John Slykhuis
Federal funding will assist with the cleanup of the Maskinonge River. Accepting the cheque Monday are Richard Simpson (from left) with children Leah and Dylan, John Hicks, Virginia Hackson, Peter Van Loan, Briar Peterkin, Roland Peacock.
Georgina
August 13, 2008 07:43 PM
The ailing Maskinonge River in Georgina and East Gwillimbury got a $48,800 grant as part of the federal government’s Lake Simcoe Clean-Up Fund.
York-Simcoe MP Peter Van Loan made the cheque presentation to representatives from the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority, Ministry of Natural Resources, York Environmental Stewardship and Friends of the Maskinonge.
The money is almost two-thirds of the $77,000 total cost and is also supported by the towns of Georgina and East Gwillimbury and York Region.
The Maskinonge is an important part of Lake Simcoe’s watershed, said Virginia Hackson, chairperson of the conservation authority, expressing her thanks.
“Community concern about the Maskinonge River’s health has been increasing,” Mr. Van Loan said.
The cheque presentation was made on the bridge over the Maskinonge on The Queensway in Keswick, with the river, coated with duckweed, serving as the backdrop.
The conservation authority also received funding to reduce phosphorus and soil erosion by planting riparian areas along the East Holland River and $17,150 for the Roches Point Eco Park project on Monday.
These projects are part of the federal government’s $30 million program over five years to preserve and protect Lake Simcoe.