Public Review and Comment Period on the Project File Report Open Until March 29
Additional Opportunities for Public Input will be Available During the Detailed Design Process this Spring

Lake Scugog Enhancement Project

Lake Scugog Enhancement Project (LSEP) is an environmental and recreational improvement project for Port Perry Bay that benefits the whole lake. The range of benefits is broad including environmental, social, economic, tourism and recreation.

The project was initiated by the Healthy Lake Scugog Steering Committee (HLSSC) which was established in 2013 as a Committee of Council to the Township of Scugog to research short and long term solutions for the health of Lake Scugog to improve the environmental, financial and social economies of the Lake Scugog Watershed. 

Purpose/ Objectives and Opportunities 

The purpose of the Project is to: 

  • Improve the recreational function of Port Perry Bay while creating a healthy wetland habitat and providing water quality benefits.

The overall objectives of the project are to address the following:

  • Reduced depth of water;
  • Accumulation of sediment and organic matter;
  • Excessive amount of non-native aquatic vegetation;
  • Impacted water quality in the bay;
  • Impacted shoreline habitats and fisheries; and
  • Impacted aesthetics and tourism-based activities. 

With the preceding purpose and objectives in mind, the Project offers the following opportunities:

  • To increase the navigable depth;
  • To increase the recreational opportunities available through improved boating access and functionality for other recreational uses such as paddling and angling;
  • To enhance stormwater treatment;
  • To reduce invasive macrophyte biomass;
  • To increase tourism; and
  • To increase fisheries productivity in Lake Scugog.
    • Impacted shoreline habitats and fisheries
    • Reduced aesthetics 

Class Environmental Assessment

The Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (EA) process requires a minimum of two points of contact with affected stakeholders for a Schedule ‘B’ EA. A thorough consultation process was carried out throughout the project that exceeded this minimum requirement. 

A Notice of Project Commencement and Public Open House was issued on November 21, 2017. 

A Public Open House was then held on December 5, 2017 to present the preferred solution and obtain feedback. Over 60 people attended the open house. 

The HLSSC met 21 times during the completion of the Project File Report and the committee provided ongoing input to the EA and design. The committee passed a motion to endorse the preferred solution in September 2018. 

First Nations were also consulted through emails and meetings. Overall, no objections were provided for the project from First Nations and the Mississaugas of Scugog First Nation have provided both a letter of support for the project and financial contribution of $1,500,000. 

The Draft Project File Report and preferred solution were presented and endorsed by Scugog Council in December 2018. 

The development of the Final Project File Report for LSEP Class Environmental Assessment the has taken five years to complete due to the extensive consultation required with stakeholders and the detailed plans required to satisfy permitting agencies. 

The Final Project File Report was presented to Council and endorsed by Scugog Council on February 2023.  

Presentation for the Lake Scugog Enhancement Class Environmental Assessment

And the Notice of Project Completion was issued on February 28, 2023.

Project Description 

Artist’s Rendering of Wetland and Berm

  • A 245 m engineered berm to contain the wetland (having a 3 m wide accessible path, park benches and 4 angling platforms)
  • 9 dredge areas, totaling 3.67 ha (9.1 acres)
  • A 14,900 m2 (3.68 ac) wetland, featuring open channel, wetland channels, pools, basking logs, vegetated hummocks, nesting features, seed mixes and native shrubs
  • A 2.09 ha (5.2 ac) aquatic vegetation management zone
  • 2 oil and grit separators to treat stormwater discharge 
  • A Fisheries Offsetting Plan
  • Post construction monitoring 

Artist’s Rendering of View from Joe Fowler Picnic Shelter 

Additional Information

Please contact the following Project Team members if you would like to provide comments, request additional information, and/or discuss any potential concerns with the Project.

Carol Coleman

Director of Public Works and Infrastructure
Township of Scugog
181 Perry Street, P.O. Box 780
Port Perry, ON  L9L 1A7
Tel: 905-985-7346 X149
Email: ccoleman@scugog.ca

Tanner Liang

Water Quality Specialist

Kawartha Conservation
277 Kenrei Road
Lindsay, ON  K9V 4R1
Tel: 705-328-2271 X228
Email: TLiang@KawarthaConservation.com