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Lakewide Management Plan For Lake Ontario Now Available

Release Date: 06/01/1998
Contact Information:

(#98064) NIAGARA FALLS, NY -- Lake Ontario, with its abundant natural resources and physical attractions, is a vital centre for the almost eight million Canadians and Americans who live within its basin. The protection of this splendid inland lake is an ongoing concern of the governments of Canada and the United States (U.S.), Ontario and New York State who, today, released to the public the Lakewide Management Plan (LaMP) Stage 1 report for Lake Ontario.

The Stage 1 report was developed by Environment Canada, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (the Four Parties) in partnership with people concerned about Lake Ontario. A draft document was circulated for public comment during the spring of 1997. A series of 10 public meetings were held in New York State and Ontario to discuss the draft with interested members of the public.

The LaMP Stage I Report identifies lakewide environmental problems and outlines a follow-up action plan. Problems identified include: loss of natural habitat for fish/wildlife, restrictions on eating some fish/wildlife, degradation of wildlife populations, and bird or animal deformities or reproductive problems. The goal is a healthy Lake Ontario basin that contains thriving fish and wildlife populations and that basin residents can enjoy to the fullest extent.

U.S. EPA Regional Administrator, Jeanne M. Fox said, "This report reflects the critical challenges our two countries must address if we are to make further progress in our efforts to rehabilitate the Lake Ontario aquatic ecosystem. It is an important step in the process of meeting our long-term goal of restoring all the beneficial uses of the lake, such as, boating, swimming and eating Lake Ontario fish."

Environment Canada Regional Director General, Ontario Region, John Mills, said, "Opportunities for continued public consultation and involvement in this binational program are ongoing in our efforts to restore and protect Lake Ontario. The release of the Stage 1 report represents an important milestone in the LaMP process, as it provides the basis for further consultation in order to develop binational strategies to resolve lakewide issues."

In 1987, the U.S. and Canadian federal governments committed to developing a LaMP for each of the five Great Lakes. The purpose of a Lakewide Management Plan is to identify environmental problems and necessary actions to restore and protect the Great Lakes. LaMPs are developed in four stages: defining environmental problems, identifying activities to reduce pollution; selecting actions and documenting environmental improvements.

The Four Parties will be continuing actions to track down sources of pollution around Lake Ontario and restore natural habitats. These actions will be done, whenever possible, in partnership with groups and organizations interested in improving Lake Ontario's resources. New information about Lake Ontario and progress of the LaMP will be made public by mailings, news articles and during annual public meetings.

Copies of the Stage 1 LaMP are available by calling Environment Canada (905) 336-4552 or USEPA (716) 285-8842. The document is also available on the following Internet web site: Lake Ontario LaMP (http://www.cciw.ca/glimr/lakes/ontario/).

For further information, please contact:

Barbara Spinweber/Janette Anderson

United States Environmental Protection Agency/Environment Canada

(212) 637-3848/(905) 336-6277

Richard Draper/Fred Fleischer

NYSDEC/ Ontario Ministry of the Environment

(518) 457-1158/(416) 235-6222

For more information contact:
Mary Mears, Press Office
EPA Region 2
290 Broadway
NY, NY 10007-1866
Voice: 212-637-3669 FAX: 212-637-5046 E-Mail: [email protected]