Quinte Fishing

Found this item on the The Fishing Networks' News Wire:

Thought Quinte fishers would be interested.

NEW: CONTAMINANTS FOUND IN SEDIMENT AT MOUTH OF TRENT RIVER
Spiel -- Tue, Nov/1/05

October 31, 2005

QUINTE WEST– Environment Canada has detected elevated levels of dioxins and furans in the sediments at a site in the mouth of the Trent River, in Quinte West. The Ontario Ministry of the Environment and Environment Canada have undertaken and plan to conduct further investigation to determine the significance of the contaminants and their source.

The elevated levels of dioxins and furans were discovered as part of Environment Canada’s investigation of sediment quality under the Bay of Quinte Remedial Action Plan. Other sites sampled under this study were found to have low levels of dioxins and furans.

As a precaution, the Ontario Ministry of the Environment has taken samples from all the Bay of Quinte area water treatment plants. Dioxins and furans have not been detected and thus are having no impact on drinking water quality in these communities. Consumption advice for fish in this area is provided in the 2005-2006 Guide to Eating Ontario Sport Fish published by the Ministry of the Environment.

In response to the initial findings of Environment Canada, the Trent River Mouth Investigation Steering Committee has been formed. Committee members include representatives from the Ontario Ministry of the Environment (Chair), Environment Canada, the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, the Bay of Quinte Remedial Action Plan Restoration Council, the City of Quinte West, Hastings & Prince Edward Counties Health Unit and the Lower Trent Conservation.

The commitment and objectives of this multi-agency partnership are to determine the significance of dioxins and furans known to exist in the sediment, the source of contaminants and to determine whether any remedial action is required. The Committee will ensure that further information is shared with the public as it becomes available.

Dioxins and furans are the by-product of industrial activity and can be found in small amounts throughout the environment, typically in urban areas. The most common way these chemicals enter waterways is by soil erosion and urban storm sewer runoff.

For more information on dioxins and furans, please visit:

www.ene.gov.on.ca/cons/681e01.htm
www.ec.gc.ca/substances/ese/eng/psap/PSL1_dioxins.cfm
www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ewh-semt/contaminants/d ... dex_e.html

_________________
David Delcloo aka Superdad
(Retired)

Kingston