Hamilton Harbour Remedial Action Plan (RAP)


Short description of the project that describes the project study area, goals/objectives and activities:

The Hamilton Harbour Remedial Action Plan (RAP) is a community-based project planned to improve water quality and habitat in Hamilton Harbour, its watershed and Cootes Paradise Marsh. The RAP identifies what types of pollution enter the harbour, how that pollution will be cleaned up, and who is responsible the cleanup. It also identifies specific prevention measures so that pollution does not continue to affect the harbour. The Hamilton Harbour RAP is based on the stakeholder approach, now adopted as a model by groups with environmental issues worldwide. The objectives of the project are to re-establish a healthy aquatic ecosystem and improve recreation uses while maintaining the harbour's essential economic function. The targets of the plan are to (1) improve access (2) restore land uses and (3) increase healthy fish plankton and wildlife. The process is supported by the Bay Area Restoration Council, as well as community stakeholders devoted to the revitalization of Hamilton Harbour and its watershed.

The objectives of the Hamilton Harbour RAP are to clean up the Hamilton Harbour, and to improve the biological health of the Hamilton Harbour ecosystem. As part of the process for "Delisting" Hamilton Harbour as an "Area of Concern" under the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement a Stage 1 Report describing the state of the Environment was published in 1992, a Stage 2 Report describing remedial actions was published in 1992 and updated in 2002.

To Restore beneficial uses as defined in the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement. The objective was to meet community water use goals above the GLWQA.



The implementing body: (e.g., govt. agency or department)

Government of Canada
Government of Ontario
City of Hamilton
Led by Environment Canada, the RAP is a collaborative community effort.


Cooperating/participating bodies (e.g., other agencies/depts, NGOs):

Implementation is led by the Bay Area Implementation Team (BAIT) representing approximately 17 government and NGOs. A citizens group called the Bay Area Restoration Council (BARC) monitor RAP progress. Approximately 40 stakeholder groups developed the plan. Participating bodies include:



Time frame of the project/program

1978 - Ongoing
1985 - 2015
1982 - ongoing


Web links and Other Resources:

www.hamiltonharbour.ca
www.burlingtonbay.ca
http://www.on.ec.gc.ca/glimr
http://www.rbg.ca/services/links.html
BARC website


Contact info for the project (name, mailing address, phone, email)

  1. John D. Hall, M.C.I.P., R.P.P.
    RAP Coordinator
    Hamilton Harbour Remedial Action Plan
    Canada Centre for Inland Waters
    867 Lakeshore Road
    P. O. BOX 5050
    Burlington, Ontario
    Tel: 905) 336-6465
    Fax: (905) 336-4906
    Email: John.Hall@ec.gc.ca

  2. Marilyn Baxter, Manager
    Life Sciences Building - B130F
    c/o McMaster University
    Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4K1
    Tel: 905-527-7111
    Email: JBARC@HAMILTONHARBOUR.CA

  3. Brenda Axon
    Conservation Halton
    2596 Britannia Road West
    R.R. #2
    Milton, Ontario
    L9T 2X6
    (905)336-1158 ext. 222
    Email: admin@hrca.on.ca

  4. Vic Cairnes
    Email: cairnsv@DFO-MPO.gc.ca

  5. Dr. K. Minns
    Email: minnsk@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

  6. Mark Sproule-Jones
    McMaster University
    Email: sproulem@mcmaster.ca

  7. Rimi Kalinauskas
    Email: rimi.kalinauskas@ec.gc.ca




If you have corrections or additional information about this project please email Dr. Martin Bunch with the information.