Focus on Lake Scugog
PORT PERRY -- A day-long look towards the long-term future of Lake Scugog will convene at the Scugog Community Centre on Thursday when stakeholders from across the community and all levels of government gather to dive into discussions on the problem-plagued lake.
The inaugural 'Lake Scugog Summit' is expected to focus on the long-term sustainability of the lake, which endured one of its most trying seasons last summer, when it suffered a massive carp-kill, critically low water levels and unruly weeds.
It was, however, at the height of the carp-kill early last summer, when hundreds of carp floated to the surface and washed ashore, that municipal officials, as well as those at the upper-tier levels and their agencies, began to question who was responsible for what when it comes to Lake Scugog.
In short, it's hoped the impact of the myriad of activities on the lake, and an understanding of the measures that exist to preserve the sensitive eco-system of Lake Scugog, are addressed at the May 8 conference.
"We have a really great agenda planned for the day," said Bev Hendry, Scugog's chief administrative officer, said at Monday's municipal committees meeting.
A highlight of the gathering is expected to be a discussion by keynote speaker Doug Downey, chairman of the 'Panel On The Future Of The Trent-Severn Waterway', a report which was recently presented to the federal Minister of the Environment.
Speakers scheduled to appear include:
- 9:45 a.m.: A panel discussion on 'Innovation: Programs, policies and practises for lake management'. Included speakers will be Mark Majchrowski (Kawartha Region Conservation Authority), Peter Frood (Parks Canada and Trent-Severn Waterway), Tammy Tellier (Ministry of Natural Resources) and Shyrin Hirji (Ministry of Environment).
- 11:15 a.m.: Mr. Downey
- 1 p.m.: 'The LSEMS Experience: Successes and lessons learned along the way' with Gayle Wood, CAO, Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority
- 2 p.m.: A panel discussion on 'Inspiration: Land stewardship and economic development initiatives'. Included speakers will be Carole Seysmith (Durham Land Stewardship), Barbara Karthein (Scugog Lake Stewards Incorporated), Ivan Dejong (Durham Agricultural Advisory Committee), Jim Dyment (Meridian Planning Consultants) and John Mackey (Port Perry Marina).
Highlights of the conference and an official wrap-up will be held at 3:30 p.m.
As well, a long list of groups have representatives scheduled to attend the conference, and provide displays and exhibits. They include the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Ministry of Natural Resources, Ministry of the Environment, a representative on behalf of Durham MP Bev Oda, Durham MPP John O'Toole, the City of Kawartha Lakes, Kawartha Conservation and Parks Canada/Trent-Severn Waterway.
Also expected are officials from the Region of Durham, Durham Agricultural Advisory Committee, Durham Land Stewardship Committee, Durham District School Board (Outdoor Education Centre), the Township of Scugog, City of Kawartha Lakes, Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority, Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation, the Scugog Lake Stewards and Durham Farm Fresh.
For those interested in the conference but unable to attend the day sessions, there will be a public open house from 5 to 8 p.m.
The Scugog Community Centre is located at 1655 Reach St. For information, contact Lisa Fitton at 905-985-7346, extension 116.