Proposed Regulations Will Allow ELA Research to Continue

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The Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) published in the February 15, 2014 edition of Canada Gazette Part I, proposed Experimental Lakes Area Research Activities Regulations.

The regulations, made under the federal Fisheries Act, set out the conditions whereby the deposit of deleterious substances at the Experimental Lakes Area (ELA) science research facility may be authorized.

Comments accepted for 30 days after publication of the proposed regulations. Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) has historically operated the ELA facility. However, a decision was made recently to cease operations as part of the government’s Deficit Reduction Action Plan. Subsequently, DFO identified the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) as a potential operator of the ELA, and Ontario is currently negotiating an agreement with IISD to allow them to operate the site over the long term.

Ontario’s Ministry of the Environment posted on the province’s Environmental Bill of Rights (EBR) Registry on January 16, 2014, notice of a proposed regulation that will enable the ELA’s research to continue.

The research done in the ELA is a cornerstone in water quality research in Canada and CWWA is pleased to see collaboration to ensure that it continues.

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