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Cleaning Up Lake Simcoe: What are the next steps for a Phosphorous Recycling Plant?

October 9, 2024

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By Angie Sullivan

Hoping to fuel government action on a proposed Holland Marsh Phosphorus Recycling Plant, Lake Simcoe Watch launched a campaign last month asking, “When Will Shovels Go In The Ground To Clean Up Lake Simcoe?”

The ads, which ran in local papers, encouraged residents to contact the Minister of Environment, Andrea Khanjin, with this very question.

Jack Gibbons, the chair of Lake Simcoe Watch, refers to a letter Khanjin wrote to the Ontario Clean Water agency in November of 2023.

“Khanjin says that the Holland Marsh Phosphorus Recycling Facility will reduce Lake Simcoe’s phosphorus pollution by up to 5 tonnes per year. To put this in context the Lake Simcoe Protection Plan is calling for Lake Simcoe’s phosphorus pollution to be reduced from approximately 90 tonnes per year to 44 tonnes per year. The Holland Marsh project is the single largest action Ontario can take to clean up Lake Simcoe.”

When the Post asked Khanjin’s office for an update, Gary Wheeler, the media contact from Environment, Conservation and Parks, emailed this statement, “In November 2023, the Minister requested the Ontario Clean Water Agency (OCWA) to complete a research study to provide key project information, including updating conceptual design options and cost estimates. This study is wrapping up and the Ministry expects to share next steps shortly. The Ministry is working with local partners on site selection and preferred design.”

Dave Neeson, Ward 3 Councillor for the Town of Georgina, has been advocating for the health of Lake Simcoe and said, “It’s good news that the Ontario Clean Water Agency (OCWA) is finalizing its work, and I know we all share a sense of urgency to move this project forward. We all have the same goal in mind — protecting Lake Simcoe. That is why I know we all want to see shovels in the ground for this historic project as soon as possible.”

According to Caroline Mulroney, MPP for York Simcoe, the 2024 Ontario budget has allocated $24 million for the innovative phosphorus reduction project to help reduce phosphorus discharges into Lake Simcoe.

“Our government is continuing to invest in the long-term health of Lake Simcoe,” said Mulroney. “These projects will benefit both the Holland Marsh and the south shores of Lake Simcoe as we continue to keep the water clean and reduce phosphorus from entering our watershed.”

MJ Hanley, a resident of Willow Beach and an environmental scientist, said, “My experience trying to get action on the Lake Simcoe Phosphorus Recycling Facility (LSPRF) has been frustrating and tiring. I continued to be persistent in sending letters and emails to provincial and federal politicians, along with other colleagues, who also are interested in saving Lake Simcoe from further pollution. Very few responses are received from these letters and emails; just your standard ‘reply messages’”.

Hanley moved up to Lake Simcoe to enjoy year-round lake activities and cautioned, “People who enjoy the Lake and live along or near it, need to take time to email their Provincial and Federal politicians to protect the Lake from further degradation.”