Letter: No MZO for the shoreline of Lake Scugog

To the Editor,

Lake Scugog is a large, shallow lake, located about an hour north east of Toronto. Water from this headwater lake, fed only from precipitation and groundwater from the Oak Ridges Moraine, flows north through the Scugog River to Sturgeon Lake, before travelling through the Trent-Severn Waterway to the other Kawartha lakes and out to Lake Ontario.

You can boat from Lake Scugog over to Lake Simcoe or down to Lake Ontario through the waterway and its system of locks. It is a beautiful lake with a rich history, but its future is at risk.

Especially, over the last decade, our community has observed a serious deterioration of lake water quality, due to: climate warming changing water levels, shoreline erosion, polluted stormwater runoff, and destructive invasive species. All of which are exacerbated by development decisions and activities which threaten Lake Scugog. Now, a looming, large 600 unit development proposal on the shore of Cawkers Creek, in Port Perry, could make things worse, by causing irreparable damage to a significant wetland. The desire is to put a large, privately operated, communal sewage system on the shores of the lake.

The developer, has asked the Township of Scugog Council to request a provincial Minister’s Zoning Order (MZO) to speed up the zoning and unit density for the project.

However, we seriously question whether saving time is a good enough reason to remove municipal oversight and control over this development. We additionally question whether it is appropriate to develop on one of Southern Ontario’s few remaining wetlands, especially adjacent to the shoreline of a lake and creek vulnerable to any additional impacts.

If the MZO is approved, the zoning, density, form, and spacing of the development would be placed ahead of the following considerations and set in stone:

• Before ecological assessments, to determine appropriate Environmental Protection Zone boundaries and setbacks, are completed.

• Before a major private communal wastewater treatment facility is designed and deemed functional

• Before the carrying or assimilative capacity of the site is determined.

• Before the routing of water services and a second access road to the development (currently projected to cross the wetland) are designed.

• With only the Minister responsible for determining, what studies may be required and what consultation, if any, is needed to establish site design. To make matters more concerning: there is no appeal mechanism.

Asking for an MZO without this information in hand is putting the cart before the horse, and it could spell bad news for Lake Scugog.

We have seen recent development failures lead to massive silt and sediment spills into Lake Scugog, despite assurances from builders it would never happen, touting their technology and oversight. The risks with this development are similar, if not greater, given the site’s unique ecology. There could be major threats to the wetland and the abutting creek, resulting from sedimentation, contamination, and construction overall, not to mention possible future failures of the proposed water and wastewater services.

The Scugog Lake Stewards are supportive of development in the Township of Scugog and we understand the pressure to provide housing and particularly affordable housing. We would welcome it, if the project were adequately studied and shown to not have short or long-term impacts on the shoreline environment of the lake. However, at this point, there are no assurances this is an acceptable location, to meet housing targets and meet those safe impact thresholds. Much more study is needed. This development should not be rushed, and not placed in the hands of the province. We question the need for provincial intervention.

If you’re interested in lending your voice to this cause, and are a resident of the Township of Scugog, please consider making a deputation at the upcoming Planning and Community Affairs Committee, on September 16th. We need Council to say “no” to Avenu’s request for an MZO.

The health of Lake Scugog is vital to the health of our community. Our best chance to protect the lake is to have the Township retain full authority and control of the development process.

The Scugog Lake Stewards Inc. was established in March 2003, as a non-profit charitable corporation, with a mandate, which includes the conservation and protection of Lake Scugog and its watershed and to increase public awareness of lake health and support for continued economic, social and recreational development around the lake, in an ecologically responsible and sustainable manner.

Rob Messervey, BES, MPA, President, Scugog Lake Stewards