"QUINTE CONSERVATION RECEIVES FUNDING TO MONITOR ALGAE ON THE BAY OF QUINTE
Quinte Conservation will be monitoring levels of blue-green algae in the Bay of Quinte this summer and fall thanks to funding from the Ministry of the Environment's Ontario Drinking Water Stewardship Program. Quinte Conservation has received just over $150,000 for the project.
The local environmental organization will monitor levels of blue-green algae in the Bay between June and October. These algae (cyanobacteria) populations can grow into large masses or "blooms" in warm, shallow, slow moving, nutrients-rich waters. Project Manager Keith Taylor explains, "The data we collect will help us to understand the risk these toxins pose to our municipal drinking water systems and recreational areas."
Protecting source water is the first line of defence in Ontario's approach to safeguarding drinking water. The Ministry of the Environment is committed to ensuring every Ontarian has access to safe, high quality drinking water.
"Communities across Ontario have benefited greatly from the Ontario Drinking Water Stewardship Program, "says John Gerretsen, Minister of the Environment. "We are pleased to work together with the local community to help protect local drinking water sources.
Quinte Conservation has hired Nicole Irvine to spearhead the project and Tiffany Empey as the project technician. Taylor adds, "We also plan to have workshops and a volunteer monitoring program." Anyone who is interested in volunteering can contact Nicole Irvine at Quinte Conservation at (613) 968-3434.
Other partners in the program are: Bay of Quinte Remedial Action Plan, Ministry of the Environment, Environment Canada, Hastings and Prince Edward Counties Health Unit, Lower Trent Conservation, City of Quinte West, City of Belleville, Town of Greater Napanee, and Prince Edward County.
Quinte Conservation is a community based environmental protection agency that serves 18 municipalities in the watersheds of the Moira, Napanee and Salmon Rivers and Prince Edward County. It provides cost effective environmental expertise and leadership that develops and delivers programs to ensure the healthy coexistence between the community, the environment and its economy.
For more information contact:
Keith Taylor
Project Manager
Quinte Conservation
(613) 968-3434
(613) 354-3312
© Quinte Conservation 2004 - 2010"
http://quinteconservation.ca/web/index. ... &Itemid=59
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