The Value of Canadian Shorelines
When we think of shorelines, we may think of a relaxing day at the beach, recreational activities on the water, or a dream lakefront property. Seldom do we think of shorelines as important ecosystems. Often referred to as “ribbons of life”, shoreline environments are not only an integral habitat for fish and wildlife species, but are also one of the most important ecosystems to affect water quality of lakes and other bodies of water.
Photo of the Lake Ontario shoreline at Jack Darling Park in Mississauga, Ontario by Maham Siddiqui.
In recent years, shorelines across the world have suffered and been threatened as a result of climate change and human activity. Approximately 4.8 billion people - 60% of the world’s population-- live within 100 kilometres from shorelines. Canada has the longest coastline in the world totalling 265,523 kilometres according to the World Resources Institute. These environments are necessary for the survival of a number of Canada’s endangered and at-risk species, including the spiny softshell turtle and piping plover. Along with land development, shorelines have increasingly been under pressure due to long-term industrial and agricultural uses.
Pollution within the Great Lakes
As one of the key economic drivers for both Canada and the U.S., the Great Lakes Basin has long suffered the consequences of human-induced activity. In Southern Ontario for example, development activities have led to the loss of 70% of historic wetlands, and degraded habitat in lakes, rivers and coastal areas.
Within the Great Lakes Basin, Lake Ontario is of particular significance as all of the Great Lakes drain into Lake Ontario from where the freshwater flows into the Atlantic Ocean through the St. Lawrence River. This means that the pollutants including waste products and fertilizers within and around Lake Ontario can ultimately end up in our oceans and cause harm to a more extensive network of habitats and wildlife.
Profile of the Great Lakes. From Michigan Sea Grant.
Nearly half of Lake Ontario is bordered by rural areas and forests, with the other half supporting a growing cluster of industrial activity and urban centers such as Toronto. Across the border, the U.S.’ Lake Ontario shoreline is mostly surrounded by land used for agriculture. The lake’s connection to the Atlantic Ocean via the St. Lawrence River helps support commercial activity at 13 major shipping ports. The Great Lakes are a significant economic resource. As of 2020, the Great Lakes have a total of seven federally listed Areas of Concern (AOC) on the Canadian side, and five shared Canada-U.S. AOCs.
Status of the Canadian Great Lakes Areas of Concern, 2020. From the Government of Canada.
Over the last few decades, pollutants, soil erosion and flooding have been a significant source of damage to lakefront properties, municipal infrastructure and water quality. There are three predominant sources of pollution in the Great Lakes, namely heavy industry, manufacturing, and agriculture. The Great Lakes are heavily impacted by chemical, plastic and nutrient pollution. Consuming aquatic species that have been impacted by chemical pollution from the Great Lakes is one of the leading factors in human mercury exposure, which can cause thyroid disorders, infertility, birth defects, and cancer.
Lake Ontario, Lake Erie and Lake Michigan experience the highest level of environmental stress amongst the Great Lakes. Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River have experienced two record-level flood events since 2017 that caused significant social and economic damages to residents, businesses and infrastructure along its shores all the way to Montreal.
Level of pollution and environmental stress throughout The Great Lakes. Map from Esri.
Last year, Lake Michigan almost reached its historical high water levels with water three feet higher than usual, according to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The high water levels resulted in disappearing beach areas, waterfront trails and breakwaters. A group of the Great Lakes mayors estimated shoreline flooding and high water levels resulted in damages of over $500 million to local municipalities just in the last year alone.
Lake Michigan’s high water levels flooding the Lakefront Trail on Chicago’s North Avenue Beach. Photo taken by Zbigniew Bzdak June 16, 2020 for the Chicago Tribune.
Investing in Shoreline Restoration
The Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River are surrounded by over fifteen thousand kilometers of shoreline. Shorelines are an essential resource for communities and enjoyable destinations for residents and visitors. Shorelines can also play an important role in preventing pollutants and debris from being carried into our waters. Well-vegetated shorelines act as a natural filter for pollutants and help protect banks from erosion and flooding. Local governments and conservation authorities have been allocating a significant portion of their budgets on protecting and restoring beaches and shoreline ecosystems. According to the Great Lakes Commission and the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative, local governments across the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence region collectively invest about $15 billion annually for this task.
According to data from the U.S. Census Bureau and Statistics Canada, local governments spend roughly 20 percent of their total budgets on environmental improvements, such as building and maintaining wastewater treatment systems, acquiring, preserving and restoring lands, and managing beaches and shorelines amongst other improvements.
Litter clean up at East Beach. By Nicole Henderson, volunteer.
Harmful pollutants and high water levels are some of the main causes of beach closures which are often the result of sewer overflows, and run-off from boats and storm-water. Aside from causing harm to the environment and public health and safety, beach closures also deliver a great loss in tourism revenue and other economic value for the Great Lakes region. According to a 2007 report by the Brookings Institution, the U.S. generated close to $800 million annually from the Great Lakes Region’s eight million beach users, whereas Canada generated an estimated $200 to $250 million from beach tourism.
The same report also found that restoring the health of the Great Lakes will provide direct total economic benefits of at least $50 billion --$6.5 to $11.8 billion dollars from tourism, fishing, and recreation alone. The Great Lakes’ restoration will also result in increased property values, decreased infrastructure, repair and water treatment costs to municipalities, improved aquatic and wildlife habitats and other ecosystem benefits.
How you can get involved in protecting the Great Lakes
Learn about shoreline pollution and raise awareness about shoreline protection. Search for local government and conservation authorities, and environmental groups in your area to see how they have been contributing to preserve and restore shorelines. In 2020, A Greener Future launched Shoreline: The Paddle Against Plastic, an informative documentary showcasing plastic pollution across Lake Ontario. Watch the trailer here.
Be mindful of local guidelines when you partake in recreation or tourism activities that may impact shorelines, and engage with eco-friendly tourism-based businesses.
Use the 5 R’s of Waste Reduction. Minimize the use of plastic and other harmful pollutants, particularly when you visit beaches and make sure you correctly dispose of your waste. Use sustainable alternatives for soap, laundry detergent, cleaning and other personal and household items that drain into water supplies.
Do you have a lakefront property? Learn about what type of shoreline you have and how to care for it. There are various types of shorelines and there are specific ways to care for each of them.
Get involved in restoration and clean-up initiatives near you. Every year, A Greener Future organizes the Love Your Lake initiative that involves volunteer-led cleanups along the shores of Lake Ontario. To date, A Greener Future volunteers have collected about 5 million litter pieces. Learn more about how to get involved here.
Environmental Economist