Other Threat and activities

Chapter 7: Other Threats and Activities

Newly Introduced Invasive Species

Context

Many aquatic and terrestrial species within the Lake Simcoe ecosystem are newly introduced to the lake or the watershed. To be considered invasive species, however, they would have to be species that are not native to the Lake Simcoe watershed, that are spread by human activity and that threaten the environment, economy or society.

The spread of invasive species causes a reduction in abundance of native species, is a leading cause of species becoming at risk of extinction and disrupts nutrient and energy cycles. Native coldwater fish species are particularly at risk from an invasion by non-native species.

Invasive species can also have a significant impact to the economy, including loss of revenue related to natural resources, as well as increased costs for monitoring and for maintaining facilities.

Most invasive species are introduced unintentionally, often due to a lack of public awareness about the environmental damage they cause. Aquatic species may arrive in the Lake Simcoe watershed attached to boats, boat trailers, fishing gear used in other waters or moving through the Trent-Severn Waterway, via the release or escape of live bait fish captured outside the watershed, by escaping from holding ponds in the floodplain, and due to people emptying the contents of aquariums into natural waterways. Terrestrial species including plants, animals, insects and diseases may be introduced through ornamental gardening, by moving firewood (e.g., emerald ash borer) or through the transfer of seeds in the treads of hiking boots and bicycle tires.

Once they become established, invasive species are difficult and costly to eradicate. When prevention fails, early detection is extremely important so that steps can be taken to understand their potential impact, eradicate or contain the invasive species, or mitigate its impacts. Local watershed monitoring programs are well established and have a record of early detection when it comes to aquatic invaders. Similarly, regular aquatic monitoring programs (including fish diseases) exist in adjacent watersheds and the Great Lakes. On the other hand, there is very limited monitoring in place for terrestrial invaders and consequently little is known about their incidence, distribution or impact in the Lake Simcoe watershed.

The range of invasive species continues to expand and this expansion may increase with climate change. In addition, the introduction and spread of invasive species will probably have a greater threat in Ontario as Ontario makes up a significant portion of Canada’s population (39%). In Canada the estimated annual cumulative lost revenue caused by the impacts of only 16 invasive species in its forests, fields and waters is estimated to be between 13.3 to 34.5 billion dollars.

Policies and programs are emerging at local, provincial and federal levels to help manage the threat from invasive species. At the present time however, the regulatory tools available for controlling high-risk human pathways are limited in scope.

In the interim, in collaboration with stakeholders and partner organizations, the Plan would focus on policies and programs for both terrestrial and aquatic species:

• using public education, outreach and stewardship to prevent the introduction of new invasive species;
• evaluating and mitigating the potential high-risk pathways;
• building a more coordinated and comprehensive approach for monitoring and responding to invasive species in the Lake Simcoe watershed; and
• using available regulatory tools to address high-risk pathways.

The use of live bait has a long history in the tradition of fishing. It is important to generations of anglers and provides benefits to the local economy. Baitfish are managed as a sustainable resource. However, angler use and movement of live bait is considered to pose a high risk to the introduction of invasive species:

• A number of species have been introduced to Lake Simcoe that were present in Lake Erie and it is suspected movement of live bait introduced these species to Lake Simcoe;
• Surveys show that a high percentage of anglers purchase their bait, move it long distances, and more than 20% release it into the lake where they are fishing at the end of the day despite the fact that it is illegal.;
• A number of initiatives (regulatory and best management practices) have been implemented province-wide to reduce the risk of movement of invasive species in the commercial harvest and sale of live bait. To date, although there has been extensive effort to raise awareness in the angling community, little has been done to restrict the movement of live bait by anglers.

Through the Plan, a regulatory proposal will be developed to help prevent the introduction of new invasive species into the Lake Simcoe watershedthrough angler movement of live bait.

Also, the policies 6.16 and 6.17 in Chapter 6 of the Plan, Shorelines and Natural Heritage identify the development of a regulation pursuant to Section 26 of the Lake Simcoe Protection Act, 2008 that may include measures to control the spread of invasive species.

Target:

• Prevent new invasive species

Indicator:

• Presence of newly introduced species

Policies:

7.1-SA: The MNR in partnership and collaboration with other ministries, the First Nations and Métis communities, the OFAH, the LSRCA and other stakeholders will deliver information and education programs annually for the general public and key stakeholders on how to prevent the spread of, and how to detect, aquatic and terrestrial invasive species. Some of the more common pathways include recreational boating, aquarium, water garden and horticulture trades, live food fish trade, and movement of live bait for fishing. Stewardship actions which help identify and respond to invasive species will be incorporated into broader stewardship programming developed under this Plan and into existing stewardship initiatives.

7.2-SA: Within two years of the date the Plan comes into effect, the MNR, and the OFAH, and LSRCA, in collaboration with the First Nations and Métis communities, local tourism organizations and fishing-related businesses, will conduct a community based social marketing project. The project will identify effective methods to engage stakeholders for the purpose of modifying their behaviour to reduce the introduction and spread of invasive speciesin the Lake Simcoe watershed.

7.3-SA: Within three years of the date the Plan comes into effect, the MNR, in collaboration with First Nations and Métis communities, and with angler organizations, the commercial bait industry and other stakeholder interests, will develop a regulatory proposal that would require anglers who are fishing with live bait in the Lake Simcoe watershed to only use live bait caught in the watershed. The regulatory proposal would be subject to public consultation before MNR proceeds with the proposal and makes a recommendation to the Federal Government to consider a regulation under the Federal Fisheries Act¹. The regulatory approach would help to mitigate the risk of invasive species entering the watershed.

In developing the regulatory proposal, consideration will be given to matters, including:

1. new science related to invasive species and pathways;
2. types of live bait used (e.g. bait fish, leeches);
3. sustainability of bait resources; and
4. simplicity, effectiveness, communication and enforcement.

7.4-SA: Within one year of the date of the Plan comes into effect, the MNR will develop a prioritized watch list of aquatic and terrestrial invasive species (including fish and wildlife diseases and insect pests) likely to be introduced to the Lake Simcoe watershed. And, within five years of the date the Plan comes into effect, the MNR in collaboration with other public bodies will develop and implement response plans to invasive species present in the watershed and on the watch list. The compilation of the watch list and the preparation of the response plans will be risk-based with response plans for highest priority species being prepared first. Response plans will identify the resource requirements, partnership roles and funding mechanisms to implement the plans. The watch list and the response plans will be updated from time to time.

7.5-SA: Within two years of the date the Plan comes into effect, the MNR will work with Parks Canada and other public bodies to complete a study to evaluate the potential risk of movement of invasive species through the Trent-Severn Waterway resulting from natural dispersal and boat traffic. The MNR will release to the public a summary of the study’s findings.

7.6-SA: Within two years of the date the Plan comes into effect, the MNR will evaluate and report on the extent of the live food fish trade in the Lake Simcoe watershed and, if warranted, evaluate the level of risk associated with the practice and determine appropriate management options.

7.7-SA: Within six years of the date the Plan comes into effect, the MNR in collaboration with the LSRCA will evaluate and report on the level of risk related to ponds in the floodplain contributing to the spread of invasive species, including baitfish holding ponds, private water gardens, and holding ponds associated with the water garden trade that may be holding fish, plants and invertebrates. If the identified risk warrants further action, in subsequent years the MNR will develop a facility risk assessment/security policy.

7.8-SA: Commencing in the third year of the Plan, the MNR, in partnership with the OFAH will develop and implement a three-year mobile boat wash program to increase awareness of best management practices for boaters and encourage improved behaviour by boaters.

7.9-SA: The MNR will annually review existing provincial science funding programs and partnerships to identify opportunities for research funding and partnerships that will help improve knowledge related to the impact and control of invasive species in the Lake Simcoe watershed.

7.10-M: Within the first year of the Plan, the MNR, in collaboration with other ministries, the First Nations and Métis communities, the LSRCA, the OFAH and other NGOs, shall develop and implement an annual monitoring program for terrestrial invasive species (including pests/wildlife diseases) in the Lake Simcoe watershed that will facilitate early detection and response and help inform and adapt public education, outreach, and stewardship programming.

Climate Change

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Context

As a result of global warming and climate change, scientists predict that average temperatures in southern Ontario could rise by as much as two to four degrees Celsius over the next 40 years.

Climate change is expected to influence, directly and indirectly, all elements of the Lake Simcoe watershed, including water quality and quantity, aquatic ecosystems, and natural areas and shorelines. In fact, studies have already indicated that climate change has shortened the duration of ice cover on the lake. This has in turn shortened the ice fishing season, a major winter recreational activity. That said, the specific effects of climate change remain uncertain, particularly at the local level. How Lake Simcoe will be affected and how it will respond is not well understood.

The Plan builds on work already underway. A number of existing tools and mechanisms provide for action on climate change in the Lake Simcoe watershed and Ontario more broadly - many of these are articulated in the Province’s Climate Change Action Plan.

Mitigation

Ontario’s Climate Change Action Plan - Creating Our Sustainable Future sets out Ontario’s aggressive targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 6 per cent below 1990 levels by 2014; 15 per cent below 1990 levels by 2020; and 80 per cent below 1990 levels by 2050. The Action Plan outlines key initiatives to meet these targets, including ongoing investments in public transit, phasing out coal-fired power generation, promoting renewable energy, funds to attract green investments and jobs to Ontario, and protecting green space like the boreal forest and Ontario’s Greenbelt.

Adaptation

Ontario is also preparing for the impacts of climate change. The Expert Panel on Climate Change Adaptation was appointed by the Minister of the Environment in December 2007 to help the Ontario government, municipalities and Ontarians prepare and plan for the impacts of climate change in areas such as public health, environment, infrastructure and the economy.

One of the most fundamental and sustainable ways to prepare for a changing climate is to protect the natural resilience of the entire Lake Simcoe ecosystem upon which residents and businesses depend – to improve its capacity to naturally adapt.

Risk assessment and adaptation planning are critical actions for enhancing the watershed’s capacity to naturally adapt to future changes in climate. As a first step, a Lake Simcoe climate change adaptation strategy will help identify the impacts of a changing climate on the watershed and identify opportunities for adaptation.

Climate change can influence the magnitude of existing problems. Some examples of potential impacts are cited below:

In addition to the policies outlined in this Chapter, other policies designed to protect the natural resilience of the ecosystem and to assist with climate change adaptation are incorporated throughout the Plan. These include:

• Developing Aquatic/Fish Community Objectives for Lake Simcoe and its tributaries. These objectives will be used to increase the resilience of Lake Simcoe’s aquatic community to impacts of climate change (see Aquatic Life, Policy 3.1);
• Conducting research projects on the aquatic communities of Lake Simcoe and its tributaries. The focus of the research will be on filling knowledge gaps and include an evaluation of the impacts of climate change on the fish community (see Aquatic Life, Policy 3.5);
• Committing municipalities to prepare and implement comprehensive stormwater management master plans which will consider the potential impacts of climate change on the effectiveness of the stormwater management works (see Water Quality, Policy 4.5);
• Promoting, conducting and supporting water quality scientific research projects that build on existing research and monitoring programs, identify emerging issues, and support the overall adaptive management principle. Research will include the assessment of the impacts associated with climate change, and other emerging issues (see Water Quality, Policy 4.23);
• Requiring municipalities to prepare water conservation and efficiency plans that consider the potential impacts of climate change (see Water Quantity, Policy 5.3); and
• Implementing a monitoring program in relation to the targets and indicators associated with natural features and areas. The monitoring plan will also gather information on species that are influenced by climate change (see Shorelines and Natural Heritage, Policy 6.50).

Indicators:

• Meteorological data (e.g. temperature, ice cover, snow cover)
• Lake thermal structure and heat budget
• Lake hydrodynamics
• River hydrology
• Timing of seasonal processes like fish spawning

Policies:

7.11-SA: Within two years of the date the Plan comes into effect, the MOE, in collaboration with the MNR, the MAFRA, the First Nations and Métis communities, the LSRCA, municipalities, and interested academic institutions, will develop a climate change adaptation strategy for the Lake Simcoe watershed. The climate change adaptation strategy will identify key recommended adaptation actions needed to increase the resiliency of the Lake Simcoe watershed to the impacts of climate change; identify roles and responsibilities for relevant parties; and identify potential amendments to the Plan to ensure the recommended actions are undertaken. As new information becomes available, the strategy will be amended, as necessary.

To support the development and implementation of the strategy, at a minimum, the following tasks will be undertaken by the MOE and collaborators specified above:

1. assess and evaluate the risk of climate change impacts on the watershed;
2. promote, conduct and support additional research to better understand the impacts of climate change in the watershed, including impacts on wetlands, aquatic life, terrestrial species and ecosystems, headwaters, conservation of life cycles, groundwater temperature, and water table levels;
3. develop an integrated climate change monitoring program to inform decision making and model the impacts of climate change on the watershed; and
4. begin the development of climate change adaptation plans and promote the building of a Lake Simcoe watershed community of practice in adaptation planning.

Recreational Activities

Context

Swimming, camping, fishing, boating, golfing and snowmobiling are just a few activities enjoyed on and around Lake Simcoe. As the population in southern Ontario continues to grow, demand for these activities will increase. Recreational activities have the potential to impact water quality, water quantity, aquatic life and the spread of invasive species. A major challenge for the Lake Simcoe area is how to continue to provide quality recreational opportunities while minimizing congestion, conflicts between different uses and users, and impacts to the natural environment. Furthermore, climate change could, in future years, also effect our recreational use of the lake, for example, reduced ice cover due to increased temperatures could mean less time available for ice fishing.

There are other challenges. For example, discharges from recreational boats can adversely affect the lake and its tributaries. Recreation facilities, such as marinas and golf courses, also have the potential to impact the lake through accidental spills or stormwater runoff.

Among the programs already in place to help manage these threats is the Clean Marine Program, which aims to reduce pollution from boating activities through voluntary initiatives taken by boaters, marinas, and manufacturers and distributors of marine products. Golf courses in the area can participate in the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary System, a program that helps golf courses protect the environment. This Plan supports and builds on these initiatives as it works toward achieving environmentally sustainable recreational practices in the Lake Simcoe watershed.

Moving forward, it is important to ensure that people continue to have access to recreation sites around Lake Simcoe. Among other benefits, it is expected that fostering sustainable, low-impact opportunities to enjoy the lake would encourage more people to value it and, ultimately, increase the number of people engaged in lake stewardship.

These policies should be read with other policies in the Plan that have matters pertaining to recreational practices. A number of these other policies can provide linkages and direction for the protection and support of recreational and tourism activities, uses and developments within the Lake Simcoe watershed.

Ontario Parks, a branch within the Ministry of Natural Resources is an example of how the Province is already undertaking work to improve the management, protection and planning of provincially significant elements of the natural and cultural landscape of Ontario.

The Ministry of Natural Resources’ mandate includes the management and protection of Ontario’s protected areas system. There are five provincial parks within the Lake Simcoe watershed. Sibbald Point, Mara, and McRae Point (e.g., recreation class parks with beaches and campgrounds) and Holland Landing Prairie and Duclos Point (e.g., nature reserve class parks, established to represent and protect distinctive natural habitats and landforms).

The Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves Act includes objectives for protection, outdoor recreation, heritage appreciation and research. It also states the maintenance of ecological integrity is the first priority in the planning and management of Ontario’s provincial parks and conservation reserves. Accordingly, provincial parks contribute to the objectives of the Plan.

Policies:

7.12-SA: Beginning within one year of the date the Plan comes into effect, the Province, in collaboration with municipalities, recreation and tourism industry and related associations will develop a multi-seasonal recreational strategy for the Lake Simcoe watershed to improve conditions for environmentally sustainable recreation by:

1. measuring sustainability with recreational activities that will contribute to an improved quality of life and the preservation of the ecosystem; and
2. considering a review of relevant recreational plans, where applicable.

The strategy will identify key recommended actions while considering, at a minimum, the environmental impacts of recreational activities (e.g., boating) that may impair the ecological health of Lake Simcoe; issues related to public access sites (e.g., quality of sites, affordability, public stewardship opportunities, available parking); and identifying priority areas (e.g., waterfronts, potential public land acquisitions, cultural and historical sites).

The strategy will identify potential amendments to the Plan to ensure the recommended actions are undertaken and completed by 2012.

7.13-HR: When approving a development along the Lake Simcoe shoreline, municipalities shall ensure that public access to the Lake is maintained.

7.14-HR: Where, in accordance with the policies of the Plan, development and site alteration is permitted within 120 metres of the Lake Simcoe shoreline or a permanent or intermittent stream or a wetland, the development or site alteration will be integrated with existing or proposed parks and trails to the extent feasible.

7.15-SA: The MTR, MOE, MNR, MHP and other ministries will continue to promote sustainable recreation and tourism practices to help protect the ecological and cultural heritage of the Lake Simcoe watershed.

7.16-SA: Owners and operators of marinas, golf courses and other recreational businesses in collaboration with recreational associations should develop and implement programs that promote best management practices and sector-led initiatives to help protect and restore the ecological integrity of Lake Simcoe and its watershed.

7.17–SA: MOE with the support of interested recreational associations, municipalities and other partners will monitor and promote environmental certification for marinas, golf courses and other recreational businesses.