Sep 17, 2014


In an effort to encourage waterfront property owners to help keep their area lakes and shorelines healthy, the Malcolm Ardoch Lakes Stewardship Committee hosted a special presentation at the Clar-Mill hall in Plevna on September 14. Landowners from seven lakes in and around Plevna attended the event.

Barbara King, executive director of the Centre for Sustainable Watersheds (CSW), headed up the presentation and spoke about two programs that property owners can participate in that focus on creating healthy shorelines. Ross highlighted the importance of property owners taking the initiative to keep their lakes healthy. “While there are a lot of changes happening to Ontario lakes, there are not a lot of regulations, nor government agencies putting money into monitoring the changes. These days it is up to property owners themselves to take the necessary steps to protect their lakes now and into the future.”

The first program she spoke about was the Love Your Lake program, a shoreline evaluation and stewardship program developed by the CSW and the Canadian Wildlife Federation, who work together with lake associations to deliver the program. Participating lakes are assessed on a property-by-property basis and the evaluations are carried out by CSW staff so that landowners are not inconvenienced. All the information is confidential and once the assessments are complete, each landowner receives a report on their particular shoreline with recommendations for improvements. The lake association also receives a customized report regarding the overall state of the shoreline, which can be used as a guide for future community stewardship programs to be put in place by the association.

Shorelines are the focus of the program since they reduce erosion, filter pollutants, reduce the impacts of flooding and provide habitat for fish and wildlife.

The second program King spoke about was the Shoreline Naturalization Program, which is offered through the Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority (MVCA) and the CSW. This program is aimed at individual shoreline property owners and offers free visits to landowners within the Mississippi Valley watershed by CSW staff, who advise landowners on how to create and maintain a healthy natural shoreline. Following the visit, staff prepare a customized planting plan with the assistance of the landowner, taking into consideration the wants and needs of the landowner. Staff will advise the landowner as to what kinds of species to plant and where to plant them. Once the plan is approved by the landowner, staff will coordinate the ordering, delivering and do the actual planting and will also provide all of the necessary tools, materials and labour, with the understanding that the landowner contributes 25% of the total cost.

King said that the goal is for staff to work closely with the landowner so that together they can create a plan that meets the needs and wishes of the landowner, improves the health of shoreline, and is also financially feasible. Ross mentioned that sometimes an individual may highly value the water quality of the lake but their actions (often unknowingly) may not support those good intentions. “That is where these programs can really help,” she said.

Alyson Symons of the MVCA was also present at the event to promote the lake stewardship planning that her organization has been involved with on various lakes, including Malcolm/Ardoch, Canonto, Mississippi and Kashwakamak. Symons wanted to put the word out that lake associations looking to develop a lake plan can contact the MVCA, who can offer partnership and assist by providing various resources and information regarding water quality, along with other environmental information. The MVCA can help associations through the process of creating lake plans and will connect groups with available partners. For more information visit www.watersheds.ca or call 613-264-1244.

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