This 2003/2004 ECO annual report was submitted to the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly on Oct 21, 2004. You can download the full report (including articles not yet available here) and see all related communications materials here. Click here to read other ECO Reports to the Legislature.

Contents 1 Choosing our Legacy 1.1 Part 1 Environmental Bill of Rights 1.2 Part 3 Significant Issues 1.3 Part 4 Ministry Environmental Decisions 1.4 Part 5 Applications for Review and Investigation 1.5 Part 8 Developing Issues 1.6 Recommendations

Choosing our Legacy

• A Message from the Environmental Commissioner of Ontario

Part 1 Environmental Bill of Rights

• Introduction to 2003/04 Annual Report

Part 3 Significant Issues

• Southern Ontario’s Forests: Problems on the Landscape?
• Sewer Use Bylaws in Ontario
• Needed: Better Planning for Protected Areas
• Invasive Alien Species – A Threat to Biodiversity
  • Asian Long-Horned Beetle
• EBR Rights Lost: Behind the Veil of Section 32
• Updates
  • MOE’s Policy on Industrial Air Pollution
  • MNR’s Compliance Program for Sand and Gravel Operations
  • Monitoring of Aquatic Ecosystem Indicators
  • Protecting the Wolves of Algonquin
  • Who Enforces the Class EA? The ORC Case

Part 4 Ministry Environmental Decisions

• The Nutrient Management Regulation
• The Waste Diversion Program for Blue Box Waste
  • The Need to Increase Aluminum Soft Drink Can Recovery Rates
• The New Drinking Water Regulation under the Safe Drinking Water Act, 2003
  • Categories of Drinking Water Systems Outlined in O. Reg. 170/03
• Protecting the Kawartha Highlands: The First OLL Signature Site
• Environmental Assessment for Forest Management
  • Roadless Wilderness Areas
• Forest Management Policy for Old Growth
• New Direction on Electricity Pricing
• Stormwater Management Planning and Design
• The Revised Water Wells Regulation

Part 5 Applications for Review and Investigation

• Ecosystem Impacts of Mercury
• OPG Mercury Emissions: Is There a Contravention Of Law?
• Open Netcage Aquaculture in Georgian Bay
• Forestry Operations Compliance System
• Refillable Soft Drink Regulations: Not Gone Yet
• Prescribing the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act for Reviews under the EBR
• The Drive Clean Program for Light-Duty Vehicles
• Tobacco Leaf Burning: MOE Stops Smoking
• Red Hill Creek Expressway
• Highway Construction and Failings of the Environmental Assessment Process
• Proposed County of Simcoe Landfill Site (Site 41)

Part 8 Developing Issues

• Diverting Electronic Waste – An Emerging Waste Management Challenge
• Altering the Nitrogen Cycle: Massive Human Intervention in Nature

Recommendations

• 2003/04 Recommendations