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority to participate meaningfully in the plan’s governance;
Stop the use of Minister’s Zoning Orders (MZOs) in the watershed;
Increase public engagement in restoration and invasive species control; and
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.

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

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Minister Yurek, Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks

Lake Simcoe Planning Team

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Dear Minister Yurek,

Progress towards achieving the science-based targets of the Lake Simcoe Protection Plan (LSPP) has been insufficient. During the review of the LSPP, I urge you to uphold and strengthen policies to advance phosphorus reduction and natural heritage protection, both vital to the long-term health of the Lake Simcoe watershed.

Reducing phosphorus loads is urgent. Meeting the reduction target of 44 tonnes per year will require upholding the prohibition on new sewage treatment plants discharging into Lake Simcoe and strengthening the Lake Simcoe Phosphorus Reduction Strategy so it includes sector-specific targets and oversight and enforcement roles.

Protecting 40 percent of the watershed’s forests and wetlands is critical to improving the health of Lake Simcoe and reducing flood risks and impacts. You should amend the LSPP to require the naturalization of shorelines and the establishment of natural cover and restoration targets. Your ministry should also work with municipalities and affected Indigenous communities to identify priority lands for protection.

I look forward to further consultation on proposed government amendments to the LSPP.

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