Otty Lake Association February 2021
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Otty Lake Association • February 2021
A SITUATION THAT IMPACTS US ALL!
Schedule 6 and Conservation limited changes, and an additional
Authorities section was added referencing Min-
ister’s Zoning Orders (MZOs), giving
O ntario’s 36 Conservation Author-
ities, including the Rideau Valley
Conservation Authority, are local wa-
the minister complete authority to
override any other zoning controls.
The proposed changes to the
tershed management agencies, man- Conservation Authorities Act and the
Planning Act through Schedule 6 will
dated to “ensure the conservation,
significantly either limit or complete-
restoration and responsible manage-
ly change the role of the Conserva-
ment of Ontario’s water, land, and tion Authorities to protect Ontario’s
natural habitats through programs environment and ensure people and
that balance human, environmental property are safe from flooding and
and economic needs” (Conservation other natural hazards. Watershed
Ontario). (science -based) planning which
supports communities will be limited
What is Schedule 6 and what (Conservation Ontario, December 8,
will it mean for Conservation 2020).
Authorities – and for lake asso- Photo: Cathy Franz
ciations and lake communities? What were some of the specific wildlife, help to regulate impacts of
concerns regarding Schedule 6? climate change and more. Another
Schedule 6, which proposed a example: integrated watershed-based
number of changes to the Conserva- In a statement on November 25, management advice from Conserva-
tion Authorities Act and to the Con- 2020, Sommer Casgrain Robertson, tion Authorities assists municipalities
servation Authorities’ role in land use RVCA General Manager, stated that to make land use planning decisions
planning, is a section of the Ontario the proposed changes would direct- that work across municipal bound-
Government’s Omnibus Budget Bill, ly affect municipalities, residents aries. Upstream municipalities need
Bill 229, which was introduced in the and watersheds explaining that they to understand the potential impact
provincial legislature on November 5, included changes to Conservation of their decisions on downstream
2020. Because Schedule 6 was part of Board governance; new powers municipal neighbours. For decades,
a budget bill, the government was not enabling the Minister to override expertise developed by Conservation
required to provide an opportunity a conservation authority and issue
continued on page 2
for public consultation under Ontar- a development permit in a water-
io’s Environmental Bill of Rights. shed without a hearing and with no
Across Ontario, municipalities, appeal; the removal of enforcement
IN THIS ISSUE
environmental organizations and tools and a conservation authority’s 2020 iNaturalist Posts 2
agencies, indigenous organizations, ability to appeal planning decisions;
Otty Lake Park and Early Years 3
community groups including many potential provincial interference in
lake associations, and a great many local budgets and fees; and limita- Climate Change & Dangerous Ice 4
individuals spoke out with their tions on programs, with a decreased Great Backyard Bird Count 4
concerns about the potential impact focus on environmental monitoring, Safe Boating 5
on the environment of these chang- stewardship and outdoor education.
2021 Membership Information 5
es (e.g. Canadian Environmental Land use planning and envi-
Law Association reported that MPPs ronmental planning need to work Social Events During Covid 6
received 45,000 calls and emails, and together, e.g. there is tremendous Rising Hydro Rates 6
40 municipalities prepared related concern that without Conservation The Frogs Are Calling 6
resolutions regarding Schedule 6). Authority protection, vulnerable
Around The Lake 7
Nonetheless, Schedule 6, as a part of wetlands will be lost to development.
Bill 229, was passed in the Ontario Wetlands provide flood control, hab- Otty Lake Map Being Produced 8
legislature on December 8, 2020 with itat for endangered species and other OLA Board Needs You 8
1
2020 - A BANNER YEAR FOR INATURALIST POSTS FROM OTTY LAKE
Last year was a successful initiation from previous years if you know the
bird is that wakes you up at 5:00am.
of the Otty Lake iNaturalist project. date, time and location of the en-
Once posted, other naturalists will
In August we reached the 1000th counter. If possible, record the size
confirm, make comments or cor-
observation with a pair of Northern of the fish and any other details such
rections. It is a community of folks
Cardinals posted by “mountainma- as the habitat. You can obscure the
interested in the natural world. You
ma17”. Fifty-six Otty Lake neigh- exact location if you do not want to
do not need to be a biologist or have
bours have posted 1085 observations reveal your favourite fishing spot.
for a total of 589 different species. The photos you upload do not
Observations have been recorded have to be beautiful images, just as
from all around the lake although long as they are recognizable. When
there are a few areas that are under- possible a good idea is to include a
represented (see map). The pie chart ruler, coin or hand for scale. You
highlights there are many records of don’t even need to know what the
birds, plants and insects although critter or plant is because the program
very few of fish. makes suggestions as soon as you
Here is a challenge for 2021 – upload an image or audio record-
document the fish of Otty Lake. You ing. Yes, you can even upload those
can catch them to photograph or strange sounds you hear in the night
use that GoPro camera you got for to find out what is under your cot-
Photo: Easter Pondhawk by Angela Darwin
Christmas. You can even post photos tage. Perhaps you wonder what that
continued on page 3
continued from page 1
on the expansion of Minister’s Zon- If you would like to learn more
Authorities has provided municipali- ing Orders through Environmental about the current status of this most
ties with this important information. Registry Notice 019-2811. https://ero. concerning situation, Environmental
Important stewardship and educa- ontario.ca/index.php/notice/019-2811 Defence Canada has posted a You
tional initiatives will also be reduced. Comments on this posting are due by Tube video of their January 12th
Local examples of Conservation January 30. webinar entitled Protecting Ontario’s
Authority-supported stewardship Environmental Future/ What Hap-
activities that the OLA and the Otty What can we do to support the pens Next After the Gutting of the
Lake community have been involved conservation authorities? Conservation Authorities. The pre-
in/have benefitted from have includ- senters were Tim Gray, Environmen-
ed important programs such as Otty • We need to speak up! Learn more! tal Defence Canada who served as the
Lake water quality monitoring, water Get engaged in local issues! host, Anne Bell from Ontario Nature,
level monitoring, shoreline natural- • Work with the local Conservation Anastasia Lintner from Canadian
ization, fish habitat enhancement, Authorities on these issues. Environmental Law Association, and
BioBlitzes, and development of the • Let local Municipal and County David Crombie, former head of the
Otty Lake Shoreline Handbook and • Councils know that the work of Greenbelt Council, former Mayor of
the Otty Lake Management Plan. our Conservation Authorities is Toronto, and former cabinet minister.
important to us and to our com- Their words were both informative
What happens next for munity. We value their science and powerful. You will find the
Schedule 6? and evidence-based decision video at
making and taking care of our https://www.youtube.com/
Schedule 6 is still a work in progress. environment. watch?v=VcC3EyuUYv0/
Regulations need to be developed • We need to push for the Province
so the various aspects of Schedule 6 to go back and have the public David Crombie expressed it well in
can be implemented. The Province consultation regarding Schedule the conclusion to his webinar presen-
of Ontario has announced a Work- 6 that they didn’t have in the tation when he said …
ing Group to help the Government beginning! “How we treat the Conservation Au-
decide what will be included in the • There are difficult and uncertain thorities in this province will tell us
new regulations. At some point we times ahead for the environment how we will treat the environment.
will see what the new regulations in Ontario—and for the Conser- If the Conservation Authorities are
look like. vation Authorities with whom diminished, so are we. If the Con-
Note: Although there was no the local lake associations work so servation Authorities flourish, so will
opportunity for public consultation closely! We need to stand up and we.”
regarding Schedule 6, there is an op- speak up to protect what we care Karen Hunt, past OLA Board Member
portunity for the public to comment about!
2
OTTY LAKE PARK nights were in the summer. Cars
would roll in from the city, sound-
AND EARLY YEARS ing their horns as they rounded the
corners of the final country lanes. All
OF COTTAGE LIFE would be excited to reunite at the
lake and disappointed that Mondays
REVISITED would arrive so quickly. The pattern
continued until Labour Day weekend
I f you travel back a decade through
the archives of Captain Otty (Oc-
tober 2011 issue) you will find a
Otty Lake Park hotel.
when, like the migrating birds, we
had to depart Otty Lake.)
In 1943 Ernie auctioned the prop-
lovely tribute to Mary Catherine ow trying to support eight children. erty for $3000 to the Zionist Camp
Dowsett Mahoney, known universally Uncle Jack Cavanagh, a prosperous Association, later to be known as
as Mayme Mahoney. Her maternal miner in Quebec, bought Otty Lake Camp Shomria. The cottage proper-
grandparents, Dr. Ed and Caroline Park for the price of the back taxes ties to the east of the hotel site stayed
(Carrie) Consitt, first came to the lake and kept the property (for which he in the Dowsett and Consitt families.
in 1916. Mayme visited Otty Lake as a had little interest) in the family. The cottage that held so many mem-
Everything soon changed when ories for Mayme was originally an
baby in 1937.
Mayme’s Uncle Jack and her father, icehouse that was taken from across
Between 1900 and 1910 some sum-
Ernie Dowsett, played a poker game the lake one winter. The proximity of
mer cottages had begun to appear on
where the stakes were ownership of these four cottages that remained in
the north side of Otty Lake. The site
Otty Lake Park. Ernie and Mayme’s her extended family facilitated many
where Camp Shomria now stands was
mother Aileen became instant happy gatherings over the years.
earlier referred to as the Connaught
owners of what was to become a very Memories of hydroplane races and
Hotel, the Bungalow Inn and later the
successful hotel. Well-known bands trophies at Rideau Ferry, boating and
Otty Lake Park. Easily accessible by
playing at the dance pavilion, nearby bass fishing on Otty were cherished.
road from Perth, locals would enjoy
cabins, a snack bar and gas pumps at Throughout her years Mayme was an
picnics, boating, and swimming in
the dock made it a hub of activity. active member of life on this lake,
the area.
In her early years, Mayme, as many caring for our lake community, and
Upon the Consitts’ arrival at Otty
other children on Otty Lake, remem- assisting as an Area Counsellor.
Lake in 1916, Mayme’s grandfather,
bered moving to the cottage when Mayme passed in October 2015 but
Dr. Consitt, her great-uncle and two
school dismissed in June. Fathers will live on in our memories as one of
of their partners bought this facility
worked in Ottawa and joined their Otty Lake’s early and longtime resi-
from Mrs. Devlin and continued oper-
families for the weekends. (I can dents. Her enthusiastic sharing of her
ation of the hotel. By the mid-1930’s
certainly relate to how special Friday wonderful stories made this recount
her mother, Carrie, was a young wid-
possible.
Gail Read
continued from page 2
any prior experience. You are also male Hooded Merganser on Parks Bay
encouraged to post observations of last April.
common things, so don’t wait for If you want to get involved, review
that rare sighting. We set up a proj- the “Help” feature of FAQ’s and “Get-
ect to document everything we have ting Started” guide on the iNaturalist
seen on our property and we use it as web page. You can post encounters
a way to follow the seasons. with naturally occurring organisms
Most people use the camera on their that may be living or dead and can
cell phone since it is convenient but include tracks and nests. That means
you can use any camera. On Jan. no pets or plantings from your gar-
6th Carson Armour’s trail camera den – you can highlight them the
captured an image of the bobcat at Otty Lake Association Facebook page
night on Echo Bay. On Nov. 13th instead. If it is a “wild” tick on your
Evelyn Dore posted a great trail dog or a mosquito biting your sister,
camera picture of a beaver chewing it’s fair game! Check out the web site
on a poplar tree at the end of Baxter and sign up:
Lane. We had a chickadee check out https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/
our trail camera as it took a blurry otty-lake
selfie. Bruce took this photo (see Kit Muma and Bruce Smith
image), with a telephoto lens, of a
3
CLIMATE CHANGE IS MAKING WINTER ICE
MORE DANGEROUS between 15 and 39 were the most vul-
nerable to winter drowning accidents.
Condensed from New York Times story, Dr. Sapna Sharma, an associate
November 20, 2020 by Veronica Penney professor of biology at York Universi-
A new study has found that ty in Toronto and a lead author of the
cold-weather drownings are study, said that people did not always “And so people are going out onto
realize how global warming is increas- it and not realizing that the ice is
increasing sharply in warmer parts of
ing the risks that come with winter rotten.”
the Northern Hemisphere.
traditions like skating, ice fishing and The researchers found that more
The study, published in the journal
snowmobiling. Those ingrained hab- cold-weather drownings occur in
PLoS One, looked at drownings in
its can lead to a false sense of security, spring, when daily low temperatures
10 countries in the Northern Hemi-
Dr. Sharma said. increase too much to support stable
sphere, including Canada and the US,
The lack of sustained cold, which ice structures. At the same time,
analyzing about 4,000 records over a
leads to more freeze-thaw events, those warmer temperatures make
span of 26 years. The largest number
is crucial. Each time ice thaws and it more enjoyable to spend time
of drownings occurred when air tem-
refreezes, it gets a little weaker — and outdoors, meaning more people are
peratures were just below the freez-
it can stay that way for the remainder spending time on ice.
ing point, between minus 5 degrees
of the cold season. “Milder tempera- The coronavirus pandemic could
Celsius and 0 Celsius. Some of the
tures mean that the ice is not as thick, also put more people at risk. “If this
sharpest increases were in areas where
or not as solid as it would otherwise winter is anything like this sum-
Indigenous customs and livelihood
be,” said Robert McLeman, a profes- mer was,” Dr. Sharma said, “a lot of
require extended time on ice. Across
sor of geography and environmental people spent time in cottage country
the countries studied, children under
studies at Wilfrid Laurier University. in Ontario because we just can’t go
the age of 9 and teenagers and adults
anywhere.”
She said that ice with sitting water,
slush or holes in the surface was gen-
erally unsafe. “Snow cover is when it
gets tricky,” Dr. Sharma said. “People
think there’s so much snow on the
ice, the ice must be thick,” but snow
can also act as insulation, melting the
ice more quickly.
“We need to, as individuals, adapt
our decision-making,” she added, and
focus on how changing winters affect
local rivers, lakes and streams. “It
may not be as safe now as it was 30
years or 40 years ago.”
CAPTAIN OTTY’S LOG is produced
by the Otty Lake Association (OLA)
three times a year, and is distributed
SEPTIC SYSTEM RE-INSPECTIONS by e-mail or Canada Post to all OLA
members. Contributions to the Log
O ver 2020, 124 existing sep-
tic systems were inspected by
the Mississippi Rideau Septic Sys-
inspection, than are identified around
waterbodies subject to voluntary
are welcome.
Coordinator: Barb Hicks
inspection”. In 2021, 51 Otty Lake Proofing: Don Beattie
tem Office, including four on Otty
systems are due to be inspected. You Distribution: Christine Kilburn, Shari
Lake. Ten of those systems needed and Don Beattie
will receive notification by mail if you
replacement, and 62% had no con- Layout and Design: David Bromley
are one of them. Usually a time can
cerns. Commented Rob Rainer in
be arranged when the home-owner To find out more about the OLA, or to
his weekly Rob’s Report: “year after
is present, and most are done in July see past issues, please see:
year, this program demonstrates how
and August. Here is the link to the www.ottylakeassociation.ca. Or write
many more problematic systems are to: The OLA, Box 20122, Perth ON
2020 Septic Reinspection Program
identified around waterbodies in K7H 3M6.
report.
TVT which are subject to mandatory
4
SAFE BOATING
I n our October 2020 edition of
Captain Otty’s Log we shared that
the OLA and other Associations had
provided safe boating concerns to the
Lake Networking Group (LNG) and the
Mississippi Lakes Association (MLA) to
assist both organizations in compiling
and addressing common safety issues
across our local lakes and rivers. Our
area was not the only area addressing
this issue, in fact, Safe Boating was a
feature presentation by the Ontario
Provincial Police (OPP) at the Federa-
tion of Ontario Cottagers’ Associations
(FOCA) meeting held via Zoom.
The OLA would like to thank the
MLA for their efforts to create a great
safety webinar which was shared on
November 14th, 2020. The Safe Quiet
Lakes/Decibel Coalition provided as people stayed at home, purchased slow down”.
insight into their work to raise aware- new water craft and spent more Sadly, there were 31 marine fatal-
ness of unsafe boating, boat noise and time on Ontario’s waterways. Over ities in Ontario over 2020. It was
water safety and the OPP presented an the season, the OPP responded to determined that 86% of deceased
informative briefing that provided data calls concerning personal watercraft, victims were not wearing life jackets.
concerning water/boat related dangers. aggressive operation, liquor, inex- Sgt. Kevin Gorman of the Underwater
A link to the webinar is on the Mis- perience (primarily related to rental Search and Recovery Unit comment-
sissippi Lakes Association water-safety boats and operating in unfavourable ed “I don’t recover people off the
page. weather) and courtesy or lack thereof. bottom wearing life jackets.” Some
On November 21st, Sgt. Dave Mof- Courtesy calls primarily addressed op- additional number on these fatalities
fatt, Provincial Marine Co-ordinator, eration and wakes. Vessels checked are included on this page.
OPP, presented a Boat Update at the in 2020 totalled 47,492.
FOCA 2020 Fall Seminar – Lake Associ- Sgt. Moffatt suggested that when We hope you get a chance to check
ation Engagement Success Stories. He you are in a no-wake zone i.e., with- out the MLA website and the follow-
shared that there had been an increase in 30 metres from shore, check your ing two FOCA webpages: https://
in boaters and boat traffic this summer bow. If your bow is up: “Bow down – foca.on.ca/safe-boating/ and https://
foca.on.ca/watch-your-wake/ as we
all anticipate ice-out 2021.
Reid Kilburn
IT’S THAT TIME OF YEAR
Please take a moment to renew your membership in the OLA. Memberships
are just $25. You have two options:
• Mail a cheque made payable to the OLA to Box 20122,
Perth ON K7H 3M6.
• E-transfer the funds to financial@ottylakeassociation.ca. Use “province we
live in” for the security question and “Ontario” as the answer. Please put
your name in the comment field, and send us an email if any details have
changed.
If you are not currently a member, please see the membership form on the
website. Print, complete and mail it to us with payment, or just provide the
necessary information in an email.
Your prompt renewal would be appreciated, as our expenses occur year round.
No need to wait until the summer. Thanks for your support!
5
SOCIAL EVENTS IN COVID TIMES – LEARNING TO PIVOT
M any lake associations spend
much of their time on social
events. But many of their usual social
bow and stern. The song competition
happened in advance of that day.
People were to compose song lyrics to
noe to an island, or complete a puz-
zle. Brady Lake did a more traditional
bingo game. Cards were purchased in
events (dances, corn roasts, craft fairs the tune of any well-recognized song. advance, and people were asked to ar-
etc.) had to be put on hold in 2020. The winner was chosen and the lyrics rive 15 minutes early to the location
That didn’t stop several associations emailed out so that the band could and anchor their boats. The numbers
lead a singalong of the new song on were called from a dock and broad-
from coming up with new events,
concert day. cast by Zoom.
or new twists on traditional events,
to connect with each other. It is Other fun, COVID-safe communi-
interesting to see their creativity and ty-building events organized by lake
can-do spirit! associations include boat parades,
camping themed online nature
The Quest – Kahshe Lake Ratepayers camps, and sailing races.
Association, Muskoka Region. Usual-
ly a very social bunch, they could not Do any of these inspire you? If you
hold their picnic, fishing derby, craft are interested in organizing some-
show or regatta, so the group set up thing, please contact the OLA so we
a car/boat treasure quest for residents can talk about what support we could
to complete over a six week period. Bingo – Stony Lake, Lakefield; and offer you. Many of the above were
A list with photos of 46 water and Brady Lake, Haliburton. Stony Lake presented at the FOCA fall seminar
road access points was circulated, and posted a bingo card of fun activities or at Lake Links 2020, both of which
people were to provide selfies to show on Facebook, and people were asked happened virtually, if you would ap-
they had been there. Participants to post pictures of themselves com- preciate photos or further details. Or
received a commemorative ribbon pleting the tasks. These were things check those lake’s Facebook pages.
and certificate of participation. Many like have a campfire with smores, ca- Barb Hicks
people discovered areas of the lake
they had not been to before.
Virtual Fishing Derby – Glouces- RISING HYDRO FROGS ARE
ter Pool Cottagers’ Association, Trent
Severn Waterway. This children’s RATES CALLING
derby took place over four days. FOCA is preparing to launch a cam- Blazing Star Environmental is look-
Some contest categories from previ- paign to stop the elimination of the ing for volunteers to complete three
ous in-person derbies were kept, like Electricity Seasonal Rate Class that short daytime surveys during the
longest, widest and most unusual was ordered by the Ontario Energy western chorus frog calling season.
fish; youngest fisherperson; fishing Board in October. The elimination These frogs are a threatened species in
story, and fishing hat decorating will mean an additional $60 a month Canada and have experienced recent
contest. New categories for this in fees for the approximately 148,000 localized population declines. Vol-
format were fishing fashion, fish- customers who are seasonal-rate. unteers pick their preferred number
ing video, fishing dance and fishing Nearly 80,000 of the seasonal-rate of sites and preferred travel distance,
music video. Pictures were uploaded customers are cottage owners. To and are provided with training ma-
by the participant or the webmas- qualify for the seasonal rate, the prop- terials, the survey protocol, and site
ter to a members-only area of their erty cannot be the owner’s primary selection assistance, if needed. The
website. A time and place to pick up residence, and the owner must reside frogs call between March and May.
the prizes, mostly gift certificates, was there for less than eight continuous Find out more from their website
established. months a year. Find your rate class http://www.blazingstar.ca/ or email
on page 2 of your Hydro One bill, them.
Music on the Water and Lake to the right of the blue house icon.
Song Competition – Soyers Lake, If this issue concerns you, sign up
between Haliburton and Minden. A for FOCA’s new dedicated electricity
local band was hired to perform on a e-newsletter, called The Power Line.
dock late one Saturday afternoon and Subscribe here: Electricity E-news. For
residents listened from their motor- more background on this issue, visit
boats, kayaks and canoes. People had FOCA’s Electricity Pricing webpage.
to RSVP to the event, stay behind an
established noodle line, and anchor
6
AROUND THE LAKE
State of the Lake The 2020 edi- in Fisheries Management Zone (FMZ)
tion of State of the Lake was sent out 18. It establishes, for example, that
by email Nov. 10. This snapshot of the Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass
lake conditions and environmental (combined) season runs the third
activities shows that due to our com- Saturday in June to December 15,
bined efforts, Otty Lake remains quite and that the catch and possession
healthy. While some 2020 programs limit per day is six for someone with
were limited due to COVID-19, we a sport fishing licence and two for
have been able to maintain continui- someone with a conservation fishing
ty of data. Thanks to Kirsten Brouse, licence.
Kyla Haley, Murray Hunt, Reid Kil- Power Couple Receive Award
burn, Jenepher Lennox-Terrion, Wally Murray and Karen Hunt were present- Lake Partner Program In De-
Robins, Rachel Roth, and Derek Smith ed with the Gord Rodgers Memorial cember, FOCA reported that they
for their many contributions to the Award by Mike Yee of RVCA at 2020 had entered into a new five year
report. If you missed it, a link is on Lake Links, presented “in grateful agreement with the Ontario Ministry
our home page, and past reports are acknowledgement for outstanding of Environment, Conservation and
on our Environment page. contributions and exceptional ef- Parks (OMECP) in support of the Lake
forts to ensure the healthy future of Partner Program (LPP). This is great
Radon It’s winter, and with most our freshwater.” The Hunts’ contri- news for all lake associations, includ-
of us spending a lot more time at butions to lake protection are well ing Otty Lake, which has participated
home, it is a good time to test your known in the Otty Lake community. since 1996. The LPP provides the ma-
residence for radon. Radon is the Even though they have moved into terials necessary, covers the postage,
second leading cause of lung cancer Perth, Karen continues to coordinate and does the lab analysis. Our Lake
after smoking. It can accumulate in the Lake Networking Group. The Steward takes the necessary water
any home, and the only way to tell if award presentation is one of the seg- samples to determine phosphorus and
it has reached dangerous levels is to ments on the Lake Links 2020 page calcium levels, and measures water
test for it. Have a listen to this inter- mentioned above. Gord Rodgers, clarity using a Secchi disc. The result
view with Joe Reid from the Health who passed away a few years ago, was is a great collection of data for com-
Unit on Lake 88 during November’s a leader in lake stewardship in Eastern paring Ontario lakes which is made
National Radon Action Month. The Ontario. This is the third year the available through the LPP website.
Health unit is out of the free test award has been presented. (The 2020 data has not been posted
meters but will put a notice on their yet.) The program has been vulnera-
website when they get more. REAL, ble to funding cuts, and was suspend-
a local non-profit, has three meters it ed temporarily in 2020 over COVID
can lend for two-week periods. You safety concerns.
can also buy your own meter online,
as they are not overly expensive ROM Photography Course On-
https://takeactiononradon.ca/test/ tario residents are invited to enter the
radon-test-kits/. 6th annual ROM (Royal Ontario Mu-
seum) Wildlife Photographer of the
Lake Links Presentations The Year Contest. Sharing your images of
annual Lake Links Workshop normal- the natural world may enable you to
ly held each year in Perth was hosted have your photo displayed at the mu-
online Saturday, October 24. The seum, and of course, win some nice
year’s theme was “Effective Engage- prizes. There is a category for 13-17
ment for Positive Action”. You can year olds, as well as one for those 18
view the slides or access videos of and over. Rules and photos from last
the presentations on the Watersheds year’s winners are available here.
Canada website. Sponsors included
the S.M. Blair Family Foundation,
Cataraqui Conservation, Mississippi Fishing Regulations The 2021 On-
Valley Conservation Authority, RVCA tario Fishing Regulations Summary is
and FOCA. You may find interesting available online. It contains informa-
information in the Community Ini- tion about recreational fishing licenc-
tiatives Handout, showcasing recent es, open seasons and catch limits, as
projects and successes from lake asso- well as up-to-date fishing regulations
ciations and waterfront groups. for each fishing zone. Otty Lake is Photo: Bruce Smith
7
NEW OTTY LAKE MAP BEING PRODUCED
I f all goes according to plan, the OLA
will have a new map of Otty Lake
available to residents and cottagers
of the crown or private islands have
approved names. These are names
that have been approved by the
the names of other features such as
points, bays and the boat launch,
although we don’t want the map to
this spring. Ontario Geographic Names Board become too cluttered.
Many of you may still have a copy (OGNB). We will use the approved The 2010 map included lots with
of the 18”x 24” map of Otty Lake names wherever possible. This may their associated MPAC numbers. The
produced in 2010 by CGIS Spatial be confusing for some who tradi- lots and numbers will be updated but
Solutions in Perth. tionally referred to private islands due to privacy concerns, there will be
In discussing the issue of boat by names associated with owner- no addendum provided linking the
speeds in no-wake zones this summer, ship. Some of the crown and private numbers to names. The Tay Valley
it was suggested that actually marking islands do not have approved names and Drummond/North Elmsley bor-
the 30 m zone on a map could visu- but have familiar given names. Some der will also be more clearly indicat-
ally demonstrate where boat speeds islands or small islets do not have any ed. The Areas 1 to 11 used by the
must be reduced within proximity to commonly used name. We plan to OLA to allocate Area Counsellors will
islands and the shore. Producing a use another font or colour to differ- still be marked.
new map would also be an opportu- entiate between approved and given The map team of Ian McDonald,
nity to add additional information. names, and between private versus Linda Cuthbertson, Reid Kilburn and
Boaters have often requested a map crown owned islands. So some island Barb Hicks has met by Zoom several
showing the approximately 36 rocks names on the map may not be OGNB times already and is working with Jeff
and shoals which are a navigational approved but we feel are useful for Dean of CGIS Spatial Solutions to cre-
hazard for boaters. Some of you may locals and lake residents to use when ate this new resource. Jeff, coinciden-
have the 1981 sketch map of shoals navigating the lake, locating places tally, also has a cottage on Otty Lake.
made available to sailing regatta con- on the lake or for reference in the Look for an email blast about the
testants. case of emergency services. The team progress of our mapping process this
On the 2010 Otty Lake map, island will consider the feasibility of adding spring.
names were not included. Not all Linda Cuthbertson and Barb Hicks
THE OTTY LAKE ASSOCIATION BOARD NEEDS YOU!
T he OLA is looking for some keen
individuals who would like to
contribute to their lake community
We also have some specific posi-
tions within the Board we would like
to fill.
New board members who are inter-
ested in helping out without taking
on a specific position are most wel-
by joining the OLA Board. The board The Secretary position has been va- come, too, and can join the board at
meets about four times a year and cant since October. Thanks to our pre- any point there is a vacancy. Becom-
communicates by email in between. vious Secretary, Jacquie Mallory, for ing a board member is a great way
her service to the OLA. The secretary to learn about the lake and the lake
In these COVID days, the board has
is involved in planning and taking community, and is a chance to give
been meeting by Zoom, but before
minutes of our board and annual gen- back. We are all fortunate to enjoy
that the usual meeting place was eral meetings, responds to inquiries, Otty Lake, and that it continues to
McMartin House in Perth, and occa- and distributes relevant information be healthy. But with a dense popula-
sionally a member’s home. The board to board members. tion, and varying priorities, we need
currently sits at 11 members, but The board has also been without to be vigilant to protect the natural
ideally, would have 10 to 15 members a President since July of 2020. A environment, and ensure everyone is
at any time. So we have four posi- leadership team of Kirsten Brouse, able to participate in the lake activ-
tions available. Any OLA member is Rachel Roth and Barb Hicks has been ities they enjoy. Maybe this is the
eligible, and it is nice to have a mix of ensuring the board continues to run year you take your turn to contribute
ages, representation from all parts of smoothly. However, Rachel is step- to the well-being of Otty Lake.
ping back as she is facing some time
the lake, and a mix of permanent and
constraints, leaving Kirsten and Barb You can read more about the board
seasonal residents. Members agree to
“in charge”. Ideally a new President here or see past meeting minutes to
a two year term. If distance has been will be ready to start in July 2021 get a better idea of what we are about.
a deterrent before, Zoom meetings when they would be voted in by the For more information, please contact
will make it possible for people who membership at the AGM, but would Reid Kilburn, Past President at 326-
do not live in the area full-time to be welcome to join the board in the 0493 or reid.k@bell.net. A short bio
participate. meantime. or resume would be helpful.
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