Coastal Waters Monitoring Program (CWMP)

Goal

The goal of the CWMP is to understand and protect the nearshore environments of SON Territory through monitoring, assessment, and connection with the diversity of habitats and inhabitants of our lands and waters.

Core Objectives

  1. To complete a comprehensive ecological baseline of the coastal/nearshore regions of the Territory and continue monitoring annually.
  2. To assert SON’s jurisdiction in the Territory and enhance SON’s ability to make ecologically informed decisions about new and ongoing projects in the Territory in consultation and engagement with the Government and proponents.  
  3. To connect SON Community members to the natural environment of their Territory (and to understand current and changing health).
  4. To incorporate the Ecological Knowledge and priorities of SON Community members into the scope of monitoring, and in the analysis, interpretation and communication of data.
  5. To provide meaningful, long-term training and employment opportunities to SON membership.

Background

Concerns over the environmental impacts of the Bruce Nuclear Generating Station (BNGS) have been an ongoing issue for the Saugeen Ojibway Nation (SON) since its inception. Thermal effects and impingement/entrainment represent two major areas of concern. These concerns are rooted in the Aboriginal and Treaty Rights held by SON, as well as the responsibilities of SON as caretakers of the Land and Waters within the Territory (Saukiing Anishnabekiing).

The SON People hold a special relationship with the Water and all beings that inhabit it. This relationship is rooted in cultural ways of knowing, understanding, and living in this world in a good way—a relationship that has existed since time beyond memory. SON regards the Water as a source of life and sustenance, both for the People and all of Creation. This sacred relationship makes it imperative for SON to uphold their duty to care for and protect the Water.

It is through recognition of the sacredness of the Water that the importance of these issues to SON, as well as SON’s perceptions and evaluations of “risk” and “impact,” becomes apparent. Understanding SON’s valuation and perception of risk is essential, as it informs others with different worldviews, cultures, and connections to the Land and Waters in the Territory about how SON develops its criteria and processes for evaluating acceptable levels of impact.

After many years of engagement on this issue, it is clear that significant gaps remain in SON’s understanding of the existing environment and the interactions and impacts of the Bruce Nuclear Generating Station (BNGS) on the ecology of Lake Huron, even at a local scale. SON aims to better understand these impacts through the design and implementation of a robust program that assesses and monitors the interactions and impacts related to thermal discharge, impingement/entrainment, and the ecology of Lake Huron, as well as the greater lake ecosystem, including Georgian Bay. SON seeks an active role in monitoring, assessing, and interpreting data collected by a dedicated team of SON members through the SON Coastal Waters Monitoring Program (CWMP).

What We Do

CWMP will enhance SON’s ability to protect our Aboriginal and Treaty Rights as they relate to the land, waters, human and non-human beings of our Territory.

This program will assist in building capacity at the community level, engaging our community members, and creating opportunities for Anishinaabe knowledge systems (including Anishinaabe science) to be centered and valued in our understanding and interpretation of knowledge gathered.

Our work will support SON in building a comprehensive and consistent baseline dataset that includes both quantitative data (numbers and measurement-based information) and qualitative knowledge (experience-based information) to describe the environmental conditions of the Territory. Currently, no single or combined authority (e.g., MNRF, MOECP, Conservation Authorities) in SON Territory holds a comprehensive and consistent baseline dataset or inventory that accurately tracks changes to the ecological communities of Lake Huron. Furthermore, no agencies have considered the Traditional Ecological and Cultural Knowledge of the SON Communities.

SON’s goal is to develop a comprehensive ecological database to achieve a holistic understanding of the ecology and environments of the Territory and to monitor changes over time. This effort will enhance SON’s ability to address major issues such as cumulative impacts and climate change and to make informed decisions about new developments in the Territory in a holistic and inclusive manner.

Primary Monitoring Components

Larval Fish Sampling

  • Sampling conducted at potential spawning shoal habitat (3 zones, 30 core sampling sites).
  • Sampling begins when water temperatures reach approximately 4-5°C.
  • 5-minute tows in depths of 0.8-100 metre of water. 
     

Nearshore Fish Community

  • Sampling conducted across 13 zones (~77 sites) throughout SON Territory.
  • Fyke nets are set for 24 hours and live-sampling conducted.
  • Species, Length and Count are recorded.
     

Water Temperature Monitoring

  • Year-round sampling at approximately 28 locations across each of the 13 zones.
  • Monitor temperature continuously at various depths (ranging from 2m to 5m).
  • Surface and bottom temperature measured at each nearshore fish community site.

Water Quality Monitoring

  • Basic water quality is measured at each nearshore site (Temperature, Dissolved Oxygen, pH, Turbidity, Total Dissolved Solids and Conductivity).
  • Comprehensive water quality assessment is taken within each zone once a season (Fall). 
  • Assessment includes analysis of nutrients (e.g., phosphorus, nitrogen), metals, and contaminants.

Vegetation Sampling

  • Aquatic plants are identified at each net site along three transects within a 15m section. 
  • Plant species, type (i.e., emergent, submergent, floating), cover (i.e., above or below surface) and density (recorded as a percent proportion of the square) are recorded for 3, 1m squares along the three transects.

Macro-Invertebrate Sampling

  • Benthic macroinvertebrate sampling is conducted through the kick and sweep method using standard D-frame nets. Samples are collected within a 10m radius of the sample site.

Engagement

One of the core objectives of the CWMP is to connect SON Members of all ages to the natural environment of our Territory. We place a special focus on conducting workshops with younger generations, as they are our future leaders and beneficiaries. 

Relationship Building

The CWMP will continue to build and maintain positive working relationships with community groups in both Nawash and Saugeen, as well as with other environmental organizations, conservation authorities, parks, schools, municipalities, and more operating throughout SON Territory. These relationships will enhance the program through open and collaborative processes that allow us to share knowledge, build capacity, foster trust-based connections, and advance our individual and collective goals for the health and well-being of the Territory, as well as SON Rights and Interests.

CWMP is one of several SON Technical Information gathering bodies and advisory teams. Information gathered through the program assists in decision-making by the Joint Chiefs and Councils on matters that have the potential to impact SON Rights and Interests. Consultation processes, Impact Assessment and potential Funding Agreements are negotiated through the Environment Office and SON Joint Chiefs and Councils.  

Links

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pDOZHs0Ocn8