Ontario Premier Doug Ford speaks about the importance of the Muskoka watershed in a pre-recorded video played at a funding announcement held remotely today, April 20, 2021. Joining the announcement are (from left) Deputy Bracebridge Mayor Rick Maloney, Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks Jeff Yurek, Parry Sound-Muskoka MP Norm Miller, District of Muskoka Chair John Klinck, Muskoka Watershed Advisory Group Chair Mardi Witzel and Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry John Yakabuski.
The Ontario government is investing more than $4.25 million to further protect the Muskoka River Watershed. The funding will support projects that will help safeguard the region from environmental pressures, such as severe weather and flooding, while also improving the
health of the watershed, a key commitment in the Made-in-Ontario Environment Plan.
“The Muskoka Region is one of Ontario’s crown jewels, and we want to ensure that we continue to
protect its environment which is so important to the local economy and the great people who live
there,” said Premier Doug Ford. “This investment will help protect this area known around the world
for its spectacular lakes and rivers so it can continue to be a thriving hub for Ontario’s tourism
industry.”
The Ontario government is funding 16 projects led by the District of Muskoka and the Town of
Bracebridge, as part of the province’s initial $5 million commitment to the Muskoka Watershed
Conservation and Management Initiative. Approximately $750,000 will support other projects that
are in development.
“We are protecting the Muskoka River Watershed while supporting the local economy and its $400-
million recreational and tourism industry,” said Jeff Yurek, Minister of the Environment, Conservation
and Parks. “By funding these projects and working with the local community, we are supporting this
vital region in Ontario and ensuring its water resources are protected now and for future
generations.”
Following careful review and consideration of the Muskoka Watershed Advisory Group’s
recommendations, the government selected projects that support the development and
implementation of the Muskoka Watershed Conservation and Management Initiative.
Sixteen projects were selected, some of these projects include:
- Developing an Integrated Watershed Management approach for the Muskoka River
Watershed to help improve water quality and quantity management, including measures to
help reduce the impacts of flooding. - Mapping areas of shoreline erosion and fluctuating water levels throughout the entire
Muskoka River Watershed to identify areas prone to flooding, which could inform local flood
mitigation efforts. - Developing watershed-scale health indicators that reflect environmental, economic and
social goals to support evidenced-based decision making in the Muskoka River Watershed. - Improving understanding of erosion and sedimentation in the Muskoka River Delta in order to develop a range of options which could improve navigation for boats.
Additional information regarding the funding of future projects through the Muskoka Watershed Conservation and Management Initiative will be provided in the near future.
Related story:
Rethinking how the Muskoka River watershed is managed, particularly with more flood events anticipated
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It sounds like a whole lot of money for mapping, studies and reports that won’t really produce any long-tern, concrete and observable results the way a fraction of that money would if it went towards raising John Street by 1′ and installing a back flow prevention valve in the storm drain that exits into the river from Cann St.