Lake Bernard Conservation Guide 2013
In 2013, the dedicated members of the LBPOA conducted research, consulted stakeholders and wrote a thorough and important document on the health of our lake. A PDF of the full document is attached at the bottom of this page.
Here is the Synopsis, from pages 4 and 5:
Lake Bernard is our region’s most vital resource. Each of us has heard it. Each of us has probably said it. Each of us believes it. The Conservation Guide is a document that supports this belief and includes input from a variety of reliable sources to deliver a resource to all stakeholders in the Lake Bernard Watershed.
A Conservation Guide is simply an organized effort by a group of individuals to identify and deal with current and potential issues that could impact the quality of the lake for its residents, cottagers, visitors and related businesses. It should be stressed that the Conservation Guide is a vision & educational document and not something that results in enforceable regulation to which some people may object.
In our Vision survey, which was completed during the summer of 2011, the results were clear:
“Your lake. Your lifestyle. Your legacy” is a coined phrase used by FOCA, the Federation of Ontario Cottagers Association, and what could be more appropriate? This Conservation Guide delivers the items that each individual needs to consider as a property owner on the lake, as a visitor to the lake and for those of us who stand in awe of the natural beauty of the Almaguin area.
Vision Statement: Our Vision is to be recognized as a model lake region in Ontario as demonstrated by the quality of life and positive experiences of residents, cottagers and visitors. Our Vision will be achieved through the successful stewardship of our lake and watershed, through individual commitment to become environmentally aware and through related thoughtful and effective planning of regional economic development.
Mission Statement: Our Mission is to engage the communities of Strong, Joly and Sundridge in striving to achieve our Vision by developing recommendations and then communicating and implementing those recommendations to make our Lake Bernard area a model lake region.
We believe the science is clear. Each of us needs to do our part to maintain the quality of the lifestyle enjoyed on our lake. The following near-term action items, listed in order of importance, are those that will have the most impact:
1. Septic Systems – Voluntary site inspection program to be initiated in 2012, with voluntary individual remedial actions where required. All shoreline property owners with septic systems are encouraged to have their systems pumped out every 3-5 years both to protect their investments and to insure optimal operating performance.
2. Shoreline Buffer Zone - Through education, increase individual knowledge on the significant value of leaving 75% of the properties shoreline in a natural state. In addition, the Committee supports leaving 2-5 metres of setback from the water, known as the riparian and upland zones, in a natural state. This shoreline property provides a buffer zone where much of the sediment and other pollutants are filtered out before reaching the water. Also called the “ribbon of life”, the buffer zone is most important for the lake fishery and for nourishing the lake with oxygen.
3. Land Use Planning – support the Ministry of Natural Resources “At Capacity” guidelines with Municipal Official Plans, Zoning By-Laws and with North Bay-Mattawa Conservation Authority.
4. Fertilizers and Pesticides – educational plan to encourage property owners to eliminate use within 30 metres of the shoreline.
5. Wastewater Management – educational plan to reduce sediment entering the lake where possible.
6. Water Quality Testing – Lake Bernard Property Owners’ Association (LBPOA) to maintain current water quality testing program to reflect historical changes, and initiate a 3-year program with the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR)/Ministry of the Environment (MOE) for further quality tests such as phosphorous and calcium loading. Update September 2012 – The Township of Strong has agreed to assume the cost and delivery of the water quality testing program on Lake Bernard. Results will be posted annually on the Townships website.
7. Commercial and Industrial Activities – build environmental awareness.
8. Landfill Management – continue long term measurement through MOE of potential contaminants.
Environmental stewardship and sustainable development can be related and supported components of our journey to achieve our Vision. It is not a race and the pace of positive and effective change can be slow. The LBPOA and the Steering Committee look forward to interacting with the responsible Provincial Ministries and the community at large, to engage in activities that will allow us to achieve our Vision while supporting sustainable development. We can leave a lasting legacy for generations to come.
Lake Bernard is our region’s most vital resource. Each of us has heard it. Each of us has probably said it. Each of us believes it. The Conservation Guide is a document that supports this belief and includes input from a variety of reliable sources to deliver a resource to all stakeholders in the Lake Bernard Watershed.
A Conservation Guide is simply an organized effort by a group of individuals to identify and deal with current and potential issues that could impact the quality of the lake for its residents, cottagers, visitors and related businesses. It should be stressed that the Conservation Guide is a vision & educational document and not something that results in enforceable regulation to which some people may object.
In our Vision survey, which was completed during the summer of 2011, the results were clear:
- Lake Bernard Water Quality was the number 1 issue for 86% of respondents.
- Water Level Maintenance was number 2 with 68%
- Natural Look of the shoreline and the Fishery tied for third with 62% of respondents.
“Your lake. Your lifestyle. Your legacy” is a coined phrase used by FOCA, the Federation of Ontario Cottagers Association, and what could be more appropriate? This Conservation Guide delivers the items that each individual needs to consider as a property owner on the lake, as a visitor to the lake and for those of us who stand in awe of the natural beauty of the Almaguin area.
Vision Statement: Our Vision is to be recognized as a model lake region in Ontario as demonstrated by the quality of life and positive experiences of residents, cottagers and visitors. Our Vision will be achieved through the successful stewardship of our lake and watershed, through individual commitment to become environmentally aware and through related thoughtful and effective planning of regional economic development.
Mission Statement: Our Mission is to engage the communities of Strong, Joly and Sundridge in striving to achieve our Vision by developing recommendations and then communicating and implementing those recommendations to make our Lake Bernard area a model lake region.
We believe the science is clear. Each of us needs to do our part to maintain the quality of the lifestyle enjoyed on our lake. The following near-term action items, listed in order of importance, are those that will have the most impact:
1. Septic Systems – Voluntary site inspection program to be initiated in 2012, with voluntary individual remedial actions where required. All shoreline property owners with septic systems are encouraged to have their systems pumped out every 3-5 years both to protect their investments and to insure optimal operating performance.
2. Shoreline Buffer Zone - Through education, increase individual knowledge on the significant value of leaving 75% of the properties shoreline in a natural state. In addition, the Committee supports leaving 2-5 metres of setback from the water, known as the riparian and upland zones, in a natural state. This shoreline property provides a buffer zone where much of the sediment and other pollutants are filtered out before reaching the water. Also called the “ribbon of life”, the buffer zone is most important for the lake fishery and for nourishing the lake with oxygen.
3. Land Use Planning – support the Ministry of Natural Resources “At Capacity” guidelines with Municipal Official Plans, Zoning By-Laws and with North Bay-Mattawa Conservation Authority.
4. Fertilizers and Pesticides – educational plan to encourage property owners to eliminate use within 30 metres of the shoreline.
5. Wastewater Management – educational plan to reduce sediment entering the lake where possible.
6. Water Quality Testing – Lake Bernard Property Owners’ Association (LBPOA) to maintain current water quality testing program to reflect historical changes, and initiate a 3-year program with the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR)/Ministry of the Environment (MOE) for further quality tests such as phosphorous and calcium loading. Update September 2012 – The Township of Strong has agreed to assume the cost and delivery of the water quality testing program on Lake Bernard. Results will be posted annually on the Townships website.
7. Commercial and Industrial Activities – build environmental awareness.
8. Landfill Management – continue long term measurement through MOE of potential contaminants.
Environmental stewardship and sustainable development can be related and supported components of our journey to achieve our Vision. It is not a race and the pace of positive and effective change can be slow. The LBPOA and the Steering Committee look forward to interacting with the responsible Provincial Ministries and the community at large, to engage in activities that will allow us to achieve our Vision while supporting sustainable development. We can leave a lasting legacy for generations to come.
conservation_guide_version_3.0_2.pdf |