This page was exported from King Weekly Sentinel [ https://kingsentinel.com ] Export date:Sat Nov 23 19:52:58 2024 / +0000 GMT ___________________________________________________ Title: MP Van Loan announces federal government’s support of Holland River restoration project --------------------------------------------------- MP Peter Van Loan and Brett Ruck, executive director of Drainage Investment Group, announced federal support for restoration of the Holland River.   By Brittany Spencer The restoration and conservation of the Canada's lake and river systems has been a mounting priority within the federal government's agenda over the last decade. A crucial step forward within the federal government's environmental action plan has been the development of the Recreational Fisheries Conservation Partnership Program. Since its inception, the program has invested nearly $6 million into 94 fisheries habitat restoration projects across the country, including 16 clean-up projects in Ontario. The Honorable Peter Van Loan, MP for York-Simcoe, met with municipal officials at the Holland River Marina to announce the federal government's investment of $77,000 toward the conservation of fish habitats along the Holland River. The river clean-up initiative is a part of The Recreational Fisheries Conservation Partnership Program that was announced in the 2013 Economic Action Plan. The program is designed to increase collaboration between recreational fishing groups and anglers, conservation organizations and local landowners to increase the effectiveness of fisheries habitat restoration within municipalities across the country. “Our government is committed to the protection and clean-up of Lake-Simcoe and the surrounding watershed,” said Van Loan. “Today we have taken yet another step to support the individuals and organizations who are working to help the lake. Recreational fishing in Lake Simcoe is enjoyed by thousands of visitors and residents. It builds an appreciation of the value of our local environment. This project will benefit our community for years to come.” Funding for the project will be provided to the Drainage Investment Group (DIG), a not-for-profit organization that secures funding to enhance environmental sustainability within municipal drains and watersheds. Executive director Brett Ruck explained that DIG will work collaboratively with educational institutions, environmental associations, local partners and over 730 landowners within Holland River region to implement water-management programs aimed at the enhancement of water quality and habitats. The Holland River conservation project will involve the construction of littoral shelves designed to reduce sedimentation and phosphorus inputs into the river. The shoreline restoration initiative will also include the planting of trees and other vegetation along the river to manage the effects of erosion and stabilize the riverbank. Van Loan and Ruck explained that these efforts will improve water quality, allowing fishery habitats and ecosystems to thrive within the Holland River system and Lake Simcoe. Both parties are confident that the project's commitment to partnership and collaboration will bring like-minded groups together, optimizing joint resources in pursuit of the common goal of protecting and enhancing recreational fisheries and habitats along the Holland River. --------------------------------------------------- Images: --------------------------------------------------- Excerpt: The restoration and conservation of the Canada’s lake and river systems has been a mounting priority within the federal government’s agenda over the last decade. --------------------------------------------------- Post date: 2014-09-03 09:54:48 Post date GMT: 2014-09-03 13:54:48 Post modified date: 2014-09-16 14:55:39 Post modified date GMT: 2014-09-16 18:55:39 ____________________________________________________________________________________________ Export of Post and Page as text file has been powered by [ Universal Post Manager ] plugin from www.gconverters.com