Water Committee Mandate & Priorities

Mandate

To Monitor issues affecting the short- and long-term health effects of the waters along the eastern and northern Georgian Bay and liaise with other organizations in finding solutions to threats to the water system.

Strategies

To position GBA as a strong voice and advocate for action on water quality (drinking water, recreational and ecosystem) and quantity in the Middle Lakes.
To stay current with government activities and NGO activities as they relate to water quality and water levels in Georgian Bay.
Support municipalities (TGB, ToA) and organizations (GB5 and others) to fund, research to understand and conduct long-term testing to monitor point source pollution, wetland health and water ecosystem (chemistry and nutrients).
Support research about impacts of water level fluctuations and research into various controls that could be used to moderate such fluctuations

2018 Plans and Objectives

Survey our local associations to find out what water testing is now being done after the recommendations of the GBA fall 2015 and our survey in 2013.
Inquire of other organizations to find out what water testing is being done by other
bodies.
Share our findings (of the 2 above actions) and specifically explain how people can be involved (working with LPP, GBF, GBB or other) in an UPDATE article, or primer or other mechanism
Improve communication about water quality within the GBA
Share the Army Corps of Engineers water level information on a weekly basis
Find a suitable Georgian Bay representative willing to sit on the Muskoka Watershed Council
Increase the dialogue about source water protection
Improve dialogue about water science with GBF (between ED’s and between Presidents)
Create composting toilet primer, and any other short primers to assist cottagers
Participate in the Georgian Bay Science Forums or other symposiums (with other organizations such as the GBBR and the GBF)
Attend 4th Annual Indigenous Lands and Resource Management Conference, Magnetawan (Mar 2018)
Attend Safe Quiet Lakes annual meeting, Rosseau (April 2018)
Presentation about water quality to a local association (McGregor Bay, Aug 2018, Anne)
Consider attending the Latornell Conservation Symposium Nov, Nottawasaga (registration fee required)
Work with FOCA and OOWA to advocate for improved septic inspections and
maintenance – Rick invited to present at a GBA BM
Assist in putting together Fall Public Meeting with “Water” as the theme.
Planned:
Meet with David Sweetnam, GBF, re water science, April 24^th 2017
Telephone discussion and participation in the Muskoka Stewardship Conference, May 12^th2017
Primer: Pump outs and locations, including mapping
Primer: Burn barrels and their chemical hazards
Primer: Water protection best practices (especially phosphorous)
Primer: Composting toilets & decomposition best practices
Attend Muskoka Watershed Council’s 50 Shades of Green Conference (May)