Deep Geologic Repository Joint Commission d examen conjoint du projet de stockage dans des couches géologiques profondes PMD 13-P1.6B File / dossier : 8.01.07 Date: 2013-10-01 Edocs: 4209085 Supplementary Information Presentation from Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources Renseignements supplémentaires Présentation du Ministère des Richesses naturelles de l Ontario In the Matter of À l égard de Ontario Power Generation Inc. Ontario Power Generation Inc. Proposed Environmental Impact Statement for OPG s Deep Geological Repository (DGR) Project for Low and Intermediate Level Waste Étude proposée pour l énoncé des incidences environnementales pour l Installation de stockage de déchets radioactifs à faible et moyenne activité dans des couches géologiques profondes Joint Commission d examen conjoint September 16 to October 12, 2013 Du 16 septembre au 12 octobre 2013
Ministry of Natural Resources Submission to the Joint Deep Geologic Repository Hearing October 2, 2013 Ontario s Ministry of Natural Resources Roles and Responsibilities Resource Management on Lake Huron Presentation to Joint DGR David A. McLeish, Lake Manager Upper Great Lakes Management Unit Provincial Services Division Ministry of Natural Resources 2 1
Context: Great Lakes Overview The Great Lakes are one of Ontario s most important, and recognizable, ecosystems Covers an area of 750,000 square kilometers Basin home to 33.2 M people, 11 M in Ontario (32% of Canada s population) The Great Lakes are vital to the quality of life for Ontarians through the provision of drinking water, wholesome food, recreation, industry, and shipping The Ministry of Natural Resources has a key role in ensuring the sustainability of the Great Lakes Responsibilities are shared with other Ontario Ministries (e.g. Environment, Food and Agriculture), 8 U.S. States, 2 Federal Governments, and U.S. Tribal Authorities 3 Mandate Guiding Policies Our Sustainable Future: A Renewed Call to Action (2011) Ontario s Biodiversity Strategy (2011) Ontario Invasive Species Strategic Plan (2012) Strategic Plan for Ontario Fisheries (SPOF and SPOF II) (1976, 1992) Strategic Policy for Ontario s Commercial Fisheries (2011) Canada Ontario Agreement: Respecting the Great Lakes Basin Ecosystem Ontario s Great Lakes Strategy (2012) Legislation Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act (1997) Ontario Fishery Regulations Fisheries Act (DFO) Endangered Species Act (2007) Federal Species at Risk Act (2002) Public Lands Act (1990) Goals Promote biodiversity as a key goal in managing Ontario s resources Protect, restore, and recover ecosystem diversity and related ecosystem functions; manage using an ecosystem approach. Manage the use of Ontario s resources sustainably 4 2
Resource Management 1. Recreational Fisheries Regulation review Fisheries Planning Partner Stocking Licencing and Enforcement 2. Commercial Fisheries Licencing, Audit Reporting, and Enforcement Assessment of Stock Status and Quota Setting 3. Native Species Rehabilitation Strategic Planning Fish Culture/Stocking 4. Cage Aquaculture Licencing and Enforcement Resource Planning 5. Aboriginal Fisheries Negotiations Agreement Development and Implementation Data Sharing 5 Science 1. Assessment and monitoring of fish communities including; Species changes, stock status, food web changes, impact of invasive species 2. Monitor native species restoration efforts Assess post-stocking survival Monitor natural reproduction 3. Assessing effects of exploitation on fish resources Statistical modeling of populations Evaluation of commercial and recreational harvest information 4. State of the Lake Reporting 5. Participation in inter agency research projects e.g. Fish populations and fish community dynamics Fish health Water quality, water levels Various other aquatic trophic levels (benthos, plankton, etc.) 6 3
Lake Huron Fisheries Fisheries Summary Commercial fishery in Ontario waters of the Main Basin: 1.63 Million kg landed Lake Whitefish, Yellow Perch, Walleye, Lake Trout in that order Estimated Landed Value $5.2 M; Est. Market Value $19.5 M Largest Lake Whitefish fishery in Great Lakes Recreational fishery in Main Basin: Chinook Salmon, Rainbow Trout, Lake Trout, other Salmonids, Walleye Salmonids in Central and North, Percids in South Supports a number of Competitive Fishing Events and numerous local harbours 7 Areas Monitored by OMNR North Channel Georgian Bay Lake Huron Commercial Catch Monitoring Recreational Fishery Monitoring 8 4
Great Lakes Water Level Monitoring The Great Lakes basin contains roughly 20% of the world s fresh water resources Great Lakes water levels have been monitored for over 100 years Water level fluctuations are largely natural, however control structures on the St. Mary s River and the St. Lawrence River can moderately influence levels of Lake Superior and Lake Ontario respectively. 9 Partnerships 1. Great Lakes Fishery Commission (GLFC) Represent Ontario s interests under the Joint Strategic Plan for Great Lakes Fisheries along with U.S. State and Federal Government agencies Represent Ontario on the Lake Huron Committee and Lake Huron Technical Committee along with U.S. State and Federal (USFWS) Government agencies 2. International Joint Commission (IJC) Represent Ontario s interests in the implementation of the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement along with the Ministry of the Environment, Environment Canada, along with U.S. State and Federal (USEPA) Government agencies Represent Ontario on Lake Huron Bi-national Partnership and Upper Lakes Study Working Group 3. Aboriginal Communities and the Anishinabek/Ontario Fisheries Resource Centre (AOFRC) Work with Aboriginal communities and the AOFRC in the delivery of Lake Huron projects (e.g. netting, tagging) Data sharing with AOFRC Agreements with several First Nations communities (e.g.. SON) 4. Stakeholders (e.g. Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters) Work cooperatively on projects of mutual interest 10 5
Strategic Objectives Fish Community Objectives - examples Over the next two decades, restore an ecologically balanced fish community dominated by top predators and consisting largely of self-sustaining indigenous and naturalized species capable of sustaining annual harvests of 8.9 million kg. Establish a diverse salmonine community that can sustain an annual harvest of 2.4 million kg with lake trout the dominant species and anadromous (stream-spawning.) species also having a prominent place. Maintain the present diversity of coregonines; restore cisco to a significant level, and protect, where possible, rare deep water ciscoes. Environmental Objectives - examples Protect and restore integrity connectivity functionality of spawning, nursery and feeding areas Protect and rehabilitate nearshore habitats Protect and restore water quality throughout the Lake Huron basin 11 Agreement with Saugeen Ojibway Nation Included at request of the Background The Ontario Provincial Court decision R v. Jones and Nadjiwon (1993) found that SON has aboriginal and treaty rights to fish for sustenance commercial purposes in some of the waters of Lake Huron and Georgian Bay. This right is not restricted to any particular species. A new five-year commercial fishing agreement between MNR and SON was ratified on February 25, 2013. MNR and SON have entered into two previous commercial fishing agreements (2000-2003 and 2005-2009) and one interim (2004) agreement. Agreement Highlights Implementation funding in support of implementation of the agreement Includes a Governance Committee, with senior representatives from MNR and SON, that will provide a mechanism for ensuring collaboration in the governance and implementation of the agreement. 12 6
Lake Huron Fisheries SON Agreement Agreement Highlights (Continued) Maintains overall boundaries established in the previous agreement Resumption of commercial fishing in Owen Sound and Colpoys Bay with joint monitoring to ensure safe coexistence with recreational users and restrictions to mitigate incidental harvest of rainbow trout and salmon. Maintained Total Allowable Catch (TAC) for 2013 at level based on the previous agreement Sets out mutual processes for MNR and SON for monitoring, assessment, information sharing, and determining sustainable harvest limits. Sets out a cooperative approach to ensuring compliance Mutual commitments to effective public education and communication Establishment of a process for joint discussions on SON concerns on the effect of fish stocking in Lake Huron 13 Conclusion This concludes the Ministry s submission to Joint on its role in Resource Management on Lake Huron Any further questions should be directed to: David A. McLeish, Lake Manager Upper Great Lakes Management Unit 519-381-5924 david.mcleish@ontario.ca Ministry of Natural Resources Thank you. 14 7