And a little bit of this and that from Muskoka

As wildfires continue to rage throughout parts of Canada, including close to home in Algonquin Park (though those ones are under control), we should all give thanks to the amazing people who are on the frontlines fighting these fires and protecting the large majority of us from disaster.

Sure, there is wildfire smoke impacting our daily lives, but imagine if those brave people on the ground and in the air weren’t out there doing their jobs – things would be much, much worse for everyone.

We all are aware of property losses caused by fire, but there would be a tremendous number of fatalities should the wildfires be allowed to spread – and spread they do – without resistance.

Apparently, Mother Nature does care about us as she has sent some rain in the last few days over Quebec and parts of Ontario, and is predicted to be sending more rain next week.

Hopefully with the wet weather arriving, plus the manmade products and equipment, the firefighters and supporting volunteers will have the help they need to stamp out the majority of these wildfires.

So, please join me in saying a warm and hearty “THANK YOU!” to all those attempting to keep the fires in check and protect the public at large from what could be a horrific situation.

TOUGH CALLS

With all the smoke causing air quality fluctuations each day (even each hour), there have been some tough calls made by youth sports this week to cancel programming in the early evenings.

It’s never easy and nobody wants to cancel any sports, but sometimes erring on the side of caution is the best choice to make.

After all, a couple nights of cancelling youth sports isn’t going to hurt that much, but the after effects of too much smoke inhalation could have long-lasting negative health impacts.

Let’s all keep that in mind when getting upset that one night of soccer, baseball, lacrosse or any other sport is cancelled.

SIX LAKES TO HAVE HEalth STATUS CHANGED

Five lakes will soon be officially added to the District of Muskoka vulnerable lakes list, with one set to be removed after an Official Plan (OP) amendment is ratified this summer.

Fawn Lake (Bracebridge/Huntsville), Mary Lake (Huntsville), Menominee Lake (Lake of Bays), Muldrew Lake (Gravenhurst) and Paint Lake (Lake of Bays) all had confirmed blue-green algae blooms during the past two years.

With added monitoring, each of the lakes was found to have at least one of the three criteria necessary to add them to the vulnerable lakes list.

These indicators are a long-term statistically significant increase in phosphorus concentration; a long-term total phosphorus concentration greater than 20 micrograms per litre; a blue-green algae cyanobacteria bloom confirmed by the province and/or the health unit.

Each of these five lakes is already under enhanced protection policies being applied to lot creation, vacant lots, and redevelopment of existing lots.

The enhanced policies include increased building and septic setbacks; site-specific soil investigations to most appropriate location for a septic system; monitoring and reporting by the property owner to confirm that the community planning permit or site plan is being adhered to; and more.

Meanwhile, there was better news for Barron’s Lake in the Township of Georgian Bay, which met the criteria to be removed from the vulnerable list. The delisting of Barron’s Lake is a result of the lake no longer having a long-term total phosphorous concentration of greater than 20 ug/L present for three consecutive years.

Muskoka Lakes looking to set tougher fines

Township of Muskoka Lakes Council voted unanimously at their May meeting to institute a new administrative monetary penalty system (AMPS) to punish those who repeatedly violate bylaws.

Bylaws impacted include tree conservation, site alteration and encroachment on public lands, fireworks, fire control, dog control, noise control, election signs, and more.

Under AMPS, penalties for first offences range from $150 to $2,000 depending on the bylaw broken. Meanwhile, for third offences and beyond, the penalties range from $900 to $12,000 per offence depending on the bylaw. Second offences fall in the $300 to $4,000 range.

The new system also provides more teeth to the existing bylaws and gives enforcement officers the ability to present gradually increasing penalties (up to the maximum) for each time the bylaw is broken. But, it could also mean the maximum is applied several times – for instance, should someone cut down 20 trees, they could get the max fine 20 times.

For the full bylaw, visit: Muskoka Lakes Monetary Penalty System.

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