In December 2025, following approval by federal and provincial representatives, the Degradation of Fish and Wildlife Populations Beneficial Use Impairment (BUI) under the Niagara River Remedial Action Plan (RAP) was officially re-designated from Impaired to Not Impaired for the Canadian side of the Niagara River Area of Concern.
The assessment report completed in 2021 summarized key findings showing the improved water quality and recommended the status change, and in March 2023, the NPCA received correspondence from Environment and Climate Change Canada officially confirming the re-designation of this water quality indicator in the Niagara River.
Plain-language summary to communicate the results of the technical assessment report on the Niagara River’s eutrophication or undesirable algae BUI.
The report includes the technical assessment and all public engagement that supported the change of status of the Eutrophication or Undesirable Algae BUI in the Niagara River to ‘Not Impaired’ (from ‘Impaired’). The Canada-Ontario Agreement Annex 4 Co-leads formally confirmed the ‘Not Impaired’ designation in May 2019.