Dear Editor,
On Thursday, November 14, four members of the Muskrat Lake Association (MLA) met with five representatives from the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP), two from Ontario Ministry of Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) and one each from Admaston-Bromley Township and Whitewater Region.
The purpose was to review how Muskrat Lake became more eutrophic, the response the MLA received from MECP to our Request for Review and what both the MECP and OMAFRA could do to help in the remediation of Muskrat Lake. This meeting came about as a result of a Request for Review submitted by the MLA in June 2017.
In the early 1980’s the Ministry of Natural Resources, OMAFRA and the Ontario Municipal Board gave approval for the deepening of the Upper Harris Drain and other drainage works in Bromley Township including the excavation of one meter of the Snake River for a distance of 2.8 kilometres.
From the data published by not only the MECP but also by the Muskrat Watershed Council, the MLA presented a Power Point presentation to show how Muskrat Lake went from a lake with an average total phosphorus (TP) of 24 ug/liter in 1978 to 33ug/liter today. Hence Muskrat Lake has experienced an increase in the number of algal blooms as well as a decrease in Secchi Depth, which is an indication of water clarity.
The MECP in their reply of June 2019 to the Request for Review and what they reviewed in our meeting were several laws, policies and regulations that as they stated: “The Ministry is able to conclude that it has existing environmental policies, legislation, regulations, tools, programs, and plans that can help address water quality issues in Muskrat Lake (i.e., phosphorus contamination) in accordance with its mandate.”
What was also made clear was that the mandate of the MECP is to regulate Effluent Treatment Plants and industries that require Certificates of Approval. MECP have no control over the agriculture industry. OMAFRA representatives stated that they use the Nutrient Management Act and Environmental Compliance Approvals to set and regulate standards as it pertains to agriculture.
Representatives did not respond to or provide rationale to MLA’s request for a Protection Plan and Act. Rather they encouraged the MLA to strategically partner with other groups for funding opportunities.
We discussed the fact that four years ago the MLA got a proposal from Michael Michalski to develop a plan for Muskrat Lake but it was rejected by both Whitewater Region and Renfrew County. OMAFRA suggested that we get the cost in that proposal updated, partner with other groups and apply for funding under the “Place to Grow,” which is a joint federal and provincial program. This way we are more likely to be able to access sufficient funding to improve Muskrat Lake.
Sincerely,
The Muskrat Lake Association
