Fall Update 2002

ALGONQUIN ECO WATCH WATER SYSTEM - LICHEN STUDY

The purpose of this study is to establish baseline data against which future testing can be compared in order to measure changes through time of water quality and quantity within the Algonquin Ecosystem.

During the first field season (2001), 62 lakes and 7 streams were tested adjacent to the western Algonquin Park boundary and the western half of the Highway 60 corridor. The resulting data were entered into a comprehensive field report, copies of which were distributed to all partners; i.e. The W. Garfield Weston Foundation, The McLean Foundation, Ontario Parks and the Ontario Ministry of the Environment. In 2002, 85 lakes and 4 streams were tested adjacent to the southern Algonquin Park boundary and the eastern half of the Highway 60 corridor. The resulting data are presently being entered.

Algonquin Eco Watch hopes to be able to support a 2-person crew for the 2003 field season, during which the remaining waters that flow into Algonquin Park, through the eastern and northern boundaries, will be tested. In addition, specific lakes and creeks adjacent to and crossing the abandoned CNR mainline through Algonquin Park will be tested, as there is evidence indicating pollution and changes in flow patterns in some of these waters. Smoke, Jake, Cache and Found Lakes, adjacent to the Highway 60 corridor will be re-tested in 2003, to maintain "continuity" between years.

We established 8 permanent lichen plots during the 2002 field season; 4 adjacent to the Algonquin Park boundary and 4 within the Park itself. All plots are measured for lichen abundance and species occurrence, are compatible with the Parks Canada protocol, and will be shared with that organization in an ongoing cross-Canada lichen study. The more than 14,000 species of lichens are not separate organisms, but a symbiotic combination of fungi and green or blue-green algae, which occur worldwide in all climatic situations and may be found on every kind of surface from soil, rocks, and tree bark to the backs of living insects (from Brodo et al., "Lichens of North America". Yale University Press, 2001). While the presence of lichens is itself a sign of good air quality, the presence, absence, or changing abundance of certain species can be a good indicator of changing air quality. We expect to establish 4 additional permanent lichen plots during the 2003 field season.

Muskoka River Public Advisory Committee

The Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) is undertaking a study to review the operational management of Crown and privately owned water control structures (dams and hydropower facilities) on the Muskoka River system. Headwaters of both the North and South branches of the Muskoka River are located in Algonquin Park, and water control structures are present on five headwater lakes; namely McCraney, Burnt Island, Joe, South Tea and Ragged. Algonquin Eco Watch applied for and was granted a seat on the Public Advisory Committee for that undertaking. The four areas of concern that Eco Watch intends to pursue are dam integrity, lake trout egg/fry survival, protection of wetlands, and stable water levels for loon nesting.

Leakage through stop logs appears to be a significant factor in dams on the Muskoka River system, particularly on the smaller headwater lake dams where leakage can surpass flow, resulting in dropping water levels during dry seasons such as July and February, negatively affecting spawning success of species such as bass and lake trout. While provision has been made through the "Hackner-Holden Agreement" to stabilize water levels during the lake trout incubation period (October-February), the lowering of water levels during March and early April places newly hatched fry at risk. Fluctuating water levels in wetlands upstream from dams jeopardizes successful reproduction of reptiles and amphibians, many of which are essential in the food chain. Flooding of a loon-nesting site, (which are always located very close to the water's edge and are consequently subject to water level fluctuation), was witnessed on Smoke Lake during the summer of 2002. Since the water levels in Smoke, South Tea, Bonita and Canoe Lakes are all regulated by the South Tea Lake dam, it may be expected that other loon nests were affected as well.

Kids' Camps

This fall Algonquin Eco Watch was privileged to be invited to participate in a "Centennial Re-greening" project at Camp Northway on Cache Lake. The purpose of this project is to ensure that the forest surrounding and within the camp will survive and flourish during the next one hundred years, in co-existence with the annual activity of many young feet. The challenges relating to forest regeneration, erosion and soil stabilization were discussed, with some innovative ideas resulting from this onsite visit.

During the summer of 2002 Algonquin Eco Watch made 2 presentations to the campers and staff at Camp Pathfinder on Source Lake. During a return visit in the fall we discussed the present and future health of the forest on that island ecosystem.

An outdoor presentation this fall at Camp Tamakwa to students from Toronto further indicated that outdoor education is a major consideration at some schools.

Many opportunities exist at all "Kids' Camps" for development and enlargement of interpretive programs aimed at young minds. It is reassuring to witness the insightful questions posed by "city kids", who obviously care about the future of ecosystems such as Algonquin's. We look forward to an ongoing relationship with these camps, as well as any others that express an interest in our organization.

Gray (Grey) Water

Gray water, the water that results from washing has traditionally been gotten rid of from cabins via a buried cesspool beneath the kitchen sink. The problem with this is that gray water often contains nitrates and phosphates from soaps and shampoos, which act as fertilizers if they reach the lake water. Algonquin lakes are particularly vulnerable to fertilization (eutrophication) from gray water, as they lie in granitic basins and drainage water tends to percolate down the bedrock and reach the lake. It has recently been suggested that gray water may be better treated by allowing it to flow on or just beneath the surface of the ground, where it will be utilized by plant growth and the nitrates and phosphates will be absorbed, or "fixed" by the plant roots. In this way the lake is protected from increasing fertility.The same principle holds true for campers who wish to bathe or wash dishes in the lake. If these activities are confined to dry land away from the lakeshore, continued water purity will be ensured.

There is considerable information available concerning the proper treatment of gray water. While we would not recommend the use of gray water for the growing of edible vegetables, the following website offers a comprehensive treatment of the subject: www.oasisdesign.net . Algonquin Eco Watch feels that the proper treatment of gray water is an important consideration in the long-term wellbeing of the Algonquin Ecosystem, and would welcome the opportunity to communicate with members in this regard.

Action Items

Sulphur Dioxide

TIn the 2001 edition of "The Algonquin Eco Watcher" we reported that the toxic sulphur dioxide emissions from the 381m "Superstack" at Sudbury, Ontario, averaged 281,700 tonnes annually in the years 1994, 1996, 1998 and 2000 - far in excess of the allowable limits imposed by the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, and almost double the output of Ontario Power Generation's six fossil fuel power plants! Early in 2003 we will be requesting the Sudbury figures for the year 2002, in order to further establish emission trends. Barring a sharp decline in sulphur dioxide emissions, Algonquin Eco Watch will then initiate a "Request for an Investigation" by the Environmental Commissioner of Ontario, under the Ontario Environmental Bill of Rights. At that time we will also request that the implications of importing additional ore from Voisey's Bay in Labrador to INCO's Sudbury smelting facilities be investigated. Is this likely to cause increased sulphur dioxide emissions over Ontario?

CNR Decommissioning

It On November 28th, 2002, Algonquin Eco Watch mailed a letter to the Hon. Jean Chretien requesting that he initiate the formulation of a protocol regarding the environmentally responsible decommissioning of railways in Canada, since no such document presently exists. All efforts to persuade the Canadian National Railways to correct the many environmental problems left behind, subsequent to their abandoning the mainline through Algonquin Park, have so far failed to yield any positive results. We are hopeful that recent association with the Toronto based Bureau of Environmental Investigation, a project of the Energy Probe Research Foundation, may lead to positive action in the near future.

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