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By Sue Smith
Congratulations to all --- we have survived record-breaking snow falls this winter. As breathtaking as it was, it will feel good to put the shovels in storage and get out the fishing and gardening equipment - and of course the bug jackets!
Your APELL executive is a very keen group and we hope our enthusiasm will capture your support for the goals we have set this year.
The first goal is to increase our membership in APELL so that we have the support of more Lac Long residents when representing you at meetings with the Mayor of the Municipality of Blue Sea, the Federation of Associations of Lakes and Rivers of the Gatineau Valley, the Mayor's Advisory Committee for Protection of the Lakes in the Municipality of Blue Sea and conferences on the protection of the health of lakes and rivers.
The second goal relates to exchanging information amongst our membership about ways we can all preserve the health of Lac Long. This year the focus will be on revegetation of the shore-lines and the exclusive use of environmentally friendly, quickly biodegradable household cleaners and personal care products.
On behalf of the executive we look forward to seeing you at our spring meeting on May 24th and at the various events planned for the summer.
| DON'T MISS THE SPRING MEETING! SATURDAY MAY 24th - 10:30 a.m. |
APELL needs its members and our members need APELL! Over the next few weeks, the Executive team will be visiting residents to encourage everyone to take out an APELL membership for the 2008 season.
Consider some of the benefits of membership:
If you're already on the list, we'll process your renewal and if you haven't been a member in the past, we'll give you a warm welcome. And everyone will receive a bag containing colourful brochures about healthy shorelines and safe boating practices along with the APELL spring newsletter. The bags are 100% biodegradable and non-polluting and have been provided by the Metro Marché André Lapointe in Maniwaki. Thanks to Manon Richard, Head Cashier, for her assistance to APELL.
When you hear that knock on the door this spring, please consider offering your support for APELL's efforts to protect our beautiful lake!
Victoria Mary Lyn Barresi Crombie, born to APELL members Angelina and Scott Crombie, made her entrance into the world on September 18th, 2007. Weighing 7 pounds 15 ounces at birth, she has grown into a happy baby with two bottom teeth and has even uttered her first words "Ma Ma" - soon she will be singing karaoke with her grandmother Fran Barresi! She plays contentedly in her Jolly Jumper while her grandfather, Jim Barresi, lays floors and completes other carpentry projects along side her. She goes by the name Tory and looks forward to meeting her Lac Long neighbours and friends when she's out for a walk in her stroller with her parents or grandparents.
Later this spring, be sure to look out for something bright and new sprouting up along the side of the Lac Long road. APELL is planning to erect two new signs to remind everyone about the great work the association is doing and provide information about upcoming events. J-P Gravel, long-time APELL member, provided the "push" to get this project started, with his generous offer of assistance and Judy Watson has taken the lead on graphic design and production. For a sneak preview of the signs and to find out where they'll be located, come to the spring meeting on May 24.
Lac Long? Lac Latourelle? What is the official name of our lake anyway? The APELL Executive started asking this question when it came time to renew the association's registration. The municipality tells us that the official name is Lac Long and the local road is Chemin du Lac Long, but our constitution bears the name "Association for the Protection of the Environment of Latourelle Lake". The Executive decided it was time for the association to catch up with the change and started to spread the word that an amendment to constitution would be voted on at the May meeting.
This stirred a little controversy - and revealed that things are not as straightforward as they seemed. People agree that we need clarity... but which name is right? Must the association and the lake have the same name? And which name do people prefer?
The Executive is going ahead with the required 10 days notice of the proposed change, which has been distributed by e-mail and posted on the web site, and we'll debate the pros and cons at the meeting.
Make sure you're there to learn more about where the confusion originates and have your say in making the decision. The choice the members make will determine which name appears on our registration and on our new signs.
Treasurer Bob Smith has closed the books on 2007. APELL finished the year with almost $800 in the bank, of which $305 comes from the municipality and is set aside for the RSV-LACS program. Bob has prepared a detailed income statement and balance sheet for the information of members.
| ASSETS | |||||
| Current Assets |
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| Chequing/Savings | |||||
| Bank - Desjardins | $788.52 | ||||
| Share Capital - Desjardins | $5.00 | ||||
| Total Chequing/Savings |
$793.52 | ||||
| Other Current Assets | |||||
| Inventory | $191.74 | ||||
| Total Other Current Assets |
$191.74 | ||||
| Total Current Assets |
$985.26 | ||||
| TOTAL ASSETS | $985.26 | ||||
| LIABILITIES & EQUITY | |||||
| Liabilities |
|||||
| Current Liabilities | |||||
| Other Current Liabilities | |||||
| Restricted Grant | $305.00 | ||||
| Total Other Current Liabilities | $305.00 | ||||
| Total Current Liabilities |
$305.00 | ||||
| Total Liabilities |
$305.00 | ||||
| Equity | |||||
| Opening Balance Equity | $468.06 | ||||
| Net Income | $212.20 | ||||
| Total Equity |
$680.26 | ||||
| TOTAL LIABILITIES & EQUITY | $985.26 | ||||
You are no doubt aware that many lakes in Quebec have become contaminated in the last few years with blue-green algae, including Lac Edja - not far from our lake. In addition, many more lakes are contaminated or dying due to pollution and inappropriate use of the lake and the land surrounding the lake. When a lake becomes affected, several consequences can follow including the eventual death of the lake, depletion of animal and plant life, illness of lake species, people and pets and plummeting property values. No one wants to purchase a cottage on a lake with poor water quality.
What can we do? There are many ways we can help protect our lake and our families - and some of these are small and easy. One of those ways is to change the products we use on a day-to-day basis. Your lake association has been testing various products over the winter season in an effort to find effective household products that will be safe for your septic and the lake.
In an effort to keep this simple, the association has decided to begin with just a few items that you can shop for, or buy directly from us. These few items, including dishwasher detergent, dishwashing liquid, hand soap, shampoo and conditioner and laundry detergent, will be on display at our AGM at the Lac Long Community Centre on Saturday May 24, 2008. A few will be available for sale and if response is positive, we will make more available through the Association. However, all the items are available at stores, including major chains such as Loblaws, if people are interested. They are biodegradable and generally scent-free (bonus: doesn't attract mosquitoes). Every little bit helps! Let's keep our lake, our land, and our children healthy!
April 24th, 2008, Sue Smith President of APELL attended a Forum on healthy lakes which was organized by the Watershed Committees of the Rivers Gatineau and La Lièvre (COMGA and COBALI) and the Regional Council on Environment and Sustainable Development of the Outaouais (CREDDO). Speakers focused on required action plans for promoting healthy lakes and rivers and updated participants on new research. COMGA provided an overview of the priority solutions for restoring and promoting health lakes and rivers including the following steps:
At our spring meeting on May 24th Sue Smith will share with APELL members information from the document The Outaouais Action Plan to Counter the Proliferation of Blue Green Algae in Lakes and Streams. This document has directives for lake associations on how to take leadership in the goal of reducing human-generated phosphate levels in our waters.
APELL has become a member of the Federation of Associations of Lakes and Rivers of the Gatineau Valley. The Federation is a collective voice for lake property owners in the whole of the MRC. Recently the Federation strengthened its credibility by partnering with the SADC and the MRC to plan and host the Summit of Healthy Lakes and Rivers which was held in September 2007 (and a follow-up Summit will take place on May 9th, 2008).
Some of the important advantages for APELL of membership in this association are:
APELL has attended one meeting of the Federation in November 2007, but it is the informal connections which are proving to be so supportive. On the several occasions that APELL has consulted with members of the Federation they have been very forthcoming with helpful information. Through the newsletter and website we will keep APELL members posted on significant updates on the Federation of Associations of Lakes and Rivers of the Gatineau Valley.
David Adcock, Past President and Sue Smith, President attended the two-day Summit on Lakes and Rivers held last September sponsored by the Fédération des associations de lacs et rivières de la Vallée de-la-Gatineau, SADC (Société d'aide au développement des collectivités de la Vallée de-la-Gatineau), and the MRC de la Vallée-de-la-Gatineau. Here are some highlights from the summit.
Healthy lakes are beautiful to look at, fun to swim in and boat on, rewarding to fish in and they augment the economic base of our community through tourism and residency.
Signs of healthy lakes and rivers include:
Some of the threats to the health of lakes include:
Here are some of the steps, recommended at the Summit, which homeowners who live by water can take to ensure that the precious resource regains and sustains a healthy status for generations to come.
Reverse Eutrophication: When there is accelerated growth of plankton in lakes the water changes too rapidly for the life that depends on it. The water becomes murky as plant and algae growth explodes and this added vegetation consumes the oxygen normally shared with other aquatic creatures. Trout suffocate in the new environment while carp flourish. The lake ages before its time. Some of the natural causes of eutrophication include erosion and run-off from precipitation. Human contributions to accelerated aging are often the result of a lot of small actions; for example - poor septic systems, use of high-phosphate soaps, and removal of shoreline plants. APELL residents can eliminate phosphates in soap and maintain healthy septic systems.
Protect the shoreline: Trees, plants and shrubs near to the shoreline absorb harmful phosphates and prevent erosion of the shoreline. Here are some of the conference recommendations to preserve and restore our shorelines:
Within the next ten years the Gatineau Valley will see the influx of hundreds more residents creating economic, social and environmental issues to be tackled. The conference recommended an integrated management system to protect our natural paradise. In the words of André Galipeau, President of the Gatineau Valley SADC: "The presence of more than 6,000 vacationers, more than 90% of whom come from outside our MRC, proves how fortunate we are to be able to live every single day in such an attractive environment. It is up to us to take care of it and pass on down to our children what we inherited from our ancestors." There was consensus that the health of our lakes and rivers depends on the residents.
At the APELL spring meeting on May 24th David Adcock and Sue Smith will provide a report to the membership on the follow-up conference on the SUMMIT to be held May 9th in Maniwaki.
The websites below are all great sources of more information about protecting our lake.
Your APELL executive plans to form a Water Quality Team - a small group of people who are passionate about the health of our lake and who are willing to participate in lake inspections, water quality testing and the RSV-LACS project. If working on the Water Quality Team is a contribution you would like to make, please let your executive know.
In January 2008, Mayor Laurent Fortin convened a committee of representatives of the lake associations of the Municipality of Blue Sea and other interested parties including Ms. Annie Parent, Biologist, Société Sylvicole de la Haute Gatineau. This newly formed committee is chaired by Mr. Antoine Grégoire, a long-time activist for the health of Blue Sea Lake and environmental issues in the municipality. The committee, called the Committee for the Protection of the Lakes of the Municipality of Blue Sea has had one meeting.
One of the directives the committee has taken is to advise that the septic tanks on the islands in Blue Sea Lake be emptied and inspected to code. Mayor Fortin has been meeting with the Mayor of Messines to cooperate in this effort as the islands are located in both municipalities.
The second major item this advisory committee is discussing is the importance of revegetation of the shorelines of the lakes in our municipality.
At future meetings the committee will work out plans for encouraging shoreline residents to plant native plants on the shorelines to absorb phosphates and other run-off before it enters the lake and pollutes. Grass right down to the water's edge displaces the native plants that protect the lake. When it rains, grass lays flat and facilities erosion of topsoil --- carrying it into the lake. The silt coursing into the water damages fish spawning areas. Pesticides and fertilizers lavished on lawns play havoc with the aquatic ecosystem. Weed and bug killers may harm fish or destroy the plants and insects fish feed on, and fertilizers promote algae growth leading to a murkier lake.
We will keep APELL members informed of future work of this committee through our website and newsletters.
On April 23rd, 2008 APELL was notified by the Ministry of the Environment of Quebec that we have been accepted to participate in the RSV-LACS program this summer.
The Réseau de Surveillance Volontaire des lacs --- RSV-LACS - Voluntary Lake Surveillance by Residents, is a program through the Ministry of the Environment of Quebec. APELL has received a grant of $305.00 from the Municipality of Blue Sea to support its participation.
The objectives of the RSV-LACS program are to:
When APELL begins collecting data through the program, residents will be taught techniques for measuring the eutrophication of our lake. We will take readings of:
Through the website we will keep APELL members informed about our next step in the RSV-LACS program.
By Patrick Whelan
Do you know someone wanting to rent a cottage for a week or so during the spring, summer and fall season 2008 or next year? If so, why not suggest they check out my property located at 252 chemin du Lac Long. My telephone number, in Ottawa, is (613) 565-7778, or at my cottage at (819) 463-2555. Includes deck with barbecue, color television, hot and cold water, shower facilities, full modern kitchen with microwave and dishwasher, wood stove for those cool nights, and electric base heater. Single large bedroom with queen size bed and double sofa bed in living room for additional sleeping requirements.
Paints and oils, as well as their containers, can now be dropped off for safe disposal at the municipal centre: Monday to Friday, 8 to 12 noon and 1:15 to 4:30 p.m.. If the office is closed, place your containers beside the locked tank.
Garbage is picked up every Monday from April to October. Recyclables are also picked up weekly, on Mondays, from June 15 to September 14. From March to June 14, and from September 15 to December, recycling pick up takes place every second week. When a holiday falls on a Monday, garbage and recycling pick up are both postponed until Wednesday.
The dump is open to the public on Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. beginning in April.
Good Finds, Good Food, Good Fun!The annual Blue Sea Garage Sale will be held on Saturday, May 31st from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the municipal centre. And this year, APELL will have a table of terrific Lac Long bargains!
Has your spring cleaning turned up a few items you don't need anymore? Donate household items, furniture, clothing, books, sports equipment and more to raise money to support APELL's roster of 2008 projects and activities. Drop off your treasures at David and Gisèle Adcock's barn before May 25th (telephone for directions: 819-463-4439).
If you'll be at the sale, stop by the APELL table to make a purchase or just say hello -- you can even renew your membership! Volunteers are welcome to lend a hand. Call Sue Smith at 819-463-1687.
After the garage sale, join in the community BBQ steak dinner at 6 p.m. followed by an evening of music and dance. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased in advance at the municipal hall.
Mayor's Golf TournamentThe Third Annual Mayor's Golf Tournament will take place on Saturday, June 21, 2008 at the Algonquin Golf Club in Messines. Tickets are $75 for golf and dinner; $20 for dinner only. Call France Carpentier at 819-463-2261 to register. If you'd like to join a Lac Long foursome, contact Christine Trauttmansdorff at <chris(at)apell.org> or 613-828-2821.
Fishing DayLac Dénommé will be the site of the third annual fishing derby on June 14th, 2008. Call Sylvain Latreille for information at 819-463-2578.
Hello to all cottage owners,
After a long winter, spring is slowly arriving. We are looking forward to welcoming you back for another summer.
This year, the municipality is starting the inspection of all septic tanks. It is a procedure that will take two years. We will do half of the inspections this summer and the rest in 2009. It is very important that your covers be easily accessible.
We have made a request for a student project in order to photograph the shorelines of all lakes.
Major road work will be done on Lac-Long Road starting at the recreational hall and continuing to Hilaire Road. The guard rails at Lac Dénommé are also included in this work.
In regards to residential waste, it is important to minimize garbage because starting January 19th 2009, we will pay the transportation costs for each ton of waste. Please recycle!
A FEW DATES TO REMEMBER
May 31st - Mega Garage Sale, Steak Dinner, Volunteers' Honour and Presentation of the MOUNT MORISSETTE LOGO Contest's Winner
June 14th - Fishing Day
June 21st - Mayor's Golf Tournament
May 20th to the 23rd - large objects pick up
Looking forward to seeing you at APELL's May's meeting.
Have a nice summer,
Laurent Fortin, Mayor
Would you like to have your name added to the APELL e-mail list? Send an email message to the President of the Executive Committee with your name, cottage address, cottage and home phone number and e-mail address. We'll include you in future communications. And don't forget to check the web site from time to time. www.apell.org
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| Spring General Meeting Centre des Loisirs |
Saturday, May 24 10:30 a.m. |
| Lake Clean Up | Saturday June 7th |
| APELL Family BBQ and Karaoke Night |
Saturday, August 2nd Chez Adcock |
| Fall General Meeting Centre des Loisirs |
Saturday, August 30th 10:30 a.m. |
 www.apell.org APELL c/o 20 Croissant de l'APELL, Blue Sea Lake, QC J0X 1C0 2007-2008 Executive Committee |
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| Name | Title | Position | @apell.org |
| Sue Smith | President | General Direction & Water Quality | sue |
| David Adcock | Past President | (613) 830-9619 (819) 463-4439 david |
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| Christine Trauttmansdorff | Vice-President | APELL Newsletters | (613) 828-2821 (819) 463-1730 chris |
| Bob Smith | Treasurer | $ | bob |
| Debbie Cooper | Director | Legal; Enviro Products | debbie |
| Ferdinand Trauttmansdorff | Director | Website | (613) 828-2821 (819) 463-1730 ferdinand |
| Gisèle Tremblay Adcock | Director | Translation | (613) 830-9619 (819) 463-4439 gisele |
| YOUR NAME HERE | Director | ||
| ENCOURAGE A NEIGHBOUR | Director | ||
| NUDGE YOUR SPOUSE | Director |
The spring meeting of APELL will be held on Saturday, May 24 at 10:30 a.m. at the Salle Recréatif (Salle des loisirs) on chemin du Lac Long. Please encourage your neighbours to attend as well. Everyone is welcome!
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Copyright © 1996 APELL
All Rights Reserved
Droits d'auteur et copie © 1996 APELL
