LLPOA Fall/Winter Newsletter 2008
BYLAW NUMBER 55-1-06 CONCERNING
PROTECTION OF SHORELINES, LAKES, STREAM
BEDS AND FLOOD PLAINS…WHAT DOES IT MEAN?
Many people are confused about how to comply
with the requirements of these bylaws. In the future,
there may be explanatory pamphlets or other
literature distributed by either the MRCs,
Municipalities or both, but in the meantime, the
LLPOA would like to share our understanding of the
concepts. To that end, we’re addressing some of
the most frequently asked questions and (we hope)
explaining them in ways that are easy to put into
practice.
WHY WAS THIS BYLAW PUT INTO EFFECT?
The reasons for the law are two-fold:
1. To prevent or control the blue green algae
problem.
2. To create or restore natural habitat for
wildlife.
The blue green algae crisis that erupted during
the summer of 2007 demonstrated the vulnerability
of lakes and the necessity of enforcing additional
measures to protect them. That’s why these new
bylaws were introduced and they have now been in
effect since May 20, 2008. Several Municipalities
within the Laurentians have developed similar
bylaws for lake protection including Wentworth and
Wentworth North (the Municipalities that govern
Lake Louisa.)
To stop lake pollution, septic systems in our
communities are now being tested to remedy any
faults and a bylaw in Wentworth was established
forbidding the use of fertilizers and pesticides.
Algae blooms thrive on phosphates contained in
fertilizers, cleaning products etc., so every resident
has been informed about the necessity to use only
phosphate free products for household cleaning,
personal and garden use. But that’s not enough!
Trees, shrubs and aquatic plants growing along
the shore are the best way to ensure water quality in
our lakes. Every small rootlet takes a few more
nutrients out of the soil before they end up in the
water. Every root hair forms a complex web that knits
the entire waterfront together, fending off the impacts
of erosion, wind, rain, waves and boat wakes. Every
tree and shrub acts like a little environmental cleaning
station that purifies the water, removing high levels of
nutrients (phosphates, nitrates) and pollutants. Shore
line restoration is necessary for the prevention of blue
green algae growth and is the last barrier to stop lake
contamination.
Equally important, a natural shoreline is
necessary for the protection of birds, fish, frogs, ducks,
loons and many wild animals. Therefore, to be at their
healthiest, all lakes need to remain “natural” with a
continuous wide swath of indigenous abundant plant
growth on the shoreline that encircles the entire lake.
WHAT ARE THE BASIC REQUIREMENTS OF THIS
BYLAW FOR LAKE LOUISA?
Both Wentworth and Wentworth North residents
are required by law to “naturalize” their shoreline, at
least 10 to 15 m back from the high water line,
(approx. 32 to 48 feet depending on the slope of your
land). That means, within that shoreline area, any
form of vegetation control is prohibited, or, you aren’t
allowed to mow your lawns, clear your brush or cut
down any trees. In Wentworth North, you are
required to shoreline plant the first 5m (16 feet)
within two years. (There are individual exceptions to
be authorized only by Municipal inspectors.)
If the slope of your land is greater than 30
percent, the “untouchable” area is 15 metres (approx.
48 feet) inland back from the lake and 10 metres
(approx. 32 feet) if your slope is less than 30 percent.
All building, excavation or modification of the
Lake Louisa Property Owners Association
Web: www.lac-louisa.ca
Email: [email protected]
CP 2966 Brownsburg-Chatham QC J8G 1A0
Présidente
Vice-présidente
Secrétaire
Trésorier
Président sortant
Directeurs
Jane Nelson
Barb Scales
Elfriede Gebhard
Ron Price
Guy Deneault
Susan Bomok, Jack Davis, Pierre Laurin,
Doreen Spillane, Brian Turnbull, Lawrence Irany, George Alguire
President
Vice President
Secretary
Treasurer
Past President
Directors
Lac Louisa View – Fall/Winter 2008
ground including tree clearing, land filling and
digging is also prohibited. However, trimming of
trees is allowed to create a 5m wide window (16
feet) for a view of the lake. For any other activity
contrary to this prohibition (i.e. fences, septic
systems bridges, wells etc.), approval must be
sought from local Municipalities.
BUT HOW DO WE GET ACCESS TO THE LAKE?
If the slope of your land is less than 30 percent,
you can have a 5m wide path opening (approx. 16
feet) through the vegetation but the path must be
sinuous or curving. Paths cannot be made with
any surface sealing materials (asphalt, cement)
or with any granular materials (stones, rock and
gravel.)
natural growth will ensue which will include a
proliferation of grasses, wild flowers, bushes and trees
that will all self-seed and multiply. The effect is quite
beautiful - like a wild meadow. When Hydro Quebec
cut a wide swath of trees and shrubs along our
roadways to protect hydro wires from damage, the
result at first looked devastating! All cleared areas
View of a lake property before shoreline restoration –
stark and barren.
If the slope of your land is greater than 30%, you
may have a 5m window view of the lake but a path
opening in this case must be no more than a
maximum width of 1.5m (over 4.5 feet) and within
this path, you can build an elevated stairway with a
maximum width of only 1.2m (approx. 4 feet) to
allow natural vegetation to proliferate.
Using
treated wood is prohibited for any building
purposes.
MY HOUSE IS REALLY CLOSE TO THE
SHORELINE SO THE 10-15 M NATURALIZED
AREA WOULD COMPLETELY OR PARTIALLY
SURROUND MY HOUSE. HOW DO I ACCESS
THE PERIMETER OF MY RESIDENCE?
If your dwelling is erected within the 10-15m
area (depending on the slope), you still must leave
all vegetation untouched and uncut around your
house but you are allowed a 2m wide (6 ½ feet)
access pathway encircling your house.
IF I’M NOT ALLOWED TO CUT MY GRASS BACK
FROM THE HIGH WATER LINE, WON’T THIS
MAKE MY PROPERTY LOOK UGLY AND
UNKEMPT?
No. “Naturalization” of shorelines and lake
property is the healthy way a lake and its
surrounding property should look. It is the natural
state in which the lake existed before humans
unknowingly meddled with the balance. Left alone,
Mother Nature will regenerate the shoreline and
Same property after planting several years later.
were stark, bare and totally denuded of all lush, green
growth. Now, just one year later, these areas have
grown back in with full, new indigenous growth. The
same thing will occur on shorelines if left untouched.
WHAT’S WRONG WITH HAVING A LAWN?
A lawn is an unhealthy partner for a lake. Not only
does it require the use of fertilizers and pesticides, but,
being a “hard” surface, it allows up to 55% of rainfall to
escape into the lake washing away topsoil,
phosphorous, pollutants and eventually, the shoreline.
A controlled study was undertaken of two sites –
one with a typical maple-beech forest and the second,
a developed property containing a home, a paved
driveway and a groomed lawn. Both sites had the
same slope (6%). The results illustrated that the
runoff volume on the developed site was five-fold
greater than on the vegetated maple-beech forest
site. Additionally, the runoff from the developed site
carried seven times the phosphorous load and 18
times the sediment load compared to the runoff from
the undeveloped site. This study illustrates the impact
of shore land development on water quality.
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Lac Louisa View – Fall/Winter 2008
I’M NOT TOO SURE I WANT MY SHORELINE TO
BE “WILD”. ISN’T THERE SOMETHING ELSE I
CAN DO TO COMPLY WITH THE LAWS AND
STILL
MAKE
MY
PROPERTY
MORE
APPEALING?
Yes, planting trees, bushes and other
vegetation is permitted. But it isn’t enough to just
plant a few hostas, perennials or annuals.
A
manicured, landscaped “city garden” approach is not
what the definition of naturalization is all about. It is
better to plant bushes, grasses and reeds that are
indigenous to our area, especially the plants that
have the best root capacity to hold the shoreline
together and absorb most of the harmful nutrients.
They also don’t require fertilizers and pesticides.
Don’t forget, bushes can be trimmed and pruned into
pleasing, full shapes and controlled so they don’t
obstruct the view of the lake. The lower branches
on older, mature trees can be trimmed if they block
your view of the lake. A balance of both trees and
shrubs is ideal because shrubs hold the soil intact
and trees eat up the phosphorous.
WHAT ARE THE CONSEQUENCES IF I IGNORE
THESE BYLAWS?
Failure to comply could result in a minimum fine
of $300 per day for each day that the infraction
continues. The property owner and/or anyone who
aids that person may also be liable for the infraction
and the same fine.
WHAT ARE THE MOST RECOMMENDED TREES
AND BUSHES FOR SHORE LINE PLANTING?
Trees that are highly recommended for Lake
Louisa include:
Ash-leaved Maple, Eastern
Cottonwood, Red Ash, Red Maple, Silver Maple,
and White Cedar. Other choices include Canoe
Birch, Choke Cherry, Larch, Red Oak, Tamarack,
White Ash and White Spruce. Sumac is also a
consideration but plant with caution as it is invasive.
Bushes such as Sweet Gale are excellent
plants on rocky shorelines and in any wet area as
they thrive in water. Meadow Sweet (or Spirea) is
another attractive plant near shorelines and its
flower is pleasing and sweet smelling. Bull rushes,
marsh grasses, alders, red osier dogwood,
bushy willow, wild brier roses, Virginia Creeper,
potentilla, and blue flag iris (Quebec’s national
flower and the fleurs de lis depicted on the flag), are
also recommended choices. Many of these plants
are utilized when the LLPOA does its annual
shoreline planting and for only $30, a director will
consult with you before hand so that together, you
can choose the best plants for your area. Not only
that, the LLPOA team and its volunteers will plant
them for you! You can request a shore line planting
next spring.
Other appropriate and attractive species of
plants and plants for shorelines include elderberry,
cardinal flower, Joe Pye weed, Day lily, holly whorl,
downy chokecherry, viburnum, myrtle, blueberry and
more.
There are hundreds of other plant choices. Gilles
Saulnier, the agronomist who was the guest speaker
at the LLPOA’s annual general meeting, presented a
slide show depicting a multitude of plants that are
perfect for shoreline planting—and all are very
beautiful when they mature. A full list of these plants
is available at the Wentworth Municipal office or you
can request that the list be sent to you by clicking the
Gilles Saulnier link and sending a message on our
website at www.lac-louisa.ca.
WHAT
ABOUT…WATERCOURSES,
CREEKS,
OUTFLOWS ETC., ON MY PROPERTY?
The same rules apply. Naturalization is required.
IS IT BETTER TO PLANT DECIDUOUS TREES
(TREES WITH LEAVES) OR CONIFEROUS TREES
(TREES WITH NEEDLES)?
Some people believe deciduous trees create more
potential pollution when their leaves fall into the lake
and decay. But experts have discovered that needles
falling into the lake have the same impact as falling
leaves. Planting either of these trees is acceptable
despite their falling foliage because their roots
eliminate much more pollution than they ever create.
Remember, only 20% of nutrients entering the lake are
“natural”, while 80% are man-made.
I’D RATHER PLANT. HOW IS THE BEST WAY TO
GO ABOUT RESTORING MY SHORE LINE?
First, prepare a site plan of your property with exact
measurements. Sketch out the areas on paper that
include the following:
the 10-15m required
naturalization area; your house and any other
An example of a site plan showing proposed
planting in the 10-15m shoreline area, a 5m
window for a lake view, a curved pathway and the
slope of the land.
structures; your current view; your lake access; any
existing native trees, shrubs, downed limbs, logs and
snags; areas of bare ground and/or areas of erosion;
location of your dock or pier; any areas of site
conditions you would like to change and/or any shore
3
Lac Louisa View – Fall/Winter 2008
line areas that can be enhanced with vegetation
design. Now you can visualize your restoration
project.
Secondly, choose vegetation that adds a variety
of vertical structure from low ground cover plants to
shrubs and trees. Even though trees take years to
reach canopy height, you can plan for the future now
by incorporating them into your design. Planting
large shrubs speeds us the process. Make sure you
choose the right plants for the right areas. For
example, get to know the condition of each area of
your property and the various soil types. Is it sandy,
loamy or acidic soil? Is the area rocky, wet, moist,
or dry? There are specific plants that will thrive in
any of these conditions. Though it’s fun to “do it
yourself” and investigate the best indigenous plants
for your area with the appropriate temperature
hardiness zone by going online or by visiting
nurseries, you may want to ask advice from a
landscaping consultant or an agronomist.
Third, shape the access path to the lake in a
curved design.
Fourth, control the areas of erosion on your
property by adding logs, half-logs, bio-mats or biologs to stabilize soils. Silt fencing, straw bales and
landscape cloth can also be used to retain eroding
soils until your planting take hold.
Finally, plant your trees, shrubs and ground
covers. Once the plantings are established, their
roots will prevent erosion and stop nutrients from
entering the lake.
Here are some general guidelines to remember
while planning your restoration:
Plant
trees and
shrubs
that will
hang over
the
water’s
edge or
stone
walls (if
you have
them)
because
the plants
will create
shade in
the
shallow
water
area.
Keeping
water
temperatures
lower will
facilitate
growth of
zoo
plankton –
Sweet Gale planted at the top of
an
walls looks beautiful hanging over
important
the rocks.
food source
for fish.
Increase the shrub cover that is crucial to many
songbirds. Add shrubs in clusters between the shoreline
and your house and plant them in such a way that they
frame rather than block your view.
Consider demolishing the stone walls on your
shoreline and re-using the broken rock to reconfigure
the slope of your shoreline to a 30 degree angle.
Plants such as Sweet Gale can turn a rocky shoreline
into a lush buffer zone because they flourish when
they are planted directly into the rocks. For planting
shrubs in a dry area in the upper part of a rocky shore
line, this is accomplished by using the following
planting technique:
1.
Move a few stones to form a hole for the
plant.
2.
Spread a piece of burlap over the hole
and put loose soil in its centre. Place the
plant in the middle of it
3.
Fold the edges of the cloth inward toward
the plant, bringing each side towards the
opposite side as indicated in the drawing.
4
Lac Louisa View – Fall/Winter 2008
4.
then fold all four sides of the burlap around the
root ball of the plant, tie with sisal to keep
intact and add a few stones around the plant
to consolidate the planting. In both cases, the
rock will act as a wick to draw the water up to
the plant through clay, silt and burlap. It is
important to make sure the rock and the base
of the “braid” or the tube reaches the water.
This protects the plant from receding
waves.
Place a few stones around the plant to
consolidate the arrangement.
For planting shrubs in a moist area in the
lower part of a rocky shore, use the following
planting technique: Again, clear away stones to
form a hole for the plant.
1. Place a stone in the middle of a piece of
burlap about 90 cm by 180 cm.
2. Wrap the stone in the piece of burlap and
twist to form a large “braid”, leaving excess
cloth at the top. You can tie the rock in
place with a piece of sisal and again at the
top of the braid.
IS THERE A BYLAW ABOUT OUTDOOR
FIRES?
Yes. In Wentworth, for all outdoor fires less
than 1m in width, you must telephone your
Municipality to inform them when you intend to
burn, and, they must be in a container that
prevents contact of ashes with the ground. For all
other fires larger than 1m, you must call the
Municipality and request a visit to your site by the
Fire Chief because all large fires require both the
consent and a fire permit issued only by the Fire
Chief.
A
FEW
WORDS
FROM
PRESIDENT by Jane Nelson
THE
What a wet summer we
had! My gauge recorded over
five inches of rain in the month
of July alone, and, along with
cooler temperatures, these
factors probably influenced
lake conditions.
The good
news? There were no reported
episodes of blue-green algae blooms on Lake
Louisa and incidents were slightly reduced
throughout the province as well. However, wet,
cooler conditions seemed to favor the growth of
filamentous algae. Though this type of algae does
not have the toxicity of some blue-green algae, it
is still a significant indicator of excessive nutrients
entering the lake. The necessity to eliminate
phosphorous and nitrate containing products
can’t be stressed enough! Our lake testing in
2007 confirms again the upward trend of nutrient
input into the lake. In it, the ecologist states,
3. Another possibility is to shape a tube with
the burlap and a stone in the opening but
without creating a “braid”, then place it in the
hole and fill it with fine loose materials (clay
or silt.)
4. Put the plant and loose materials into the
hole in the upper part of the excess burlap
5
Lac Louisa View – Fall/Winter 2008
“nutrient inputs within the watershed are
exceeding what the lake can naturally sustain.”
The full report of the last lake tests is now
available on the LLPOA website. EVERYONE
on Lake Louisa should be whole heartedly
committed to being phosphate free in house and
garden products…no exception. The spring
newsletter will list phosphate-free, lake-friendly
products that “work”.
We could use your
feedback and suggestions over the winter about
what products do the best job for you so we can
inform others on the lake. Please email or call
us with your recommendations.
In response to the plethora of blue-green
algae in the summer of 2007, several
municipalities adopted protective regulations
and organized public information sessions
throughout the summer.
The deteriorating
health of Laurentian lakes due to the impact of
residential development was a major focus and
the need to change our perspective was
emphasized repeatedly. In other words, our
urban concept of gardens and lawns must
go!! Our return to naturalization is mandatory if
we are to reduce our damaging impact on lakes.
If the substantial attendance at the LLPOA
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING is any
indication (best ever!), then we all share similar
concerns. It’s time our mindset changed. In the
past, manicured, immaculate lawns and no trees
obstructing lake views were “de rigueur”. Today,
lush, verdant, thickly planted properties are
much preferred and what Mother Nature herself
would approve. The question for many is; how
do we go about change?
So-called “solution” alternatives to algae
blooms such as the commercially available
floating islands or vegetative mats plus chemical
treatments may seem like a remedy for our
elevated nutrient levels, but don’t be
fooled…these are just temporary band-aids!
They don’t “fix” the problem and will need to be
repeated permanently with no chance of a
guarantee if we continue to pollute our lakes
with phosphates and nitrates. Not only is this
approach costly, it is not clear what the longterm effects of chemical introduction would be
on the ecological balance of lakes. It all boils
down to curtailing our use of the offending
products and establishing barriers to lake
pollution through shoreline naturalization.
Shoreline planting is the essential answer.
In this frame of mind, the LLPOA supported
several initiatives:
1.
As part of our on-going PHOSPHATE
AWARENESS
AND
ABATEMENT
PROGRAM, we offered phosphate-free
Nature Clean products at the wholesale
price in the spring.
Many residents
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
6
participated in the program, while others took
advantage of the increasingly available “safe”,
products in the supermarkets. Let’s keep up
our enthusiasm for this crucial requirement.
Today, tomorrow and in the future, please, use
phosphate-free products only.
The LLPOA sold trees at a greatly discounted
rate in our TREES FOR LIFE PROGRAM and
personally delivered each order to many
informed residents eager to plant their
shoreline.
We also participated in the
government’s FREE TREE project again this
year. Flyers were distributed and 500 saplings
were given to residents who responded
around the lake.
A practical workshop on shoreline planting
was offered in Gore this summer.
The
Municipality of Wentworth sponsored the
participation of four Lake Louisa residents.
26 households signed up for SHORELINE
PLANTING this year.
The participating
residents and the LLPOA’s matching
contributions covered the cost of over
$2,400.00 for plants and shrubs.
The LAKE TESTING PROGRAM continued
as usual (even through rainy, unpleasant
conditions) from June to October this year.
Complete results will be provided in the spring.
The LLPOA sponsored agronomist Gilles
Saulnier as guest speaker at the ANNUAL
GENERAL MEETING to help educate
residents on the merits and “how-to” of
shoreline planting.
THE BOATING FOCUS GROUP outlined their
plan to develop a boating etiquette flyer and
proposed a trial “no wake bay” at the annual
meeting.
CAROLINE HALE became the first recipient
of the LLPOA’s AMBASSADOR PROGRAM
in recognition of her
love and dedication
to Lake Louisa. We
hope this young
woman will inspire
young and old alike
to become more
involved
by
contributing
“that
little bit extra” in
individual
unique
ways we all must
employ to further
good stewardship for lake protection in the
future. Caroline’s name has been engraved
on an attractive plaque that will be hung inside
the Lake Louisa Social Club. There is room
for many new names and each year, another
Lac Louisa View – Fall/Winter 2008
9.
Thanks to the BOATING FOCUS
GROUP:
Pierre Laurin, John Perkins,
André Levesque, Susan Shaw Redmond,
Yvon Vacquier, Karl Wockner, George
Alguire and Patricia Noonan for their ongoing dedicated efforts to deal with a
controversial issue. To each and every single
person who helped out, we thank you from the
bottom of our hearts!
New directors and volunteers are always
welcome especially from the younger
generation of Lake Louisians who will be our
environmental leaders in the future.
Louisa resident will be recognized. Are you
the next Lake Louisa Ambassador?
FISH STOCKING We are investigating the
possibility of smelt runs and stocking larger
trout. Fish stocking has been scheduled for
2009.
The LLPOA is currently considering a
couple of new projects.
They include
looking into the feasibility of a lake capacity
study and we’re working on an invasive
species awareness campaign.
Invasive
species have been a problem in many of our
region’s waterways and with the transport of
boats from one body of water to another, the
potential for introduction of non-native
species into our lake is a real possibility.
We’ll
keep
you
posted
on
any
developments.
All of our various projects would not
have succeeded without the help of many
wonderful enthusiastic volunteers.
They
include the BLUE-GREEN ALGAE WATCH
TEAM who combed the shallows of the lake
throughout the summer. Many thanks to
Michel Pitre, Pierre Laurin, Elaine Duffy,
Elfreide Gebhard, Barb Scales, Arlene
Montcalm,
Claire
Ropeleski,
Bill
Lipscombe, Lesley Comfort, Ron Price,
George Radimer, Yvon Vacquier and Guy
Deneault.
The LAKE TESTING PROGRAM
including Jack Davis, Debbie and Randy
Sinclair, devoted their tireless energy to this
essential job.
Lake Louisa resident Bob Mason (at left) has
been shoreline planting for years with
excellent results as the lush greenery behind
him on his shoreline clearly shows. LLPOA
volunteers
Nancy
Mallette,
Christine
MacDougal and Jack Lazariuk are shown here
planting Sweet Gale directly “in the rocks” to
further stabilize the shore.
As autumn envelops us with its
spectacular show of brilliant colour changes,
it’s easier than ever to remind ourselves how
lucky we are to live on this beautiful lake, Lake
Louisa. Let’s all keep her safe and healthy.
Have a happy and safe autumn and winter
everyone and we look forward to
communicating with you again next spring.
Shoreline planters 2008 L to R: Barb
Scales, John Giles, Jane Nelson, Christine
MacDougal, Guy Deneault, Jack Lazariuk,
Nancy and Heather Mallette, Julie
Langlois, Lawrence Irany. Missing from
photo: Elfriede Gebhard, Roy Nelson and
Roland Richer.
HELP NEEDED!
Many have suggested that the LLPOA
sign at Cleary’s Corner could be
enhanced to better reflect our mission.
Are there any volunteer graphic artists in
our midst willing to take on this job?
Our
committed
and
energetic
SHORELINE PLANTING TEAM included
Roland Richer, Julie Langlois, Nancy and
Heather Mallette, Christine MacDougal,
Jack Lazariuk, Guy Deneault, Elfriede
Gebhard, Barb Scales, Lawrence Irany,
John Giles, Roy and Jane Nelson. Thank
you John Perkins for your assistance in
Black Bay and the extra burlap we needed!
Great sandwiches Barb!
7