Lake Links Workshops

Perth, Ontario - Saturday, October 20, 2007

Event sponsored by the Federation of Ontario Cottagers’ Associations www.foca.on.ca

Topic: Septic re-inspection Programs

Possible Speaker(s): Health Unit staff/ Septic Office/other

• Speakers will discuss success and results of different programs: Charleston Lake, Rideau Township, Tay Valley Township, South Frontenac, Other
• Discussion on differences in program set up and how they work: Enforcement and Incentive programs or home owner support
• Tools on how to start a program in your area: Criteria that is required in getting a program started
• Discuss lakes that have had blue green algae blooms (Three Mile Lake case study) and the importance of re-inspection programs as one tool of many other lake stewardship actions to maintain and enhance the health of lake communities

Topic: Municipal Official Plans and bylaws – looking forward

Possible Speakers(s): Matt Craig, RVCA, Tom Beaubiah, CRCA

• Research good examples of wording and actions in both Official Plans and by-laws that support sustainable development and protection of the watershed
• Case Study of a development problem that was addressed in an effective way
• Look at different by-law enforcement techniques/examples: Increased taxes, Incentive programs, and Holding fees

Topic: Land Trusts

Possible Speaker(s) – RWLT/ RVCF/other

• How property owners can donate properties to area land trusts
• How the process works
• Tax breaks, benefits and conservation

Topic: How to increase memberships in Lake Associations

Possible Speaker(s): Lake Associations – go around with ideas

• Email lists, Mail outs and newsletter
• Membership dues – too much? Too little?
• Setting membership goals
• How to gain business memberships
• Attracting volunteers

Topic: Aquatic Weed Growth

• Strategies for dealing with aquatic weed growth on lakes (i.e. evaluate the relative benefits of mats, cutting, pulling, chemical control): MNR aquatic weed control manual, Permit processes, Examples of lakes that have attempted aquatic weed control

Please let us know if you have any other lake based issue(s) you think should be addressed at this or future Lake Links workshops. to Muriel info@watersheds.ca at the Centre for Sustainable Watersheds