Committee
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Environment
Committee
Our Projects
2009 Environment Committee Report
Chair:
Deb Cumming
Committee
Members: Caroline Konarzewski, Paul Stueck
Water
Testing Volunteers: Dee Allott, Douglas Turner, Jennifer Hutt, Jim and Midge Monaghan, Paul and Carol Stuecke, Nick Tompkins
The
Lake of Bays Association came into being to represent the interests of
waterfront property owners on Lake of Bays. Membership and focus have
expanded over time, in recognition of the interdependency between a
healthy lake and the local economy, and in reaction to the that
land-based activities have on the lake. Lake of Bays is not just
a body of water; it is also a municipality, a watershed and a community.
However, the health of Lake of Bays is a high priority for our
Association members. Water quality sampling and analysis is the
Environment Committee’s core business, and our resources are allocated
accordingly. The Association’s water quality work is research – testing
and analysis to expand our understanding of the complexities of lake
water health so that we will be able to recognize and respond to any
changes that threaten water quality.
We are blessed with good water quality in Lake of Bays. While
there is E. coli present in the lake, levels are low and suggest that
human activity in the watershed is not significantly adding to the E.
coli counts. Phosphorus too is low; well below the Ontario
guideline of 20 mg/litre and also well under 10 mg/litre standard set
by the District of Muskoka for its lakes. We are situated at the
top of the Muskoka River watershed and development pressures on Lake of
Bays have been less than those on other big Muskoka lakes, enabling
technology and municipal planning to accommodate growth without
pressuring the lake. In short, we have been lucky.
But … we need to be cautious. Phosphorus levels are rising in the lake; the period 2002-2009 shows a statistically viable upward trend.
Numbers are well below the District target of 10 mg/litre and our
consultants advise that the trend seems to be the result of climatic
conditions and not human-based activity within the lake’s watershed.
However, with good local stewardship practices, we can help
reduce/offset the negative impact of climate change on water quality.
Environmental stewardship encompasses a broad range of activities and
some of the best ways of combating phosphorus overloading in our lake
are by not doing things … being passive and letting the ecosystem
take care of itself (don’t wash anything in the lake, don’t maintain
lawns, leave the shoreline natural, leave wetlands alone)! Those
with significantly altered properties could consider re-naturalizing
their shoreline, eliminating lawns, or reducing shoreline recreational
areas. And all of us need to help with climate change by using
less fossil fuel overall.
It is melodramatic to say that the increasing phosphorus trend that has
emerged over the period 2002-2009 is a harbinger of doom; the Lake of
Bays Association has kept its membership well informed on the science
of water quality and you are all aware that our water quality is
excellent. However, the trend is real and will be difficult to
reverse. While the Association is relieved that it doesn’t appear to be
caused by anything that we, as a community, are doing directly to the
lake, it is important for all of us to be aware of this trend and do
what we can to counteract it. The Environment Committee will stay
vigilant in terms of testing, analyzing and interpreting water quality,
the Lake of Bays Association will continue to champion water quality
and ecosystem health and we ask you to embrace the stewardship
activities that are reasonable and meaningful for you.
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