Newsletter: President's Report

NEWSLETTER

This past year our Association has taken steps to follow-up on the priorities of our membership as identified by our previous surveys. We applied for, and received, a South Frontenac Township grant to help determine the viability of a boat washing station to prevent the invasion of aquatic invasive species. We legally changed our Association’s name in order to address the concern that the name appears to not include those members in the West Basin, and after two years of restrictions we are hopeful that we can finally have our AGM in person at the wonderful Loughborough Heritage Orchard. We are also in the process of re-establishing our community events including the Flotilla and are discussing organizing new social events such as a morning coffee and snack meet and greet, a water paddling race, or arranging opportunities to learn new skills such as archery or kayaking. If you have suggestions about an event you think we should consider or if you would like to help out, please let us know.

Along the lines of including everyone, earlier this year I received a phone call from one of the purchasers of a building lot on Johnston Point who was interested in joining the Lake Association but was concerned that our members would not be welcoming due to the controversy over the development.  We talked about the fact that the issue for the Lake Association has never been one of opposition to individual purchasers but rather exasperation with the lack of oversight by authorities responsible for ensuring that the special legal protections which should have been in place for Species At Risk were not respected. We are also very concerned with the repeated refusal of the developer and their biologists to even acknowledge the existence of the numerous Species At Risk on site despite the substantial amount of irrefutable evidence.  Unfortunately, the responsibility for the protection of these species now defaults to the purchasers and we are most grateful for the anticipated new owner’s efforts on behalf of these vulnerable plants and animals.

Above and beyond the covenants already in place, the purchaser also wanted to know what actions their family could additionally take to enhance the environmental protection of their property.  This became a subject of discussion at the following Board meeting. Not surprisingly, we quickly concluded that while uniquely positioned adjacent to not one but two provincially designated significant wetlands, Johnston Point’s delicate ecosystem is in need of particular vigilant attention. However, the measures we would suggest could just as easily apply equally to all cottage and/or homeowners on the lake regardless of the level of sensitivity of their own property.  To that end we are in the process of drafting an information package on our website with practical steps that individuals can take to improve or maintain their properties. This package will be updated on an ongoing basis as needed.

We wish to thank this new owner for reaching out to us and we would like to make it clear that we welcome anyone who is genuinely interested in protection of the lake, whether they are new to the lake or have been here for multiple generations, to join and participate in the Lake Association.

The willingness of lake residents to establish a community that wishes to reduce their impact on the land and water helps to ensure that the beautiful wildness which first drew us to this area will continue to exist for all inhabitants, wildlife and human.

Newsletter: President's Message

NEWSLETTER in PDF

Who would ever have imagined a time where we would no longer be allowed to hug our grandchildren, we would visit our elders through glass windows, that planes would no longer fly in the sky, playing in parks would be prohibited, nature trails would be off-limits, attending celebrations or even a family get-together could be dangerous and the U.S. border with our neighbours would be closed to us, and our border closed to them?

Shockingly that is the world that we live in today. Every government, industry and organization has had to adapt to these changing times and the BLLA is no exception. Webinars and Zoom meetings are now the "new normal" for me. Groups such as FOCA (Federation of Ontario Cottagers’ Associations) and the Lake Networking Group address issues online. Some of our concerns are not new, such as boating safety, shore erosion, septic system and road maintenance, but others are new, namely how to now comply with Annual General Meeting requirements, governance and online meeting tips, insurance for unattended cottages, suspension of the water sampling program and what are the implications of cottagers relocating to the lake.

Another serious result of the pandemic was Frontenac County's surprise decision to extend the deadline for approving the draft plan conditions at Johnston Point for six months. This was approved by County Council within days of the province's lockdown announcement, despite the Province allowing ongoing construction projects to continue, and without the knowledge or consent of Township Council, and without even an application for extension from the developer. We remain mystified as to why the Johnston Point development was prioritized by the County during a pandemic, particularly in light of the facts that there was still three months left to go, draft conditions have been broken, a walking bridge had been installed in the PSW and without a building permit, the Overall Benefit Permit hasn't been made public, the Condo Agreement hasn't been signed back after almost two years, the Township voted last year against the agreement being extended, and a host of other reasons, including the developer himself telling Township Council that " Environmental standards could not be more elevated. It is unfortunate and regrettable and deplorable that the project, and those standards have not been respected here before." (Gavin Marshall - Principal - Magenta Waterfront Development Corp. June 4, 2019).

The Board has also been working on applying and receiving a grant to combat invasive species, researching enhancing our native fish populations, creating awareness of the need for pollinators, the impact of septic systems and protection of species at risk on our lake. Our newsletter includes articles on some of these activities. One positive from COVID-19 is that it has reminded us to appreciate those who help us. I would like to thank Watersheds Canada and the Gottlieb Foundation for their grant to purchase two new "Extractigators", our former BLLA director Susan Sutherland (Butterfly Lady) for giving us a tour of her "Monarch Mansion" (and inspiring my brother-in-law to make one for me), and Mabyn Armstrong of Turtles Kingston for including us on her determined quest to return "Mr. Big" back to his home. I would especially like to thank our volunteer Board Members for their guidance and assistance during this difficult time. Most importantly, I would thank you, our members, for your support and encouragement to protect our lake for now, and for generations to come.

Evonne Potts
President