December 2013 Volume 22, number 4. Season s greetings

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "December 2013 Volume 22, number 4. Season s greetings"

Hilary Whitehead
5 years ago
Views:

1 December 2013 Volume 22, number 4 Season s greetings

With the summer season now behind us, we would like to note a few changes.

and that our days have lost 7 hours of light since June. The Board members of the association, while less active than summertime, are still managing several files.

Président Summary Cleanup Day. P. 3 Bylaw on shore protection p. 3 Boat launch p. 4 Treatment of stinging insects p.4 Transparency p.4 PROMA seminar p.5 Meeting with M. Lapointe p.

2 With the summer season now behind us, we would like to note a few changes. While the pine tree resists the arrival of winter by staying green, it must be noted our boats are now in winter storage, that the lake is waiting for the first cold snap to start the annual ice age and that our days have lost 7 hours of light since June. The Board members of the association, while less active than summertime, are still managing several files. I would like to take this opportunity in joining with the AVEC team to wish one and all a very happy and pleasure-filled holiday, and our most sincere wishes for the New Year Président Summary Cleanup Day. P. 3 Bylaw on shore protection p. 3 Boat launch p. 4 Treatment of stinging insects p.4 Transparency p.4 PROMA seminar p.5 Meeting with M. Lapointe p. 6 Changes in distributing Relais p.7 Annual fees 2013 p.7 Sponsors p.8 Composition du Conseil d'administration Président tel. : Courriel : robertcardinal17@hotmail.com Vice-président tel. : Courriel : jacquesmarjo@hotmail.com Treasurer Ana Dalmau tel. : Courriel : dalmau.ana@gmail.com Secretary Monique Leduc tel. : Courriel : leduc_monique@hotmail.com Board Members Brian Basanda tel. : Courriel : basandabrian@gmail.com Paule Clermont Courriel : paule.c@hotmail.com Daniel Noiseux tel. : Courriel : danielnoiseux@hotmail.com David Spanner tel. : Courriel : david.spanner@live.com Katherine Spanner tel. : Courriel : david.spanner@live.com Collaborator Committees Publicity : Brian Basanda Ana Dalmau Monique Leduc David Spanner Katherine Spanner Courriel pour publicité : lerelaisweb@hotmail.com Water quality : (suivis RSVL et fosses septiques) (Mesure de transparence) (Qualité de l'eau des affluents) Le Relais : Brian Basanda Paule Clermont Ana Dalmau Monique Leduc Daniel Noiseux David Spanner Katherine Spanner avec la collaboration de : English translation : (Available at : Karl Holmes Pauline Sarrazin David Spanner for : la page du riverain : lerelaisweb@hotmail.com Acces ramp : (Locking up and boat washing) Dossier maintenant géré par la municipalité d Amherst Wood cutting : Analysis of tap water : Impact of boats : Coordination with the municipality: Monique Leduc Coordination with RSVL and Bleu Laurentides: Program of shore restoration : Program of fish restocking : Analysis of watershed : Coordination Proma (Société pour la Protection du bassin versant de la rivière Maskinongé) Website (avec-cameron.ca) Brian Basanda The distribution of files was amended on 20 July In this paper, we adhere to the rule that allows the use of the masculine with the value neutral. The use of the masculine to designate people has no other purpose than to lighten the text. To reach us L association des villégiateurs des environs du lac Cameron Mailing Address 1808, chemin du Village Vendée, Québec J0T 2T0 lerelaisweb@hotmail.com avec.cameron@gmail.com info@avec-cameron.ca website Cloud site December 2013 Page 2 of 8

Cleanup Day The cleanup day was held as scheduled last September 21 all in the rain. The Board members along with their families were happy to take part in this annual chore.

3 Cleanup Day The cleanup day was held as scheduled last September 21 all in the rain. The Board members along with their families were happy to take part in this annual chore. Unlike last year, there was less garbage but many more pop and beer cans. We even found two old stoves and a toilet bowl in the woods. Why would this garbage be in the woods? It s a mystery! This spring we intend to repeat this activity. We have also invited the residents of Lac La Décharge to participate with the idea that more hands make light work. Everyone is welcome. More information will be coming in future editions of Le Relais. Thanks again to all the volunteers who participated. Monique Leduc Cleanup Day Coordinator Bylaw on shore protection In order to conserve the quality and biodiversity of our lake and surrounding area and to reduce the amount of nutrients and sediments in bodies of water, the municipality of Amherst has modified the zoning bylaw relative to the protection of shore lines throughout the municipality, from December The association (AVEC) has educated the residents for several years as to the importance of maintaining the quality of our lake. Property owners were also informed by the municipality about the preservation of our aquatic ecosystems especially since the amendment of this said amendment. Some of the main points of this bylaw (446-08) are as follows: All control of vegetation including lawn cutting, brush clearing and cutting of trees is prohibited within the shore protection strip; in addition all motorized traffic is strictly forbidden within the shore protection strip. If the shore is cleared beyond what is authorized, then measures must be taken to revegetate the strip of land adjacent to the high water line for a depth of 5 meters with a combination of vegetation representing the three strata (grasses, bushes and trees) of species indigenous to the shore. It is strictly forbidden to cut lawns along the shore for a maximum depth of 10 meters (15 meters when the slope exceeds 30%). Any owner who does not comply with the regulation on protection of lakes and bodies of water is liable to sanctions, penalties, fines and recourse provided by law. For more details on this bylaw, see the web site for the municipality of Amherst at the following address : Under the tab Environnement click on : Résumé des règlements sur l aménagement des bandes riveraines. December 2013 Page 3 of 8

Boat Launch Count version 2013 For several years my wife and I have been doing the count of boat launches on Lac Cameron. As of the third weekend in August here are the results.

The largest decrease was in motor boats with 13 less than last year, the lowest number in the last four years. Equally there were 2 Wake Boats less than last year.

I ll take this opportunity to remind you that boat waves promote shoreline erosion and can harm some installations such as docks and boats moored to them.

4 Boat Launch Count version 2013 For several years my wife and I have been doing the count of boat launches on Lac Cameron. As of the third weekend in August here are the results. 18 Wake boats 18 Sea-Doos 30 pontoons 105 motor boats (Yatch) This makes a total of 171 launches which is 11 less than The largest decrease was in motor boats with 13 less than last year, the lowest number in the last four years. Equally there were 2 Wake Boats less than last year. There was an increase of 1 Sea-Doo and 3 pontoons over last year. I ll take this opportunity to remind you that boat waves promote shoreline erosion and can harm some installations such as docks and boats moored to them. If the big boat drivers stay out on the main part of the lake, smaller boat owners will be less inconvenienced and our shores a little less eroded. Treatment of stinging insects, Summer 2013 This year, the company GDG Environnement ltée had the contract for treating stinging insects. The company has submitted their report on the efficacy of the treatment covering the 2013 season. According to this report, the average effectiveness for the season was 96.8%. Sources : town council meeting of September Transparency, summer 2013 As in previous years, I deal with taking the transparency measurements. The preliminary results tell me the measurements are comparable to past years. The results were sent to the Ministry this fall. The compiled results will come back to us this winter and will be published in the spring edition of Le Relais. December 2013 Page 4 of 8

Proma Symposium On September 24, 2013 the fourth symposium of PROMA, the association for the protection of the Maskinongé river watershed, was held at Lac des Plages.

5 Proma Symposium On September 24, 2013 the fourth symposium of PROMA, the association for the protection of the Maskinongé river watershed, was held at Lac des Plages. The representatives of six municipalities discussed the objectives of All the stakeholders agreed to put in place a network of parks along the Maskinongé River. It s a question of creating a canoe route from the river s headwaters to Harrington, a task that would be shared by the mayors of each community bordering the river. The mayor of La Minerve, M. Monette, wants to set up a stop that would be the departure point for the canoe route. The mayor of Labelle and president of Proma, M. Brassard, will establish a network of trails up to the Lac Cameron falls and develop a stop with picnic tables. The mayor of Amherst, M. Lapointe, targeted three areas to develop; establish a 3 km linear park, develop a stop close to highway 323 and set up a stop-over park near the Maskinongé estate. The mayor of Lac des Plages, Mme Simon, proposed the establishment of a picnic area and a kayak rental. The mayor of Boileau, M. Gariepy, indicated that with a municipal park complete with toilets, a corner store and restaurant already in place, all that was needed were picnic tables. The mayor of Harrington, M. Parent, pointed out that the end of the proposed route is in his municipality and offers an exceptional view at a beautiful site at the trail s end. A site will be developed at this location. Another objective is a uniformity of regulations on shorelines for the seven towns along the Maskinongé River. Mme Simon, hostess of the symposium and mayor of Lac des Plages, explained the water master plan and the measures undertaken to protect water bodies, the sustainable development component and related issues. It should be noted that Lac des Plages has a code of ethics for boaters on the lake. In the Dernier développement concernant le suivi de l état de santé des lacs component, Mme Laniel, biologist for CRELA (Conseil Regional De L'environnement Des Laurentides), made a presentation on the protocol followed on periphyton. She explained the periphyton is the first indication of human presence in the area. It is the first sign of the presence of phosphorus on the coast (the shallow sunlit areas of the lake). All the data gathered allows specialists to make statistical analyses to make scales and a resulting protocol to follow. It should be noted that your association (AVEC) has participated in this periphyton protocol for the last two years. On the river bank survey of the Maskinongé River, M. Royer, biologist with Génivar, outlined the utility of a river bank. It serves as a filter of surface water emptying in the lake, stabilizes the land, promotes primary productivity (enriching plant growth), helps maintain a water regime (slowing erosion), contributes to biodiversity and the regeneration of ground water, and, finally, creates shade which prevents heat build-up. Too warm water contains less oxygen and, as a result, less fish. The report on the bank survey represents 11 days of camping (a team crisscrossed the river along its entire route) 141 km of shoreline to survey and a catalogue of more than 1500 photographs. The report states the land use is 73% natural versus 13% inhabited comprising 9% agriculture and 4.5% infrastructure. December 2013 Page 5 of 8

During the last regular meeting of AVEC, the Board invited M.

A résume of the discussions follows: Several culverts have deteriorated over the past few months. M. Lapointe indicated that more than half the listed culverts were phosphate sensor culverts.

The local forest project is still under development. Next year, the municipality is going to create a body to manage the various parks and public lands in Amherst.

6 During the last regular meeting of AVEC, the Board invited M. Lapointe, mayor of the municipality of Amherst, to participate in a discussion on the continuing progress of a number of environmental issues. A résume of the discussions follows: Several culverts have deteriorated over the past few months. M. Lapointe indicated that more than half the listed culverts were phosphate sensor culverts. The poor weather conditions (ie heavy and sudden rain) damaged the sensors in some places. Repairs,on culverts judged priorities are presently underway (as reported in the meeting of October 2013). The local forest project is still under development. Next year, the municipality is going to create a body to manage the various parks and public lands in Amherst. One project to create a trail is in the works. This trail would leave the Lac Cameron falls in the direction of the community centre via Lac De la Décharge. This trail would be for hikers or skiers depending on the season. Next year, the brushing out of ditches will not be done during the summer but in the spring or fall. There was a question of establishing an environmental code of ethics for local residents. As an example, the avoidance of stirring up phosphorus in sediments on the lake bottom, informing residents on the importance of regular maintenance of septic systems etc. M. Lapointe pointed out that over the last five years there has been a marked improvement from an environmental point of view, if only from the point of view of the banks, which is a tribute to the residents This improvement has been possible thanks to Bleu Laurentides, (the municipality has invested for three years in the program), members of AVEC who have worked hard these past years on a number of environmental issues, as well as those vacationers with the protection of the environment close to their hearts. On the subject of PROMA, M. Lapointe pointed out that in order to protect the state of Lac Cameron we have to work in concert with the neighbouring communities in the Maskinongé river watershed. This joint effort is not only important but a guarantee of the environment future of Lac Cameron. December 2013 Page 6 of 8

Changes in the distribution of Le Relais During the October 19 2013 meeting there was a discussion on the number of copies of the periodical Le Relais to be printed.

Only the edition with the membership coupon will be sent to all the residents of the Lac Cameron area. However these changes will be in force only after the publication of the September 2014 edition.

7 Changes in the distribution of Le Relais During the October meeting there was a discussion on the number of copies of the periodical Le Relais to be printed. To be fair, it was decided to limit copies to those who pay their annual fees, as well as lowering related costs. Only the edition with the membership coupon will be sent to all the residents of the Lac Cameron area. However these changes will be in force only after the publication of the September 2014 edition. From that time : The periodical Le Relais will be mailed only to members in good standing (members who have paid their voluntary annual fee). The same rule applies to members subscribing to the web version of the periodical. There will be no copies available from any of the village stores and businesses. (With the exception of the edition containing a membership or renewal form). These changes will come into force after the annual summer 2014 general assembly for the September edition. Please note there will be no changes in either the content of le Relais or the frequency of its publication. Membership fees, summer 2013 The annual membership fees are not only necessary but essential. In effect, without a source of money, your association cannot survive. The summer collection, (which is not an easy task) done by volunteer board members, is a necessity. Speaking as president, I would like to thank all the residents who sent their membership fees for the 2013 season as well as all the volunteers who participated in the summer collection. The decrease of summer 2011 (130 memberships) has been resolved. In the summer of 2012 there was a remarkable increase of memberships (for a total of 150), which let me set an objective of 170 memberships for the summer of The last count (November 2013) gave us a total of 160 memberships, which is very good but slightly below our objective. If, by chance, you have forgotten to send your membership fee, I suggest you go to the AVEC site (the address is: click on the coupon d adhésion 2013 at the top of the welcome page, print a copy and mail it to the following address: Avec Cameron 1808, chemin du Village Vendée, Québec J0T 2T0 By sending your membership fee you help us help you. December 2013 Page 7 of 8

July 11, 2010 Association Grand Lac Rond (Lac Roddick) Minutes of the General Meeting Held on July 11, 2010 in Ste-Thérèse de la Gatineau

July 11, 2010 Association Grand Lac Rond (Lac Roddick) Minutes of the General Meeting Held on July 11, 2010 in Ste-Thérèse de la Gatineau Président : André Patry Translator : Jane Appleby Note taker :