Minutes of the Oxbow Lake
“Lake Plan Working Group” First Meeting July 31, 2005, 1-2pm Present: Angie Heydon (Lake Steward), Sue Turner, Colleen Pollreis, Lynn Brown, John Scarfe (VP-east arm) Apologies: Karen Naismith 1.Introductions 2.Opening remarks: Why form a Lake Plan; the fact that we can help protect the health and future of the lake; influence public policy; Request that Lake Plan be attached to Township’s Official Plan. 3.What is a Lake Plan: A lake plan identifies the special character of the lake; consolidates information about the past and current state of the lake; provides future direction concerning lake development; educates lake community members; Produces policy that may be used in a municipal level Official Plan. 4.Budget: no need to worry at this point; with email and volunteers with skills, no need for expensive consultants; estimate of administrative costs of perhaps $1-200 per year. 5.Stakeholders: While all the current volunteers are members of the Oxbow Lake Cottager’s Association, it was resolved that we should invite all other stakeholders who have an interest in the long term health and well-being of Oxbow Lake to participate in the completion of the Lake Plan. This would include Olympia Sports Camp, Associations representing surrounding lakes, especially those downstream, frequent visitors including fishers and snowmobilers, other members of the local community. Without wider consultation, the Lake Plan carries less weight. 6.Process: The process will begin with the Lake Plan template, and the basic research necessary to complete it. Then we need to present it to the Association and local stakeholders, as well as our local township councillors. Consultation along the way is key! We will then invite input, and amend the plan accordingly. Estimated time 1-2 years until final approval. 7.Communication: It will be necessary, as part of the consultation process, to communicate with the members of our association, and our local stakeholders, so as to gather as much support and input as possible. If the whole community is behind the Lake Plan, then it will likely have greater influence at the Township level, and possibly beyond. 8.Newsletter and Website: It was suggested that as we do the research and brainstorming in identifying the special characteristics of Oxbow Lake, that we continue to communicate that to our stakeholders, which will inspire feedback and further insight. A bi-yearly newsletter, delivered electronically, and available on the Association’s website, should be our goal. It will update everyone on the progress of the Lake Plan, communicate some of the more interesting things we discover in our research, and invite input. It would also allow us a chance to regularly communicate something of Oxbow Lake’s unique history and characteristics. Updates on Water Quality, and how to protect the Lake with things like shoreline protection and septic reminders, would also be included. A Docktalk report will also be included in the fall issue. Subject to approval, the Lake Plan Working Group will have a bulletin board type discussion group on the Oxbow Lake Cottager’s Association website at www.oxbowlake.org. 9.Decision Making: It was agreed that our working group would endeavour to make decisions by consensus, with a view to including everyone’s input. 10.To do: Everyone took away a copy of the Huntsville District Lake Plan. Appendix 3 sets out some general areas to be researched. This research forms a significant portion of the Lake Plan. These areas are divided into 11 categories. Sue, Colleen and Angie will research categories 1 Physical Geography, 2 The shoreline, 3. Fish and Wildlife, 4 Water Quality. John will do 5 Demographics and land use, while Lynn will do 6 Natural Heritage, and 7 Historical, Cultural and Built Heritage. The other categories were deferred until the next meeting. 11.Next meeting: Saturday September 3rd, 2005, 1pm
0 Comments
|
Archives
June 2020
Categories |
Oxbow Lake Cottagers' Association
Respecting, Preserving, Enjoying! |
Pollution Reporting for the Public
Please report immediately if you witness any of the following:
|