Introduction

The stretch of the Lake Huron shoreline between Sauble Beach and Sarnia has enjoyed a long history of recreational use and cottaging.  It has also been plagued with episodes of poor water quality, algal blooms, aesthetic problems, and restricted use of public beaches.  This has, in turn, prompted an increasing number of public complaints to local, provincial, and federal agencies.  The E.coli O157:H7 outbreak in the municipal drinking water system of nearby Walkerton in the spring of 2000 further increased public concerns about water quality.  As a result, environmentalists and cottagers have been actively lobbying local and provincial authorities to more stringently regulate land-use and monitor water quality in the nearshore region.

The Lake Huron Southeast Shore Working Group first met in July, 2002 in response to the identification of poor water quality in the area as an emerging domestic priority issue under the Lake Huron Binational Partnership.  Members have, to this point, been working informally to identify and characterize the water quality problem, and to share program information and priorities.  This Terms of Reference document is meant to formalize and provide direction and structure to the Working Group.  Its’ ultimate goal is the same as the Lake Huron Binational Partnership, but within a more limited area.  That is:

• “to protect and restore the chemical, physical and biological integrity of Lake Huron”.

Purpose

The purpose of the Working Group is to:

• • Cooperate and share information amongst partners to implement projects and provide information in support of policy, setting research priorities, and decision-making.
  • Explore and develop funding mechanisms for local implementation and research needs.
  • Develop and implement communication plans and outreach materials to educate and inform the public and stakeholders on key issues in the area of interest.
  • Report on Working Group activities and priorities to the Lake Huron Binational Partnership and respond to directives from the Partnership.

Area of Interest

The area of interest for the Working Group is the shoreline of Lake Huron’s main basin between Sauble Beach and Sarnia, Ontario, the watersheds of all tributaries to this stretch of shoreline, and its’ corresponding nearshore (littoral) zone and overlying water column (see Map 1).

Members

The working group will be co-chaired by Environment Canada’s Restoration Programs Division and the Ontario Ministry of the Environment’s Southwest Regional Office, who will also provide administrative support.

Representatives from the following agencies/organizations make up the core of the Working Group:

• • Environment Canada, Restoration Programs Division
  • Environment Canada, National Water Research Institute
  • Environment Canada, Toxics Prevention Division
  • Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Environmental Monitoring and Reporting Branch
  • Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Southwestern Region
  • Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Guelph District
  • Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, Environmental Management Unit
  • County of Huron
  • Huron County Health Unit
  • Ausable-Bayfield Conservation Authority
  • Maitland Valley Conservation Authority
  • Local First Nations community representatives

Membership in the Working Group is expected to change with the tasks and priorities of the working group.  The following other organizations are currently involved in the Working Group’s activities:

• • Environment Canada, Ecosystem Health Division
  • Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Great Lakes Lab for Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
  • Lake Huron Centre for Coastal Conservation

Subcommittees

The Working Group will from time to time designate standing committees or ad hoc committees as subcommittees.  Chairs of these committees or their designates will sit on the Working Group as their representatives.  Current subcommittees of the Working Group are as follows:

• • Lake Huron Southeast Shore Technical Committee (co-chairs from NWRI and Huron County Health Unit)- terms of reference are found in appendix A.

Decision Making

Issues will be resolved by consensus of the members. If consensus cannot be achieved on a significant issue, then the issue will be referred to the Lake Huron Binational Partnership for resolution.

Frequency of Meetings

Meetings of the Working Group will be held as deemed necessary by the members - with the intention to meet at least three times per year.

Reporting

The Working Group will report on progress to the Lake Huron Binational Partnership as required.  They will provide information as appropriate to fulfill the International Joint Commission reporting requirements of the Partnership, as per the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement.

Priorities

The current priorities of the Working Group are found in the workplan in Appendix B.

August 12, 2005

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