Hello <span contenteditable="false" data-custom-variable="{{firstname}}" fr-original-class="fr-deletable styled-tag-chip" fr-original-style="" style="background-color: rgb(248, 248, 255); border: 1px solid rgb(191, 191, 255); border-radius: 4px; color: rgb(42, 42, 196); padding: 1px 8px; font-size: 11px; display: inline-block; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: anywhere; user-select: none; box-sizing: inherit;">First name, Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for supporting our cause. This donation greatly helps our mission. If you would like to contribute further to our cause, contact us to become a volunteer, or spread the word about our mission! For the love of the lake. Scott Parentscott@3waters.ca

On July 09, 2025, during a volunteer cleanup operation at Lyal Island in Lake Huron led by the Three Waters Foundation (TWF), our team members and volunteers came across a series of significant dumpsites near the Fisheries and Oceans Canada/Canadian Coast Guard (DFO/CCG) managed light station. The dumpsites included numerous decaying lead batteries, a significant amount of old lead paint cans and other hazardous metals, glass and plastic debris.   The DFO/CCG have since informed the TWF that the dumpsites have resulted in an estimated 663 tonnes of soil contaminated by lead and zinc at the site. Reports dating back to 2001 indicate that the DFO/CCG have known about this presence of contamination at the site for at least that long and have not undertaken the removal of the batteries as the source of contamination. TWF had informed the Saugeen Ojibway Nation (SON) Environment Office (EO) immediately following the discovery and have spent a great deal of time back and forth between the SON EO and the DFO/CCG this summer in discussions about removing the batteries. The DFO/CCG had made it clear in our meetings that they had no intention of removing the batteries until sometime beyond 2026. This site is situated in direct proximity to critical Atikameg (whitefish) spawning beds and will require a long-term site-specific remediation action plan as well as a collateral impacted area assessment to truly understand the full story. Removal of the batteries will assist this remedial action. To date, no survey has been executed to develop an understanding of the widespread effect of this contamination to the waters and the ecosystems surrounding the island. A survey plan report was commissioned to address the ground contamination, but a remedial action plan (RAP) has not been fully implemented.  In support of the SON EO, TWF created a work and human health and environmental safety plan to conduct the cleanup this past August.  With no resources to do so, TWF conducted a fundraising campaign in August and were able to generate 8% of our goal. This amount contributed to some of the costs of the bins and cleanup equipment.  Between Aug 31–Sept 2, TWF team members pressed forward and made the most of a three-day perfect marine window and conducted the cleanup operation.  <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/hxn9dbuhd/image/upload/v1758293384/wysiwyg/ox3lz2tdonvj1wcyyjs2.jpg" style="width:600px;display:block;vertical-align:top;margin:5px auto;text-align:center;position:relative;cursor:pointer;padding:0px 1px;user-select:none;box-sizing:inherit;max-width:100%" />Altogether, close to 80 batteries were extracted from the forest floor at Lyal, in various states of decay, as well as more than 180 lead paint cans and hazardous metals. The team also extracted soils mixed with lead sulphate, vacuumed into bags and sealed in seven 45L bins.  We’ve since been able to complete the disposal of two thirds of the debris inventory. 1258 lbs of lead batteries and 320 lbs of lead paint cans and hazardous metals have so far been disposed of.  What remains are eight 45L bins of non-recyclable fragmented batteries, and the seven 45L bins of mixed soils contaminated with hazardous lead sulphate. We’ve gone all in, and are in need of help to cover the costs of waste disposal of this last volume of hazardous inventory. We have procured an estimated cost of disposal from an environmental solutions company, called Photech, based in St. Catherines. Bruce County employs Photech for their residential hazardous waste collections. The cost of transfer and disposal of the remaining hazardous inventory is estimated to be $5742.   In order to have this processed by Sept 26, we need to deposit $3200 by EOD Sept 24. Following this date, we have a 60-day term to pay the outstanding balance.   By donating, you are supporting generations of Atikameg and other native fish species in this critical and vital freshwater ecosystem that has been abused by this devastating travesty.  Every small amount counts, so please share!  And to those who’ve donated already, thank you so much for your dedication to the stewardship of these lands and waters and our freshwater ecosystem.  Miigwetch, Merci, Thank you!!For the Love of the Lakes. <a href="https://www.3waters.ca/" target="_blank">www.3waters.ca</a><a href="https://www.instagram.com/threewatersfoundation/?hl=en" target="_blank">@threewatersfoundation</a>

ThreeWaters Foundation

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