Waterkeeper in the Media - July 2017
Photo: Lake Ontario Waterkeeper
July was a busy for our team, so here's a quick rundown of the media coverage from this month. We've been in the news speaking on issues like algae in the Great Lakes, the impacts of heavy rainfall
on water quality, the Sewage Bypass Reporting Act, Grandmother Water Wakers in Kingston, and obstruction toward Donald Trump's proposed cuts to the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative.
July 2017
Wetland loss a cause of algal blooms in Great Lakes, study finds - Metro Toronto
“People in urban areas have to be careful about the kind of fertilizers they use in their lawns and gardens... In a heavy rain year like this one, any of that can end up directly into the closest lake... You never want to wait until somebody’s dog dies or something extreme happens.”
Meet the man who's growing Toronto's urban surf scene - Metro Toronto
“At its heart, Surf the Greats is built on connecting all Torontonians to the Great Lakes. The community organization is vocal on the issue of water quality and, in addition to beach cleanups, runs a Freshwater Fund to support the Lake Ontario Waterkeeper.”
After a rainfall, take caution when playing in the water - Beach Metro Community News
“We tell people to avoid stagnant water because it doesn’t move, there’s no way for it to flow or to be cleansed. So you tend to get bacteria, algae, even just the accumulation or run-on from the road, it’s going to all sit in that one place and not go anywhere ... [If people are] going in the water, they should be in the open lake where there is a constant movement and flow and recharge.”
OPINION: Why Ontario Needs the Sewage Bypass Reporting Act - Water Canada
“The Act won’t solve Ontario’s sewage infrastructure problems, but it will ensure that people are told about sewage bypasses as they happen. This gives the public the information they need to protect their health. It also makes people more informed about the state of their local wastewater infrastructure and the need for investment in proper capture and treatment of sewage.”
Republicans reject Trump?s plan to cut $300 million for Great Lakes cleanup - Toronto Star/Hamilton Spectator
“I don’t think it matters if you’re Republican or Democrat or any other political party: you recognize this goes right to the kitchen table of every one of your voters … When Donald Trump was elected president, he assumed that all environmental issues were luxuries or wrong-headed or international conspiracies against business. But when the rubber hits the road, when you get down to the communities, these are bread and butter issues. ”
*This story was also featured in thespec.com.
“That’s why I recently strolled onto the ferry for an “Eating Lake Ontario” event organized by WAG and Lake Ontario Waterkeeper. The meal was served up at the Wolfe Island Grill, that enticing resto-bar just steps from the Marysville ferry dock. The shoreline venue was perfect for raising waterfront awareness while underlining the way we tend to ignore local and regional marine resources.”
One good thing after another on Wolfe Island - KingtonRegion.com
“Earlier that week, the Lake Ontario Waterkeeper’s “Kingston and Wolfe Island Cultural Festival” running from June 23- Aug. 12, held their opening ceremony which included a musical showcase at the General Wolfe Inn, now under new ownership. Rain poured and music played. The Lit Festival to be held outdoors at Brophy?s Point the next morning was cancelled due to wet weather. But many activities and challenges are underway during the coming days including the Haunted Walk of Kingston, Waterfront Edition Wed. July 12 8 p.m. Check out www.waterkeeper.ca for further events.”
Canada Beach Report - Swim Guide
Our sister program, Swim Guide, launched the first-ever Canada Beach Report. Here is a rundown of the coverage from this important research from Swim Guide:
N.B. considers reporting water quality at more provincial beaches - CBC New Brunswick
Lois Corbett, executive director of the Conservation Council of New Brunswick, said that “although New Brunswick made improvements this year to recreational water quality monitoring, work still needs to be done to inform the public.”
Beach Water Testing - CBC New Brunswick (Moncton)
Lois Corbett, executive director of the Conservation Council of New Brunswick talks about the results of the [Canada Beach Report by Swim Guide and Swim Drink Fish Canada]
National beach report on water-quality monitoring puts N.B. behind most provinces - CBC New Brunswick
The purpose of the project, which started about six months ago, was to get a clearer picture of the monitoring of Canada's beaches. Corbett said this was the first time such a report has been produced in Canada. "[It's] to paint that picture of what we know and what we don't know," she said.
Beach water testing - CBC New Brunswick (Fredericton)
Terry Seguin talks to the executive director of the Conservation Council of New Brunswick about the nation-wide study on water quality.
New Brunswickers waiting for comprehensive strategy on beach water quality - Global News National
“The heavy lifting was done by the Lake Ontario Waterkeeper and really groups like the Conservation Council of New Brunswick, the Petitcodiac waterkeepers, the Bay of Fundy waterkeepers, we’re just checking for some of our information, but I?m quite proud that the groups came together and were able to release this,” Corbett said.
Prince Edward Island & Canada Beach Report findings - CBC PEI (French)
Gabrielle spoke with Jean-Luc Bouchard over the phone. The segment with her audio clip begins at 14m30s.
Prince Edward Island & Canada Beach Report findings - CBC PEI
Chat with the author of a report from the Not for profit group, Swim Drink Fish Canada. She says PEI should regularly test water.
Conservation Council Of NB Swim Guide Now Offered In Three Languages - 97.3 FM the Wave
Lois Corbett says there are specific things users can find out about the beaches, "They can find out whether or not the beaches are lifeguard supervised, can they rent bikes and what is the water quality like."
Beach water testing - CBC New Brunswick (Moncton)
"The conversation continues on the delay in getting water quality test results from Parlee Beach. Gabrielle Parent-Doliner, program manager for Swim Guide in Toronto, weighs in."