Towards a County Watershed Council - 2016

It is anticipated that in the future Lake Clear water and environmental information could be viewed from a Bonnechere watershed perspective as supported in the updating of the County Draft Plan (page 48). This Lake Clear Nature Notebook is already provided by the BRWP.

The new Official Plan encourages the protection and improvement of water quality based on a watershed planning approach and identifies 4 sub-watershed boundaries located within the County including the:

Madawaska River Watershed

Three of the five largest lakes in Renfrew County occur within the Madawaska River watershed (Bark Lake, Kamaniskeg Lake, Centennial/Black Donald Lakes). The entire watershed encompasses an area of approximately 8,500 km2 of which approximately 30% is within the boundaries of Renfrew County. The headwaters of the Madawaska River flow out of Algonquin Provincial Park on the southwest side of Renfrew DRAFT 103 County Official Plan Section 2 – General Development Policies Page 49 County until it meets the confluence of the Ottawa River in the Town of Arnprior. It is approximately 225 kilometers in length.

Bonnechere River Watershed

The headwaters of the Bonnechere River flow out of Algonquin Provincial Park on the west side of Renfrew County. The entire watershed encompasses an area of approximately 2,400 km2 of which 80% is within the boundaries of Renfrew County. The Bonnechere flows through Round and Golden lakes, two of the largest lakes in Renfrew County. Lake Clear, a popular outdoor recreation area on the southern edge of the watershed is connected to the main channel of the Bonnechere River through Hurds Creek. Lake Clear is classified as an ‘at capacity lake’ and Round Lake is classified as a ‘moderately at capacity lake’. There are 7 provincially significant wetlands located within the watershed.

Muskrat, Indian, Westmeath Watershed

This watershed is primarily made up of two river systems – the Indian and Muskrat Rivers. These two rivers join within the boundaries of the City of Pembroke before entering the Ottawa River. The Snake River and Mink Creek join as a tributary of the Muskrat River system, flowing directly into Muskrat Lake. The area of the watershed is approximately 1,840 km2 of which 95% is within Renfrew County. Muskrat Lake is the largest coldwater lake in the watershed and is designated as an ‘at capacity lake’. Nutrients, including phosphorous, are causing negative impacts on water quality and dissolved oxygen concentrations. This combined with a low flushing rate and low surface area to volume ratio adds to the declining water quality of Muskrat Lake.

Petawawa-Barron Watershed and Upper Renfrew County Watershed

This watershed is made up of the Barron-Petawawa River sub-watershed, the Chalk River, and several significant creeks flowing directly into the Ottawa River. Most of the upper part of the watershed is crown forest with many small and mediumsized lakes. The watershed encompasses an area of approximately 3,730 km2 of which approximately 42% lies within the boundary of Renfrew County. The Barron and Petawawa Rivers flow out of the east side of Algonquin DRAFT 104 County Official Plan Section 2 – General Development Policies Page 50 Provincial Park. The Barron flows into the Petawawa at Black Bay, about 12 km from the Ottawa River. (b) This Plan encourages the protection of water resource systems consisting of ground water features, natural heritage features and areas, and surface water features including shoreline areas, which are necessary for the ecological and hydrological integrity of the watershed. (c) This Plan encourages the regeneration of natural areas near watercourses, wetlands, and the protection of headwater areas for maintaining natural hydrological processes within a watershed. (d) Lake associations may conduct lake stewardship planning. Any recommendations of a lake plan affecting development applications

A watershed approach can meet a variety of concerns

From the Water Quality in Renfrew County - How can Agriculture Play a Role?

BRWP's PERSPECTIVE page 28

1. The Bonnechere River Watershed Project has been working on water quality issues in Renfrew County for 17 years and has had some important successes overtime. This includes collecting and compiling testing data and testing resources available to groups in Renfrew County.

2. One of the most significant challenges to improving water quality is lack of political engagement and accountability at the municipal and County level. It is possible that a more collaborative approach, involving more diverse stakeholders, including the Agricultural community, and those interested in economic development and tourism could help in generating political interest.

3. There are a number of factors that make the present moment a unique opportunity to move the issue of water quality forward in the County. First, there was significant turnover in representatives during the last election and the new political landscape may provide an opportunity to approach politicians. Second, new requirements to include watershed issues in the County Official Plan may open doors to share expertise.

4. A forum for discussing and addressing water quality issues in the County is needed and should ensure continued engagement and empowerment of community-based organizations, while being strongly connected to municipalities and the County. It will be especially important for existing NGOs (such as watershed groups and agricultural groups) to be able to be actively engaged in such a forum.  One option may be a “Watershed Advisory Council” that would be chaired by a Councilor, and have representatives from key stakeholder groups and water quality experts.

5. There are a number of not-for-profit, community-based organizations working on water issues (e.g. the Ottawa RiverKeeper, the Ottawa River Institute, Muskrat Watershed Council, Bonnechere River Watershed Project) that need to improve coordination and collaboration to reduce duplication of efforts and leverage joint interests. Any new initiative would need to leverage what already exists.

6. In general, awareness of water quality issues continues to increase in the County and this is a positive development. However, additional efforts to increase awareness and educate users on best practices that improve water quality are very much needed.

7. Water quality is important, but it is also important to consider water levels and flows. There are a number of existing and time-sensitive issues around levels and flows that need to be addressed to ensure water quality in a number of rivers in the County.

8. Determining funding options may be a challenge. Any funding would need to be sustainable and support paid staff to ensure coordination and support volunteers. Funding will likely need to come from multiple sources, including the County, community groups, and private fundraising.

9. Finding small projects to build trust between the different stakeholders that are interested in water quality may be an important first step. To date, this level of collaboration has not been present in Renfrew County and it will be needed in order for water quality to be meaningfully addressed.

AGRICULTURAL PERSPECTIVE Page 29

1. There is a shared vision on the importance of water quality at the highest level – everyone wants to see high quality water in Renfrew County, where people can use the water for drinking, recreation, industry and agriculture. To achieve this vision, all actors will need to work together collaboratively, in a way that is strongly connected to existing political channels.

2. Awareness and education of watershed issues and potential solutions will be critical across all actors on the watershed in order to see improvement.

3. There are low-cost actions that farmers can take to help improve water quality (e.g. productive buffer strips, etc), but there is little funding available for larger investments (e.g. manure storage, cattle fencing).  There may be some funding available through the species-at-risk programs (50% funding)

4. Lack of political involvement at the municipality and county levels in Renfrew County is a challenge. Support from County staff may be critical to establishing a collaborative approach to addressing water quality issues in the County.

5. Renfrew County is not currently a priority area for water quality funding from the province – this also presents a challenge.

6. Renfrew County needs a forum for addressing water quality issues that ensures decision-making authority at the community level, but that is supported by and connected to municipalities and the County. Funding for such a forum may need to be shared between tax funds and contributions from different actors that benefit from the watershed, as well as other fundraising options.

7. To be sustainable, such a forum would require paid staff that could coordinate volunteers and facilitate collaboration between actors.

8. Such a forum is needed because Renfrew County is one of the only jurisdictions in Ontario without a Conservation Authority. However, participants agreed that it would not be feasible to introduce the Conservation Authority model in Renfrew County. The CA model would likely be too expensive and may not represent the needs of all key stakeholders in the County. A “CA alternative” that is designed to meet the specific needs of Renfrew County may be a more appropriate solution.

9. All work on water quality will need to be as transparent and inclusive as possible to facilitate strong partnerships and build trust between different actors. Water quality cannot be addressed by any one group – it will require a strong joint effort to succeed.

Towards a Renfrew County Watershed Council

In summary the four County watersheds will reflect their own concerns but will work together as a federation of watershed associations. The hope is that the County will provide full-time co-ordination and capacity services to a Renfrew County Watershed Council that is similar to the Muskoka Watershed Council.