The plan - the first of its kind to protect a watershed - was approved June 2, and builds on the Lake Simcoe Act, which was passed last year.
"This is a vital initiative for the protection of the lake and its future as a source of economic and recreational activity for Barrie and surrounding communities," said Barrie MPP Aileen Carroll.
The plan starts in motion projects to protect the lake's ecosystem. It tackles the issue of phosphorous and other pollutants in the water. Phosphorous has impacted the coldwater fish in the lake. Lake trout, lake whitefish and lake herring are suffering because of low levels of oxygen in the water.
The biggest part of the plan is its phosphorous reduction strategy, which reduces the amount in the lake to 44 tonnes a year, down from 67 tonnes a year today. Reducing phosphorous levels in the lake means fixing sewage treatment plants and preventing storm water runoff from roads, farms, and industries. All of that work comes with a big price tag, but the provincial and federal governments have pitched in to make it all work.
"Ontario is taking strong action to protect the health of Lake Simcoe and its watershed," said John Gerretsen, minister of the environment. "By acting now to implement the Lake Simcoe Protection Plan, we are ensure the long-term protection for the lake and its watershed for generations to come."
The approved Lake Simcoe plan also boosts natural vegetation around the lake to act as a buffer for pollutants, and prevents invasive species of plants and animals from being introduced in the area.
The approval of the final plan happened after months of community consultation, and many of the new regulations have a phase-in period.
For example, anglers will have three years until have to use live bait caught from within the watershed.
"It's good news, but (the province) should've done this years ago," said Lou Maglietta, owner of Simcoe Bait and Tackle.
He said this winter was phenomenal in terms of natural breeding of trout and whitefish in the water, so the lake isn't in as rough shape as it's being reported.
As far as using local bait, Maglietta said there is already some concern further south about minnows with a Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia (VHS) virus in the Great Lakes, and bait dealers aren't allowed to sell them here. That doesn't mean that anglers can't bring those minnows up to Lake Simcoe.
"The emerald shiners we catch here can be taken anywhere, because we're in the virus-free zone. But I haven't seen any other restrictions yet," said Maglietta. "I have heard a rumour that you're only going to be able to be allowed to buy minnows in the area that you fish, but nobody's going to know where you got those fish."
Overall, the Lake Simcoe Protection Plan doesn't have a major impact on fishermen, he said. "Eventually, I think the province will discontinue the sale of live minnows, because of the problem of invasive species. They've already eliminated the sale of frogs and crayfish, and it's only a matter of time."
The City of Barrie announced this week is it starting numerous projects - with funding in part from the federal Lake Simcoe Clean Up Fund - to start protecting Lake Simcoe. It includes a clean up and planting of natural vegetation to Kidds Creek and Sophia Creek, installing storm water quality devices at Heritage Park and retrofitting storm water systems at the D'Ambrosio site and the LV14 site north of Caplan Avenue and west of Bryne Drive. Those projects are expected to cost $19 million, a partnership with the Lake Simcoe Regional Conservation Authority, the Ministry of Environment.
Improvements to the Ford Street Storm water pond are also expected to be approved later this year.
"The health of Lake Simcoe is a top priority and we are always seeking new ways to improve efficiencies surrounding its well-being," said Richard Forward, general manager of infrastructure, development and culture.
