MP Peter Van Loan Lends Helping Hand to Maskinonge River

MP Van Loan, Local Residents and Environmental Groups Work to Protect and Restore River

NEWMARKET – January 29, 2008 – The Maskinonge River is drying up. Local residents in Georgina and East Gwillimbury are being asked for their input, through two community workshops, to find solutions to protect and restore their Maskinonge River.

“We urge local residents to participate in the workshops and become meaningfully involved in issues that affect their local environment,” said Debbie Gordon of Save the Maskinonge. ”This is an excellent opportunity for them to voice their concerns and share their ideas for improving the health of the river.”
Peter Van Loan, MP for York-Simcoe, will be in attendance at the first workshop in Keswick, offering his insights into local environmental concerns and solutions.

The first workshop, focusing on urban environmental issues, will be held on Saturday, January 31st, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Georgina Ice Pad (multipurpose room), located at 90 Wexford Drive, Keswick.

The second workshop, focusing on rural environmental issues, will be held on Saturday, February 7th, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the North Union Community Hall, located at 2624 Boag Road, Queensville. Residents can attend either or both meetings.

The Maskinonge River headwaters begin in the south near Queensville and in the north near Lockie Road. The river flows through Ontario's Greenbelt through Keswick into Lake Simcoe, and has been the focus of recent environmental studies. The river and its watershed (the area of land that drains into the river) have become increasingly degraded, both in terms of the water quality and quantity. This has limited the availability of habitat for species like Northern Pike and Great Blue Heron.

The workshops are being organized by the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority, Save the Maskinonge and York Environmental Stewardship, with assistance from Environment Canada and the Towns of Georgina and East Gwillimbury. These workshops are the first step in developing a larger community-led environmental program surrounding the Maskinonge River. There will be further opportunities this year for residents to stay involved in restoring of the river.