Stewardship group starts letter-writing campaign

The Simon Lake Community Stewardship group is starting a letter-writing campaign in an effort to protect city watersheds.

The decision to start the campaign is in response to the 2009 EcoJustice Report, “Flushing Out the Truth: Sewage Dumping in Ontario.” The report explored the impact and frequency of dumping untreated and undertreated sewage into watersheds across Ontario.

“Inadequately treated sewage causes human health and environmental impacts that go far beyond beach closures,” the EcoJustice report stated. “In both 2006 and 2007, raw or undertreated sewage was dumped more than 1,000 times by Ontario municipalities. The quantities are staggering, with billions of litres escaping full treatment each year.”

The Simon Lake group is asking for people to send letters to “let the Minister of Environment know that dumping untreated and under-treated sewage into our watersheds is not acceptable,” a release from the group stated.

Those interested can either send Minister John Gerretsen a letter by mail, or by e-mail. The stewardship group has a sample letter that can be used as a template for individuals who want to participate in the mailing campaign.

A copy of the letter can be reached by e-mailing the group at info@simonlakestewardship.ca.

The Ministry of the Environment has a page on its website which allows people to send the minister mail. It can be accessed at www.ene.gov.on.ca/feedback/email_minister.php.

The Simon Lake Community Stewardship Group was formed in 2006 to monitor, maintain and improve Simon Lake and the area’s natural habitat.

The group addresses the continuing decline of the water quality of Simon Lake, according to its website.

Simon Lake is located in Naughton, Ontario, and is part of the Sudbury district watershed.