Worm Watch Worms Stations 3 Surveys/Year 10 Min/Sample/Station, Summer Or Fall Species Richness TBD Design for Public 1 Sample/Station C Outreach 1 Hr/Sample, P
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The Porcupine River Watershed Remedial Action Plan Mark Clement Stage 1 Report Mattagami Region Conservation Authority Moving Forward Acknowledgements Porcupine River Watershed Remedial Action Plan Management Team The following people are members of the Porcupine River Watershed RAP Management Team, partner groups and stakeholders. Their hours of volunteer service, their input and ideas, as well as their endless patience have been invaluable. The outcome of the Porcupine River Watershed RAP reflects their commitment. Kees Pols Mattagami Region Conservation Authority Glen McFarlane Ministry of Natural Resources Randy Pickering Ministry of Natural Resources Aide Badilla Mattagami Region Conservation Authority Dean Touchette Ministry of Northern Development & Mines Charles Hendry Ministry of Natural Resources Dean Phoenix Ministry of Natural Resources James Naveau Mattagami First Nation Ed Snucins Ministry of the Environment Caroll Leith Ministry of the Environment Scott Tam City of Timmins David Yaschyschyn Glencore Richard Francoeur Goldcorp Jodie Russell Fur Council Dan Johnson Ministry of Natural Resources Fire Department Brian Atkinson Ministry of Northern Development & Mines Local Citizens Committee Ministry of Natural Resources District Office Ministry of the Environment Ontario Community Environmental Fund Table of Contents Acknowledgements Contents CHAPTER 1 ....................................................................................................................... 1 1.0 INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................... 1 CHAPTER 2 ....................................................................................................................... 3 2.0 DESCRIPTION OF THE PORCUPINE RIVER WATERSHED ........................... 3 2.1 HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE .................................................................................... 3 2.2 GEOGRAPHIC SETTING ........................................................................................... 3 2.2.1 Geology & Physiography ........................................................................................... 6 2.2.2 Surficial Geology ....................................................................................................... 6 2.2.3 Soil Characteristics .................................................................................................... 6 2.2.4 Climate ....................................................................................................................... 7 2.3 SOCIO-ECONOMIC PROFILE ................................................................................... 7 2.3.1 Population Trends ...................................................................................................... 7 2.3.1.1 The Labour Force .................................................................................................... 8 2.3.2 Economic Activity ..................................................................................................... 9 2.3.2.1 Historic .................................................................................................................... 9 2.3.2.2 Industrial ................................................................................................................. 9 2.3.2.3 Fishing................................................................................................................... 10 2.3.2.4 Porcupine River Watershed Tourism .................................................................... 12 2.4 WATER RESOURCE USES IN THE PORCUPINE RIVER WATERSHED AREA OF CONCERN ................................................................................................................. 12 2.4.1 Drinking Water Supply ............................................................................................ 12 2.4.2 Wastewater Disposal ................................................................................................ 13 CHAPTER 3 ..................................................................................................................... 19 3.0 THE PORCUPINE RIVER WATERSHED ECOSYSTEM PROBLEMS AND IMPAIRED BENEFICIAL USES .................................................................................... 19 CHAPTER 4 ..................................................................................................................... 30 4.0 SCOPE OF THE PORCUPINE RIVER WATERSHED RAP STAGE 1 DOCUMENT .................................................................................................................... 30 4.1 PORCUPINE RIVER WATERSHED STAGE 1 RAP REQUIREMENTS .............. 30 CHAPTER 5 ..................................................................................................................... 31 5.0 THE PORCUPINE RIVER WATERSHED RAP DEVELOPMENT................... 31 5.1 PORCUPINE RIVER WATERSHED RAP PARTNERSHIP NETWORK .............. 31 5.1.1 Partnership Network Composition and Responsibilities ......................................... 31 5.1.2 Technical Program ................................................................................................... 31 5.1.2.1 Excessive Nutrient Enrichment ............................................................................. 32 5.1.2.2 Bacteriological Contamination ............................................................................. 32 5.1.2.3 Persistent Toxic Contaminants ............................................................................. 33 5.1.2.4 Habitat Destruction & Ecosystem Instability ....................................................... 33 5.1.3 Products.................................................................................................................... 33 5.2 PORCUPINE RIVER WATERSHED RAP PUBLIC ADVISORY COMMITTEE . 33 5.2.1 Committee Membership and Role ........................................................................... 33 5.2.2 Programs and Products ............................................................................................ 34 5.3 Porcupine River Watershed Stage 1 Consultation Process ......................................... 34 CHAPTER 6 ..................................................................................................................... 35 6.0 THE PORCUPINE RIVER WATERSHED ECOSYSTEM PROBLEMS, CAUSES, RESTORATION OBJECTIVE AND POTENTIAL SOLUTION ................. 35 6.1 DESTRUCTION OF HABITAT AND ECOSYSTEM STABILITY ........................ 35 6.1.1 Habitat – Problems and Their Causes ...................................................................... 35 6.1.2 Habitat – Remediation to Date ................................................................................. 35 6.1.3 Habitat – Porcupine River Watershed RAP Goals and Objectives .......................... 36 6.1.4 Habitat – Potential Rehabilitation Measures............................................................ 37 6.2 NUTRIENT ENRICHMENT AND ECOSYSTEM INSTABILITY ......................... 37 6.2.1 Nutrient Enrichment – The Problems and Causes ................................................... 37 6.2.2 Nutrient Enrichment – Restoration Goals and Objectives ....................................... 38 6.2.3 Nutrient Enrichment – Potential Remedial Measures .............................................. 40 6.3 BACTERIAL CONTAMINATION ........................................................................... 41 6.3.1 Bacterial Contamination – Problems and Causes .................................................... 41 6.3.1.1 The Problems ........................................................................................................ 41 6.3.1.2 The Causes ............................................................................................................ 41 6.3.2 Bacterial Contamination – Remediation to Date ..................................................... 41 6.3.3 Bacterial Contamination – Restoration Goal and Objective .................................... 42 6.3.4 Bacterial Contamination – Required and Potential Remedial Measures ................. 42 6.3.4.1 Treatment of Sewage ............................................................................................ 42 6.3.4.2 Storm and Sanitary Sewer Systems ...................................................................... 42 6.3.5 Bacterial Contamination – Prevention ..................................................................... 42 6.4 PERSISTENT TOXIC CONTAMINANTS ............................................................... 43 6.4.1 Toxic Substances – Understanding the Problem ..................................................... 43 6.4.2 Persistent Toxic Contaminants in the Porcupine River Watershed ......................... 43 6.4.2.1 Persistent Toxic Contaminants in Drinking Water ............................................... 43 6.4.2.2 Persistent Toxic Contaminants in the Water Column ........................................... 43 6.4.2.3 Persistent Toxic Contaminants in the Sediment ................................................... 44 6.4.2.4 Persistent Toxic Contaminants in the Porcupine River Watershed Sport Fish ..... 44 6.4.3 Persistent Toxic Contaminants – Sources ................................................................ 45 6.4.4 Toxic Substances – Remediation to Date ........................................................... 46 6.4.5 Toxic Substances – Restoration Goals and Objectives ...........................................