Feds announce plans on next phase of Lake Simcoe clean-up

Feds announce plans on next phase of Lake Simcoe clean-up


On the eve of an election call, the federal government has outlined how it will spend $72,045 of the $30 million it committed in February to cleaning up Lake Simcoe.

The latest round of money will be used for:
• $22,000 for the McGee Creek Fencing Project in Kawartha Lakes
• $13,285 for the Beaver River Erosion and Fish Habitat Creation in Beaverton
• $25,000 for the Gordon Drain Manure Storage and Management project near Cannington
• $6,000 Portage Manure Storage in Kawartha Lakes
• $5,760 for Talbot River Erosion and Habitat Creation in the Township of Brock

“Our government has been clear that action needs to be taken to clean up Lake Simcoe,” said MP Barry Devolin.

“Today’s announcement demonstrates real, meaningful, on-the-ground action for Lake Simcoe. We’re moving forward and cleaning up this Ontario jewel.”

Virginia Hackson, chair of the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority, thanked the federal government and Environment Canada for helping restore the lake.

"This new funding advances our effort to restore balance to our watershed and to our lake," she said.

"And balance is what lies at the heart of what we are all working for. Balance will help us achieve an environment that fulfills our needs today, and will be there to fulfill the needs of the generations to follow."

“One of my priorities is fighting to preserve and protect Lake Simcoe’s environment," MP Devolin said.

“I’m pleased to be able to partner with such a strong, environmental leader such as the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority. I believe it represents one more example of our community’s commitment to clean up the Lake.”

Boat bursts into flames and sinks in Lake Simcoe Sunday.

Six people escaped unhurt from a boat that burst into flames and sunk in Lake Simcoe Sunday.

At about 4 p.m., York Regional Police, along with officers from Ontario Provincial Police, South Simcoe and Barrie were dispatched to an area of the lake off of Keswick to find a 1976 Trojan 36-foot vessel completely engulfed in flames, York police spokesperson Const. Gary Phillips said.

Two men and four women, including a family from Brampton, escaped the boat before it sank, he added.

The owner, a 79-year-old man suffered minor smoke inhalation, but did not require medical treatment, according to Const. Phillips.

Police later learned the family had set off from Crate’s Marina, destined for Lefroy.

However, the captain felt the engine begin to bog down while passing through weeds and, at the same time, smelled smoke in the engine area, Const. Phillips said.

The cause of the fire has been traced back to the engine of the boat — which had been serviced last week — overheating, he added.

The ministry of the environment and the Canadian Coast Guard also became involved in the incident.

It was fortunate no one was hurt in the blaze, Const. Phillips said.

As of Tuesday, the wreck lay about 3/4 of a mile off Old Homestead Road in Georgina.

“We ask all boaters to stay away from the area,” he said. “It’s a hazard to boaters right now.”