(Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Community affairs

District of Lakeland exploring options to protect lakes and shore lines

Feb 24, 2022 | 10:14 AM

Citing a need to respond to ratepayer concerns regarding water quality, the District of Lakeland Council is being asked to vote on a new Environmental Stewardship Bylaw.

The bylaw was introduced by first reading at the last council meeting held on Feb. 9.

According to a statement by Administrator Tracey McShannock, the purpose of this bylaw is to implement better practices within a defined lake impact area to balance public safety, environmental stewardship and public enjoyment of activities affecting the foreshore, shoreland and lakes.

“Please note that the bylaw does not refer to regulating boats and watercraft,” she said.

McShannock went on to explain the bylaw addresses measures related to fertilizer usage, sewage holding tanks, hydraulic jet usage, and lake impact area activity. The proposed bylaw can be viewed on the District of Lakeland website under recent posts.

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A picture taken near Bell’s Beach. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

Reeve Walter Plessl was among two members of council who voted against the bylaw when it passed first reading, and he told paNOW, while he thinks the intent of the bylaw is good, more homework could be done.

“I just think its centered at too many things and really doesn’t look at the total big picture,” he said.

Added to Plessl’s concern, is the belief that all the positive reviews so far are coming from lake front owners. He explained as Reeve he’s responsible for the interests of all rate payers.

“Twenty nine hundred cabin owners voted me in and I have no personal gains on anything,” he said.

Among the sticking points for Plessl is a clause within the bylaw that no person shall install, place or use any hydraulic jet within any waters within the municipality.

“If they had done any homework on it they would have found out there’s lots of lakes in central saskatchewan and southern saskatchewan that are using aerators and they have cleaned up water quality,” he said.

Another point of contention is prohibiting fertilizer use.

“How do you think the golf course guy would feel about that,” he said.

Plessl also raised concerns with the issuing of fines to those who fail to comply, which could potentially range between $350 and $10,000.

“I just think let’s do it right. You know I campaigned on the fact of no more bylaws, like let’s relax on that and here’s a bylaw review committee that makes another bylaw,” he said.

Plessl explained the biggest issues for him is the big boats, but he thinks a better approach is through more education about better idling in and out from shore line, as well as placing additional signage to remind people to keep 100 feet from shore. Plessl also suggested giving something back to property owners who do something to help protect their own shore lines.

Rate payers are encouraged by the District to provide feedback, and can provide comments through email (office@lakeland521.ca), regular mail or in person at the office in the Village of Christopher Lake.

Responses must be received in the office by March 1. The next council meeting has been scheduled for March 9.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell