Vermilion River Concerns:
The Vermilion River Stewardship was formed to deal with several challenges that are presently facing the Vermilion River and its Watershed.
- Four proposed Run-of-River Waterpower Projects – using “modified peaking” – VRS, ORA and partners were successful in stopping these projects
- 9 Waste Municipal Wastewater Treatment Facilities (WWTF), 2 Industrial WWTF, 3 holding ponds, 1 tailings pond, and dozens of lift stations releasing treated, undertreated and untreated effluent into the Vermilion River Watershed.
- Vermilion River is impacted by past and present mining effluent discharge and pollution
- Road salt run-off from roads, private properties, public and industrial lots
- Invasive Species, such as Eurasian Milfoil and Spiny Water Flea
- Algae, including cyanobacteria, on the Vermilion River system
Overall, the Vermilion River Stewardship is addressing the significant cumulative effects of all the above challenges within the watershed. Climate Change will only intensify the effects of the above on the Vermilion River and its interconnecting lakes and tributaries.
Decades of Mining Pollutants in Sudbury