Lake of the Woods is the subject of more research.
Grand Council Treaty 3, the Lake of the Woods Water Sustainability Foundation, the Metis Nation of Ontario and Trent University on working separate initiatives.
They are looking at issues impacting the lake’s water quality, such as algae blooms, phosphorus and nutrients.
The federal government is supporting the work by providing more than $1.4 million.
Grand Council Treaty #3 is getting $450,000 to participate in processes and actions to reduce phosphorus, as well as coordinate community engagement.
“This funding will strengthen Grand Council Treaty #3’s capacity to protect and preserve Lake of the Woods nibi and ecosystems while creating more opportunities for Treaty #3 Elders and Knowledge Keepers to lead protections through the Treaty #3 Nibi Declaration,” states Chris Herc, Environmental Manager for Grand Council Treaty #3 in a release.
The Lake of the Woods Water Sustainability Foundation will use $395,000 to develop a phosphorus management plan for the Rainy River – Lake of the Woods Watershed.
“For decades, algae blooms, driven by excessive phosphorus, have been a growing water-quality concern for Lake of the Woods. Algae blooms are becoming more frequent, toxic, and lasting later in the year,” says Teika Newton, Executive Director for the Lake of the Woods Water Sustainability Foundation in a release.
“We are excited to tackle this problem with support from the Canada Water Agency.”
Trent University is getting $380,800 to study phosphorous sources and nutrient interactions.
The Metis Nation of Ontario will receive $24,150 to continue engagement with the region’s Métis community to foster collaboration, participation, and capacity building on phosphorus reduction actions and nutrient and algae science in the Lake of the Woods Basin.
