Huntsville - Lake of Bays Lakes Council

Huntsville Lakes Council

Board Meeting

March 31, 2007 Muskoka Baptist Conference Centre

Present: Co-Chair, Mary McCulley, Secretary, Bill Somers, Directors, Bruce Howlett, Dan Kerr, Mike Greenfield and Webmaster, Dwayne Verhey.

Guest: District Councillor, George Young.Regrets: Co-Chair, Elaine Jackson, Directors, Yuri Zadoroznyj, Jeanne O'Neill, Dan McKeon, John Kenny, Burr Atkinson, Barb Stronach and Rob Zingel.

NOTE: John Kenny fell recently breaking his knee and shattering his knee cap. His activity will be curtailed for the next 4 to 6 months. Yuri Zadoroznyj is at home awaiting cancer surgery on his spine. Barb Stronach and Rob Zingel are hosts at the Cottage Life Show in Toronto. Elaine Jackson and Jeanne O'Neill are still in Florida while Dan McKeon is in British Columbia.

1. Call to Order: - at 9:25 AM. Our guest was welcomed and introduced.

2. Approval of Agenda: - Approved as presented with the addition of "Hydro One herbicide spraying" to new business.

3. Co-chair's Report March 31, 2007

At the February 19^th meeting of the Muskoka Watershed Council, Phung Tran presented on the Muskoka River Watershed Inventory Project on which she is the Project Planner. From the minutes of this meeting, which I missed, it states that this project is a collaboration of the MWC, MHF, District and MNR. Its purpose is to do a landscape level analysis of the terrestrial ecological systems (ecosystems) within the Muskoka River watershed to help with planning and resource management. The Ontario Trillium Foundation and DFO provided the funding. Its goals were to identify unique terrestrial ecosystems, areas of high ecological importance and stresses on ecosystems. In the process, biological data and site inventories were done, sites of unprotected vegetation and communities and landforms were identified and significant degraded sites were noted. A map was made showing the significant natural areas and connecting corridors. This will be of great benefit to, for example, help the MHF identify areas for potential acquisition or remediation; help District, for patent land, and MNR, for Crown land, come up with strategies to protect natural heritage areas; help the MWC as it develops the Land Component of its Report Card and help all of them promote stewardship and education to enhance a logical and continuous natural system.

At the March 23^rd meeting, Judi Brouse reported on the Land Component of the Report Card. Several areas, such as protection of ecosystems and maintenance of natural areas, protection of wetlands and naturally vegetated shorelines in non-urban areas need more attention. Imperviousness of urban areas was seen as a real problem.

Judi also presented the almost final version of MWC's stormwater management position paper. The MWC feels that stormwater runoff entering our lakes, rivers and streams should carry no pollutants other than what would have been conveyed through direct precipitation and that there should be no increase in stormwater quantity or rate of flow caused by human development. The recommendations, therefore, encourage planning authorities to develop, implement, monitor and enforce strategies in this area. District is working on policies for use by municipalities. These will need to be directed to, among other specific areas, commercial, industrial, residential subdivision, resorts, golf courses, trails, agricultural operations and apply to development and redevelopment as well as ongoing management. Incentives might have to be provided and education is key.

MWC and the Stewardship Network are working together on weekend workshops for students from three out of four of the high schools in Muskoka which will be competing in the Envirothon this year.

Mary and Fox Lakes, and to a lesser extent, Lake Vernon noted problems with lake levels. I sent out an e-mail to these lakes, and included Buck and Fairy as they are part of the system although not experiencing significant problems to this point, asking that dialogue be set up between themselves and offering whatever support to them that they ask of the HLC. In my e-mail, I noted that an advisory committee had been set up by MNR to help with the ongoing implementation of the MRWMP.

Fox, Bella-Rebecca, Walker and Otter Lakes are all interested in participating in a grant application to Muskoka Futures. I sent them information on how to think about the budget they might need and asking that they have this done by mid-April when Elaine returns so that she can include their figures into the budget she had already prepared for her lake.

Mary, Pen, Vernon, Harp, Waseosa and Fairy are all interested in asking Town for support in obtaining and installing approved navigation markers. I e-mailed Claude on March 14^th and explained to him that I had data on needs but that this was preliminary as the specific types of marker and anchors needed would require a site visit from DFO personnel. I told him that I would like to present these data as soon as possible so the lakes involved would have some idea as to how much Town is able to help so that decisions can be made. This might turn out to be quite a significant request as markers run at an average of about $200.00, anchors included, and the total needed, at this point, totals 41. I resent my e-mail to him and he responded that my previous one had been "lost in the shuffle". He asked a few more questions to which I replied.

In the buoy process, I found out that the problems insuring marker placement by associations might not be such a problem as FOCA's agent, Atrens-Counsel, will add buoys for an extra $50.00. I asked associations to call this company for quotes.

I have also been requested to ask Claude to ensure that speed signs, which are Town's responsibility, are maintained adequately.

In its latest newsletter, the Muskoka Steward, the results of the focus groups held in February, which looked at current goals and programs with a view to recommending changes for its second 20 years, were shown. The groups lauded the work done by the MWC and the MHF and identified four broad areas to be focussed on. These were:

- education programs and the MHF resource centre (Educate to Activate) - awareness and stewardship of environmental and built heritage, public and student

- strategic partnerships to both expand membership and involve other partners both in and beyond Muskoka

- focused advocacy by increased involvement in political/planning issues dealing with the environment (including built heritage)

- ‘branding' Muskoka by defining unique identity, developing expectations and archiving

I met with Mary Heubi who, as I mentioned in my report for the March 3^rd meeting, is one of the leads behind a new organization called the Muskoka Sustainability Coalition. It appears that it is still in the process of identifying a role for itself although Mary said the education of the general public will be included.

The Ad-hoc EAC is going strong. The turnout has been excellent, with quite a few young people showing up and many with excellent backgrounds of education and/or experience. At its last meeting on March 27^th, enough folks volunteered to monitor Council committees that all are covered. Monitoring will look for areas in which environmental issues were not identified or which could have been explored further. It also identified a number of areas to develop further and sub-committees were formed. These areas included looking into green plans, education - both in the school system and of the public, brownfields, pesticide by-laws and disposal of fluorescent light bulbs. These issues, and others as they come up, will be developed further and recommendations put into a report that will be presented after 6 months.

I e-mailed Claude Doughty about any information that the environmental consultant might have provided about his review of the KWH file. He told me that Town has requested access to the property and is still waiting for this. According to Don Baker, there is no information at present about the consultant's review of the Sound-Sorb problem.

4. Minutes - Motion by Bill S. and seconded by Mary M. that the minutes of March 3, 2007 be adopted as presented. Carried.

5. Treasurer's Report - The present bank balance stands at $1,736.91. Mary M. presented Dwayne V. with a cheque in the amount of $228.93 to cover the cost of registering the HLC website for a two year period.As Bruce H. and Bill S. will be preparing the 2007/2008 budget, each committee is asked to prepare their budget for next year. Bill S. will forward a copy of last year's budget to the committee chairs as soon as possible.

6. Member Association Updates -

Chub Lake - Mary M. nothing to report at this time.

Mary Lake - Mike G. - A report on the Mary Lake dam is expected in the next few days.

Lake Waseosa - Bruce H. - LWRA is in an ongoing situation with the OMB. The OMB is allowing a motion hearing to decide whether to review their decision before a different member or panel of the Board. This may occur in June or later this year.

Councillor Young - Mayor Doughty has told Council that he wants to form an environmental committee to be chaired by Councillor Mary Jane Fletcher. He would also like a member of the HLC and a member of the newly formed Ad Hoc Environmental Committee to be part of this EAC. George noted that Council has not yet had this presented for approval. Councillor Young joined in our concerns about navigational buoys. Of particular concern were the hazardous rocks in Peninsula Lake that pose a serious problem. He is also concerned about lake level changes, as he's noticed erosion of the banks of the Muskoka River south of The Locks.

7. Committee Reports:

a) Policy - New River Mill Design - Mary M. reports that there was a public meeting on March 12, 2007 presenting the new River Mill Park design and subsequently published in the Forester. She e-mailed the mayor with her personal concerns: too much asphalt, height of proposed condo, catchment of road salt in the stormwater pond and the use of the term ‘affordable' for $200,000+ units. His return e-mail just supported his design providing his opinion on these issues.

Councillor Fletcher contacted Mary and told her that the property owner on Crescent Bay who in-filled a wetland area on her property was appalled that she had broken the law. She has agreed to replant vegetation and re-establish her property as best she can.

b) WRAFT/CAPTR - John K. is hospitalised with a knee injury and is not available to report.

c) Communications:

i) Website - Dwayne V. - HLC's domain http://www.huntsvillelakescouncil.org/ cost $228.93 for two years. Extra domains are available for $10.00 US. He has been looking at other non-technical software packages for the website preferring Drupal of the ones available. Motion - by Mary M. and seconded by Dan K. that the HLC offer website space to member associations at a cost of $25.00 annually, to be reviewed each April. Carried.

Bruce H. will contact association member presidents regarding available webspace.

ii) Promotional Pamphlet - Bill S. presented copies of the newest version of the promotional pamphlet to the directors.

iii) Forester Article for April - Mary M. has submitted an article on the OMB to the Forester for publication in next week's paper.

iv) Newsletter - Please have your condensed newsletter article to Mary by the week following Easter. The completed version will be posted on the website.

d) FOCA: Barb S. is Hosting FOCA's booth at the Cottage Life Show in Toronto and is not available to report.

e)Stewardship: Bruce H. - Speaking with Barb Stronach and Judy Brouse, it appears that the MWC would like HLC to assist them with the MWC Report Card launch. Mary M. advises that the HLC will assist on July 26.

f) Membership: Bill S. - nothing to report at this time from the Helper Committee. He will prepare a short blurb for the newsletter.

g) Fund Raising: Bill S. - The contract has been signed with Robinson YIG for the weekend of June 22,23 & 24 for our annual fund-raising BBQ. He will be seeking helpers for that weekend.

8. Old Business:

a) Contact List - Motion, by Mary M. and seconded by Bill S., that the approved HLC minutes be forwarded to all association presidents and placed on the website; that the agenda be placed on the website prior to the meeting; and that the agenda be forwarded to all association presidents, members and non-members alike. Carried.

b) Mary Lake Dam - Previously covered under item 6.

9. New Business:

a) Hydro One - Mary M. referred to a newspaper article regarding Hydro One, requesting permission from District Council to use a weed control product known as Garlon 4 on hundreds of kilometres of municipally owned land under hydro lines in Muskoka. Councillor Young reported that this request was set aside by District Council pending a recommendation from Muskoka Watershed Council. Mary M. reported that although Garlon 4 is approved by the Federal Government and has been tested for safety of use with some species, she hadn't been able to find studies done on soil organisms or aquatic life. Mary M. will write a letter to the District on behalf of the HLC, opposing the use of Garlon 4 on municipal property. Councillor Young feels that the District Council will not approve the use of Garlon 4.

b) Future Meetings - Bill S.- The following dates have been confirmed with Robinson YIG - Saturday May 12, Saturday June 9, Saturday August 18, Saturday September 8, Saturday October 13, and Saturday November 3. Saturday July 7 was cancelled due to its conflict with member association's AGM.

c) New Issues:

i) Private Roads - Mary feels it would be helpful to associations on private roads to have examples of various methods of organization, payment and maintenance strategies. She will research these and develop a report.

ii) Crown Land Camping - Two associations represented at this meeting have crown land problems. This issue will be on next month's agenda to see how many other lakes have Crown land and whether this is an issue we should pursue.

d) Earth Day Activities - Mary M.- Earth day is April 21, 2007. The Sustainable Voice have invited the HLC to set up a brochure table at their venue. As none of the directors present were in a position to commit to this date, no action by the HLC will be taken.

10. Adjournment: Motion by Mary to adjourn at 11:35 AM

Prepared by: Bill Somers, Secretary April 9, 2007.