Local lakes need to be nurtured.
Citizen environmental stewardship is a necessity to keep the popular Sudbury area lakes clean and clear, said Lana Haslam, Lake Water Quality Program coordinator for Greater Sudbury.
Haslam presented her annual report on the activities of her program to city council Wednesday.
“We are a municipal program of lake water quality monitoring and educational, as well as technical support to lake stewardship groups and citizens in the city,” said Haslam.
Over the years the program has helped organize 37 lake stewardship groups. Included are Fairbank Lake Camp Owners Association, Friends of Bennet Lake, Friends of McFarlane Lake Stewardship Committee, Kukagami Lake Campers Association, Little Lake Panache Property Owners Association, Onwatin Lake Stewardship Group, Rayside-Balfour Community Action Network, Richard Lake Stewardship Committee, Simon Lake Community Stewardship Group and Windy Lake Stewardship Committee.
These groups also received stewardship assistance grants out of $7,370 allocated in 2007. Haslam said 13 groups were funded to conduct activities that otherwise would not have been carried out.
“This grant program was a pilot project in 2005 with the intent to benefit as many lake stewardship programs as possible,” said Haslam.
Ward 4 Councillor Evelyn Dutrisac asked Haslam about ice-huts on area lakes.
“I get complaints about the garbage that is left around them,” said Dutrisac.
Haslam said ice-huts were in the jurisdiction of the Minstry of Natural Resources and not her group. “However I think public education about them might be a good idea.”
Ward 10 Councillor Frances Caldarelli said she was concerned about the spread of milfoil species in Richard Lake.
Haslam said the problem was with the Eurasian milfoil species, which is not eaten by local ducks or fish.
“Once it is established it is difficult to control. The roots have to be pulled. Cutting it does not work. Groups like the hunters and anglers associations have been working on how to control milfoil,” said Haslam.
Ward 2 Councillor Jacques Barbeau said stewardship groups at Panache, Fairbanks, McCharles and Simon Lakes are all doing good work. He expressed concern about the water quality in Simon lake.
Haslam said the spring phosphorous readings there were double the provincial limit.
“There are many sources for phosphorous, including natural causes, but excess chemical lawn fertilization and leaking septic systems are the main human causes,” she said. Currently the program she runs has no jurisdiction to control pollution, as it is mainly educational.
“We will alert the Ministry of the Environment and the health unit in case of blue-green algae blooms that are observed.”
Ward 3 Councillor Claude Berthiaume said he was concerned about there being more information on alternatives to chemical fertilizers.
“We need natural fertilizers and herbicides like corn gluten products,” he said.
Ward 1 Councillor Joe Cimino noted that there were residential developments taking place on Robinson Lake in his ward.
“It is such a small lake. Are there education programs for developers to be careful in how they develop sensitive sites?”
Haslam said that local developers were careful about development plans. Once the houses were built and sold, her program would be happy to talk to the new lakeside residents, she said.
For more information, phone 3-1-1 and ask for the lake stewardship program.
