The Mary Lake Association recently asked the District of Muskoka candidates to supply written answers outlining their comments and proposed plan of action on what the Association deemed to be three important environmental issues. The candidates were also asked which issue they think is most important.
The issues are:
The Golden Pheasant, Mountview waste water treatment capacity
Algae blooms
Managing urban and rural development
Nancy Alcock
The Golden Pheasant, Mountview capacity
The good news is the District has started the process of ultimately shifting the treatment of sewage from Mountview to the Golden Treatment plant. In 2018, the District received over $6 million from the Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund and Clean Water and Wastewater Fund to go towards the first of two scheduled Golden Pheasant upgrades that need to be done to make this shift. District staff are and will continue to monitor any potential spillage as a result of the upgrades taking place at Golden Pheasant or the decommissioning of Mountview. Ultimately, the decommissioning of the Mountview site will be monitored very carefully and will not happen until there is utmost confidence in the new station. As well, in the new upgrade there will be an increase in storm surge capacity to ensure any potential for spillage is contained.
Decommissioning of Mountview is ultimately a good news story as it will eliminate the historical by pass events resulting in spillage into the Muskoka River during heavy rain events.
Algae Blooms
I understand the concerns the association might have with respect to an increase in sightings of algae blooms in any of our lakes. As we know, there are a number of reasons for these blooms and that they can result in very serious health risks. Therefore, it’s important that the District through the Muskoka Watershed Council, in partnership with the Lakes Associations continue to monitor these events when they occur and determine what the causes are so that we can eradicate further outbreaks.
Urban Development
This is an issue that has been ever present throughout the last four years on Council. For the past few years our Council has been involved in the re-writing of our Official Plan and one of the core issues is the need to balance growth with preservation of our natural environment. This is a fundamental goal of both the new District Official Plan and the Town of Huntsville revised Official Plan which is still undergoing public consultation. Balancing economic development and the environment is critical to the overall health of Muskoka. Therefore, the implementation of these plans through a revamped zoning by-law in Huntsville and policy review at the District will help to ensure this goal is adhered to. Balancing future development pressure with the health of our environment will be a priority for me.
Lillian Fraser
Urban Development is the most important issue, and the checks and balances we put in place now will dictate whether we have a healthy environment. Water quality, clean air, sustainable development, are what we depend on not only for our day to day existence but, the very reason tourism is a financial resource to this entire municipality. Taking care of these resources must be our priority, as I believe it is easier to protect then it is to go back and undue the damage.
Algae blooms in late summer indicate that there is contamination and we must spend more time figuring out “where”. Monitoring of creeks that are emptying into our lakes, might help us to identify where else the contamination might be occuring. We need dedicated bylaw enforcement to inspect septic systems regularly to ensure none are failing.
The Golden Pheasant and Mountview treatment plants have experienced problems since the start. Mountview was slated to be decommissioned but, for many reasons was not able to happen as quickly and the costs escalated. Finally, upgrades are being done to the Golden Pheasant plant and engineering is being completed to use Mountview as a booster station with the town’s sewage going to Golden Pheasant. It is important to note that this is now possible with funding from all three levels of government. The infiltration problem that allows some untreated sewage into our water will take years to address and must start with identification of individual properties that will require repair and business. The positive for me is that we are finally moving forward.
Helena Renwick
The Golden Pheasant, Mountview capacity
There has been talk about closing the Mountview plant in downtown and expanding the Golden Pheasant plant. This could improve efficiency and costs by having one instead of two plants to maintain, while using updated technology. It is ultimately expected to provide the required capacity to meet growth in the Huntsville area for the next 15- 20 years. The issue in question would be how much more development will be happening in our area and what will the cost be to implement these changes. I have read the price tag could be as much as 65 million, with financial assistance from the Federal and provincial governments.
Algae Blooms
Anything we can do to reduce the Algae Blooms in our lakes would be a good thing. I would support any initiatives to control the spread.
Urban Development
Urban development and rural development must be monitored at both levels of government. (Municipally and at the District). There are Official Town and District Plans at both levels of the government that assist planning and development staff to make educated recommendations to both Councils. There needs to be a balance between responsible development and minimizing any environmental stress on our urban and rural areas. This would include attention to dark sky friendly initiatives, monitoring high density builds and preserving our natural beauty as often as possible.
Bob Stone
The Golden Pheasant, Mountview capacity
There are 2 things that need to happen in the very near future. We need to decommission the aging Mountview plant and divert that waste to the Golden Pheasant plant. The idea of running connection pipes from one to the other along the lake bottom has me seriously concerned, but perhaps can be done with great precaution, and would certainly be cost effective. Secondly we need to address the 40% of storm water that is entering the system that shouldn’t. This increases capacity and costs ($300k) by treating water that doesn’t need to be treated.
Algae Blooms
Leaching from old septic systems and diminishing vegetation at the shoreline are the 2 leading manmade causes for algae blooms. Both can be addressed relatively easily. I believe we should be proactively inspecting septic systems of older properties on the waterfront.
As vice-chair of Planning we are very proactive by having all waterfront applications have a site plan agreement that ensures proper vegetation, proper setbacks and minimizing the amenity areas. However, the one place that the Town presently fails is to seek out those property owners who have clear-cut down to the water and demand re-vegetation.
Urban Development
Our new Official Plan, which is in its final steps to acceptance, improves upon and addresses most concerns of development on waterfront. Our Dark-Sky By-Law presently demands that all new development comply, and any older lighting fixtures must come into full compliance in 8 years. The good news is we are slowly getting our stars back! With regard to severances of properties we need to listen closely to the Muskoka Watershed Council reports on waterways that are vulnerable and perhaps place a moratorium on new development if needed.
It is also important to note for your members that Planning Committee takes the recommendations of the Lake Associations VERY seriously when weighing the merits of any application.
Brian Thompson
The Mountview Wastewater Treatment Plant is long past its days of service and was to be decommissioned in 2005. However, the sudden growth in the Huntsville area to the North and East resulted in it being kept in service until the District came up with a solution. Although there have been upgrades to the aerator and steps taken to mitigate the odours from the aeration process, its also been recognized that the plant was built in a designated flood plain.
The District plan now is to turn the Mount View Plant into a pumping station to pump sewage to a the Golden Pheasant Treatment plant on Highway 60. Initial estimates for converting Mount View and adding to Golden Pheasant were in the 65 million dollar range…newer estimates put that figure at 45 million. The best way to get the raw sewage to Golden Pheasant is going to be costly and disruptive as one consideration is tearing up King William to Highway 60 and then Highway 60 to the plant. Other options are being considered.
As for Algae Blooms in Summer it seems keeping lake phosphorous levels to a minimum is most important. Climate change and warmer and longer Summers will add to the potential for certain.
I think most people are cognizant of keeping their waterfront properties environmentally friendly and keeping awareness at the forefront is a responsibility of us all. However, a recent report to District Council on the health of our lake systems identified a few areas deemed vulnerable and one of the main causes was developments away from the lakes and the impact that was having is an increasing concern. The thin organic layers we have in Muskoka are less able to absorb water runoffs. The net result is more material is getting into the lakes systems causing the increase in vulnerability.
As for urban development, good planning suggests increasing the concentration of new housing in the urban core. This helps as more people will be using municipally treated water and sewage systems. A major challenge was have in Muskoka is the reason more and more people want to move here and retire here and often want a measure of privacy, to enjoy the trees and lakes and so choose to build in rural areas. The size of back lots is controversial for sure as mots municipalities restrict back lot development to 10 acres, although some push for smaller sizes. Given the latest report by The Muskoka Watershed Council perhaps larger might be best.
Tim Withey
I would rank the order of the importance of the list as follows:
1. Mountview sewage treatment plant closure.
2. Urban development.
3. Blue-green algae blooms.
Mountview sewage treatment plant closure
I first brought attention to this issue during the last campaign when I was running for mayor. This issue is number one for me because it is a disaster waiting to happen. When Golden Pheasant was first constructed the intention was that Mountview would be redundant as soon as the switch was thrown. Of course this did not happen as Golden Pheasant immediately jumped up to almost total capacity so Mountview remained open. I’m not sure how many people are aware that the main “bowl” at Mountview has tilted making the chance of a major overflow a reality. We were very concerned that the Spring flood of 2013 would result in a breach. With the changing climate resulting in more severe weather, we may not be far away from another big flood even though the 2013 flood was the highest recorded since 1928! The argument used to be that it was too expensive to decommission the Mountview site and increase capacity at Golden Pheasant to pick up the difference. My understanding now is that there are new numbers which make it more feasible to begin decommissioning now. I also understand the process has begun. My commitment is to make sure this is completed as soon as possible.
Urban development.
I believe we have to make sure that any development is undertaken in a responsible, well thought out manner. In particular we have to make sure there is no overdevelopment on our lakes as they are fragile limited environments susceptible to damage. There is a need for attainable/affordable housing in our town as there are lots of people who are struggling to find a place to live. There is pressure to consolidate density in the town core to get as many people as possible onto town services. This also means more issues with night friendly lighting and the enforcement of noise bylaws. All of these issues stress the environment to some level. Our natural environment of one of our strongest assets and a top reason why people want to move here. It is vital that we balance the needs of a growing community with its effects on our environment.
Algae blooms
I ranked this issue third because it is largely an issue of global climate change and can occur for many reasons. I have a degree in Environmental Studies which means I have a particular interest in these issues. With our hot, relatively dry summer, these blooms can appear overnight and in remote areas such as occurred in the middle of Algonquin Park this summer. Where there is blame attributed to man-made operations we must be vigilant and make sure these situations are monitored and held in check. Some of the human contributors are storm water runoff, industrial effluent, agricultural runoff and effluent from waste management systems including faulty septic systems. These can lead to the nutrient enrichment of water bodies and promote the occurrence of blooms. These are areas where we must focus to make sure we don’t have the effect of encouraging and sustaining growth of Blue-green algae blooms. Cladophora can become a contributor to the growth of algae as well so while naturally occurring we must keep watch over it’s growth.
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Ed Gruscyk says
Who does the Mary Lake Assiciation endorse that would best reflect the best interests of the folks most impacted by the decisions of the the new council?