Transcript Document
Mississippi Lake Plan
Mississippi Lakes Association
Annual General Meeting
June 2, 2012
Alyson Symon
Watershed Planner
What is a Lake Plan?
Community Based
– Not Regulatory
Community-based approach that puts the process into the
hands of the community so that they may have a voice in the
establishment of stewardship actions and government
(federal, provincial, municipal) planning regulations.
Implementation strategies may not be enforceable but can be
used to influence other planning/regulatory processes
Objectives & Benefits of a Lake Plan
Engage and listen to the lake community
Identify specific lake values, issues and impacts
Inventory of resources and background information
Develop goals and actions aimed at protecting the health of
the lake and its watershed
Recommend stewardship actions
Recommend land use policy to guide growth and
development
Common Issues Considered
Water quality /aquatic vegetation/ algae blooms
Shoreline protection, health
Development pressure, redevelopment, commercial
development
Water levels/flooding
Impacts of boating
Invasive species
Loss of wildlife/habitat
Typical Actions and Outcomes
Communication and Education (brochures, workshops, signage)
Stewardship initiatives
•
shoreline planting, habitat rehabilitation, enhancement projects
Septic Re-inspection
Enhanced Monitoring (water quality, invasive species, etc.)
Recommendations for Land Use Regulations
•
Official Plan and Zoning By Law policies, Site Plan Control
Mississippi Lake
Features
•area 24 km2 , 67 km shoreline
•2900 sq km drainage area
•encompasses 4 municipalities
•upstream of Carleton Place
Surface Water Intake
•>1300 residences
Conditions
•extensive floodplain
•extensive wetland areas
•intensive redevelopment
•mesotrophic lake
Lake Classifications
Oligotrophic
unenriched, few nutrients
deep, cold, and clean and capable of supporting trout species.
Mesotrophic
moderately enriched, some nutrients
characterized by abundant beds of submerged aquatic plants
generally support warm water fish species such as bass, perch and pike.
Eutrophic
enriched, high level of nutrients
subject to algal blooms, excessive production of aquatic plants and poor
water quality
lake bottom commonly deficient in oxygen and are not suitable for high
quality fish species
Mississippi Lake Plan Project
Mississippi Lakes Association (MLA) made the
decision in 2011 to investigate undertaking a Lake
Plan.
Oct 2011 MLA Executive assigned a subcommittee to
work with MVC in undertaking a Lake Plan.
Mississippi Lake Plan Committee (MLPC) first met in
November 2011
Terms Of Reference to set out a project plan
Overall Approach
The Mississippi Lake Plan is expected to take approximately 3 to 4 years to
complete - managed in three phases:
Phase 1: Preliminary and Background Work
(Winter 2011 to Summer 2013)
Phase 2: Preparation of the Plan
(Summer 2013 to Winter 2014)
Phase 3: Implementation of Plan Recommendations
and Monitoring
(2015 ongoing)
Lake Plan Stakeholders
Mississippi Lake Planning Committee (MLPC)
MLA, MVC, Municipalities (Municipal Councillors)
Primary role: guide the project, set a work plan, oversee its
implementation, collect and compile information, and maintain
communication with the lake community and stakeholders.
Mississippi Lake Plan Advisory Committee (MLPAC)
MLA, MVC, Municipalities (staff and/or council members), Provincial reps
(MOE, MNR), Health Unit, Stewardship Council, (DFO and First Nations
invited)
Primary role: to provide advice, background information and technical
expertise
Mississippi Lake Community Group (MLCG)
Residents, property owners, business operators and 0ther individuals
and interest groups (sportmen’s clubs, snowmobile clubs, field
naturalists, etc.)
Open, evolving contact list established through the survey and lake plan
communications.
Primary role: to identify values and issues impacting the lake, to develop
a vision for the lake, to identify and prioritize recommendations and
actions and to play a role in implementation of various aspects of plan.
Email or mailings with updates and information about the project
Please join the contact list!
Phase 1: Preliminary & Background Work
(2011 to Summer 2013)
Initial consultation with lake residents and community partners to
determine need for, and interest in, undertaking a Lake Plan
Establish organizational structure and Terms of Reference
Determine what the community/stakeholders value about the lake and
identify key issues that they see as a threat to those values (community
survey).
Collect and compile information/data about the natural, social and
physical characteristics of the lake and watershed
Produce a Lake Plan Background (or State of the Lake/Watershed) Report
Phase 2: Preparation of the Plan
(Summer 2013 to Winter 2014)
Establish community/stakeholders’ vision for the lake/watershed over
the next 20 years (workshops)
Establish goals and objectives for the Lake Plan incorporating the
vision and values and the issues identified by the Lake Plan process
Identify recommendations and actions in consultation with lake
community and stakeholders
Produce the Lake Plan
Phase 3: Implementation of Plan
Recommendations and Monitoring
2015 and ongoing
Obtain endorsement of the Lake Plan from stakeholders and
community partners
Adopt an implementation strategy to ensure follow through on
priority actions
Implement an ongoing monitoring strategy (where need identified)
Adopt a formal review schedule (ex. every 5 years) to review the
Background Report and Lake Plan to ensure it is effective, relevant
and continues to address the key issues in the lake community.
Community Survey – Values and Issues
Where to find it:
Online (Survey Monkey)
www.surveymonkey.com/s/mississippilake
Mississippi Belle insert
MLA website www.lakemississippi.ca
Carleton Place (boat launch permits)
May to the end of August
Typical Lake Plan Survey Results
Example Issues Identified by Community
Top 10 Issues Identified by Community
Personal Water Craft (Jet Ski)
Boat Traffic
Fish Depletion
Weeds/Algae
Daytime Noise
Water Levels
Residential/Commercial…
Water Pollution
Night time Noise
Tree and Vegetation Removal
0
200
400
600
Background Information:
Natural Elements
Water Quality Status
Inventory of Streams
Wildlife Habitat
Fish Habitat
Wetlands
Nesting Sites
Shoreline Vegetation
Invasive Species
Species at Risk
Other important habitat features
Social Elements
Historic and Cultural Sites
First Nations Values
Boating Use
Important Landscapes
Recreational Opportunities
Neighbourhood Character
Physical Elements
Location and Access
Watershed and Terrain
Hazard Lands
Water Levels
Physical Constraints
Resources (aggregate, minerals,
forestry)
Land Use Considerations
Development Activity
Lot Inventory / Land Use Inventory
Official Plan and Zoning By-law
Federal and Crown Land Policy
Servicing (Septic systems, Water
Supply)
Landfill Sites
Next Steps
Survey participation!
Build stakeholder/contact list (road associations)
Collect Background Information/Data
Questions ?
Lake Planning
Alyson Symon
Watershed Planner
[email protected]