Jackfish Bay Area of Concern

The Jackfish Bay Remedial Action Plan (RAP) was developed by Environment Canada and the Ontario Ministry of the Environment between 1988 and 1997, with support from the general public.

The Remedial Action Plan adopted an ecosystem approach to environmental problems that incorporated land, water, air, plants, animals and ultimately people. Therefore, the cooperation and involvement of many other federal and provincial government agencies has been key to RAP progress.

The general public (both individuals and organizations) participated in the RAP process as members of the Public Advisory Committee (PAC), providing a forum for the spectrum of interests existing within a community. The Jackfish Bay PAC encompassed the interests of private citizens, industry, labour, tourism operators and property owners.

Within the Stage One document, environmental impairments and objectives for the remediation of the AOC were identified. Upon completion, federal and provincial agencies and the International Joint Commission reviewed the document. An Options Discussion Paper then presented a list of remedial measures to address the identified environmental problems, carefully weighing each option and identifying preferences.

The Stage Two document was completed in 1997. This document recommends a "natural recovery" plan to address most of the impaired beneficial uses in the Area of Concern.

The natural recovery plan does not require the removal of contaminated sediment from the environment. This plan relies on natural processes to bury contaminants in the sediment, effectively isolating them from the water column and food web.

Essential to the natural recovery plan is the maintenance of higher standards of effluent quality by Terrace Bay Pulp Inc. (formerly Kimberly-Clark), and continued monitoring of the effects of contaminated sediments on the ecosystem. In this way, progressive changes in the ecosystem can be evaluated, and delisting of the AOC can occur at the earliest opportunity.