Ken Deacon says he’s worried about the health of Lake Superior.
Deacon, an aquatic entomologist, will hold a presentation on the health of Lake Superior along with Lucie Lavoie, program coordinator with EcoSuperior, Tuesday at the CLE grounds.
“We’re beginning to realize the serious nature of the tiny amounts of chemicals that come out [sewage treatment plants] and the impacts they can have not just on humans but other organisms in the ecosystem,” he said.
“We know pharmaceuticals, anti-bacterial soaps and personal care products go through the sewage treatment plant. There’s no way that the plant can get rid of those chemicals. They’re biologically active. They act like hormones. They can have all sorts of impacts.”
Another problem facing the lake is climate change. The normally frigid waters are becoming warmer and Deacon said that’s a problem.
There’s about 180 invasive species in the Great Lakes and Lake Superior is home to about 80 of them.
If the lake continues to warm that number is expected to go up.
The federal government has also made changes that affects Canada’s fresh water.
The Conservatives replaced the old Navigable Waters Protection Act with a new one that would allow big pipelines and interprovincial power line projects go ahead with projects without proving that it could destroy or damage navigable waterways.
The government also cut funding to the Experimental Lakes Area, which studied various bodies of water in Northwestern Ontario.
Deacon’s response to these changes is to keep pressure on the government. If that fails, he says these environmental issues will likely go to the polls.
The presentation takes place at 7 p.m. and runs until 9 p.m. in the Cardinal Room.
