Waterkeeper disagrees with report that concludes the aesthetics of Toronto's watersheds should be considered "Not Impaired"
The aesthetics of Toronto's waterfront is supposedly fine. Waterkeeper disagrees with this assessment. Above is a common sight in the Inner Harbour (July 21, 2017, Rees St. Slip).
The Toronto and Region Remedial Action Plan (Toronto RAP) team recently released a report entitled BUI Status Re-Designation Report: Degradation of Aesthetics.
The report suggests that Toronto’s waters are now “free from persistent objectionable unnatural deposit, unnatural colour, objectionable odour, or unnatural turbidity (e.g., oil slick or surface scum).”
As a result, Toronto RAP recommends that the current status for Toronto’s Degradation of Aesthetics should be re-designated from “Impaired” to “Not Impaired.”
Toronto RAP opened this report to public consultation, and we have given them our submission. In short, Waterkeeper does not agree with their assessment.
Toronto’s waters are still impacted by unnatural deposits, unnatural colours, objectionable odours, and unnatural turbidity. Based on extensive research and expertise, Waterkeeper concludes that the status should remain Impaired.
Sewage, debris, and plastics are the main problems that need to be addressed. Until these issues have truly been solved, re-designating this BUI should not even be considered, let alone changed.
See our full submission below, including our findings and recommendations for the Toronto RAP team.