Severn Sound Sustainability Plan

Background

Because of its beauty, access to water and proximity to Toronto, the Severn Sound area is under pressure from growth and heavy recreational use. In 2003, the Severn Sound watershed was removed from the International Joint Commission’s list of Great Lakes Areas of Concern, having reached its goal of improving water quality with the completion of a Remedial Action Plan. But to ensure its continued health — as well as economic prosperity and quality of life for residents — the area’s municipalities realized a long-term sustainability plan.

In late 2007, the SSEA facilitated a partnership between the Federation of Canadian Municipalities and the nine SSEA municipal partners to develop a sustainability plan for the Severn Sound area. The nine municipalities in the Severn Sound area were concerned for the future of the Severn Sound watershed. The basis of the plan was the “triple bottom line” which involved environmental, economic and social considerations when planning the future of the Severn Sound area. In order to ensure that the sustainability plan was truly a community-based effort, a Sustainability Advisory Team (SAT) was formed to help in the creation of the Severn Sound Sustainability Plan. The SAT consisted of over 50 individuals, with representatives from community organizations, government, businesses and cultural groups. The SAT met seven times through 2007/2008 and, with facilitation by our consultant Lura, provided a comprehensive comment and review of various aspects of the Sustainability Plan until the draft plan was prepared and released in December of 2008. For those that were involved with the SAT, we thank you for all of your efforts in the development of the Severn Sound Sustainability Plan. We especially want to thank the North Simcoe Community Futures Development Corporation, who supported the process throughout.

The Severn Sound Sustainability Plan is a vision for the Severn Sound watershed to the year 2050. Under three Sustainability Pillars (Community Well-Being, Economic Prosperity, Environmental Integrity & Protection), the Plan includes Goals, Strategic Directions and Actions that will, when implemented, ensure the sustainability of the watershed for generations to come. The Severn Sound Sustainability Plan was finalized and endorsed by all 9 partner municipalities in the Spring of 2009.

Currently, the Sustainability Plan Steering Committee (now called Sustainable Severn Sound) has developed an implementation strategy to help the communities in the watershed implement the goals and actions of the Severn Sound Sustainability Plan. The implementation of the Plan will help to protect and enhance the natural environment, strengthen the local economy, and improve the quality of life for all residents in the area. With support from the nine Severn Sound municipal partners, the County of Simcoe, the North Simcoe Community Futures Development Corporation, the Orillia Area Community Development Corporation, the Simcoe-Muskoka District Health Unit Sustainable Severn Sound is moving ahead to implement the plan. SSEA is pleased to be a member of the Steering Committee helping to implement the Sustainability Plan. Please visit the Sustainable Severn Sound website at www.sustainablesevernsound.ca or contact the Sustainability Coordinator, Tracy Roxborough, at info@sustainablesevernsound.ca.