An enhanced water sampling program could be carried out on Porcupine Lake.
A motion on the Sept. 11 agenda for Timmins council calls for environmental services staff to “commission an enhanced sampling program as determined to provide enough information for council to evaluate and make any rehabilitation decisions on Porcupine Lake and River system.”
According to the motion, the current city sampling is only surface water and "there has been an expressed interest in enhanced sampling across the lake and sediments in the lake."
It also recommends that the potential for the rehabilitation program be included in the 2019 budget, and allow time to submit grant applications.
This year, a group of residents concerned about the sewage being bypassed into Porcupine Lake has become more active in its efforts to protect the watershed.
Recently the Friends of the Porcupine River Watershed and the Porcupine Lake Information Group merged to form a new Friends of the Porcupine River Watershed to create a stronger voice and community presence.
The group is also working with the Canadian Environmental Law Association (CELA), a non-profit specialty law clinic, to look at potential options to clean up the lake.
After a public information session last month, the group secured a sit-down with reps from the City of Timmins.
The Timmins council meeting is at 6 p.m. Sept. 11 in council chambers at city hall.
You can read the full agenda here.
