Nipigon Bay no longer "area of concern" says new report

A reportrecommending the de-listing of Nipigon Bay as an area of concern inthe Great Lakes, will be released Thursday night.

The Nipigon Bay Remedial Action Plan will hear the recommendation, as part of an open house.

The group's coordinator Jim Bailey said this is the result ofdecades of work to improve water quality.

"Have we attained perfection in restoring environmental quality in Nipigon Bay? Ah, not by a long shot. But, I think conditions have been significantly improved," he said.

"I don't think anybody is saying they're going to walk away. There will be ongoing environmental programs in Nipigon Bay and ongoing monitoring. Butthe report will recommend de-listing as a Great Lakes area of concern. Noting that the issues that were identified back in the day in conjunction with the International Joint Commission have been addressed. So, the report will recommend de-listing."

Bailey said upgrades to thesewage plant in Nipigon, planned upgrades for the Red Rock treatment plant, a water level plan in the Nipigon River and removing garbage and debris from Clearwater Creek have all had a significant impact.

Thunder Bay, Jackfish Bay (near Terrace Bay) and Peninsula Harbour in Marathon all remain areas of concern.