Geranium Corporation
May 5, 2003
c/o
JONES Consulting Group
Suite 100, 300 Lakeshore Drive
Barrie, ON L4N 0B4
Dear Sirs:
As you know, residents who live near Lake Simcoe and the citizens who depend on the
Lake for their livelihood and for their recreation are interested in ensuring that the lake
and its dependent ecosystems remain vibrant and healthy.
An average of ten dump trucks of phosphorus enter Lake Simcoe every year. Current
levels of phosphorus entering Lake Simcoe are three times greater than the level that
would exist naturally. As a result of this excessive phosphorus, eutrophication occurs.
Eutrophication is a process whereby there is a population explosion of photosynthetic
blue-green bacteria and algae. These unsightly mats of algae become so thick that they
block out the sunshine below the water and the algae bloom at the bottom die from lack
of photosynthetic energy. As the algae decompose they remove dissolved oxygen from
the water. Cold-water fish such as lake trout, herring and whitefish require relatively cold
and well-oxygenated water that traditionally existed at the bottom of Lake Simcoe. In the
summer the cold-water fish swim deep down to escape the warmer water on the surface.
Unfortunately, due to eutrophication caused by excessive phosphorus in the lake, the fish
become sluggish and die.
A dramatic decline in the winter fishery occurred in the 1960’s. Since an abundance of
these cold-water fish is a strong indicator of the health of the lake and its ecosystems,
concerns were raised about these declines. The failure to reproduce has been linked to the
deteriorating water quality associated with artificial eutrophication. The Ministry of
Natural Resources increased their stocking of lake trout in the 1970’s resulting in an
increase in lake trout in 1975. However, the trout production in Lake Simcoe has not
been re-established.
The Lake Simcoe Conservation Authority, 2003, reports that 25% of the annual deposits
of phosphorus in Lake Simcoe come from urban storm run-off. This happens when quickrelease chemical fertilizers are used on lawns and other green spaces. These chemical
fertilizers need water for their nutrients to be released. This means that nitrogen,
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phosphorus and potassium are leached into bodies of water causing eutrophication, as
already mentioned, and negatively affecting the aquatic life in the lakes.
The widespread use of chemical fertilizers is not only detrimental to Lake Simcoe but is
also very damaging to all life in the soil. Chemical fertilizers do not produce basic soil
health, but rather weaken soil structure.
 Chemical fertilizers kill soil biota, the essential microorganisms which are needed to
break down minerals so they can be absorbed by plant roots. Microorganisms also
help the host plants take up nitrogen and other nutrients more efficiently. The soil
loses its ability to retain water and it begins to harden and crack.
 Chemical fertilizers add salt to the soil that can easily burn the plants. Highly
chemicalized soil produce plants that do not have a natural resistance to disease.
 Earthworms are very sensitive to chemical fertilizers. Earthworms are very necessary
for good soil health as they aerate the soil and expel castings high in nitrogen,
phosphorus and potassium as well as minerals and trace elements.
With the continued use of chemical fertilizers, in time your green space will become a
toxic wasteland containing dead soil devoid of all biota and nutrients .The soil can no
longer feed your grass. The grass is now totally dependent on its ‘fix’ of chemical
fertilizers for its survival.
Since eutrophication has been a serious and ongoing problem for the lake on which you
are planning your Big Bay Point Development, we strongly urge that organic principles
be implemented and that no chemical fertilizers be applied on the golf course.
Organic fertilizers are ecologically and environmentally safe, since their minerals are
gradually released by the action of the microorganisms in the soil. This provides for a
continuous supply of nutrients which can be easily absorbed by the plant roots. The
leaching of nutrients into groundwater and bodies of water is non-existent. Some organic
fertilizers contain as many as 100 trace minerals needed by plants for optimum growth.
Organic fertilizers do not use salt as a carrier, so therefore there is no salt damage to the
soil. They are very effective in restoring dead and unproductive soils.
We also would recommend that homebuyers be given information about the detrimental
effects of chemical fertilizer on the long-term health of Lake Simcoe. We would be
happy to provide an information sheet outlining the effects of eutrophication on Lake
Simcoe.
Since a healthy environment benefits all of us, we sincerely hope that you will be able to
take action on our recommendations.
Sincerely,
Gwen Petreman
Board of Directors
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