APELL - Volume 20 Issue 1

The Association for the Protection of the Environment of Latourelle Lake "Working together for our Members" l'Association pour la protection de l'environnement du Lac Latourelle "Travaillant ensemble pour nos membres" www.apell.org    Volume 20, No. 1   July 2011

A word from your president

By Morris Richardson

Hi again, everyone.

Welcome to a new season on our wonderful Lac Latourelle (Lac Long), here in Blue Sea.

Firstly let me apologize.  I must confess I have not been the most active of Presidents this term.  As most of you are aware, I am trying to wind down my business in Ottawa, sell my home there, and retire to our wonderful lake.  The biggest problem seems to be in winding down my business affairs.  It has been very time consuming.  As a result, I have somewhat neglected my duties as your representative on the lake.  I promise to try harder in the future to represent your interests more fully.

It has been a very wet spring and early summer.  All over Canada, we hear of flooding.  Our immediate area has not been exempt from the problems.  Lake levels are extremely high for this time of the year, and are expected to remain so for some time.

Back in May, pursuant to a decision of Council last year, a plate was welded at the outlet culvert to replace the boards which were a constant source of irritation to all concerned.  Some people wanted the water level higher, some lower.  Some took it upon themselves to remove wood panels, thus releasing large amounts of water downstream.  Council became frustrated with the constant stream of complaints and decided to weld a plate permanently at a level they decided upon, with little consultation with our association.  Now that it is an accomplished fact of life, whether you like the notion or hate it, you will be able to adapt to it, without the constant changes in lake levels.  The only things which will change the lake levels now are the amounts of rainfall and the drought periods.

In early January, 2011, the municipality launched its new website www.bluesea.ca.  Everyone can now keep themselves up to date on events and developments in our cottage municipality.  I invite you to visit the site.  It gives dates for all events, council meetings, special events, garbage pick-up, etc.

Remember Aug. 21, 2011.  That is the date the new bylaw regulating the cutting of shoreline grass goes into effect.  The law prescribes 33 feet (10 metres) from waterline where no grass is allowed under the bylaw to be cut.  More information on that bylaw can be found on the Blue Sea website, as well as the MRC website.

I look forward to seeing everyone at the upcoming General Meeting (at the Centre recréatif / Salle des Loisirs du Lac Long) and the Annual picnic (288 Ch. Lac Long, at Mike Simard's place), to be held on July 16, 2011.  We hope to see most of you there.

If you have new neighbours, please invite them to join us both at the meeting and at the party.  Both of course are free.  It would be a wonderful opportunity for newcomers on the lake to meet their neighbours and join our association.  Maybe you could even give them a printed version of this newsletter.

On Saturday, June 4th, the association held its annual lake clean-up day.  The weather was excellent, but the participation was somewhat minimal.  There were only three boats on the water retrieving debris.  Nonetheless a successful day with a large volume of deadheads taken out of circulation.  The ground crew at the public access was kept busy with never a complaint from anyone.  After the event, a barbecue was held at my cottage for the participants.  A hearty thank you to all those who participated.

On the subject of deadheads, due to the high water level, there is a significant amount of debris floating on the lake creating a potential danger to boaters and water-skiers alike.  If you spot a piece of debris, please, for your own safety and that of your neighbours, don't just ignore it.  Try to take it out of the water (if it is small enough) or try to haul it to the public access.  Don't leave it to the next person to hit it and hurt themselves.  Let's all help each other keep our lake clean and safe for everyone.

In scheduling APELL events this year, we have experienced the usual difficulties avoiding conflicts with one or another schedule.  The municipality is having a golf tournament, someone is having a birthday or anniversary, there is a festival in the adjoining municipality, it falls on a long weekend, etc.  The Executive tries very hard to avoid these conflicts.  We encourage everyone to attend as many events as you can and forewarn us of other activities as far in advance as possible.  We also have to plan our own events within certain limitations, such as hall availability (for our meetings), site availability (for our picnic) and Executive availability (to make it all happen).  So please forgive us if a particular event conflicts with something else happening on the same date.  We did not intend for that to happen, but we sometimes cannot avoid it. We hope you can find the time to attend both.

This newsletter includes a number of articles of interest to all of us.  Remember, while we put out the information, some of which is founded in law, we do so only on the basis of supplying the information to you.  We are not in the business of policing or enforcing anything.  Please be informed and govern yourselves accordingly.

In the fall, on Oct. 8, 2011, we will hold our Fall General Meeting where we again chose an Executive to represent the lake for another 2 years.  Most of the present members (including yours truly) have allowed their names to stand for another term.  More information on this issue will follow at the meeting in July.

Lest I take all the space in this issue, I bid you a good summer and lots of enjoyment on the lake.

Morris
 

Thinking about...
Safety, the Environment and Our Community

As another great summer gets underway, this edition of our newsletter is dedicated to providing information about how to protect our families, our neighbours and the environment while enjoying all the fun and activities that life on Lac Latourelle / Lac Long has to offer.

The role of APELL is to promote a healthy environment and good quality of life around the lake.  One way we do this is to share information about the laws and guidelines established by the province, the region and the municipality.  APELL has no mandate to enforce these laws and does not get involved in any problems that arise.  If you would like more information or have an issue you would like to discuss, contact the appropriate authorities.
 

Protecting the Shoreline

The MRC bylaw on shoreline protection and re-vegetation plays an important role in keeping our lake clean and healthy.  The shoreline is usually defined as the 10 metre strip of land above the high water mark, unless the slope is greater than 30% in which case it's a 15 metre strip.  Here are a few reminders of what we all need to do to protect Lac Latourelle.  For details, consult the by-law or contact the MRC.

• Do not cut the grass or remove existing vegetation along the shoreline, except for a 5 metre wide path to permit access to the water.
• Do not construct any new buildings or structures on the shoreline.
• Do not use any fertilizer or treated lumber along the shoreline.
• Re-vegetate your shoreline if necessary by August 21, 2011.

You may also find the following documents useful. http://www.bluesea.ca/documents/depliant_rives_littoral_en.pdf
 

Fireworks

Fireworks are a great way to add some magic to a special night at the lake.  Here are a few tips to make sure everyone enjoys themselves.  Be considerate.  Set off your fireworks as early as possible after it gets dark.  Avoid the very noisy kinds.  Invite your neighbours to share the fun.  Think about the environment.  There are lots of toxic substances in fireworks that can harm the land and the water.  Keep them for special occasions and use them responsibly.  Safety first.  To ensure a fun but safe family fireworks display, follow the simple safety procedures outlined below (adapted from the Natural Resources Canada website at http://www.nrcan.gc.ca/mms-smm/expl-expl/usecons-uticons-eng.htm).

1. Never use fireworks indoors; they are designed for outdoor use only.  Read the instructions for each firework ahead of time.
2. Choose a clear, open area, away from buildings, vehicles, overhead obstructions, and dry brush/grass.  A minimum clear area of 30 m by 30 m for fireworks such as Roman candles, and 20 m by 20 m for fountains and other ground-based items is recommended.
3. Check wind direction and wind speed; fireworks should be lit with the wind blowing away from spectators and closest dwelling.  Don't set off fireworks in strong winds.
4. Keep a hose or bucket filled with water close by in case of fire.
5. Always light ground-based fireworks (fountains, mines) on a hard, flat and level surface to ensure stability.  Grass is typically not suitable.  A wood or equivalent base is recommended to ensure stability.
6. For aerial fireworks (Roman candles), bury (do not pile) the device to half its length in the ground or in a large pail or box filled with earth or sand.
7. Keep all spectators at least 20 m away.
8. Protect your eyes with safety glasses or goggles. Wear non-flammable clothing such as cotton; never wear synthetic fibre clothing (nylon, polyester) when firing.
9. Never let children handle, play with or fire fireworks under any circumstances.  Even sparklers, which are considered by many as "safe" fireworks for children, burn at very high temperatures and can easily ignite clothing and burn flesh.  In addition, they project sparks that can cause eye injury.
10. Never smoke while handling fireworks.  Do not carry fireworks in your pockets.
11. When lighting, never put any part of your body or head over the firework; never hand hold them or insert them into other means of containment such as pipes; and never point or throw them at people or other sensitive/flammable targets.
12. During a fireworks show, store the unused fireworks away from the firing area and keep them covered to prevent stray sparks from prematurely setting them off.
13. Never attempt to re-light fireworks that have misfired (duds).  Wait 30 minutes and then place them in a bucket of water.
14. Clean-up.  Wait 30 minutes after the display has finished.  Check the firing area for duds, clean up all debris, and check it again the next morning.

All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs)

During the past year many residents of Lac Latourelle have noticed an increase in traffic of All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) on public roads around the lake and in some cases near collisions.  ATVs can be great fun but there are laws that govern their use.  The law protects both riders and the public and ensures that noise and damage are minimized.  In most cases, they are not permitted on public roads unless there are signs allowing the circulation of ATVs.  If you are an ATV user, please respect the provisions of Quebec's Act Respecting Off-Highway Vehicles.  These include:

• Compulsory use of a helmet with a visor, gloves and appropriate footwear.
• Minimum age of 16 to operate an ATV; 18 if carrying passengers.  Riders aged 16 and 17 are required to take a training course and to hold a certificate of competence issued by Fédération québécoise des clubs quads.
• Maximum speed of 30 km/hr near a residence; 50 km/hr in all other cases.
• It is illegal to operate an ATV on a public road, except in special cases.  In all cases, there must be a road sign indicating that ATV traffic is permitted.  A valid driver's licence is required in order to use a public road under the conditions set out in the Act.
• It is illegal to operate an ATV within 30 meters of a dwelling without the express permission of the property owner.
• All ATV owners must hold a minimum of $500,000 in third-party liability insurance.
• Respecting the environment means respecting nature and wildlife, but it also means respecting the peace and quiet of neighbouring residents. Staying on the trails is the best way to do your part.

For more information, consult http://www.mtq.gouv.qc.ca/portal/page/portal/grand_public_en/vehicules_hors_route/securite/quad
 

Boating Safety

Boating on Lac Latourelle / Lac Long is a highlight of the summer season.  Whether you're paddling a small canoe or driving a big boat, safety, concern for the environment and respect for others are your most important considerations.

Every operator of a motorized boat must have and carry a Pleasure Craft Operator's Licence.  If you haven't already got one, check the Transport Canada website for more information at http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/marinesafety/debs-obs-menu-1362.htm

Some things to keep in mind:

• Have a properly sized life jacket or personal floatation device for every person on board
• Carry a watertight flashlight, a floating rope at least 15 metres long, a paddle, a bailer and a sound-signalling device
• Stay well away from swimmers, other boats and wildlife
• Keep wake low near shorelines
• Keep your bilge clean and do not litter
• Use biodegradable detergents and paints that are approved for marine use
• Tune your engine to avoid excessive noise

2011 APELL Membership Drive

It's time to renew your annual membership!  Your support for APELL and its activities contributes to keeping our lake clean, creating a healthy community and ensuring that we have a strong voice in our dealings with local government.

Please encourage your neighbours - especially those new to the lake - to join APELL and attend our meetings and events.

Membership fees can be paid at the July 16th meeting or mailed in along with the Membershipform.pdf attached to this newsletter.  The Executive will recommend that membership fees for 2011 be reduced to $20 per cottage, in view of our healthy financial situation this year.
 

Garbage and Recycling

From May to September both household waste (including large objects) and recyclables will be picked up every Tuesday.  From October to April, the weekly pick-up will alternate between household waste and recyclables.  The Ecocentre in Blue Sea is open every second Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., May to October.  A new Ecocentre in Maniwaki is open every Monday and Friday (7 a.m. to 5 p.m.) and Saturday (10 a.m. to 3 p.m.).  More information is available at www.bluesea.ca.

Residents are strongly encouraged to REDUCE, REUSE AND RECYCLE, not only to lessen environmental impact but to reduce transportation costs that are reflected in our tax bills.  If your household isn't already composting, consider starting this year!
 

Dates to Remember