Lake Management Plan
Farren Lake Property Owners’ Association (FLPOA)
LAKE MANAGEMENT PLANNING
PROJECT
Proposed Schedule December 2008 Update
Background:
At the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of 2006, the idea
of a Lake Management Plan (LMP) for Farren Lake was put forward and
endorsed by the lake community. The goal is to produce a plan by the
fall of 2010. The LMP will provide a strategy that will encourage a
sustainable approach to the stewardship of the lake and its environs
over the coming years.
Schedule:
| May
2006 (AGM) |
Proposal for an
LMP endorsed |
|
Winter 2006-2007 |
Survey of lake
community planned and designed to determine property owners’
concerns and priorities. |
|
May 2007 (AGM) |
Survey
announced and explained. |
|
Summer 2007
|
Survey
conducted. |
|
Winter 2007-2008 |
Survey results
compiled, analyzed and report prepared. |
|
April 2008
|
Scoping meeting with major Partners*. |
| May
2008 (AGM) |
Results of
survey presented Workshop with all examining the issues
identified in the survey and a call for volunteers to work
on the State of the Lake Report required as a ‘bench mark’’. |
|
Summer 2008 |
Outline of
State of the Lake Report (SoL) developed together with ‘Road
Maps’ for the various topics. Data gathering by the
Volunteer teams. |
|
Fall 2008 |
Initial draft
of SoL being produced. |
|
December 2008 |
Draft #1 of SoL
to LMP Committee and FLPOA Executive for comment and input. |
|
February 2009 |
Draft #2 to
major partners for comment and input. This would include a
presentation to the Tay Valley Township. |
|
March 2009 |
Receipt of
comments and input. |
|
May 2009 (AGM) |
Distribution of
State of the Lake Report and presentation on ‘next steps’. |
|
Summer 2009 |
Consultation
with property owners to identify an action plan and strategy
for the LMP. This will be done both at the ‘Road’ level in
face-to-face meetings and at larger community meetings in
late August in order to map out the Lake Management Plan. |
|
January 2010 |
Main outline of
the LMP finalized |
|
Spring 2010 |
Drafting of LMP |
|
May 2010 (AGM) |
Distribution of
draft LMP to community for comment and input. |
|
Summer 2010 |
Revisions to
LMP. |
|
September 2010 |
Special meeting
of the lake community to present the final Lake Management
Plan. |
| |
|
Summary of Farren Lake
Property Owners’ Survey – Lake Management Plan
Overview: Farren Lake is a small, spring fed lake with 130 cottages.
It has a relatively short history of cottaging <50 years. It is
predominantly a "summer cottage" lake with few permanent, year round
residents. The broad consensus from the survey is for: Conservation of the natural heritage, in particular, the quality of
the water; Peaceful enjoyment; and Respectful use of the water and surroundings.
In summary: low key, low tech, low noise and low impact on the peace,
tranquility, natural environment and shared space. (note: 69.2% response
rate.)
Question 1 - Connection with Farren Lake
85% Seasonal Residents
Question 7 – Years Lived on the Lake
82% > 10 years
AGM
Small Table Discussion
Synthesis of Table Reports
May 17, 2008
Topic 1 –
Reduction/Elimination of Phosphates
What individuals
can do
Use phosphate
free products; dish detergent, laundry soap etc
Stop
fertilizing lawns – use environmentally safe fertilizers
No
bathing/shampooing in the lake
Self-education: educate friends, neighbors, visitors,
renters
No washing
cars or boats on lawns
Ban
fertilizer 100 ft from the water
Do not use
fertilizers, pesticides or herbicides
Landlords
should insist that renters read a published list of
"do’s and don’ts"
What the Lake
Association can do
· Sell
products at the AGM
·
Educate people who do not come to the meeting
·
Produce list of "Do’s and Don’ts" for owners, visitors
and renters also a booklet for each cottage on
maintenance of water quality
· Test
the lake every year – ensure same instrumentation and
calibration
· Use
Association newsletter to recommend Phosphate free
products
· Ask
Carola to stock products that are eco-friendly
· Put
together a list of environmentally friendly products and
where they are available, eg Foodsmiths in Perth.
·
Monitor septic systems and recommend people request
inspections
Topic 2 – Prevention of
Invasive Species
What Individuals
can do
·
Eliminate 2 cycle engines
· No
commercial boats/resort fishing on the lake
·
Control ice fishing – live bait
· For
owners who rent, have a letter re invasive species that
renters must read
·
Don’t let renters bring in boats unless disinfected
·
Report invasive species to???
What the Lake
Association can do
·
Survey the lake for invasive species
·
Provide a disinfectant at lake launch locations
· Put
info piece together for all owners, eg keep boat out of
water for 5 days
·
Special letter or flyer to cottages with boat access
· Put
up signage at each road entrance re invasive species and
special conditions for Farren Lake. (The province has
signs at boat launches that may be available).
·
Audit other Lake Assoc. re the quality and their
practices
· Find
out what can be done if we get invasive species and find
out what people can do or should not do if they have
weeds in front of their cottages. (suggestion to put an
article in the newsletter)
· Make
up a page of Invasive species "Do’s and Don’ts"
· Make
up a "Farren Lake Cottage Rules" including invasive
species, phosphates and other things such as Fire regs
·
Request Reg Norris to only allow Lake property owners to
launch boats on his property
· Send
letter to the OPP, MNR, Rideau Docks and other who may
put water craft on the lake to ask that they disinfect
first.
Other
-
Ban PWC
-
Take garbage
(cigarettes, pop cans, animal waste etc) off the islands
after picnicking
-
No wake zones
during loon nesting (month of June)
-
Test the lake for
radioactivity levels to establish a baseline
-
Ensure no
residential development/sub-divisions on the lake
|
