Great news - "For Everything Lake Clear"Facebook Group - September 2024
Recently, the LCPOA Board voted to open up the "For Everything Lake Clear" Facebook group (www.facebook.com/groups/1721143194766162) to anyone who has a connection to Lake Clear and asks to join.
Please spread the word, especially if you know someone that was previously declined. They can simply ask again to join and will be approved. There will still be one question to answer to try to prevent scammers from joining.
Should you have previous posts that you would prefer not be visible to a larger audience, you can go back and delete them.
Feel free to message the Group administrator, Colleen Beanish, if you have any questions.
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A Message from the President - September 2024
Hello all.
My name is Stephen Shane and I am the new President of your Lake Clear Property Owners Association.
I am the third generation of my family to have property here since my grandfather first visited the lake in the 1940s. Many of you have connections that go back even further.
There were 54 property owners at the founding meeting of the LCPOA held in the summer of 1979. Today, we have 200+ members and as in 1979, our fundamental objectives remain the same: (1) to support the health and well-being of the lake, and (2) to represent members on issues of importance to their properties. The tireless work of successive Board members and other volunteers over the past 45 years shows a long-standing commitment to achieving these objectives.
It's not lost on me that there are differing perspectives on some issues. However, I believe that we can all agree on how fortunate we are to be here and of the importance of ensuring Lake Clear remains healthy and vibrant for future generations. I took this position because I believe that the work of the volunteers who make up this Association is important and that we can do more to achieve both these objectives.
I am also a believer in inclusivity and that property owners want to support the work we do. For this reason, the Board of the LCPOA has made the decision to open the “For Everything Lake Clear” Facebook group to anyone who has an interest in Lake Clear.
If you are a member of the LCPOA, thank-you for your support. If you used to be a member, please consider coming back. And if you are new to the lake, welcome to our community, and may you create years of happy memories for your family and friends.
Lastly, I would love to hear from you. You can reach me at: [email protected].
Best regards,
Steve
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LCPOA 2024 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Submitted by Judy Bates, 2024 AGM
In the past year, the LCPOA continued to monitor government decisions affecting Lake Clear and take action where appropriate. We engaged in environmental projects in cooperation with provincial agencies, not-for-profit organizations and the Lake Clear Conservancy.
Many LCPOA members continue to be concerned about Zebra Mussels, Gypsy Moths, shoreline erosion, invasive species and the overall water quality. The LCPOA is actively engaged with other organizations and governments to investigate, research, and provide educational material. Much of this information is contained on our website and we encourage you to visit www.lakeclear.org to read about these and other topics.
At the beginning of the 2023 summer, there were several inquiries about the algae on Lake Clear. We contacted the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks and were told that it was not the toxic Blue-Green algae. We were asked to monitor the conditions and if there are concerns, to notify the LCPOA and the Renfrew County Health www.rcdu.com. We did not receive any inquiries related to algae in the spring of 2024.
We are extremely fortunate to have the involvement of many volunteers who are the backbone of the LCPOA, but always need more owners and their families to offer assistance. If you have a particular area of interest or specialization and would like to become active in the LCPOA,
please let us know.
Lorne Monahan has been a tireless volunteer for the LCPOA for many, many years, most recently in the capacity of Past President. Over the years, Lorne has been a Shore Representative, sat on the Land Use Committee, was Vice President and President, forged linkages with many other organizations and governments and has been a tireless contributor to the LCPOA.
Lorne has a wealth of experience, is the holder of corporate memory, and has always offered feedback and participated in the development and execution of LCPOA initiatives. In the past two years, Lorne stepped up and performed the role of Shore Representative for areas of the lake without a Shore Representative.
Without the dedication and commitment of people like Lorne, the LCPOA would suffer. We sincerely thank Lorne (and Joanne) for their devotion, generosity, and friendship and look forward to their continued involvement.
The 2023 Poker Run and Music Nights were very successful and we thank everyone who helped to organize and execute these two events.
Environment Committee
The Environment Committee is comprised of 4 separate, but related components:
Lake Steward Program
The water quality test kits are sent directly to volunteers (Anita Netherton, Wayne Lecuyer, Doug Davies and Brian Thurgood) who collect samples and mail them back to the Dorset Labs. The results of this program can be found at Ontario.ca and search Lake Steward.
IsampleON
In 2021, the LCPOA was invited by FOCA and the Invasive Species Centre (ISC) to participate in a citizen-targeted sampling program. Water samples were taken from 25 lakes in Ontario to monitor for Invasive Mussels and Spiny Waterflea. Lake Clear was deemed to be ‘at risk’ because of its high calcium levels. Unfortunately, Lake Clear tested positive for Zebra Mussel veligers. Fortunately, it tested negative for Spiny Waterflea.
In the spring of 2023, the LCPOA was invited to participate in the next phase and Brian Thurgood has agreed to collect the samples again. The target species this year include European Water Chestnut and Water Soldier. 3 eDNA samples were taken and shipped for analysis. The lab was unable to test for European Water Chestnut, but was able to test for Water Soldier. Lake Clear tested negative.
For the full results, please refer to www.lakeclear.org.
Environment Committee
Various articles have been posted on the www.lakeclear.org website related to a variety of invasive species and water issues. Please refer to the website for detailed information about these topics.
LCPOA volunteers posted signs on many roads around the lake outlining the boater responsibilities to Clean, Drain and Dry boats before putting them in Lake Clear.
The LCPOA, in partnership with the LCC, have teamed up with Watersheds Canada and the Canadian Wildlife Federation to deliver the “Natural Edge” program, the follow-up to the “Love Your Lake” initiative last summer. These programs focused on the importance of shoreline vegetation, involved a confidential and individual assessment of property owner’s shorelines and moved into the phase of suggesting appropriate mitigation and planting. Members of both organizations received updates relating to this program and the LCPOA and LCC have allotted funds to subsidize member property owners who wish to plant on their shorelines.
Land Use Committee
After more than 8 years pursuing zoning enforcement related to the unregulated use of recreational vehicles, we felt we were finally making progress. Unfortunately, this optimism only lasted for a fleeting moment.
The Bonnechere Valley Township engaged the Renfrew County Planning staff (under contract for $29,000) to assist them in revamping the entire zoning by-laws to reflect the County Official Plan (OP) and Provincial Policy Statement (PPS).
The new zoning by-laws, prepared by the Renfrew County Planning Department, seemed to largely concentrate on recreational vehicle (RV) usage on Lake Clear and determined that RVs were indeed in violation of the Official Plan and not a permitted use on any zone on Lake Clear, except on bona fide trailer parks (zoned Tourist Commercial). This was not a surprise to the LCPOA, which had long highlighted that the continued unregulated use of RVs as dwellings was unlawful and must be addressed. Once again, we must emphasize that the LCPOA is not against RVs as dwellings. They are opposed to the unregulated use.
Rather than accept the recommended RV by-law from Renfrew County, which BVT taxpayers paid for and was requested by BVT Council, Council opted to discard/park the recommendation and instead, granted sole source contracts to two companies to conduct an investigation related to amending the official plan to allow development on the highly sensitive Lake Clear. The cost was reported as being $60,000; however, when taxes and contingencies are included, the cost is at least $77,000. This contract was awarded without a request for proposal, tender documents, parameters, specifications, identification of intended outcomes, or timeline expectations.
The LCPOA was expecting to be consulted prior to the development of a final report; however, this did not happen. A final draft report was submitted to BVT (a copy of the report can be found at www.lakeclear.org) and copies were sent to all LCPOA members via an e-update. The initial deadline for comments was extended to June 30, 2024 and the LCPOA response was sent to all LCPOA members.
Buoy Program:
Dave Mills coordinates the Buoy Program which includes the installation, removal, repair and storage of the buoys. The team aims to install the buoys on the May long weekend and remove them around Thanksgiving, weather permitting. We thank Dave and his helper, Dave Bourne, and the Shane’s for kindly storing the buoys over the winter and for the use of their pontoon boat for installation and removal.
Lake Clear Conservancy To LCPOA Liaison
Submitted by Liz Shultis
Island Stewardship
Stewardship of the Lake Clear Islands continues to be the mainstay of the LCC.
With the exception of Turner Island, the LCC now owns all the islands in the lake that are not Crown islands. There is no overnight camping on LCC owned islands; they remain in their natural beauty for everyone to enjoy during the day. Camping on Crown islands continues to be supervised and monitored by the LCC on behalf of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, to ensure that those islands also stay in pristine condition. Please remind people that camping is only permitted on designated campsites and are limited to those available for booking on the Lake Clear Conservancy website lakeclearconservancy.org.
It is critical to remember that everyone must adhere to the Fire Ban regulations.
Seagull Management
In 2023, the seagulls returned to Lornie Foran Island in significant numbers, after two years of relative inactivity. To manage this population rebound, a permit to inactivate eggs in spring 2024 was obtained from the Canadian Wildlife Service. A small number of seagull eggs and nests were found and removed by volunteers in this year’s work party. The LCC will continue to monitor the seagull situation and take action whenever necessary.
A Conservation issue - LCC position on RVs on Lake Clear
The LCC has submitted a report to Bonnechere Valley Township, strongly supporting the position taken by the LCPOA. One of the LCC Board members has been actively involved as a member of the LCPOA Land Use Committee in all of its work on the issue over the years, as well as in the drafting of the LCPOA’s recent submission to the Township. The report highlights the conclusion that BVT’s proposed bylaw will further threaten the health of this lake, which is already in peril.
Algonquin Comprehensive Land Claim Committee
December 2020
Hello LCPOA Members;
The LCPOA has been provided the opportunity to comment on the proposed changes to the Algonguin Land Claim - Proposed Settlement Lands in eastern Ontario.
Lorne Monahan worked with a group of property owners (Roy & Liz Shultis, Bonnie McCluskey, Jake Kitts, Jeff & Tania Johnston, Ray & Debborah McGrath, Herb Weckwerth, Leo Kelly, Pat O'Neill, Jim Rapp & Kathleen Kearney) and the previous ALC team (George Von Jagow, Jack Rosien, Michael Johnson and Wayne Spooner) to complete research and offer feedback. George Green synthesized all of the input to form the basis of the attached letter. I apologize if I have missed any contributing members.
We thank all of them for their contribution.
If any member has questions, please contact me directly.
Judy Bates
2016 Report
By G. von Jagow
Members: Michael Johnson, Lorne Monahan, Jack Rosien, Wayne Spooner
The Algonquin Land Claim is the largest land claim being negotiated in Ontario. If successful, it will be the province’s first modern-day constitutionally protected treaty. Since the last Board meeting the following events have happened:
On March 17th the Algonquin’s of Ontario announced the results of the ratification vote on their proposed Agreement-in-Principle with the Governments of Ontario and Canada.
A total of 3,575 ballots were cast out of 7,540 eligible Algonquin voters – a participation rate of 47 percent. Of those ballots cast, 3,341, or over 90 per cent voted in favour of the AIP and the continuation of negotiations towards the terms of a Final Agreement based on the AIP.
Your Committee sent a letter to the editor outlining our concerns about the lack of openness during the negotiations that was published by the Pembroke Daily Observer on March 30th, 2016. The letter was written to incite comment and raise awareness. To date, no subsequent letters to the editor have been published.
Cottage Life Magazine issued a press release about the Algonquin Land Claim titled “How will the Algonquin Land Claim affect Cottagers” at the following link: cottagelife.com/news/how-will-the-algonquin-land-claims-affect-cottagers As of May 7th, there were 0 comments.
2015 Report
By G. von Jagow
On June 12th with very little fanfare a news release was issued by Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada, the Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs and the Algonquins of Ontario. A Google news search conducted on June 22nd showed that not a single major Canadian newspaper, magazine or broadcaster reported on the news release. Briefly, the news release stated the following:
"Further to recent requests for an update on the status of the Algonquin land claim negotiations, we are pleased to provide the following information.
As you know, the Preliminary Draft Agreement-in-Principle was publicly released in December 2012. Thereafter, there were a number of public meetings and meetings with various groups and individuals. After careful review by legal counsel and by the negotiators, a number of changes were made to the text of the proposed Agreement-in-Principle including changes to the land selections. In 2014, persons with legal interests in the land selections were advised of the changes made to date to the land selections.
The next planned step in the process was the initialing of a proposed Agreement-in-Principle indicating agreement on the text by the negotiators for the Algonquins, Canada and Ontario. That initialing took place recently on May 29, 2015. The next anticipated step will be an Algonquin ratification vote on the proposed AIP. The Algonquins of Ontario have not yet set a date for the vote. Such decisions are now in their hands. If the vote is successful, approval of the Governments of Ontario and Canada will then be sought before the next stage of negotiations proceeds.
Final Agreement Negotiations
The final stage of negotiations is expected to take several years. Various forms of informal and formal consultation will continue throughout these negotiations, including processes related to environmental assessment of the proposed lands package and parks additions, municipal planning and fisheries planning.
If the negotiations conclude successfully, the result will be a final agreement, which will be subject to a final Algonquin ratification vote and the approval of the governments of Ontario and Canada. The land claim settlement will take the form of a modern-day treaty and will be given legal force through implementing provincial and federal legislation.”
The agreement-in-principle (AIP) proposes the transfer of $300 million in capital funding and 117,500 acres of provincial Crown lands to Algonquin ownership.
To the best of our knowledge, the lands being claimed in and around Lake Clear are as follows:
2014 Report:
By G. von Jagow
Michael Johnson was interviewed regarding Algonquin Land Claims.. The interview was arranged by John Winters with Host Angelo Viola of Outdoor Journal Radio and broadcast on Rogers Sportsnet “The Fan”, Toronto 590 AM radio, Ottawa 1310 AM radio, Kitchener 510 AM radio and Halifax 95.7 FM radio. Michael is a key member on the LCPOA ALC Committee, with George von Jagow as chair. Last fall, Michael was interviewed extensively by the LEADER on this same topic.
Our Algonquin Land Claim (ALC) Committee has been working in concert with other similarly minded organizations and individuals in this area of eastern Ontario to develop a joint statement of concern. Below is a copy of the document forwarded June 5 to the Prime Minister and select Federal Cabinet Ministers with copies to the Premier of Ontario, select Provincial Cabinet Ministers and select MP’s and MPP’s. Thanks are extended to our committee members, and especially to Michael Johnson.
There has also been the recent Supreme Court decision regarding the Tsilhqot'in Nation in British Columbia. Although everything is too recent for us to fully understand the implications, this recent special column from the Globe & Mail provides the insight from
Gordon Gibson, author of "A New Look at Canadian Indian Policy – Respect the Collective, Promote the Individual" http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-debate/the-claims-are-just-but-this-means-chaos/article19377387/
The remaining thing that needs to be done is to make our politicians aware that YOU also feel impacted by the current state of the Algonquin Land Claim and you want to be informed and provided with the opportunity to express your opinion and concerns before the Land Claim is passed. Take the time to read the letter in the June 16th update and listen to the podcast to help you formalize your own opinion, or to throw your support behind what your committee has researched on your behalf.
| oct._2017_letter.pdf |
| eganville_leader_-_march_23_2016.pdf |
| dec._letter.pdf |
| alc_final-june_4_2014.pdf |
November 2019 - LCPOA Presentation to Bonnechere Valley Township
| presentation_to_council_nov_2019.pdf |