Deadline: 22-Mar-2024
The Government of Canada is pleased to announce the Lake Simcoe Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative to build on proven approaches to deliver regionally-responsive initiatives in eight waterbodies of national significance identified through Canada’s strengthened Freshwater Action Plan.
The Initiatives focus on taking action to address priority water quality and ecosystem health challenges. The Lake Simcoe Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative (Lake Simcoe FEI) is focused on the most pressing challenge affecting water quality and aquatic ecosystem health in this basin: preventing toxic and nuisance algae.
To assist in achieving this goal, Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) is making funding available to support action by others to prevent toxic and nuisance algae by increasing participation in the application of phosphorus load reduction measures and in the promotion of broad uptake, application, and demonstration of new and innovative approaches.
Objective
- Nutrient pollution is a key challenge in Lake Simcoe, with excess nutrients from urban and rural sources resulting in toxic and nuisance algae. These issues are further exacerbated by invasive species and a changing climate which can contribute to degraded water quality and affect aquatic ecosystem health of the lake. Through the Lake Simcoe FEI, ECCC will work with partners to support targeted activities to reduce phosphorus loads to the lake.
Funding Information
- funding is available between April 1, 2024 and March 31, 2027
- the maximum amount available for any one project is $150,000/year
- projects may be multiyear in nature (up to three years)
- while not required, project proponents are strongly encouraged to seek other sources of funding and/or in-kind project support
Eligible Projects
- Project proposals focused on one or a combination of the following project types will be eligible for funding. All project proposals must include an outreach or knowledge mobilization plan to be implemented if the proposal is selected for funding. An outreach or knowledge mobilization plan outlines how the project will promote broader uptake and application of phosphorus reduction measures to a wider community and how information gained and research findings are communicated.
- Implementing and evaluating innovative and new approaches or technologies to reduce phosphorus loads to Lake Simcoe
- Projects or studies that demonstrate improvements in the effectiveness of best management practices (BMPs) (e.g., studies that quantify the effectiveness of stacking BMPs in reducing phosphorus losses).
- Projects that implement and evaluate approaches for phosphorus capture, recovery, and reuse from high intensity agricultural production, municipal drains, or other critical source areas.
- Projects that investigate new practices or technologies aimed at reducing phosphorus losses from agricultural non-point sources and urban stormwater.
- Implementing and evaluating the effectiveness of Best Management Practices (BMPs) and other approaches to reduce phosphorus loads to Lake Simcoe
- Projects that implement BMPs to mitigate phosphorus losses in targeted locations (e.g., high intensity agriculture, areas experiencing high growth, urban areas).
- Implementing and evaluating innovative and new approaches or technologies to reduce phosphorus loads to Lake Simcoe
Project Exclusions
- The following project types are not eligible for funding:
- projects that are focused on water quantity issues
- projects which are located outside of the defined geographical area
- projects which are focused on increasing production (e.g., agricultural) or replacing worn out equipment
- projects which are not in compliance with applicable legislation, including environmental legislation (for example: requirements under the Lakes and Rivers Improvement Act, Fisheries Act)
- activities that are intended to directly influence and/or lobby any level of government
- activities that are deemed to be part of normal operations of an organization/business or for commercial expansion purposes
- wastewater infrastructure projects
Eligibility Criteria
- Applicants may include (Canadian organizations only):
- Indigenous communities or their governments
- Indigenous organizations or associations
- Indigenous for-profit organizations
- industry associations
- non-government organizations
- not for profit organizations
- research, academic, and educational institutions
- conservation authorities
- municipalities
- Provincial government agencies are not eligible for funding.
For more information, visit Government of Canada.