by Robert Moos, Lands and Forests Committee Lead is a known to be a serious environmental contaminant. The on-going situation in Flint, Michigan, where the water supply was contaminated by lead, demonstrates how serious a problem it can be. Yet, many of us inadvertently may be harming our Georgian Bay wildlife with lead. How? By using lead fishing tackle, such as sinkers.

Asian Carp continue to be a clear and present threat to the Great Lakes as they try to migrate up the Mississippi River system from the southern United States. The US Army Corps of Engineers have built three electric fences in the Chicago diversion canal which is the most likely pathway that Asian Carp could use to enter Lake Michigan. These barriers emit low level electricity into the water that has been sufficient to stop the advance of these invasive fish. Targeted poison that biodegrades has also been used in the canal and adjoining river to knock back populations of these fish particularly when the fences have had to be turned off for maintenance. Another vector for possible infiltration of Asian Carp into the Great Lakes are during unusual rain events which leads to some of the Mississippi tributaries to overflow their banks and possibly spill into small streams that could ultimately flow into one of the Great Lakes. With the amount of rain we have experienced this year it is likely that some river overflow has occurred. The third and last possible way for Carp to get into the

A research report by Anna Martin regarding the potential pollution from the large past munitions manufacturing plants at Nobel, near Parry Sound, particularly during WWI & WWII, and the possible adverse health effects on the local population has been posted at: www.gumptioninc.org/parrysoundproject In addition to the report there is a short video from Anna on this website and other background information. This research raises serious questions, such as: What happened to the disposal of the munitions in Georgian Bay near Nobel and Depot Harbour? What did the water testing reveal at the old water treatment facility in McDougall? What is CIL currently monitoring, and what have they found to date? Does McDougall know these results and why haven’t they brought these issues forward to the public? Is there existing contamination on nearby residential properties that has migrated from CIL or DIL? and finally Is this contamination causing cancer, infertility and other chronic illnesses in the area? Check out the executive summary: Nobel Lands Summary may 2017 ; and a testimonial fro

From the Globe and Mail here is a comprehensive review of Canada’s freshwater ecosystems reveals rising threats from pollution, overuse, invasive species and climate change among other problems. Yet, the biggest threat of all may be a lack of information that hinders effective regulation, Ivan Semeniuk reports. Link to article.

Attention boaters ! Summer is almost upon us and we are all heading out onto the Bay again. Now is a good time to refresh our knowledge of safe boating practices for ourselves, our families and for our cottage guests. Transport Canada has a great guide on boating safety. While it is directed at anglers and hunters the content of this pamphlet applies to us all. Check it out! https://www.tc.gc.ca/media/documents/marinesafety/TP14659E.pdf and remember that all operators of power boats must have proof of competency such as the Pleasure Craft Operator Card.

What to do about missing or out of place channel markers, faded reflectors, etc.   If you notice a missing or out of place channel marker, damaged red triangle or black square or faded reflectors on any of these you should report this information to the Canadian Coast Guard in Parry Sound. You should include as much information as possible including buoy numbers, name of channel or specific location and details of the problem you are reporting. Written notes can be sent to; Canadian Coast Guard Supervisor Operations, Aids to Navigation, 28 Waubeek street, Parry Sound, ON, P2A 1B9 or phoned into 705-773-4322