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Severn Sound Environmental Association

Severn Sound is located in southeastern Georgian Bay and includes Penetanguishene, Midland, Hog, Sturgeon and Matchedash Bays, with significant population centres in Midland and Penetanguishene. The watershed covers an area of 1,098 km².

In 1985 Severn Sound was listed as one of 43 Areas of Concern with respect to water pollution by the International Joint Commission (IJC), a joint Canadian/U.S. organization who oversees cross-boundary issues affecting the Great Lakes. Since 1987, Environment Canada (EC) and the Ontario Ministry of Environment (MOE) have been working with other federal and provincial agencies and local stakeholders in the Severn Sound area to complete a Remedial Action Plan (RAP). The implementation of the Remedial Action Plan to restore and preserve the beneficial uses of Severn Sound for the present and the future began in earnest in 1987.

The creation of a Public Advisory Committee (PAC) in February of 1989 marked a crucial starting point for public consultation where ideas could be exchanged between scientists, environmental managers and stakeholders in the area. There was strong public involvement from the beginning. Membership on the PAC included an assortment of private citizens and representatives of a variety of local organizations.

In 1997 the Severn Sound Environmental Association (SSEA) was formed with the goal of overseeing the delisting of Severn Sound as an ‘Area of Concern’ and to effect the transition from the Remedial Action Plan program to a locally sustained environmental program. The SSEA was created to provide cost effective local environmental management to sustain improvements achieved through the RAP process. Members of the Severn Sound Environmental Association include Environment Canada, the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, the Towns of Midland and Penetanguishene, the Townships of Tay, Tiny, Oro-Medonte, Severn, Georgian Bay and Springwater, and the City of Orillia. Thanks to the efforts of all stakeholders, Severn Sound was removed from the International Joint Commission’s list of Areas of Concern in January 2003.

Led by the SSEA and PAC many beneficial uses in the area have been restored, including public swimming, nutrient enrichment and improved sediment quality. Non-point source reduction programs alone have reduced the phosphorus load to Severn Sound by approximately 1050 kg per year, more than 150,000 native trees have been planted, 2,400 livestock units have been restricted from local watercourses and more than 132 kilometers of stream habitat have been restored.

The Hon. David Anderson, the former federal Minister of the Environment, stated at the ceremony celebrating the completion of Stage 3, “This milestone demonstrates what can be accomplished by governments, industry, individuals, community groups, businesses and other organizations all working together to restore an ecosystem. Their co-operative efforts will be held as a model for other communities and their achievements are an example of civic engagement at its finest.”

The Severn Sound Environmental Association, by seeing the RAP through to its completion, actively works to maintain past achievements and continues to work to improve the environmental standards and health of the community. In addition to sharing resources and working closely with the nine municipal partners in the Association, including frequent contact and consultation with elected representatives and staff, the SSEA continues to be involved in partnerships with various other organizations within the community. The various other projects and initiatives includes overseeing environmental projects, coordinating partnerships, arranging and sourcing funding opportunities, and providing educational and informational services to partner municipalities and residents. The SSEA provides the community with excellent, cost-effective environmental services, and supports the efforts and programs of member municipalities and residents of the associated communities.

Almost 10 years later the Severn Sound Environmental Association continues to serve the needs of the community as an environmental support and resource, assists in the fostering and forging of cooperative initiatives to address environmental issues, coordinates the monitoring of a variety of environmental programs to protect achievements and to detect new problems, provides expertise and guidance in planning, designing, funding and implementing environmental projects and provides a "neutral educated and informed voice" to assist the community in determining priorities, supporting local efforts, implementing inter-municipal projects and assisting with planning and infrastructure decisions.

The community recognizes the necessity of working together to restore, protect and sustain a healthy environment for future generations. The Severn Sound community cares about water quality and environmental health as demonstrated by the increase in the number of people who approach the Severn Sound Environmental Association for information, project support and advice. Community awareness of environmental issues has increased and been enhanced by the SSEA's presence, public involvement and education, outreach and information activities. The Severn Sound Environmental Association appreciates the opportunity to work with our Source Water Protection regional partners to continue to protect our water.

For additional information on the Severn Sound Environmental Association, please visit the SSEA website at www.severnsound.ca.