Protect the Nottawasaga River

Protect the Nottawasaga RiverInclude the Nottawasaga River in the Navigation Protection Act

Navigable Waters Protection Act 1883

Navigation Protection Act 2014From Transport Canadas FAQs7. Why is the Government of Canada shifting the responsibility of policing navigation in non-scheduled waterways to the public users (e.g. boaters)? For centuries boaters and builders have gotten along in shared waterways, generally respectful of each other. In fact, the vast majority of Transport Canadas Approvals are issued for works that do not substantially interfere with navigation. As such, the Government of Canada has made the decision to focus the departments resources on the busiest waterways in the country, and allow the common law to be the basis for protecting the public right of navigation.

First Nations

Huron-Ouendat NationThe more I study the birchbark canoe and what it can do, the greater is my admiration of these people who were here long before we arrived. --Bill Mason Path of the Paddle

Champlains dream of trade among equal nations

The Nottawasaga River is a neglected piece of Canadian history that was a major trading route in long ago days. It is home of many rare species great and small. It should be on the protected list!-James Wiederer, Baxter, OntarioNottawasaga Route

Yonge Street: Streamlining the Nottawasaga Route

Lieutenant Governor of Upper CanadaSir John Graves SimcoeWar of 1812:Glengarry Landing

February 1814Glengarry Light Infantry Fencibles

National Historic Site of CanadaThe Forks of Marl Creek and the Nottawasaga RiverThe BateauThe Schooner Nancy

Nancy Island Historic SiteAugust 1814Lieutenant Miller Worsley blew up his ship rather than have her fall into the hands of the Americans.Tourism and Recreation The View from a Canoe...

Want to be able to paddle it as it is now!-Ann Budge, Coldwater, (Sugarbush) ON

A major waterway in southern ON, the focus of a watershed.-Colleen Healey, Baxter, OntarioSign AWARE Simcoes petition

Not to include The Nottawasaga River, and scores of other rivers like it, in the Navigation Protection Act ispotentially highly damaging, and therefore perverse.-Graeme Gibson, Toronto, OntarioI love the Nottawasaga! Very pristine river with a good healthy fish population. Without Navigation Protection Act, its resources cannot be used efficiently.--Quinn OBrien, Aylmer, Canada

Minesing Wetlands

From the beginning this long River, which passes through the Minesing Swamp (a World Biosphere Location), has regulated the water levels for the farms and countryside in a wide area.-Edna Caldwell, Shanty Bay, Ontario

14Endangered Species

Spotted TurtleHines Emerald DragonflyFishing

I learned to fish on the Nottawasaga, some 60 years ago, and I learned then to catch and release... We cannot afford to lose these waters and this habitat; they cannot be left to chance.-Barbara Lowery, London, OntarioThe Nottawasaga River is one of a few significant habitats in the Lake Huron basin for the legendary Lake Sturgeon.Who lives in the river?

Rainbow TroutThe largest identified rainbow trout genetic diversity of any Ontario river system.SteelheadOne of the largest runs of wild steelhead in Ontario. Chinook SalmonThe Nottawasaga provides spawning habitat for the largest run of Chinook salmon in the Lake Huron ecosystem.

Essa Salmon Festival & Riverbank Derby

The Notty is a major influence... Its temperature and spawning grounds serve fish all the way to Lake Michigan. Lets be super careful with our water.-Carl Cosack, Shelburne, OntarioSeptember 2013,11th Anniversary of the FestivalFrom Nicolston Dam... to Wasaga Beach

The Nottawasaga River is where our cottage is. We go boating up and down that river. It is key to the tourism of Wasaga Beach.-Donna Deneault, Toronto, OntarioHealthy rivers lead to a healthy economy.-Robert Olajos, North Bay, OntarioRiver RestorationThe Nottawasaga watershed is the foundation of all who share it, including all species - human or not. The ground, the water and the air are all interconnected and must be respected, now and for all time.-Keith White, Angus, Ontario

Black Ash Creek20Yukon RiverMackenzie RiverSkeena RiverFraser RiverPitt RiverHarrison RiverThompson RiverSouth Thompson RiverKootenay RiverColumbia River

Rivers in the Navigation Protection ActBow RiverPeace RiverAthabaskaAssiniboineNorth Saskatchewan RiverSouth Saskatchewan RiverRed RiverWinnipeg RiverRainy River

Trent CanalRosedale RiverScugog RiverTrent CanalFenelon RiverOtonabee RiverMurray CanalTrent River/CanalPetawawa RiverCataraqui RiverRiver StyxStevens Creek Tay River/Canal Rideau River Kemptville Creek Ottawa River Canal de Beauharnois Lachine Canal Rivieres des Milles Iles Riviere des Prairies Richelieu River Riviere Saint Maurice Saguenay River Saint John River Saint Lawrence River LeHavre RiverNottawasaga River St. Marys River Detroit River St. Clair River French River Moose River Severn River Grand River Humber River Welland Canal North Branch of Muskoka River Talbot River / Trent Canal The Canal Niagara RiverNavigation Protection ActFrom Transport Canadas FAQs7. Why is the Government of Canada shifting the responsibility of policing navigation in non-scheduled waterways to the public users (e.g. boaters)? For centuries boaters and builders have gotten along in shared waterways, generally respectful of each other. In fact, the vast majority of Transport Canadas Approvals are issued for works that do not substantially interfere with navigation. As such, the Government of Canada has made the decision to focus the departments resources on the busiest waterways in the country, and allow the common law to be the basis for protecting the public right of navigation.

Our Nottawasaga River watershed is being placed in a category which will allow it to go unprotected in the face of rapid growth and development.--Gary Christie, Richmond Hill, Canada

Please be advised that at its meeting of December 4, 2013, Essa Council passed the following:Request for Addition of Nottawasaga River to the Navigation Protection ActWHEREAS the Federal Government is replacing the Navigable Waters Protection Act with the Navigation Protection Act which applies only to the 100 lakes and 61 rivers listed under the legislation; andWHEREAS the Nottawasaga River, a key Southern Ontario waterway running through Dufferin, Grey and Simcoe Counties into Georgian Bay is not on that list; andWHEREAS the Nottawasaga River is an important destination for anglers, outdoor adventure tours and the hospitality industry who all depend on the navigability of this river and the health of the fishery;NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Township of Essa requests that the Federal Government list the Nottawasaga River as a navigable river and that it be protected under the Navigation Protection Act and further, that a copy of this Resolution be forwarded to Honourable Kelly Leitch, M.P., Jim Wilson, M.P.P., the County of Simcoe and the Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority requesting their support in this matter.----Carried----

Thank you!From AWARE Simcoe

Questions?