Media Advisory - Progress Report shows more work to be done to restore Toronto's waters

    Toronto and Region Remedial Action Plan Progress Report unveiled

    TORONTO, May 25 /CNW/ - On Wednesday, May 27, the Toronto and Region
Remedial Action Plan team will present the Remedial Action Plan (RAP) Progress
Report, a document that reviews the progress made in cleaning-up the
waterfront, rivers, habitats and waters of the Toronto region. The current
report shows that the region still faces significant challenges since the last
progress report was issued in 2001.
    Remedial Action Plans (RAPs) are internationally mandated programs that
address "hotspots" around the Great Lakes. The Toronto Area of Concern was
identified in 1985 when the city's waters and wildlife habitats were
noticeably suffering negative effects from historic industrialization as well
as continuing urbanization. The Toronto and Region RAP area covers over 2000
km(2) and includes six major watersheds (Etobicoke Creek, Mimico Creek, Humber
River, Don River, Highland Creek, Rouge River), 45 kilometres of waterfront,
and the Toronto Harbour. As the largest city in Canada, 47 per cent of the GTA
is urbanized, exerting tremendous environmental pressures on Lake Ontario and
its supporting ecosystem.
    "The progress report provides an overview of existing conditions, actions
taken, progress made, and the path forward." said Adele Freeman, Director
Watershed Management, TRCA. "Accordingly, it provides an excellent opportunity
for the RAP team to engage our partners in Toronto and the 905 municipalities
on these issues. Dialogue and cooperation on current and future initiatives
are imperative in the restoration of our shared aquatic and terrestrial
resources. We can't protect our waters unless we work together."
    The RAP Progress Report gives an overview of existing conditions of the
surface waters, sediments, habitats and wildlife in the Toronto and Region,
measures progress made and key actions, including remediation, education, and
science initiatives undertaken since 2001, and identifies the key actions the
RAP will pursue between 2007 and 2012.WHAT:     Moving Forward: release of the Toronto and Region Remedial
              Action Plan 2007 Progress Report
    WHEN:     Wednesday, May 27, 2009
              5 pm- 7 pm: Community Open House
              7 pm - 9:30 pm: Presentation of the Remedial Action Plan
              Progress Report
              Panel discussion moderated by Bob McDonald, host of CBC Radio's
              Quirks and Quarks.
    WHERE:    Gladstone Hotel, 1214 Queen St. West.
    WHO:      Daniel Joyce, Divisional Program Specialist, Ontario Ministry
              of the Environment; Michael D'Andrea, Director, Water
              Infrastructure Management, City of Toronto, Deborah Martin-
              Downs, Director, Ecology Division, TRCA; Gord MacPherson,
              Manager, Restoration and Environmental Monitoring ProjectsToronto and Region Conservation

    With over 50 years of experience, Toronto and Region Conservation (TRCA)
helps people understand, enjoy and look-after the natural environment. Our
vision is for The Living City(R), where human settlement can flourish forever
as part of nature's beauty and diversity. For more information, call
416-661-6600 or visit us at www.trca.on.ca or www.torontorap.ca

For further information: For media registration contact: Rowena Calpito,
Supervisor, Media Management, Toronto and Region Conservation, T: (416)
661-6600 ext 5632, C: [phone], E: [e-mail]