Another water quality challenge restored

The environmental challenge of beach closings has been restored in another step to removing the Bay of Quinte from the Great Lakes Areas of Concern list.

The Bay of Quinte Remedial Action Plan (BQRAP) Restoration Council has received official confirmation from the federal and provincial governments of the status change.

The challenge was beach closings. The BQRAP assessed four area beaches: Centennial Park at Deseronto, Kingsford Mills on the Salmon River, Frankford Park on the Trent River, and Centennial Park at Northport.

“These beaches are meeting or exceeding the criteria outlined in the BQRAP regarding beach postings and contaminant sources,” said Brad McNevin, CAO of Quinte Conservation and Co-chair of the BQRAP Restoration Council. “This means six of an original 11 water quality challenges have been deemed restored. After all 11 water quality challenges have been formally declared restored the Bay of Quinte can be removed from the Great Lakes Areas of Concern list.”

“Today, the Bay of Quinte is a healthy and vibrant ecosystem, well-known for the recreational opportunities it offers both residents and tourists. Reaching another milestone in rehabilitating the Bay, is a testament to the dedication and hard work of our federal, provincial, and municipal partners, as well as, industry, agriculture, the public and local conservation authorities,” said McNevin.

“These are exciting times for the Bay of Quinte Restoration Council. After several decades of rehabilitating the Bay we are starting to change the status of a number of the water quality challenges.

“Now, it is important to ensure strategies are in place, so the Bay doesn’t backslide to conditions that required a remedial action plan in the first place,” said Glenda Rodgers, CAO of Lower Trent Conservation and Co-chair of the BQRAP Restoration Council.

The Bay, she notes, is a huge economic driver for the area and the source of drinking water for thousands of area residents.

“As the RAP starts to wind down, the process of ensuring water quality does not backslide will need to take on a more local focus. Everyone has a role to play in maintaining the Bay’s water quality. Whether it’s implementing stewardship projects to improve water quality, advocating for water quality issues, volunteering as a citizen scientist, or talking to your local politicians and municipalities about actions to keep the Bay a healthy and vibrant ecosystem. Maintaining water quality is everyone’s responsibility.”

The final reports and supporting information can be found on the BQRAP web site – www.bqrap.ca

The Bay of Quinte Remedial Action Plan is in partnership locally with Lower Trent Conservation and Quinte Conservation.