THUNDER BAY — Several organizations in the Thunder Bay region have received federal funds through a program aimed at restoring ecosystem health around the Great Lakes.
Environment and Climate Change Minister Steven Guilbeault announced the grants for the fiscal year 2021 to 2022 Wednesday under the Great Lakes Protection Initiative.
The Lakehead Region Conservation Authority received about $45,000 over two years for riverbed habitat restoration along the Kam River at the Mountdale Boat Launch.
The conservation authority announced details of the project last month.
The LRCA also got about $67,000 over two years for wildlife habitat restoration along the Neebing-McIntyre Floodway. According to a statement from the government, this will restore riparian habitat and increase biodiversity by eradicating invasive species and revegetating the river banks.
The North Shore Steelhead Association received $33,000 to improve the fish passage connection between Lake Superior and the 50 kilometres of cold water fish spawning habitat upstream in the Current River.
Lakehead University got $45,000 to coordinate the North Shore of Lake Superior Remedial Action Plans. This project facilitates inter-agency collaboration in the cleanup of the Thunder Bay Area of Concern and monitoring the Jackfish Bay Area of Concern in Recovery.
Pays Plat First Nation was granted $5,000 for a Jackfish Bay sediment study. The funding supports the First Nation's review of contaminated sediment reports for the Jackfish Bay Area of Concern and facilitates community outreach and engagement about the findings.
Environment and Climate Change Canada has just launched a new call for proposals for project funding in 2022/2023.
Applications will be accepted until Jan. 31, 2022.
Guilbeault said the program invests in local projects that advance collaborative efforts to restore and protect Great Lakes water quality and ecosystem health.
