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NEWS FROM THE LAKE THIS SPRING
from Manitouwabing Lake Community Association (MLCA)
More than the frogs are hopping around our lake this Spring! Lots happening.
And there are lots of reasons to renew your membership for just $25.
Stewardship Lake water testing is underway: Phosphorous, E.coli, water clarity.
Our AGM happens in just a few weeks: July 12.
WyeRidge Resort has applied to the OMB for a decision.
McKellar is going to hold a festival and fireworks display on June 28.
Parry Sound PowerGen is making changes at the Hurdville dam.
You can try the Ridge golf club without being a member on July 20.
Attend a Lake Workshop in Parry Sound on June 26.
Higher property taxes coming?
WATER TESTING:
MLCA volunteers have already taken their Spring phosphorous reading for the Provinces monitoring program. Past phosphorous levels in Manitouwabing are acceptable and similar to other lakes at around 14 mg/L.
Measurements by the Ridge golf course at two locations near the course show similar levels to the rest of the lake and have actually been trending down slightly since the course was built. The association has a representative on a local residents committee which meets regularly to review the clubs monitoring data.
This summer, we will continue our lake water testing program for E.coli, and Secchi disc readings for water clarity. Call Doug Weber (705 389 3243) if you think there is an E.coli (septic) problem in the lake near you.
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING:
Saturday, July 12. McKellar Community Centre.
Please come at 9am to register and chat with neighbours over coffee/tea/juice. The meeting will start at 9.30am. In addition to association business, we will feature:
An update on township news by McKellar council
News about the Parry Sound PowerGen plan to alter lake levels
Canaries in our Lake Warnings from EGB Stewardship Council
You can renew your annual membership now by going to www.mlca.ca, printing a membership form then mailing it in with your cheque for $25.
WYERIDGE AND THE OMB
The WyeRidge group notified council on May 20 that they would be appealing their application to the OMB on the grounds that Council had not made a decision within 120 days of their original submission. The peer review has concluded that the proposed plans meet the intent of the OP (Official Plan). These peer reviews can be seen on the Township website at www.township.mckellar.on.ca/303/peer_review.htm.
A word of warning: objectors to the WyeRidge proposal should be aware that developers to the south of us have recently sued objectors for unfairly causing delay and expense.
McKELLAR MEMORIES FESTIVAL: Saturday, June 28
The township is celebrating its 135th anniversary with a McKellar Memories Festival at Minervas Mill Pond park on Saturday, June 28. Local artists will display and sell their work, two logging competitions, heritage displays, BBQ food, live music and a fireworks display in the evening. Why not load up your boat and watch from the lake at 9.30pm?
There is a FREE LUNCH - for members anyway! MLCA will have a table at the festival. Come by, check out your association, and pick up two free BBQ tickets. Participate yourself artisan participation is free. Call Councillor Tamara Black at 705 389 3900 or email knowideas@sympatico.ca for more information.
From 6.30pm to 9.30pm there will be live Dixie band music.
NEW BENCHMARK AT HURDVILLE DAM
The Ontario Government has sponsored a study of water management in the Parry Sound area, covering many rivers and dams, to decide how best to optimize water available to Parry Sound PowerGen. Although the benchmark for the Hurdville dam has been moved to the "crest of the dam, this will not affect how lake levels on Manitouwabing Lake are managed. The guidelines will now read:
April 15 - Nov 1: Maximum water level drawdown is 0.75m
Nov 2 Feb 28: Maximum water level drawdown is 1.05m
Mar 1 Apr 15: Maximum water level drawdown is 1.26m prior to Spring run-off to prevent flooding
THE RIDGE GOLF CLUB
Water testing on the golf course continues to show fertilizer and watering activities on the course are not negatively impacting Manitouwabing lake. Phosphorous levels in the lake adjacent to the course are similar to levels found in the lake generally (14ug/L). The Ridge is allowing MLCA members to use the dining room for lunch or dinner on Sunday, July 20. And you can play golf on that same Sunday afternoon for $100/person including a cart, a substantial discount. Reservations needed.
The course is working towards acceptance by the Audubon society. Currently, it has been certified in five areas: Wildlife and Habitat Management, Chemical Use Reduction, Water Quality Management and Water Conservation. The club expects acceptance of its Outreach and Education program this summer which will lead to full Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Certification.
CANARIES IN OUR LAKES
The East Georgian Bay Stewardship Council is holding a workshop in Parry Sound at the Bobby Orr Community Centre on June 26 from 10am 3.30pm. The focus will be on the state of the fishery resource in our lakes. There is no charge to attend and a complimentary lunch will be served. Phone Eric McIntyre at 705 773 4218 to reserve.
HIGHER COTTAGE TAXES?
Coming this Fall higher property values, according to WRAFT/CAPTR: when your new property value assessment arrives, they expect it to be 50-80% higher which will impact your 2009 taxes. The PC party supported a 5% yearly cap on assessment during the last election. The Liberal Government has chosen to stay with market value assessment but has changed the frequency of re-valuations. Net result: our property valuations will still go up, taxes will continue to shift to seasonal residents, just over a different time frame. WRAFT/CAPTR will consider new approaches to the Government when the full impact of the new valuations on taxes has been seen.
For MLCA contact information and membership see our website: www.mlca.ca
from Manitouwabing Lake Community Association (MLCA)
More than the frogs are hopping around our lake this Spring! Lots happening.
And there are lots of reasons to renew your membership for just $25.
Stewardship Lake water testing is underway: Phosphorous, E.coli, water clarity.
Our AGM happens in just a few weeks: July 12.
WyeRidge Resort has applied to the OMB for a decision.
McKellar is going to hold a festival and fireworks display on June 28.
Parry Sound PowerGen is making changes at the Hurdville dam.
You can try the Ridge golf club without being a member on July 20.
Attend a Lake Workshop in Parry Sound on June 26.
Higher property taxes coming?
WATER TESTING:
MLCA volunteers have already taken their Spring phosphorous reading for the Provinces monitoring program. Past phosphorous levels in Manitouwabing are acceptable and similar to other lakes at around 14 mg/L.
Measurements by the Ridge golf course at two locations near the course show similar levels to the rest of the lake and have actually been trending down slightly since the course was built. The association has a representative on a local residents committee which meets regularly to review the clubs monitoring data.
This summer, we will continue our lake water testing program for E.coli, and Secchi disc readings for water clarity. Call Doug Weber (705 389 3243) if you think there is an E.coli (septic) problem in the lake near you.
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING:
Saturday, July 12. McKellar Community Centre.
Please come at 9am to register and chat with neighbours over coffee/tea/juice. The meeting will start at 9.30am. In addition to association business, we will feature:
An update on township news by McKellar council
News about the Parry Sound PowerGen plan to alter lake levels
Canaries in our Lake Warnings from EGB Stewardship Council
You can renew your annual membership now by going to www.mlca.ca, printing a membership form then mailing it in with your cheque for $25.
WYERIDGE AND THE OMB
The WyeRidge group notified council on May 20 that they would be appealing their application to the OMB on the grounds that Council had not made a decision within 120 days of their original submission. The peer review has concluded that the proposed plans meet the intent of the OP (Official Plan). These peer reviews can be seen on the Township website at www.township.mckellar.on.ca/303/peer_review.htm.
A word of warning: objectors to the WyeRidge proposal should be aware that developers to the south of us have recently sued objectors for unfairly causing delay and expense.
McKELLAR MEMORIES FESTIVAL: Saturday, June 28
The township is celebrating its 135th anniversary with a McKellar Memories Festival at Minervas Mill Pond park on Saturday, June 28. Local artists will display and sell their work, two logging competitions, heritage displays, BBQ food, live music and a fireworks display in the evening. Why not load up your boat and watch from the lake at 9.30pm?
There is a FREE LUNCH - for members anyway! MLCA will have a table at the festival. Come by, check out your association, and pick up two free BBQ tickets. Participate yourself artisan participation is free. Call Councillor Tamara Black at 705 389 3900 or email knowideas@sympatico.ca for more information.
From 6.30pm to 9.30pm there will be live Dixie band music.
NEW BENCHMARK AT HURDVILLE DAM
The Ontario Government has sponsored a study of water management in the Parry Sound area, covering many rivers and dams, to decide how best to optimize water available to Parry Sound PowerGen. Although the benchmark for the Hurdville dam has been moved to the "crest of the dam, this will not affect how lake levels on Manitouwabing Lake are managed. The guidelines will now read:
April 15 - Nov 1: Maximum water level drawdown is 0.75m
Nov 2 Feb 28: Maximum water level drawdown is 1.05m
Mar 1 Apr 15: Maximum water level drawdown is 1.26m prior to Spring run-off to prevent flooding
THE RIDGE GOLF CLUB
Water testing on the golf course continues to show fertilizer and watering activities on the course are not negatively impacting Manitouwabing lake. Phosphorous levels in the lake adjacent to the course are similar to levels found in the lake generally (14ug/L). The Ridge is allowing MLCA members to use the dining room for lunch or dinner on Sunday, July 20. And you can play golf on that same Sunday afternoon for $100/person including a cart, a substantial discount. Reservations needed.
The course is working towards acceptance by the Audubon society. Currently, it has been certified in five areas: Wildlife and Habitat Management, Chemical Use Reduction, Water Quality Management and Water Conservation. The club expects acceptance of its Outreach and Education program this summer which will lead to full Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Certification.
CANARIES IN OUR LAKES
The East Georgian Bay Stewardship Council is holding a workshop in Parry Sound at the Bobby Orr Community Centre on June 26 from 10am 3.30pm. The focus will be on the state of the fishery resource in our lakes. There is no charge to attend and a complimentary lunch will be served. Phone Eric McIntyre at 705 773 4218 to reserve.
HIGHER COTTAGE TAXES?
Coming this Fall higher property values, according to WRAFT/CAPTR: when your new property value assessment arrives, they expect it to be 50-80% higher which will impact your 2009 taxes. The PC party supported a 5% yearly cap on assessment during the last election. The Liberal Government has chosen to stay with market value assessment but has changed the frequency of re-valuations. Net result: our property valuations will still go up, taxes will continue to shift to seasonal residents, just over a different time frame. WRAFT/CAPTR will consider new approaches to the Government when the full impact of the new valuations on taxes has been seen.
For MLCA contact information and membership see our website: www.mlca.ca