fisheries management meeting · 2020. 4. 29. · walleye spawning bed at whitestone chutes in 2005....

– F A L L 2 0 0 4 N E W S L E T T E R –

A. Fishing Regulations:It has recently been learned, the

2005 and 2006 Sport FishingRegulation Summaries wil l becombined. Consequently, the earli-est any new fishing regulation canbe implemented is 2007. It isant ic ipated at that t ime (i .e.2007), there wi l l be majorchanges to Divis ion FishingBoundaries as well as several sig-nificant changes to size and catchlimits pertaining to walleye, pikeand perhaps even bass. This is aProvincial Initiative and there willbe public consultation over thenext couple of years in this regard.

However, as an interim mea-sure, the MNR made a number ofrecommendations to the WCA FishCommittee regarding voluntaryregulations that the Associationmight consider. These included:• A voluntary closure of the lake

trout fishery,• A voluntary slot size for walleye

(this will undoubtedly be part ofthe above mentioned Provincialinitiative), and

• Abide by current regulations forbass and pike.

Lake Trout:Recent netting and creel surveyssuggest the lake trout population isvery small, but seemingly stable.Currently, recruitment seems to bebalancing mortality, but both are atvery low levels. Nonetheless, theMinistry considers the Wah-Wash-Kesh Lake trout population to behighly vulnerable to over-exploita-tion. This is because even a smallincrease in angling mortality over

its current low level would upsetthe present delicate balance. Evena small increase in angling mortali-ty will further reduce already pre-cipitously low numbers andexceed the recruitment rate, there-by jeopardizing the sustainability ofthe populat ion. Hence, theMinistry’s recommended a volun-tary closure of the lake trout fish-ery. The Fish Committee of theWCA asserted that perhaps publiceducation and individual choicewas a more acceptable approachthan an over-all voluntary closureto be imposed upon al l WCAmembers.

Consequently, the MNR andWCA fish committee recommendthat individual members makea responsible decision to volun-tari ly refrain from angling(including catch and release)lake trout until signs of a wellrehabilitated and highly stablepopulation are established .(Admittedly, the MNR concedesthis may be a lengthy period oftime as past harvest reductionshave not resulted in a rehabilitatedpopulation.)

Walleye:Recent netting and creel surveyssuggest the walleye population ishealthy and providing a reasonablygood sport fishery. However, someindicators suggest walleye abun-dance has decreased relative tosurveys conducted in the 1980’s.

The Ministry recommended thevoluntary adoption of a slot size tothe WCA Fish Committee. (Note:Fish within a certain length range(slot) would be released.) The Fish

Committee was reluctant toendorse such a recommendationconsidering: The MNR already con-siders the status of the walleyepopulation as “healthy”. A reti-cence to adopt a new and poten-tially confusing type of catch regu-lation (i.e. slot size). A perceptionthat the Ministry is constantlyreducing harvest with no discern-able benefits to the angler or thefish population.

In light of the foregoing, no rec-ommendation was endorsedregarding voluntary regulationswith respect to walleye angling.

Northern Pike and Smallmouth Bass:These populations appear to bevery healthy. The 2002 creel sur-vey indicates pike and bass enjoya remarkably high release rate of90% and 76% respect ively.Consequently, it was consideredunnecessary to make any recom-mendations to voluntarily furtherreduce the harvest of thesespecies.

Other VoluntaryAngling Regulations:On behalf of some members, theWCA Fish Committee brought upthe notion of barbless hooks and alive bait prohibition. The Ministryfelt these were inappropriate orineffective regulatory tools toaddress the ills presently facing theWah-Wash-Kesh fishery. However,if individual members feel theseare beneficial and wish to abide bythem on a self-imposed basis, byall means they are welcome to doso.

B. Future FisheriesAssessment:

Discussions ensued regarding themost cost-effective method to mon-itor angling activity and harvest.Options included:1) Victoria Holiday Weekend

Voluntary Creel,2) End of Season Creel

Questionnaire, and/or3) Voluntary Creel Diary Program

The Option #2 – End of SeasonCreel Questionnaire was consid-ered the most effective method.In this regard, please find thequestionnaire enclosed in thisnewsletter. The MNR requestsyou complete and return it totheir office prior to January 1,2005. MNR will summarize theresults and present a summaryreport to the WCA in 2005.

C. Other Management Initiatives:

The WCA will apply for and con-duct a Community FisheriesInvolvement Project to enhance thewal leye spawning bed atWhitestone Chutes in 2005.

On an experimental basis in thefall of 2004, the MNR will conducta netting survey to evaluate the fea-sibility of a lake trout egg collectionand culture project.

Eric McIntyre, Parry SoundArea Fisheries Biologist

Parry Sound DistrictOntario Ministry of Natural Resources

(The Fish Enhancement Committeewishes to thank Eric McIntyre forcollecting and preparing this sum-mary of the meeting held onOctober 5, 2004 to consideroptions available to Wah-Wash-Kesh fishermen.)

MNR / Wah-Wash-Kesh Conservation Association Fish Committee

Fisheries Management MeetingOn October 5, 2004, MNR met with the Fisheries Committee of the Wah-Wash-Kesh Conservation Association (WCA)

to formulate a plan of action regarding fisheries regulation, assessment and management actions.

© Lake Wah-Wash-Kesh Conservation Association

At our Annual General MeetingJuly 31, 2004, the FishEnhancement Committee reportedthat a Fisheries Management Planhad been commissioned by theAssociation several years ago, butthat the report had been rejected bythe Ontar io Ministry of NaturalResources (OMNR) and has notbeen implemented. Members fromthe floor requested an accounting forthe money spent on this report andan explanation of why it was rejectedby the MNR.

This article describes the moneythat was spent on the reports men-tioned at the AGM. Eric McIntyre,Fisheries Biologist – Parry SoundArea, Ontario Ministry of NaturalResources, has submitted a detailedexplanation about why the reportswere rejected, (printed on the nextpage).

In 1999, the Fish EnhancementCommittee, with the full backing ofthe Directors, entered into a projectwith the OMNR to develop aFisheries Management Plan for ourlake. The report was completed bySAAR Environmental and the finalreport was submitted in October2000.

The Associat ion paid SAAREnvironmental $2,675 on cheque#0262 dated March 9, 1999, forLake Survey Action Plan Phase 1(their Ref.#TS-394). The invoiceamount was $2500 plus GST of$175.

Also we paid them an additional$2,675 on cheque #0325 datedOctober 25, 2000, for WWK LakeFisheries Management Plan, alsotheir Ref. #TS-394. This was invoicedat $5,000 + GST of $350, for a totalof $5,350, with $2,675 paid byOMNR and the balance of $2,675paid by us.

This report recommended variousmonitoring and analysis activity aswell as potential spawning bedenhancement programs, and also a

reconsideration of the winter fishingban on our Lake.

In February 2001, the Associationengaged Mr. Lloyd Thurston, retiredOMNR Fisheries Biologist, to evaluatethe plan and prepare a LakeFisheries Operational Plan. He waspaid $1,215.49 on our cheque #0301dated Feb. 6, 2002 for his Review ofFisheries Management Plan &Preparation of Fisheries OperationalPlan. This comprised fees of $1,155,disbursements of $48.45 and interestdue to our late payment of $12.04.

Several aspects of the Thurstonreport were rejected by the OMNR ina letter from Mr.Eric McIntyre on May28, 2001, including foreign lake troutstocking, sensitive area mapping(downloaded to municipalit ies),completion of the Wah-Wash-KeshFisheries Management Plan (due tobudget restrictions), and the stockingof the north basin with splake.

The OMNR did agree to consider atrout egg collection program, provid-ed a copy of fisheries reports to theAssociation, committed to a SynopticTrap Net Survey in 2002 and aSpring Littoral Index Survey in 2004,Gooseneck Creek spawning bedevaluation, and scientific data collec-tion and implementation of spawn-ing bed work.

Total expenditures by theAssociation on these reports andtheir analysis were $6,565.49

In November 2001, theAssociation attempted to recoverfrom the OMNR the dollars that werespent on Mr. Thurston’s review ofthe plan and on half the moneyspent on the SAAR report but wewere not successful.

John Nelson, PresidentStillwater Cottage, North End

Explanation of Rejected Fisheries Management Report


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MNR’s Perspective on the Wah-Wash-Kesh Lake Fisheries Management Plan

At the 2004 Wah-Wash-Kesh Conservation Association AGM, it appeared there were a number of misconcep-tions with respect to the Ministry’s involvement with the Wah-Wash-Kesh Lake Fisheries Management Plan. The fol-lowing is the Ministry’s perspective in this regard:1. In 1999, the Wah-Wash-Kesh Conservation Association (WCA) and the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR)entered into a voluntary partnership, under the Ministry’s Community Fisheries Involvement Program (CFIP), to hirea consultant to write a Fisheries Management Plan for Wah-Wash-Kesh Lake for our mutual benefit. 2. In 1999, under the auspices of a CFIP grant, the Ministry provided $2,500 towards the project; which at the timewe believed would constitute the majority of funding required for the project. 3. In good faith, the Ministry of Natural Resources submitted to the WCA a listing of consultants that we believedwould produce a good and creditable Report. The selected consultant was chosen from this list. The Ministryacknowledges and accepts its role and responsibility with respect to contractor selection in this regard.4. It was the Ministry’s opinion the prepared report was deficient in many respects and did not meet the Terms ofReference for the Plan. (The Terms of Reference are also available upon request.) Copies of the report were sub-mitted to the Ministry and WCA, so the report was completed and does exist. We simply don’t believe it has muchutility to help us with fisheries management on the lake. If anyone would like to read the submitted plan, it is avail-able for their viewing from either the Fish Committee of the WCA or the MNR.

(The statement that the Ministry “refused” the Report is correct insofar as the Ministry will not use the Reportwith respect to fisheries management on Wah-Wash-Kesh Lake. The Ministry still has a copy of the report.)5. In no way does the Ministry’s assessment of the submitted report represent criticism of the WCA’s involvementin the process. The WCA always acted in good faith and actively participated as a full partner in endeavouring tomake the Plan a success.6. The Ministry had neither knowledge nor participation in the process whereby the WCA hired an independentconsultant to peer review the submitted Plan. 7. Notwithstanding the absence of a satisfactory Fisheries Management Plan for the lake, we were still very com-mitted to an ambitious monitoring and assessment program in conjunction with the Fish Committee of the WCA.These works are summarized in the following table:

Year Conducted by WCA Conducted by MNR

2000 • Walleye Spawners Survey – • DO/Temp. profiles re Lake Trout habitat Whitestone Chutes • Spring Littoral Index Netting (Lake Trout)

Survey on North Basin• Lake trout egg bioassay study

2001 • Victoria-Day Weekend Voluntary Creel• Smelt Spawning Site Investigation

2002 • Walleye Fry planting – Gooseneck Inlet • Intensive Summer Creel Survey• Synoptic Trap-net Survey • DO/Temp. profiles re Lake Trout habitat

2003 • Walleye Fry planting – Gooseneck Inlet2004 • Walleye Spawning Bed Enhancement – • Spring Littoral Index Netting Survey

Gooseneck Inlet (for lake trout) on South Basin• Summer Profundal Index Netting Survey (for lake tout) on South Basin

(Copies of reports for the above surveys are available upon request from the Ministry of Natural Resources)

8. The Ministry is well aware and highly sensitive to the fact the WCA has spent a very substantial amount ofmoney on an unsuccessful project that our Ministry initiated. This is an extremely embarrassing situation for us. Weassure you, the Ministry is no more pleased with the outcome than the WCA. In any contractual agreement there isan element of risk the work will not be done in the manner foreseen, and that is essentially the situation here.

Eric McIntyre, Parry Sound Area Fisheries BiologistParry Sound District, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources

Note: Fish Enhancement Committee members Ed Bennett, Ken Taylor, and Don Comrie of the Fish Committeehave approved the following statement: "The Fish Enhancement Committee would like to add the following infor-mation: When the report was finally rejected by the MNR, the Wah-Wash-Kesh Conservation Association executiveat that time were advised and their approval to pay the final bill for the plan is a matter of record and is reflectedin the executive's minutes"

© Lake Wah-Wash-Kesh Conservation Association- 3 -

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Magnetawan River Operating Plan

Over the past three years, theMNR has been studying the waterflows in the Magnetawan River andreviewing their standard operatingprocedures to manage it. They con-sulted with many stakeholder groupsincluding people from Lake Wah-Wash-Kesh. Ed Bennett and RayCorneil were our representatives onthe Public Advisory Committee.

In May this year, the MNR issuedthe Final Report of the MagnetawanRiver Water Control Operating Plan.The Association Board, Ed Bennett,and Ray Corneil reviewed the reportin early June and responded formallyto the MNR. The full text of our replycan be viewed on our website atwww.lake-wah-wash-kesh.org. In July,the Municipality of Whitestone noti-fied the MNR that they fully support-ed our response. We received adetailed reply from Mr. Mike Phillipsin August.

The Association had three majorconcerns: 1) Lake Wah-Wash-Kesh was specifi-cally excluded from a list of lakes thatthe plan assigns higher priority towith respect to the interests of prop-erty owners. 2) The MNR plan was prepared withalmost no actual scientific data aboutWWK water levels, but relied oncomputer generated estimates. 3) The MNR assigned itself to be itsown watchdog to ensure that it actu-ally implements the plan in years tocome.

We recommended that the MNRlook harder for records of WWK lakelevels kept by Mr. Cliff Bennett fortwenty-odd years until the 1970sand f i led with the FederalDepartment of Public Works. We alsorecommended that a permanentautomatic water level monitoring sta-tion be installed on WWK. We askedthat once more data is available thatthe plan be reviewed promptly. Weasked that the MNR reconsider theirranking of how they consider theinterests of WWK property ownerscompared with other lakes. We sug-gested that an independent bodymonitor the MNRs compliance withtheir plan. We asked that the MNRcommunicate high water warnings tous effectively.

Mr. Phillips promised to renewefforts to find the missing records,

and said that the consultants’ reportrecommended more water monitor-ing stations, saying that WWK is agood location if funds are available inthe MNR budget. He said the plan isreviewed every ten years as a gener-al rule but didn’t rule out an earlierlook at it if new data suggest it. Hesaid that the Municipal i ty ofWhitestone receives high flow warn-ings and suggested we coordinatewith them. He noted that the rainfallwe experienced in the fall of 2003and the spring of 2004 was close tothe maximums ever recorded.

We plan to arrange a meeting withMr. Phillips over the coming monthsto discuss the issues further.

In the meantime, we’re in touchwith Whitestone to try and set up ahigh-flow warning procedure – possi-bly a “telephone tree” and a postingon the municipal and Associationwebsites.

John NelsonStillwater Cottage

PLANNINGThe OP is still not approved by the

Provincial Government. Apparently asI am told the MNR is holding up theapproval simply by not providingtheir final response to the draft OP.This response has been sought sinceNov 2003. Today (October 21/04) Icalled the Whitestone MunicipalOffices and inquired as to whetherthere would be a point–soon. WereCouncil themselves embarrassedenough to launch aggressive followup on this matter. We will see I sup-pose.

Meanwhile the Zoning Bylaw hasbeen developed and a public meet-ing was scheduled for Saturday,October 23rd, 2004.

The Associat ion providedPlanscape (Rick Hunter) with a draft-zoning bylaw and sought input as tothe quality and comprehensivenessof the Whitestone zoning bylaw. Wealso wanted assurance that the zon-ing bylaw was congruent with thedraft OP.

Recommendations and commentswere forwarded to the Municipalityon October 21st in advance of thepublic meeting. We expect some fur-ther communication on this matterwith the Municipality over the nextfew weeks.

My guess is that by the spring of2005 we should have both an

approved OP and an approvedZoning bylaw.

By the way both the OP andZoning bylaw are on the Whitestoneweb site.

This OP and Zoning bylaw hasbeen a 5-6 year process and a lot ofongoing work for the planning volun-teers. We are all looking forward tostanding aside and letting the in-place planning pol ic ies of theMunicipality function, as they should.

Dalton FerrisOn behalf of the Association

Planning Committee

The Early YearsTo commemorate the 50th

Anniversary of the founding of TheLake Wah-Wash-Kesh ConservationAssociation in 1954, the Associationhas set a goal of publishing a sequelto the book “The Early Years”.Published in 1986 the book dealtwith the history of the WWK area andof the Association up to, roughly, theearly 1980s.

The original book has become apopular classic, which, through itssales in Bennett’s and Hayward’sstores still benefits the Associationand is read and reread by membersat home and in cottages around thelake.

The book became absorbing read-ing through the efforts of manymembers sharing and recording theirstories. The same widespread effortand support is necessary to createthe sequel. The target date for publi-cation is the AGM in August 2005.

The geographical growth of themembership of the association hasnot been uniform over the years andcommunit ies of cottagers havegrown up based on such factors asthe building of roads which allowseasier access to the cottages. Thisshift in the population density aroundthe lake is a factor that it is hopedwill be reflected in the stories con-tributed to the sequel.

Just as in the original work, it ishoped that many members will alsocontribute photographs to be pub-lished in the sequel and along withthose already in hand will form thebasis for a pictorial archive for theAssociation. While some membersand their families may have storiesbursting to be told, others may needsome prompting to get the creativejuices flowing.

What follows is a selection of top-ics that may serve to prompt contri-

butions to the “sequel”PROMPTS:

First roots: How did you come tohear about WWK? When was yourfirst journey? How did you travel?What memories do you have ofthose early days, where did you stay?Did you rent, stay with in-laws,friends? History of the property, howmany of you then and now? Howmany summers have the familyspent at the lake? What are the cot-tage stories told around the dinnertable, the comic and the serious?

Accommodation: What constructiondid you and/or the family carry out?What stories arose from plumbingproblems, water supply, waste dis-posal, leaking roofs problems withice, weather, high and low water lev-els, lighting by oil. Propane or elec-tricity, hydro blackouts, the old origi-nal outhouse.

Boats: First boats, first outboard,boating stories, lost in fog or thedark, rescues, lost or sunk boats, ”outof gas” changing types of boats,canoes to jet skis.

Communications: Message stories,phone booth stories, radio phones,CB radio.

Stores and store keepers/serviceproviders: “Running out” beforecompany is coming, the mad dashbefore the store closes. Special orderbaking, the smell of baking. Actsbeyond the call of duty. Service callsfor boats that won’t start. Closing andopening up the cottage, ferryingboats and docks.

Food: How has procurement andpreparation changed over the years?Refrigeration, ice houses, ice boxes,refrigerators, microwave ovens, cook-outs, berry picking.

Emergencies/disasters: Medicaland surgical, drives to the hospital,being stranded without a workingboat, car problems, lightening strikes,fires, floods, major storms, (summerand winter).

Environmental changes: Changesin garbage disposal, washing in thelake, things that used to be done butare no longer acceptable.

Visitors: Stories about coping withvisitors unfamiliar to cottage life,meeting and transporting them,strange and funny comments orevents.

Leisure activities, passing fads &stunts: Games played or invented on

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wet weekends, families favourite pas-times/rituals, card and board games.Waterskiing, tubing, plywood discs,water walking on pontoons, cliff jump-ing, regattas.

Flora and fauna: In-cottage critters,racoons, mice, flying squirrels, bears,mosquitoes.

Outdoors: Flying and biting insects,beaver, muskrat, deer, pinemartin, fish-ers, snakes, loons, blue herons, mer-gansers, cormorants, gulls, osprey,terns, woodpeckers, hummingbirds,jays, rare sightings, wildflowers, trees,fungi, fish, and fishing stories, huntingand trapping.

Historical finds: Have you foundIndian arrowheads, Indian pottery, log-ging implements, boat wrecks?

Over the years the members of theAssociat ion have become moreinvolved in the communities surround-ing the lake.

Seasonal visitors and their supportservices are an important part of theeconomic life of the townships. Thistrend started with the decline of log-ging in the Magnetawan watershed.Improved roads have increased accessto formerly remote areas, cultural activi-ties such as the Whitestone Historical

Society mark a blending of the interestsof the cottagers and the year roundresidents. The management of thewaters of the Magnetawan river systemand the introduction of sustainablemethods of logging are also matters ofinterest to the members and will betouched on in the “Sequel”. Our mutu-al interest in the provision of emer-gency services is seen in the sproutingof the 911 signs on all cottage proper-ties and the support provided by theAssociation for the new Parry SoundHospital.

Members are invited to use the top-ics mentioned in this article as a start-ing point for their contributions but notto feel confined to them. Their storiesshould be as personal as possible mak-ing full use of “I” “we” and “they”. The“sequel” will be the creation of themembers and it is their memories that,when recorded, will ensure a publica-tion that is a fitting follow up to “TheEarly Years.

Contributions should be sent assoon as possible to the Presidentof The Association, John Nelson.

email: [email protected] regular mail:John Nelson, 23 Searle StreetHamilton, Ontario, L9A 2V6


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Emergency Helipad andAdditional Parking

On September 13, John Nelson met withWhitestone Road Superintendent Nick Thomsonand Fire Chief Bob Whitman at the Bennett’s Baydock. We discussed the need for additional parkingin that area and also the need for an emergencyhelipad on Lake Wah-Wash-Kesh.

Many members have suggested that the olddumpsite near Bennett’s Bay be opened up asadditional parking. The dump was closed in 2000,and the MNR roughly leveled and compacted thearea and installed a covering layer of soil. Theaccess lane to the old dump has been blocked offby a gate and a pile of dirt since then. Presentlythe area looks like an open meadow about twohundred feet in diameter covered with short vege-tation. The MNR has not been optimistic about theprobability of using the area for parking becausethe Ministry of the Environment has concernsabout the heavy use of former waste disposalsites.

For several years, many people on the lake havebeen concerned by the lack of a proper helipad forthe emergency air evacuation ambulance, availablein all seasons and during the day and night. Aglance at the demographics of our membershipsurvey tells us that the population is aging, and weknow that emergency services are important to usall.

Dean Timson of the MNR has said “that ifWhitestone was to get the proper approvals for theHelipad MNR would be supportive” of a plan touse the old dumpsite as a helipad. The emergencyhelicopter requires a pretty sizeable area for safelanding, and cars cannot be parked nearbybecause they would be damaged by the grittywind kicked up by the blades. The helicopter alsoneeds a sloped-in flight path to conserve fuelbecause straight up-and-down take-offs burn a lotof fuel and also mean they can carry less weight –so they might even have to dump gas leavingthem short for the trip to the hospital. A helipadmust be close to both a water access point and aroad access point so that if the chopper is divertedby weather or another emergency, the patient can

be quickly transferred to a road ambulance. A heli-pad should be located on public land. The olddumpsite is the only site that seems to meet all ofthese requirements – compared to possible sitesnorth of Shanty Bay or at the Peace & QuietCottages for example.

However, as far as parking goes, just up the roadto Indian Narrows, on the left as you leaveBennett’s Bay, there is a fairly level patch ofground that was used years ago when the MNRimproved the Indian Narrows road and dock. It’snot big enough for a helipad, and doesn’t allow asloped in flight path. It only takes two minutes towalk from there to the existing parking lot nearBennett’s, and if the weeds were cut and the areacleaned up a bit there is room for about ten or fif-teen cars. This work would cost the AssociationDock Fund next to nothing and would very quicklytake some pressure off the existing parking area.Neither the Municipality or the MNR has any oblig-ation to provide parking for cottagers – it’s up to usto find (and fund) solutions.

The Associat ion has recommended toWhitestone that they establish a helipad at the olddumpsite. We have also asked the MNR to inspectthe other area and grant us permission to establishit as a parking area.

John NelsonStillwater Cottage, the North End

Loon NestingThis past spring at the “Cottage Life Show” we

happened upon a loon display. We watched avideo and talked to the host. In this process welearned that lakes that have significant spring waterlevel changes present nesting and rearing issuesfor loons. As you all know we have changing springwater levels at Lake WWK!

Loons nest very close to the water and basicallyright on the shore line and usually in a quiet baynot directly exposed to wind. Loons have extreme-ly limited ability to walk as their legs are mountedclose to the rear. Thus if they are in the nestingcycle and the water drops they experience greatdifficulty getting to the nest. The result being eggsare unprotected from predators and as well may

not hatch as they are not being properly incubat-ed-thus no young result. Therefore there is a needon our lake for floating loon nests.

The loon display provided plans for a floatingloon nest. The plans are simple. The nest platformconsists of 4, 8 foot posts, some wire mesh for afloor, some cable and 2 cement blocks foranchors. This material when assembled results in a4x4 floating nest platforms onto which you pileleaves and small sticks and you can even plantsome shore line plants to make it all look invitingto the loon couple.

This past spring we assembled a platform andplaced it in “Driftwood Bay” in a quiet spot out ofthe wind. The platform was covered with rakingsfrom the forest floor and a few cedar bows. Wedid not get to place any live shoreline plants—thought we would do that later as the bugs chasedus out. Our thinking was well this nest platform willlikely be used next year as it was well past themiddle of May by the time we had it placed.

We were very pleased to find that in a few daysloons had chosen the platform for a nesting loca-tion. There was one egg and the egg took about30 days to hatch-with loons seeming to take turnson the nest. Soon we saw a very tiny head swim-ming beside a parenting loon. This loon familystayed around the area till very late in September.Our family had a whole summer of enjoymentwatching this little loon progress and at the sametime took great satisfaction in knowing we hadhelped this loon family with their parenting duties.

If others are interested in developing floatingloon nests and helping expand the loon popula-tion on our Lake let me know and I will send you aset of nest plans.

Toggle PointDalton and Julia Ferris

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The Changing Vista of Lake Wah-Wash-Kesh:

For Better or Worse?

Cottagers returning to the Lakenext summer will see a dramaticchange to the skyline above TaylorBay. Bell Canada and Bell Mobilityhave received approval to erect a350ft high communications toweron the hill above Mill Beach near theTaylor Bay Trailer Park. One of thefinal stages in the approvals processoccurred at a Regular Counci lMeeting held on September 28,2004 when the Municipal i ty ofWhitestone concurred with Bell’sproposal.

Mr. John Woods, Bell Mobility’sProject Manager, confirmed recentlythat construction activities could startas early as this fall. The guyed towerwill occupy an area of about twoacres and will provide cellular cover-age throughout the Lake Wah-Wash-Kesh and surrounding area. BellCanada will utilize the cellular cover-

age to provide fixed wireless technol-ogy to cottagers that do not haveaccess to Bell Canada’s wireline ser-vices. The technology employs a cel-lular interface device to provide thefamiliar “dial tone” instead of a directphysical connection to a telephoneline. The new fixed wireless technol-ogy will offer both voice and Internetcapabilities.

As required by Transport Canada ared-strobe navigation warning lightwill top the tower. At an informationmeeting hosted by Bell Canada andBell Mobility at McKellar CommunityCentre in June of this year, MrWoods explained that Bell wouldemploy a collar around the strobelight designed to minimize annoy-ance to cottages residing close to thetower, while still maintaining a navi-gational warning to aircraft. He wasunable to say how the light pollutionmay affect other cottagers living fur-ther away from the tower, but didcomment that Bell was using thesame device on cell towers in theMuskoka region.

Mr. Woods also stated that the

Canadian Radio Televis ion andTelecommunication Commission, aspart of a program called ServiceImprovements Program (SIP), aremandating Bell’s updating of ser-vices. Anyone using Bell’s existingradiotelephone services will be ableto upgrade to the new service at nocost . New subscr ibers wi l l berequired to pay an initial $1,000 fee.

There is no doubt that everyonewill benefit from the improved com-munications facilities offered by this

tower, especially those relating to911 emergencies. However, thequestion remains—did the towerneed to be located where it will havesuch a detrimental impact on thebeautiful scenery surrounding LakeWah-Wash-Kesh?

Chris DownesDeer Points, the Big Lake

Tel: 705-389-3814 Fax: 705-389-1021

BOAT SALESSERVICE ACCESSORY STOREINSIDE STORAGE AVAILABLE

www.mckellarmarine.com

Fly-in Repair Service Available


- 8 - © Lake Wah-Wash-Kesh Conservation Association

Dock Committee ReportThe Dock Committee has had a busy year!

We’ve moved ahead with a big part of this year’smajor project to improve the Indian Narrows dock,and we’ve started discussions with stakeholdersabout future improvements at Bennett’s Bay.

The first week of October was a busy time inIndian Narrows. John Kormos, our “GeneralForeman”, supervised a crew to raise the concreteabutment up to the same height as the one inBennett’s Bay. This will make the Indian Narrowsdock useable several weeks earlier each spring.The concrete pad is now sixteen inches higher,and extends back an additional eleven feettowards shore. Overall, it is now nine feet wideand twenty feet long. Three heavy steel hingebrackets were cast into the new concrete toreceive a new ramp that will be fabricatedover the winter. The new ramp is beingdesigned by a Professional Engineer and willbe at least twenty feet long. This will alloweasy passage down a gentle slope to thefloating docks, and should allow some addi-tional tie-up space. The old wooden rampwill be re-used at the shore end of the newconcrete pier to provide an easy slope upfrom the ground.

The fun started on a rainy SaturdayOctober 2, but really got underway onSunday. A crew of volunteers worked steadilyuntil late Wednesday evening to clear the soilfrom the surrounding bedrock, drill hundredsof holes in the old concrete and rock, buildthe wooden form, install steel reinforcing pinsand rods, and finally to pour and finish morethan twelve cubic metres of concrete. Asmany large rocks as possible were placed inthe form to minimize the amount of concreteneeded. The gang also filled in two sizeabledepressions in the smooth rock slope next tothe pier, which should make it a lot easier touse as a boat launch.

John Kormos’ volunteer crew consisted of RodBennett, Mike Szymanski, Doug Hand, HaroldBoese, Andy Vurma, Ken Hayward, and John

Nelson. The concrete was purchased from NearNorth Concrete who were very prompt, very help-ful, and provided high quality product and serviceall-round. They are located just past the Quiet BayRestaurant on Highway 124 near Magnetewan. By7:00pm Wednesday, the concrete surface was fin-ished with a broom and edging tool, and then

John Kormos and Doug Handstood guard until the wee hoursto make sure it wasn’t disturbed.They were joined by one finalvolunteer – a beautiful red foxwho trotted around, sniffed theirboots, and walked on the newlyset concrete to check it out! All inall, the concrete cost $2,260 andthe other material (forms, rebars,rock drill rental, transport, etc.)cost $740 for a total of $3,000.

In Bennett ’s Bay, onSeptember 13, John Nelson metwith Whitestone RoadSuperintendent Nick Thomsonand Fire Chief Bob Whitman, andwith Ed Bennett to look at sever-

al issues. Whitestone will likely place some “NoParking” signs on the narrow curve of the roaddown to the Association dock in the near future.This will keep access clear for everyone, includinglarger vehicles and emergency vehicles. We alsodiscussed steps to improve that road involvingwidening it right back to the cliff face on the rightas you go down and installing a new ditch on thatside. Right now, rainwater flows down the roadand washes large amounts of sand and gravel intothe lake at the dock – the new plan will prevent

that. We have proposed to Whitestone that weshare the cost of an engineering study to improvethe whole area including the retaining walls andconcrete pier as well as the roadway. The study

may take place in 2005 with work to follow in2006, but it will depend on finances available.

John Nelson, Dock Committee ChairmanStillwater Cottage, the North End

Lake PartnerProgram Update

The Ministry of the Environment (MOE) initiatedthe Lake Partner Program in an effort to amass adatabase of nutrient related information forOntario’s lakes. The program encourages volun-teers to get involved by taking water clarity read-ings and obtaining samples for total phosphorousanalysis. The Lake Partner website can be found at the following address;http://www.ene.gov.on.ca/envision/water/lake_partner/index.htm.

Why Are Algae Important?Algae represent the base of the food chain and

an important source of dissolved oxygen. If thereare too few algae the level of aquatic life in a lakewill be very low. Examples of such lakes can befound in Killarney Provincial Park where many ofthe lakes are clear and have a bluish hue. The rel-atively high acid level in such lakes prevents thegrowth of algae, denying aquatic life a food source.Lakes that are very high in algae suffer wide fluctu-ations of the dissolved oxygen level, playing havocwith the life cycles of other aquatic species. Highalgae levels also have a negative impact on intakepipes, boats, and general aesthetics.

Water clarity and total phosphorous are two ofthe primary factors affecting the level of algae in alake. In general, the clarity of a lake tells us howdeep the sunlight penetrates. Algae will only growin areas that have adequate sunlight. Phosphorousis a nutrient used by algae during their life cyclesand as such gives an indication of the potential foralgae to exist.

Algae liberate oxygen and consume carbon diox-ide via photosynthesis. An important thing to keepin mind is that algae must respire as well, thisprocess consumes oxygen and liberates carbondioxide. Algae respire all the time while they pho-tosynthesize only when in contact with sunlight.

Our lake currently has a good balance going forit in terms of algae level. Some ways that we canensure a continued balance are; installing andmaintaining septic system as per regulation, limit-ing shore-line development, and using soaps anddetergents that do not contain phosphates.

How Do We Compare?The figure below is a histogram showing the dis-

tribution of total phosphorous concentrations inOntario lakes. I have placed a diagram represent-ing total phosphorous statistics obtained from datapertaining to our lake on the figure for comparisonpurposes. As of 2003 we had 18 total phospho-rous results, the statistics for the “WWK DATA” dia-gram were generated from these.

Looking at the large bars on the histogram we

- 9 - © Lake Wah-Wash-Kesh Conservation Association

can see that almost 20% of all the Ontario lakestested had total phosphorous concentrationsbetween 6 and 8 parts per billion (micrograms perlitre). The plot above the large bars labelled “WWKDATA” represents data for our lake. The position ofthe “WWK DATA” plot on the y-axis (Percent of alllakes tested) is immaterial, what is important is itsrelation to the x-axis (Total Phosphorous).

The brackets indicate the minimum and maxi-mum values obtained in our waters. The verticalbars (inside the brackets) represent (from left toright) the first quartile, mean, and third quartile

The figure suggests that our average total phos-phorous concentration (8 to 10 ppb) is shared by15% of the other lakes tested in this program. If

we expand our view from just the average andinclude the first and third quartiles in our compari-son we see that half of all of the total phospho-rous results from our lake are the same as abouthalf (48%) of all of the total phosphorous resultsfrom other Ontario lakes (6 to 12 ppb).

An interpretation of this information is that ourlake is very similar with respect to total phospho-rous as other tested lakes (6 to 12 ppb) and thatour volunteers sampling in a comparable way toother volunteers in Ontario. Good work!

Another interesting bit of information that thehistogram provides (and the data for our lakereflects) is that there are some questionably hightotal phosphorous results. Ideally, with such a large

number of samples analyzed, the histogramshould be symmetrical about the mean. The MOEhas noticed this and suggested that the higherresults were due to large zooplankton contaminat-ing the samples.

Zooplankton contain relatively large amounts ofphosphorous in a “bound” form, i.e. it is notimmediately available to be used as nutrients foralgae, as such, it should not be considered whenwe are trying to determine the current potential foralgal growth.

To correct the bias, the MOE has included filterswith sampling kits. The filters prevent large zoo-plankton from getting into the sample containers.In 2004 we used the filters and can reasonablyexpect to see more symmetrical data in the future.

Looking AheadThe Top Lake and Indian Narrows are well cov-

ered at this point as far as sampling is concerned.Some interest in expanding the sampling programfurther into the Big Lake was expressed at theAnnual General Meeting. Those people interestedin contributing can either call 1-800-470-8322 oremail [email protected] to arrange fora sampling kit and information package to be sentin time for the spring sampling session.

The Association would like to thank those whohave volunteered their time and effort in contribu-tion to this program. Preventive measures alongwith continued monitoring of pertinent informationare the best tools that we have in ensuring thatour lake retains many of the characteristics that wehave come to love.

Pat Ferris, Toggle Point

WADE STILESBuilding Construction

• home & cottage framing • decks & docks• roofing & siding • foundations• interior finishing • renovations

Please call (705) 389-2239 for an estimate. Or, stop by our cottage northeast of thepublic dock - across from Turkey Island !

C.B. handle: Beaver LodgeGeneral Deliver: Dunchurch, ON P0A 1G0

“T o p - Q u a l i t y W o r k m a n s h i p & D e p e n d a b l e S e r v i c e”

25.0

0-2

20.0

15.0

10.0

5.0

0.0

Phosphorus Distribution in Ontario LakesPe

rcen

t of a

ll la

kes

test

ed

Total Phosphorus (ug/L or ppb)

# of lakes tested = 1994

2-4

4-6

6-8

8-10

10-1

212

-14

14-1

616

-18

18-2

020

-22

22-2

424

-26

26-2

828

-30

>30

WWK DATA

Nature Clean (Toronto, Ontario)Web: www.franktross.comTel: (416) 282-1107

Cleaning and personal care products causeconsiderable pollution and other problems. Ourfamily uses products by Frank T. Ross & SonsLtd. This Canadian company produces non-toxiccleaners and other products that are readilybiodegradable (99% within 28 days) and cruel-ty-free. According to their website Nature Cleanproducts have never been involved in a singleaccidental poisoning. Nature Clean products alsocontain an ingredients list on all of their prod-ucts. Two products that we’ve used with excel-lent results are the “Natural Toilet Bowl Cleaner”and the “Tub & Tile Cream Cleanser.” More Nature Cleanproducts will be included in future Green Corner columns.

Themptations (Sarnia, Ontario)Web: www.themptations.comTel: (519) 344-0606

I don’t normally shop for products by the material theyare made from – unless that material is hemp! Hemp is awonderful plant capable of healing the Earth. Hemp isused for food, paper, clothes and many other things. Sincethe hemp plant has numerous benefits for the environ-ment including it is good for the soil, can be grown with-out pesticides and herbicides and can be cultivated in asfew as 100 days, we use items made from hemp when-ever possible.

Recently I tried a 55% hemp, 45% cotton Henley shirtby Effort from Themptations. This attractive, heavy softshirt is very comfortable and will be ideal for those coolnights at the lake. Hemp clothes typically last much longerthan clothes made from cotton and other materials andI’m looking forward to having this shirt for many years tocome. By purchasing products made from hemp you areprotecting the environment. Themptations offers manyhemp products.

C. Crane Company (Fortuna, California)Web: www.ccrane.comTel: (800) 522-8863

The C. Crane Company offers many quality eco-prod-ucts and other useful items for the cottage. A few itemsthat we tried recently are their CCRadioplus, with their“CCRadioplus Solar Kit” and the CC Expedition 600 flash-light.

According to the C. Crane Company, their CCRadioplusis “the best radio for long range AM reception.” This radiodoes get excellent reception and the audio is also verygood. Some of the features of this impressive radioinclude: • signal meter and fine-tuning knob • weatheralert • tv audio • clock with alarm • timer. We use this radiowith the “CCRadioplus Solar Kit.” Not only do we not need

Hempola Valley Farms (Dalston, Ontario)Web: www.hempola.comTel: (800) 240-9215

While I usually only write about products thatI’ve tried, I felt that I’d make an exception witha DEET free, natural insect repel lent byHempola (I have tried several of their productsand they were all good). The product is calledWest-a-Nile-ate and testing at the University ofGuelph showed that this product providedgreater than “…95% protection from blood-seeking mosquitoes in a field test using humansubjects…” Our family is certainly going to usethis product both at the cottage and at home.Hempola Valley Farms is conveniently locatedfor many cottagers as it is located just north ofBarrie (they have good directions on their web-site.)

Part of being a responsible steward ofthe natural world involves using eco-prod-ucts. While some of these items can cost alittle more, you’re getting a quality productand one that helps to protect the environ-ment. It’s about time that governments,industry and individuals realize that envi-ronmental protection is vital no matterwhat the cost.


Green Corner by N. Glenn Perrett

- 10 -

Protecting the environment involves using products that have minimal impact on the natural world. “Green Corner” will highlight some of these eco-products. Most of the items will be available in Canada, but quality “green products” available in the United States

will also be occasionally featured. By purchasing environmentally friendly products from companies that are concerned about the natural world you are making a significant commitment to the environment.

electricity, but we’re helping the environmentand we’ll be kept informed should an emer-gency arise and there is a power failure. Thesolar kit includes a solar panel, 4 heavy dutyNiCad batteries and a white LED (light emittingdiodes) light along with an AC adapter. Thesolar panel can be mounted either outside orin a window. Another impressive C. CraneCompany product is their CC Expedition 600white LED flashlight. LEDs are very bright (don’tshine them into eyes). They are also very effi-cient as their batteries reportedly last up to tentimes longer than other batteries. The CCExpedition 600 is shockproof, tested water-proof to 160 feet and the LED bulbs “can lastover 60,000 hours.” If you’re looking for a lessexpensive flashlight with many of these fea-tures you might try the CC Trek flashlight.

Classified

s

are FR

EE for

Associat

ion

Members

,

25 words,

single inser

tion.

Classified

s

are FR

EE for

Associat

ion

Members

,

25 words,

single inser

tion.


For Sale: Composting Toilet -SunMar Brand, Model Excel, HighCapacity, electric, 2 years old. $800 Rod BennettHome: 705-445-9946

CLASSIFIED ADS

• Stan Harding, age 73, passedaway on August 6 at his belovedcottage. A founding member of theDock Committee, Stan started visit-ing the Lake 40 years ago and builtat Indian Narrows in 1967.• Harvey Scott, passed awayFebruary 15th, 2004.

We apologize if we have missed includingsomeone. You can advise John Nelson

or any Board member for inclusion in the next newsletter.

In Memoriam

Wiener and Corn RoastsOnce again these events were a great success and a good

time was had by all who participated. After all the rain we hadin the early summer, we couldn’t have ordered a better dayfor the Wiener Roast. A large crowd turned out to enjoy thetasty hot dogs cooked on the open fire.

The weather co-operated again in August for the CornRoast, and the corn was absolutely delicious. It is very reward-ing to see so many turn out to meet with friends and CottageAssociation members.

It takes many volunteers to put these events on and ourthanks go out to all the helpers who worked at the Wienerand Corn Roasts. Special thanks to: Frank Camenzuli, BertEllingham, Tim Maheu, John Nelson, Stu Price and SteveRauh.

And a very special thanks to Marlene Bennett for all thetime and effort she puts into these functions.

Also Eleanor Arbour for the excellent job doing the posters.Many thanks to all who made donations and again this year,there will be no cost to the association.

Thank you for your support and assistance and we look for-ward to a bigger and better turnout in 2005.

Ross and Pat WillettWillet’s Landing, North End

Rock ‘N DockWe would like to let everyone know that

the Rock ‘n Dock sale was a great success.This was a new experience for us, and wereally appreciated all the help and advicethat came our way.

Jacki and Lew Morgan, Pat and RossWillett, Jeanette and Bert Ellingham, SueStopps, Randy McCullough and severalmembers of the Nichol, Easterbrook andBoyter families. All pitched in to work andsupport the endeavour.

However, a big “THANKS’ goes to allthose people on the lake who, not onlydonated items to sell, but also came andspent their money! Well done everyone.We realized a profit of $1144.95.

The weather was great, the water wascalm and the food was excellent. With thiskind of support, it makes the whole under-taking that much easier. Who knows? Wemay consider doing it again!

June and Arden Boyter

Loggers Station HouseLoggers Station HouseRESTAURANT(Licensed)

• Pool Table • Darts • Games • Juke Box

Owner: Madeline Garside

RR#2, Hwy 520, Ardbeg 705-389-1966Open 9 - 9 (7 days a week), Fri & Sat til midnight

GENERAL STORE,GASOLINE & OIL

- 11 -

Rock ‘N Dock

Classifieds are FREE for Association Members, 25 words, single insertion.

The Downtown General Store Ltd.A complete line of

Dry Goods • Wearing Apparel

Including our

“World Famous” Sweat shirts & T-shirts

• Toys • Souvenirs • Gifts

Groceries & Fabulous Meats

705-387-3800 MAGNETAWAN

Dunchurch Marina11 Marina Drive, Dunchurch Tel: 389-9961

Service and Repairsto all makes and models

Pick up and delivery available

Water toys, skisand accessories

www.dunchurchmarina.com Parts &AccessoriesBoat/Motor

& Canoe Rentals

StoragePropRepairsBoat Covers

Made orRepaired

ShrinkWrap

and Go!


Nature Trails: Teach Kids to IdentifyWildlife by Sound(CD) Dan Gibson & Holly Gibson StewartSolitudes Ltd. - www.solitudes.com

Nature Trails: Teach Kids to Identify Wildlife bySound is a won-derful CD writ-ten and pro-duced by HollyGibson Stewartand featur ingDan Gibson’snature record-ings. By listen-ing to this CDyou will join agroup of people

on a nature walk along the shores of Loon Lake.Here you will be greeted by many animals includ-ing Robins, Red Squirrels, Olive-Sided Flycatchers,Common Loons and Leopard Frogs. By listening totheir calls you learn to identify many kinds of birdsand other animals. With this knowledge you canidentify who your neighbours are even if you don’tsee them!

After hiking along the shores of Loon Lake thenature group heads into the forest on the “WolfHowl Trail.” Here the hikers hearvarious forest birds as well asthe Timber Wolf.

Along with Dan Gibson’snature recordings, Nature Trailscontains considerable informa-tion about the animals whosesongs are featured. This CD isideal for young naturalists.

Up the Great North Road: The Story of an OntarioColonization RoadJohn Macfie, The Boston MillsPress, 2004, 160 pages, ISBN: 1550464213

Up the Great North Road:The Story of an Ontar ioColonizat ion Road by John

Macfie is the entertaining history of a road that is60 miles long starting at Parry Sound and endingup at Commanda. The road is known as the GreatNorth Road but many people will recognize it asProvincial Highway #124.

I’ve been driving past this road on the way to myparents’ cottage since the mid 1960s, but it wasn’tuntil a few years ago when my wife and I bought aproperty on Lake Wahwashkesh that we started totravel it. It’s a scenic road that goes through suchplaces as Waubamik, McKellar, Dunchurch andMaple Island. And it also has an incredible pastthat Macfie has effectively captured. I thoroughlyenjoyed reading the entertaining text as i tdescribes the construction of this colonization roadbeginning in the mid 1800s and follows the peo-ple who settled here and the activities they did tosurvive. 260 black and white interesting pho-tographs greatly add to the text resulting in one ofthose books that is truly hard to put down.

Up the Great North Road is a great historicalbook – especially for those of us who travel thisstoried road!

Treasure Chest of Muskoka MemoriesLloyd Dennis, Brad Hammond and Fox MeadowCreations - www.foxmeadowbooks.com

2003, 192 pages,ISBN: 0968145299

Whether you l ikereading a good biogra-phy or you prefer aselection of short sto-r ies you wil l enjoyLloyd Dennis’ TreasureChest of MuskokaMemories. Dennis’entertaining booklooks at his life grow-ing up in places suchas Ul lswater ,Ravensworth andAspdin during the1920s and the 1930s.And while the Dennisfamily didn’t have an

easy life and faced many hardships during thesedifficult decades, Lloyd Dennis counted himself for-tunate to be raised in a loving family and in a spe-

cial part ofOntario.

D e n n i stakes thereader backin time ands h a r e smany of hisexperiencesgrowing upi n c l u d i n ga t t e n d i n gfal l fairs ,dances andeven goingto friends tol isten to“ F o s t e r

Hewitt’s National Hockey broadcast” on their newradio. While reading Dennis’ stories about growingup in Muskoka, the reader receives subtle historylessons as Dennis’ book effectively captures life inrural Canada during the early twentieth century

Recycled Crafts BoxLaura C. Martin, Storey Kids2003, 88 pages, ISBN: 1580175228

Making crafts at the cottage is fun and reusingitems is good for the environment so RecycledCrafts Box which features numerous crafts projectsand involves using recycled items has much tooffer. Author Laura C. Martin has divided the bookinto sections for making projects from paper, plas-tic, metal and fabric. In the section on paper,Martin describes how to make a cottage from acardboard juice carton and a castle from a card-board box, paper towel tubes and other materials.

While the projects are interesting and will resultin quality time spent by children, possibly with theirparents and grandparents, it also offers the readerinformation on trash and the need to recycle. A“trash timeline” takes an interesting look at whendisposable products were invented including dis-posable razor blades (1895), aerosol cans (1943),

Book & CD Reviews by N. Glenn Perrett

© Lake Wah-Wash-Kesh Conservation Association– 13 –

B O A R D O F D I R E C T O R SPresidentJohn Nelson - 23 Searle Street, Hamilton, Ontario, L9A 2V6(905) 318-6595 (home)(905) 575-0041 (work)[email protected]

Past PresidentDalton Ferris - 55 Stover StNorth, Norwich, Ont, N0J 1P0519-863-3606 (phone & fax)[email protected]

Vice PresidentAndy Vurma - 87 ThunderbirdCres., London, Ontario, N6J 4N7(519) 681-8855 (home)(705) 746-3503 (cott)[email protected]

TreasurerChris Downes - 795 Myrtle RoadAshburn, Ontario L0B 1A0(905) 655-398 (home)[email protected]

DirectorTed Heggart - 5 Burgess Dr., Grimsby, Ontario, L3M 2Y8905-945-0099 (home)905-572-7911 (work)[email protected]

Secretary/DirectorDana Boyter - 24 Granton St.,Hamilton, Ont, L8S 3C2905-525-7655 (home)[email protected]

DirectorRod Bennett - 55 Robinson St.Collingwood, Ontario, L9Y 3L8705-445-9946 (home)[email protected]

DirectorMike Szymanski - Apt 806, 300 Sherk StreetLeamington, Ontario, N8H 4N7(519) 326-9181 (home)[email protected]

Advertising/BusinessDirectoryRod Bennett - see above

Newsletter EditorLesley Hugill - 2258 Yates Crt., Oakville, Ontario, L6L 5K6 905-847-8748 (phone/fax)[email protected]

WebmasterPat Ferris - 55 Avenida Street,Markham, Ontario, L3S 4J6905-294-6873 (home)[email protected]

Buying or Selling?

Call Marion MillarAssociate Broker

Call Diane MowbrayAssociate Broker

Parry Sound-Muskoka Realty Ltd.47 James St., Parry Sound

(705) 746-9336 Fax (705) 746-5176

See our Website at www.remaxparrysound.on.ca/dimar

WE’VE GOT YOUR LUMBER.

– W E D E L I V E R –

MAGNETAWANBUILDING CENTRE LTD

• Gift ideas & toys • Bedding & potted plants • Hanging baskets • Water pumps • Paint • Plumbing • Electrical • Forney welding supplies

• “Exchange a saw blade” • Culligan water • Propane filling station

Tel: 705-387-3988 Fax: 705-387-4712

Hardware & building suppliesfor all your needs!

Pam Lamont Owner/Director756 Mineral Springs RoadDundas, Ontario L9H 5E3Toll Free: 1-877-642-5663Local: 905-648-9382Fax: 905-648-1305

a small summer camp for girlswhere lifetime friendships begin!

Visit our website at www.miakonda.com

Camp Mi-A-Kon-Da

W. Ed BrumptonGeneral Contracting

Homes CottagesDecks FoundationsRenovations

Dunchurch, Ontario705-389-3075

Bill Robinson Henry Thornton

O/B 832395 ONT.INC

3 Queen Street, Parry Sound, Ontario P2A 2W1(705) 746-5243 • (705) 746-7368

GEORGIAN RENTALSRESIDENTIAL & CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT

The helping hand around the home and construction site

polystyrene cups (1960) and dispos-able cameras (2002).Martin also informs the reader of prob-lems that garbage creates such as dis-carded plastics giving off toxic sub-stances which pollute the air and thegroundwater. She includes suggestionsas to what people can do to reducetheir trash and recycle what waste theydo make. Recycled Crafts Box will notonly entertain children, it will also helpto protect the environment.

– 14 – © Lake Wah-Wash-Kesh Conservation Association

Custom Homes & Cottages

Renovations/Additions

Custom Kitchens

Decks & Docks

Foundations

Security Checks

RR#2 Dunchurch, Ontario P0A 1G0Tel: (705) 389-1726 Fax: (705) 389-1546

E-mail: [email protected]

CONSTRUCTIONG E N E R A L

CONSTRUCTIONTim Stiles

BIGGER & BETTERTO SERVE YOURBUILDING NEEDSValue & Service You Can Build On!

THE NORTH LANDINGRESTAURANT

atWhitestone Lake Resort

Main Lodge

406 Whitestone Lake RoadDunchurch, Ontario

705-389-2770

www.whitestonelakeresort.com

Wah-Wash-Kesh Conservation Association2005 Membership Renewal

Please fill out the membership renewal form, tear if off & MAIL it & your cheque to:• Chris Downes - Treasurer795 Myrtle Road,Ashburn, Ontario, L0B 1A0

Wah-Wash-Kesh Conservation Association2005 Dock Permit Decal

Please fill out the membership renewal form, tear if off & MAIL it & your cheque to:• Chris Downes - Treasurer795 Myrtle Road,Ashburn, Ontario, L0B 1A0


Your PersonalInformation

The Federal Government’sPersonal Information Protection andElectronic Documents Act (PIPEDA)came into full force on January 1,2004. The following background isintended to help you better under-stand what the Association has donein response.

For more information about thisAct, see the Privacy Web site, athttp://www.privcom.gc.ca/index_e.asp

The Directors have appointed meas the Association’s Privacy Officerand as such, if you have any con-cerns about the privacy of the infor-mation that you have given to theAssociation, please contact me and Iwill be pleased to answer any of yourquestions.

The information that theAssociation has on fi le for eachmember consists of their name, theirspouse’s name, their addresses (cot-tage and home), their phone num-bers (cottage and home), fax num-

bers, mobile phone numbers, e-mailaddress, date and amount of duespaid each year. In many cases, theinformation is incomplete, as werecord only the information releasedto us by the member or includeinformation that can be found else-where in the public domain. Anexample would be a public phonebook.

In addition to keeping the originaldocuments submitted by the mem-ber, the Association also keeps themembership information on personalcomputer. The information is pass-word protected and backed up peri-odically to CD disk. Access to thisinformation is limited to the Directorsof the Association to allow them toperform their duties.

If you would like to see the infor-mation that we have on file for you,please contact me.

The Association strives to keepyour personal information up to date.As soon as we are aware of achange, we correct the database. Ifthe information is out-of-date, we

remove it. So please let us know ifyour personal information changesby contacting any of the Directors.

The Association collects your per-sonal information so that we cansend you the newsletter, letters or e-mails of communication on varioussubjects and to send you member-ship renewal notices. We also usesome of this information to producethe Cottage Directory. The CottageDirectory only includes informationthat could otherwise be found bysearching through various publiclyavailable directories. The CottageDirectories are numbered and wekeep a record of who has boughteach directory. The last CottageDirectory was published in the sum-mer of 2004.

The following is theAssociation’s Privacy PolicyStatement.

The Lake Wah-Wash-KeshConservation Association supportsand abides by the requirement ofthe Personal Information Protection

and Electronic Data Act (PIPEDA). Itonly collects personal data withapproval , using fair and lawfulmeans, and only uses it for the pur-pose for which it was collected or asrequired by law.

The Association supports the rightof individuals to inspect their data asit appears in Association’s lists andhave it corrected if found in error orlacking in completeness.

The Association does not sell,lease, rent out nor lend out informa-tion lists containing personal informa-tion. In the event that the Associationconsiders a request for the use of alist to be beneficial to the member-ship of the Association, then theAssociation may release it to anotheragency with the approval of the per-sons in the list. Agencies wishingaccess to lists containing personalinformation must pay theAssociation’s cost of seeking approvalfor its use.

Andy Vurma, AssociationPrivacy Officer

Dam Passes Final InspectionOn Thursday, October 28, 2004, the MNR, HydroOne and our

Consultant RG Robinson met at the new dam for its final inspection. It passed with flying colours!

At our request on August 13, 2004, the MNR came to our dam to verify theheight of the new dam compared to the old dam. Mike Phillips of the MNR hasconfirmed that their measurements show that the new dam is exactly the same

height as the old dam.The Association can now

pay the final bill to HydroOne(about $15K) and someremaining expenses to ourconsultant (about $2K). Theonly thing remaining item isto submit these bi l ls toFedNor for their final funding.

Including all expenses, thedam has cost a total of$626K, which has been fund-ed by the Associat ion($40K), HydroOne ($25K),MNR ($358K) and FedNor($203K).

Andy Vurma

2005 WAH-WASH-KESH CONSERVATION ASSOCIATION MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL(Please return this form with your cheque as soon as possible - $35.00 per member)

Name:

Home Address: Lake 911 Address:

Telephone: ( ) CB Handle:

Cottage Phone: ( ) E-mail:

2005 Memberships for the following individuals in your household @ $35 each:

50th Anniversary Cottage Directory: Purchase at $10.00 each = $

2005 DOCK PERMIT DECALS - for all Indian Narrows Dock & Bennett’s Bay Dock users(Please return this form with your cheque as soon as possible - $30.00 per boat)

Name:

Address:

Number of boats @ $30 each:

WHITESTONEVARIETY

• Convenience Store • Home Baking

Open 7 days a week: 9am-9pmHwy#520 at Parker Bay Road

705-389-3562 RR#2 Dunchurch, ON P0A 1G0

BAIT & TACKLE

MNR verifying the height of the new dam, compared to the old dam

By returning this form, you acknowledge the Association's Privacy Statement.

By returning this form, you acknowledge the Association's Privacy Statement.