FOCA Elert - December 2021
Click here to read the most recent newsletter of the Federation of Ontario Cottagers' Associations, which includes a number of articles of interest to Big Rideau Lake cottagers and boaters such as pleasure craft licensing updates, healthy water initiatives and public policy news.
To sign up to receive communications (such as these Elerts) directly, please click here.
Safe Quiet Lakes Newsletter - June 2021
Safe Quiet Lakes is an organization focussed on keeping lakes “safe and quiet to ensure the sustainable enjoyment of a treasured shared resource”. Beginning in Muskoka, it is now expanding to include support from lake residents and organizations throughout the country. The BRLA supports the ongoing work of SQL, and will post its monthly newsletters and other communications in order to keep our members informed.
To sign up to receive communications directly from Safe Quiet Lakes, please click here.
Decibel Coalition Newsletter
We are very encouraged by the progress of the Decibel Coalition since the first newsletter last August and want to take this opportunity to update all of our members. Later in this letter is news that is perhaps the most important of all!
Growing the Decibel Coalition Membership
Starting in November 2019, the first months of the Coalition were spent getting organized, developing our strategy, gathering information, researching lake associations across the country and making initial contacts with our stakeholders.
From the original five we now have over 20 lake associations as members and our geography now includes Ontario, Quebec and British Columbia. Together they represent over 10,000 waterfront property owners and their families. We continue to add new members almost every week. You can see the list of current members with links to their websites at the end of this newsletter.
New Members of your Committee
Our hard working committee of six Safe Quiet Lake (“SQL”) board members has expanded to nine. We very much welcome Alan Drinkwater of Vancouver and Lake Shuswap. Alan is to be thanked for all our BC members. Alan joined a fellow Shuswap resident, Gary Milne to form a local coalition called Shuswap and Mara Lakes Decibel Coalition (“SMLDC”) which is 100% aligned with the national Coalition as well as focused on the specific problems and solutions for boat motor noise in that area. Attached is their first newsletter. Alan has enthusiastically assumed responsibility for getting new members for all of western Canada!
We also welcome Robert Benoit from Lac Memphremagog. Robert is the Volunteer President of Memphremagog Conservation Inc. and was instrumental in getting them to become a member of the Coalition. Robert is very knowledgeable on how things work in Quebec and is bringing his energy and connections to help expand the Coalition in that province.
Nancy Croitoru joined the SQL Board and became a member of the Decibel Coalition committee. She brings a wealth of experience ranging from public relations to television production and industry association CEO. Nancy can be thanked for many of our new members in Ontario.
Next Phase – Municipalities We can use your help!
Your committee continues its bi-weekly meetings having not missed one since it was formed in November 2019. As well as adding lake associations, we are now expanding our focus to municipal governments. In Ontario, we know the Muskoka town and township governments well and have started the process to delegate to their councils. Robert is using his contacts in the eastern townships. SMLDC will wait until it has a few more members in the Shuswap area before approaching municipal governments.
We would like your help to expand the municipal list. Local knowledge of councils and how best to approach them is important. If you would like us to delegate to your local municipality and can help, please contact Rob Bosomworth, the Chair of the Coalition. We have a power point deck and a draft resolution ready to go. The more municipalities, the better the influence we will have.
Enforcement Agencies
Enforcement agencies input to Transport Canada will be critical to getting the Regulations changed. Our relationship with the OPP is very good and we have every reason to believe they will welcome these changes and will work with Transport Canada to that end. We have also established a contact with the RCMP in western Canada and will start working with them immediately.
Marine Industry
Late last December, we had a joint meeting with the National Marine Manufacturers Association and Boat BC, Boating Ontario and Boating Atlantic. Although they declined to join the Decibel Coalition, they are in favour of updating the Small Vessel Regulations with respect to mufflers.
Transport Canada – Exciting News
Finally, as promised, the most important news! We were delighted to learn that Transport Canada (“TC”), at the Canadian Marine Advisory Council (“CMAC” a council run by TC) meeting on November 12, 2020, has opened the topic of boat mufflers to “discuss and receive comments on possible options for the future”. They have heard community input including from SQL that excessive boat muffler noise is a growing concern on Canadian waterways. A link to their presentation is attached.
We have recently met with Transport Canada, started the dialogue and provided them with some information and contacts to aid their work. This is very encouraging as it may mean the route to success could be significantly shortened. It also means we need to pick up the pace for expanding the membership base, especially with municipalities.
We have come a long way in just over a year. What we thought could take up to five years may be less. We all remain very committed to success. I can’t stress enough how effective and committed your committee is and I thank them all for it.
Next Few Months
The next three to six months are both critical and exciting as we actively engage with the staff at Transport Canada. We need to keep the momentum going and would be very happy to hear from you with your suggestions and ideas especially on how best to approach your local municipal council.
Click here for more information about the Decibel Coalition.
COVID-19 Community Updates - Township of Rideau Lakes
The Township of Rideau Lakes is publishing regular updates related to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. To subscribe to TRL e-news or read the updates on the website, please click here.
Parks Canada Bulletin re: End of Season Operations on Rideau Canal
Parks Canada is advising the public that the Rideau Canal’s 24 lockstations located between Ottawa and Kingston will close for the season on October 12th, 2020 at 5 pm, following the Thanksgiving long weekend. Click here to read the bulletin.
Invasive Species Webinar - Forests Under Attack: The History, Dispersal and Management of Gypsy Moth
Invasive Species Centre Hosting Webinar on Gypsy Moths: Presented by David Dutkiewicz from the Invasive Species Centre, the webinar will focus on the history of European Gypsy Moth and its subsequent arrival into Ontario in the 1980s. It will also discuss the current affected areas throughout Canada, and the areas where gypsy moth has the potential to spread. Lastly, this webinar will examine best management options for gypsy moth and the measures landowners can take to help slow the spread and protect our forests. Please visit the website to register for the event.
RVCA: "Low Water Conditions Much Improved in Rideau Valley Watershed"
The Rideau Valley Conservation Authority issues frequent statements about watershed conditions in the Rideau Valley area.
MOST RECENT STATEMENT: “This statement is to advise that the low water status in the Rideau River watershed is being downgraded to “Minor” from “Moderate” severity under the Ontario Low Water Response Program because of recent precipitation.
Significant rain over the last week pushed 30-day rainfall totals above what is normal for the time of year at most climate monitoring sites in the region. However, the average 90-day rainfall measured at climate stations in and around the watershed is below 80 per cent of normal for this time of year which represents “Minor” low water severity. Looking ahead, the seven-day weather forecast suggests we may receive between 5 and 10 mm of rain across the watershed.”
Click here to read the full statement.
Check the RVCA website for other updates and information.
FOCA Lake Stewards Newsletter
The Federation of Ontario Cottager’s Associations has released its Annual Newsletter for 2020. Articles in this edition include:
Letter from the Executive Director (p.2)
FOCA Achievement Award (p.3)
Invasive Species: Eurasian Watermilfoil & Starry Stonewort (pp.4-5)
Water Management: in Conservation Authorities (p.6)
Water Management: Muskoka Watershed Advisory Group (p.7)
Eastern Ontario Cell Service Expansion Proposal (p.9)
Cottage Insurance (p.10-11)
Lake Partner Program (p.12)
Case Study: Use of LPP Data (p.13)
Lake Associations & Municipal Partners (p.14)
FOCA & OWA: Data Sharing (p.15)
Forestry: Associations Need to Know (pp.16-18)
Vegetation Maintenance (p.20)
Getting involved in Land Use Planning (p.21)
Over-salting our Lakes (p.23)
Grass Carp: Water Quality Impacts (pp.24-25)
LakeSmart 2020: The Virtual Edition (p.26)
Great Lakes Water Levels Planning (p.27)
Nature Fun at the Lake (pp.28-29)
Flooding & Property Assessments (p.30)
Walkerton, 20 Years Later (p.31)