Detroit River Evening a Success! |
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Many thanks to everyone who came out for the Detroit River Evening on September 14th on Zoom. Thanks to all the presenters who provided updates on the important work being done in the Detroit River Area of Concern by the DRCC Public Advisory Council, Friends of the Detroit River, Essex Region Conservation Authority, Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research and Environment and Climate Change Canada.
Miss the event? Watch it below!
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2021-22 Annual Report and Video |
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To learn more about the many projects that took place over the last year, download the DRCC annual report here.
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Phytoplankton and Zooplankton populations no longer impaired for the Detroit River! |
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The Detroit River Canadian Cleanup (DRCC) is pleased to announce the official status change of the Degradation of Phytoplankton and Zooplankton Beneficial Use Impairment from “requires further assessment” to “not impaired”! We congratulate all members of the DRCC and local community that have worked so diligently in attaining this milestone.
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Phytoplankton and zooplankton populations make up the base of the aquatic food web and are an important food source. Plankton are small (usually microscopic), floating organisms that live in freshwater and marine ecosystems. Phytoplankton are tiny plants including diatoms, desmids, and algae that require photosynthesis to live, while zooplankton are small animals that feed on those tiny plants and are a key piece in supporting the local fishery. |
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Insufficient data on the phytoplankton and zooplankton populations in the Detroit River led to this BUI being identified as “requires further assessment” and the need for additional studies including a comprehensive study in 2019 by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO). |
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From July to November 2019, scientists from the DFO sampled eight sites in the Detroit River to assess phytoplankton and zooplankton community composition in the water column to help in determining the status of the Degradation of Phytoplankton and Zooplankton Populations beneficial use. |
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Key Findings
- Phytoplankton and zooplankton populations were low, but their levels were consistent with expectations of a fast-flowing river environment, like the Detroit River.
- Despite the low phytoplankton populations, primary production rates (i.e., when plants make their own food and use that food to live and grow) were moderately high, indicating that the river supports viable phytoplankton populations.
- Zooplankton populations decreased significantly from upstream at Peche Island to downstream in Amherstburg and the community was predominantly comprised of small organisms suggesting the larger zooplankton are being readily consumed by fish in this stretch of the river.
- The type of fish food in the river provides insight into the health of the food web. Healthy food webs have a high percentage of plankton and zooplankton populations as a food source for fish. Over 80% of the fish food in the Detroit River is made up of plankton, which is higher than other AOCs with impaired or requires further assessment status for this beneficial use.
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Based on the research results, there is no evidence of impairment within the phytoplankton and zooplankton communities of the Detroit River AOC. As a result, the DRCC recommended the status of this beneficial use be designated as ‘not impaired’. The various DRCC work groups, the public, U.S. government agencies, and local Indigenous communities reviewed the status assessment report outlining the science to support this recommendation. Federal and provincial governments supported the official change in status of this beneficial use to ‘not impaired’ in September 2021. |
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This is the ninth beneficial use re-designation for the Detroit River AOC. There are currently 4 remaining beneficial uses that are impaired for the Canadian side of the Detroit River. The DRCC looks forward to more BUI redesignations in the coming years. |
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Great Lakes Moment: Chemical contaminant in St. Lawrence River herring gull eggs traced to Detroit River |
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A great example of why Great Lakes research and monitoring programs are needed. A class of chemical compounds that are no longer produced in significant quantities nor being used in the manufacture of new products, called polychlorinated naphthalenes, or PCNs, has been found in herring gull eggs in the St. Lawrence River. You may be surprised to learn the probable source of these chemical contaminants is the Detroit River.To read more, click here.
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Follow the Adventures of Fatberg - fighting to keeping our sewers clean keeps our lakes & rivers clean
Municipalities across Canada spend approximately
$250 million in additional repairs and maintenance costs caused by blockages from non-flushable wipes each year. Sewer blockages can cause problems right in your home and also lead to sewage overflows directly to the Detroit River.
Just because a product is labeled "flushable" doesn't mean it really is as there is no standard for the term "flushable"
To read the international water industry position statement on non-flushable and flushable labelled products and to see a list of supporting organizations, click here. |
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Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement: IJC Seeks Public Input on the Canadian and US Governments' 2022 Progress Report of the Parties |
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As part of its responsibilities under the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement, the International Joint Commission (IJC) seeks public input on the Canadian and US governments' 2022 Progress Report of the Parties (PROP).
Methods to participate
To provide your input you can complete the online survey, participate in a webinar, provide written comment, and/or attend the IJC's hybrid public meeting.
Before submitting your comments, please review the IJC's Privacy Policy pertaining to public submissions. Ensure that your name and contact information are included in your document. Anonymous submissions will not be accepted.
Online survey
The IJC is preparing a survey where you will be able to provide your input about the PROP and the water quality in your Great Lake. You can provide general feedback or comments on specific government programs. When available, you will be able to access the survey from this page.
Public meeting September 28, Niagara Falls, ON (past)
In the evening of September 28, from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM, the IJC will host a hybrid public meeting at the Niagara Falls Convention Centre. This English-only meeting will be in-person, with a livestream and real-time virtual engagement activities for those not able to attend in-person. In-person and virtual participant registrations are available on Eventbrite.
Fall 2022 Webinars
In the fall of 2022, the IJC will host a series of public webinars to receive public comment. Links to register for these webinars will be available on this page when they are available.
Submit written comment
Canadian section
Attn: International Joint Commission - 2022 PROP Input
Canadian Section Office
234 Laurier Avenue West, 22nd Floor
Ottawa ON K1P 6K6
Canada
US Section
Attn: International Joint Commission - 2022 PROP Input
US Section Office
1717 H Street NW, Suite 835
Washington DC 20006
United States
How your comments will be used
At the end of the public comment period, comments received will be published on the IJC’s website and may be incorporated into or appended to the IJC's forthcoming 2023 Triennial Assessment of Progress Report on Great Lakes Water Quality. Please note that your email address and/or mailing address will not be published, but your name, location and/or affiliation will be published. The feedback received will be considered by the IJC to inform its 2023 Triennial Assessment of Progress Report.
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World Migratory Bird Day - October 8
World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) is an annual campaign highlighting the need for the conservation of migratory birds and their habitats.
Did you know that during this time of year the lower Detroit River becomes a corridor for migrating birds? Hundreds of thousands of migrating hawks, eagles, falcons, and vultures concentrate over the river and surrounding Canadian and American lands as they make their way south, making the Detroit River and Important Bird Area (IBA).
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Waste Reduction Week - October 17 to 23
Waste Reduction Week in Canada focuses on the principles of circular economy, resource efficiency, and waste reduction. The program’s primary purpose is to celebrate our environmental efforts and achievements while encouraging new innovative ideas and solutions.
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Save the date for these great local events! Contact the organizers for more information. |
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Movie: Forest for the Trees
Date: Mon, Oct 3, 2022 7:00PM
Where: Cineplex Odeon Devonshire Mall Cinemas
Classification: PG, coarse language
This visually stunning documentary explores the physical and emotional aspects of an outsider community of Canadian west coast tree planters. Deftly weaving together still photographs and film footage, Rita Leistner, an award-winning photographer, photojournalist, filmmaker and erstwhile war photographer and tree planter, depicts the contradictions in the experiences in the lives of the tree planters – the hardship and the healing; the solitude and the joy of belonging — creating an eloquent cinematic metaphor for the human condition.
Tickets can be purchased at the door or online at:
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Art at the oTENTiks
October 15 and 16 2022, Point Pelee National Park, 1118 Point Pelee Dr, Leamington, ON N8H 3V4
Take a walk through the Camp Henry oTENTik village and visit local artisans at work 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days. Entrance to show included with park admission.
Program Highlights
• Shopping at oTENTik and Marketplace vendors (cash sales only)
• Artisans at work
• Live demonstrations and entertainment
• Create your own piece of art to take home
• Food and beverages available for purchase
• Leave your mark on the Art at the oTENTiks community painting
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Citizen's Environmental Alliance Annual General Meeting
Saturday October 15 2022, 2pm, Zoom
All current CEA members and supporters are invited to the CEA's 2022 Annual General Meeting. This year's Annual General Meeting will be online. Current issues will be discussed, last year's accomplishments will be reviewed, new business can be introduced and this year's board members will be elected.
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DRCC Public Advisory Council and Education and Public Involvement Meeting
Tuesday October 25 2022, 4:30pm to 6:30pm, Riverside Public Library, 6305 Wyandotte St E, Windsor, ON N8S 4S5
All are welcome to attend the upcoming DRCC Public Advisory Council (PAC) and Education and Public Involvement meeting, taking place October 25, 2022 from 4:30pm to 6:30pm at the Riverside Public Library. A formal agenda will start the meeting, followed by a special presentation and workshop hosted by Dr. John Hartig titled, The Ecosystem Approach in the 21st Century: Guiding Science and Management. There is limited seating, and food will be served. Please RSVP latest October 21 2022, by 4pm. Please note any dietary restrictions as well. RSVPs can be sent to drca@detroitriver.ca. For those desiring to attend virtually, the meeting will be available via ZOOM. Please email drca@detroitriver.ca to request the ZOOM link. |
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Self-guided Dark Sky Night
October 29 2022, 7:30pm to 11:59pm, Point Pelee National Park, 1118 Point Pelee Dr, Leamington, ON N8H 3V4
Explore the park on your own after dark and experience the dark skies of Point Pelee. You will have the opportunity to stay late and see what goes on after dark. Note that there are no formal programs on these evenings. Visitors can pick up a seasonal star chart at the gate upon arrival. The park is open until midnight, unless otherwise stated. For more information please contact us at pelee.info@pc.gc.ca. |
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Extra! Extra! Read all about it! |
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The Detroit River and Great Lakes in the news. Here are some links to articles that may pique your interest. Click the link to read on.
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The Detroit River Canadian Cleanup is a partnership between government, industry, academics, as well as environmental and community organizations that work together to improve the Detroit River ecosystem through a Remedial Action Plan. Our goal is to remove the Detroit River from the list of Great Lakes Areas of Concern. |
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