GBA 2021 - Summer Update

6 www.georgianbay.ca GBA UPDATE Summer 2021 T hanks to the collective efforts of MPP Norm Miller, Georgian Bay Forever, the Township of the Archipelago, and GBA, a proposed ban on the use of unencapsulated foam for new docks and repairs to existing docks has taken a major leap forward. MPP Miller’s private member’s Bill 228 passed its third reading at Queen’s Park and became law on May 13. Now the real work of drafting the regulations will begin. To be effective in reducing this major source of plastics pollution in Georgian Bay and beyond, the regulations will need to include clear details about how quickly unencapsulated foam will be phased out and how the regulations will be enforced. The primary challenge for now will be to communicate information and education on: ≥Why this is so important ≥ Alternative solutions to dock floatation for both new docks and repairs ≥What individual members, suppliers and contractors can/ should do Why This Is So Important Almost as soon as unencapsulated foam is placed into water, it starts shedding microscopic pieces of plastic made up of benzene and styrene into the environment. This process is aided by heavy waves and storms, sunlight, and even animals chewing on it. Large pieces can break off and float away, eventually littering shorelines and further breaking down, releasing harmful chemicals into the water. These tiny particles accumulate in the food chain, because animals and aquatic life ingest them, impacting their survival, growth, swimming behaviour, feeding and reproduction. And if we eat the fish from lakes full of microplastics, we are also ingesting these pollutants. Alternative Solutions to Dock Floatation The main problem is that the upfront costs of unencapsulated dock foam are usually lower than any of the alternatives. However, it is important to consider that the lifespan of unencapsulated foam is about 10-20 years, while other options (e.g. resin- encapsulated foam, plastic drums, encapsulated foam billets, steel floats) will last much longer, some even up to 60 years. When you also consider the increased cost of labour and the inconvenience of having work done at your cottage more often than necessary, the cost of the non-polluting choices starts to look much more favourable. What Individual Members, Suppliers and Contractors Can/Should Do Only when there is universal understanding and acceptance of the need to completely switch away from unencapsulated dock foam will we get on top of this alarming and pervasive pollutant. The good news is that this is something we can actually do something about. You do not even need to wait for your dock to need replacing – you can retrofit now by encapsulating your foam, thereby extending your dock’s lifespan and reducing pollution where you swim, fish, and draw your water supply. By doing this you will also directly improve the greater Georgian Bay environment. So, have a look under your docks and, if you have unencapsulated foam, please consider having it encapsulated, or, if your dock is on its last legs, replacing it with one of the environmentally friendly alternatives. GBA is working together with all our partners to address this issue (see: bit. ly/3uQRsPe ) , but we need your help too. Dock Talk - Just Say No to Foam By Rupert Kindersley, Executive Director WATER QUALITY Photo: Rolfe Jones