Environmental Issues and Projects

Blue/Green Algae Blooms: Under the right conditions, blue green algae blooms, also known as cyanobacteria, create a floating, slick scum that looks unappealing and can be harmful if swallowed. "one of the requirements for algae growth is to have warm water. Be aware that with the warmer temperatures, we will experience warmer water and an increased potential for algae blooms. This spring, president of the French River Delta Association, Pierre Blais, sent a letter to Sudbury and Nipissing District Health units, Municipalities of Killarney and French River, The City of North Bay, French River Provincial Park and the Ministry of the Environment citing concerns and asking for feedback with respect to how they plan to manage the problem.

Invasive Plant Species: These aggressive plants, once introduced into the environment in which they are not native, muscle out the native species in turn causing an imbalance to the natural environment, in time, this can be fatal for the flora and fauna in the area.

Purple loostrife has been seen on the river and on Hartley Bay Road this past summer. In years past, the FRDA executive was responsible for releasing beetles into the environment to combat the spread. It appears that this biological measure is working however, the spread will continue to be monitored.

In addition, late last summer and in August of this year, volunteers worked to curb the spread of phragmites along Hartley Bay Road. The process involves cutting and bagging the plants to eradicate them and stop the possibility of new growth.

The spread of phragmites and other invasive plants will be monitored for future action.

Recreational Fishing in Ontario: The FRDA provided input to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry of their Draft Fisheries Management Plan for Zone 10. Their website provides details of the changes made to the limits at the end of 2022. It can be found by inputting Ontario Fishing Regulations Summary in your search engine or inputting the address as follows: https://www.ontario.ca/files/2023-07/mnrf-fwsb-fishing-regulations-summary-en-2023-05-11.pdf

Memorial Ridge: This site is maintained by the association and member volunteers. It provides space to honour those we have lost from the French River Delta and a place to display name plates of our dearly departed. Much additional maintenance was done to the trail and site last year and further improvements and additions are planned this year. Our Memorial Ridge Steward is William "Bill" Riddle. Among his volunteering duties, he accepts the names of our departed to be added to the ridge. He asks that names be submitted by April month to be included in the current year of added plaques. Bill's contact is williamriddle51@gmail.com.

River Clean Up: This is an annual event in which our community gets together to rid the river of unwanted and environmentally harmful garbage. It is always co-ordinated with the municipality free waste week. This year the week designated by the municipality was July 5 to 12. The event will take place of Saturday the 5th.

Abandoned Docks: The removal of abandoned docks began with volunteers through the Youth Stewardship program in August of 2023 and has and will be continued as sites of debris become established.

French River Provincial Park: The executive of the FRDA communicates with the park staff on matters where the park has jurisdiction and involves Delta Association members and park visitors. These may be matters of conduct and safety involving visitors to the park such as campers and boaters. Matters related to camp sites and disturbances, safety issues brought forward by stakeholders , posting signage at the Crooked Rapids advising of dangers to paddlers and a site specific reservation system for camp sites in the park.