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Remedial Action Plan Stage 1
The aim of this First Phase of the Remedial Action Plan (RAP) is to develop a management
framework for the long term assessment and monitoring of the Porcupine River Watershed. This framework would also detail a program of remediation and restoration through the implementation of specific programs and projects directed at impaired beneficial uses. Impaired beneficial uses are referred to as ecosystem services whose integrity is jeopardized due to changes in the chemical, physical, or biological ecological constituents, which are identified and discussed further in Chapter 3. – READ FULL DOCUMENT
Remedial Action Plan Stage 2
INTRODUCTION
The aim of the 2nd of the Remedial Action Plan (RAP) was to begin the implementation of the Porcupine River Watershed Restoration Action Plan adopted in 2014 (The Porcupine River Watershed Remedial Action Plan Stage 1 Report). During this Second Phase a not-for profit, for public benefit organization named the Friends of the Porcupine River Watershed was formed and incorporated to take over as a non-formal “stewardship committee” with the goal of spearheading the Remedial Action Plan, to continue to work with all stakeholders of the First Phase, including provincial ministries, local government, local industry, the larger public and concerned non-governmental organizations. – READ FULL DOCUMENT
Porcupine Watershed Public Liaison Committee (PLC) info
On August 9, 2018, the Canadian Environmental Law Association (CELA) and our local group jointly sponsored a community information meeting at the Senator Hotel. The topic was the Environmental Bill of Rights and how it can be used. Several members of the Porcupine Lake Information spoke up. We publicly asked Mayor Black and City representatives to reconsider our request for a Porcupine Liaison Committee. – READ LETTER FROM PRESIDENT BRENDA TORRESAN
Upcoming Events
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General Meeting
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General Meeting
22
April
Earth Day
Spotted turtles are endangered in Ontario but are more abundant in the United States. Under Ontario's 2019 rewrite of endangered species rules, they're at risk of disappearing locally, researchers say. Photo by Joe Crowley via Government of Ontario
Wait,
Ontario’s endangered species changes could cause local extinctions, researchers say.
The Ontario government’s 2019 move to weaken protections for endangered species could lead to local extinctions for some at-risk creatures, researchers have found.
The Progressive Conservatives’ changes included lesser protections for species that also exist outside the province, and a mechanism allowing industry to pay a fee to destroy key habitats and rebuild them elsewhere. The new rules threaten to undermine conservation of species at risk beyond Ontario, the peer-reviewed analytical essay, published this month in the scientific journal Facets, found.
WHAT AREA DOES THE PORCUPINE RIVER WATERSHED COVER?
Northern Discussions
This time, from the shore of Porcupine Lake, Brenda Torresan of Friends of the Porcupine River Watershed discusses the origins of the group, how it operates and when it expects the lake to be free of pollution.
Water management: policies, guidelines, provincial water quality objectives
This 1994 publication contains the Ministry of the Environment and Energy policies and guidelines for the management of the province’s water resources. It gives direction on how to manage the quality and quantity of both surface and ground waters.
Environmental Language glossary
An alphabetical list of terms or words found in or relating to a specific subject, text, or dialect, with explanations; a brief dictionary.
The Venture Centre
CONGRATULATIONS TO: Friends of the Porcupine River Watershed!!
The Venture Centre is please to present the FPRW with a cheque for $5000 in support of their ”COVID Strategic Plan” project.
These funds are supported through The Venture Centre Community Relief Fund which was created to assist communities and not for profits with projects that support their recovery efforts post COVID-19.
This fund would not be possible without the generous support of The Venture Centre’s funder, FedNor.
Thank you for your application and we look forward to seeing your project come to life!
Updated Fish Contaminant Levels and Consumption Advisories for Porcupine Lake
Timmins, Ontario – Tuesday, Nov 3, 2020
After receiving the results of a recent fish sampling study done in June 2019 by the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) at Porcupine Lake in Whitney Township, the Porcupine Health Unit has reviewed the data in consultation with experts at Public Health Ontario regarding public health recommendations. Click buttons below for more information.
*** NEWS FLASH *** MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT ADVISORY BELOW IN RED
*NEW* 2019-2020 Year in review Newsletter
Check out what we’ve been up to for the last year. We thank eveyone that participated with us. Stay tuned to this Website, FaceBook and Twitter as many new projects happening at FPRW in the coming months.
Friends of Porcupine River Watershed welcome partnership with college
A Porcupine Health Unit report on contaminants in Porcupine Lake includes a guide on how often you should eat the various species of fish caught there. Angie Corson is an environmental biologist and education director of Friends of the Porcupine River Watershed. READ MORE
Study finds elevated levels of mercury, chromium in Porcupine Lake fish
College signs on to help improve Porcupine Lake
Northern College Partners to Take Action on Porcupine lake
Northern College Partners to Take Action on Porcupine Lake
TIMMINS ON: Northern College and the City of Timmins have met to create a new partnership with a dynamic community group, The Friends of the Porcupine River Watershed, to improve conditions in and around Porcupine Lake.
On October 22, 2020, the three partners signed a Memorandum of Understanding to move the partnership forward. READ MORE
Warning! Contaminated fish in Porcupine Lake
“Use caution people. Is this a Concerning News story? Yes it is, however the researched information is now available and will serve to educate the public and keep them safe. It is always your choice. Will a follow up to the source happen? Yes it will as there are plans to do further studies to seek out the sources and discuss next steps. This study will most likely start by summer 2021. The ministry is committed to continued monitoring for the good of human health. Sediment sampling on the lake and down the river will also be part of the bigger plans. Meanwhile educate yourselves and do your part with the 2019 Fish Study and view the 2017-18 guide. Stay safe. Be healthy. Be well.” See the Ontario fish consumption advisory for Porcupine Lake HERE
ONTARIO FISH CONSUMPTION ADVISORY
news flash!
We have exceeded 1000 observations on our FPRW iNaturalist Project! If you want to discover the wonderful species that have been observed within our Porcupine River Watershed, click on the link below and explore! Want to help us find more? Create an account, take a photo of a mammal, plant, insect, or fish and submit it to the site or the app. We can’t wait to see what else the community is going to find! Visit iNaturalist website HERE
Explore and learn with Fprw iNaturalist © Project
FPRW is happy to launch their new iNaturalist© project! We invite you to explore, discover and record all the wonderful living species that you find in the Porcupine River Watershed area. This is a fun way to create an inventory of all living things around us. Anyone can explore and participate! CLICK HERE It’s fun and easy for nature lovers of all ages! Open the PDF documents for instructions on how you can participate and learn! Don’t hesitate to ask questions! Thank you to Andrew Warren for the beautiful cover photo on the iNaturalist project page.
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DONATING ONLINE
Giving online is simple. At this present time we only accept e-transfers from your bank or by cheque (click here for mailing address)
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DONATING BY CHEQUE
Friends of the Porcupine River Watershed appreciate your cheque donation. Your kindness will help us attain our goals to restore the beneficial uses and to enhance the ecosystem of the Porcupine River Watershed which includes Porcupine River and Porcupine Lake.
Please make your cheque payable to: Friends of the Porcupine River Watershed
Mail to: Friends of the Porcupine River Watershed, P.O. Box 5111, South Porcupine, Ontario, PON1H0
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How Donations Are Used
Thank you for supporting the Friends of the Porcupine River Watershed. Your donation will help us cover expenses for the following: office supplies, website hosting, domain name, insurance, promotional items.