The Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority, working with the multi-level government group Lake Simcoe Environmental Management Strategy (LSEMS) is in charge of rescuing the lake. To bring phosphorus levels down, they have identified “best management practices” involving many steps. For instance:

In urban areas: decoupling sanitary connections from storm sewers, septic maintenance or replacement, building storm water retention ponds, decoupling roof drains.

Along the tributaries: fencing streams, improved manure storage, decoupling milk-house waste from drains, buffer strips, a treatment plant for Holland Marsh run-off.

The plan

The plan, says the Conservation Authority, is to reduce the approximately 100 tonnes of phosphorus getting to the lake according to the following target:

12 tonnes from urban sources.
12 tonnes from rural sources.
3 tonnes from agricultural polders (large farm fields).

Unfortunately, in the face of anticipated growth through development, and not enough money committed by the province for significant remediation, these targets cannot be reached.

Furthermore, we could see an increase in the phosphorus load to 114 tonnes by 2011. Action is needed now both to repair the damage and protect the future. Everybody needs to get involved and make Lake Simcoe a priority.