Newsletter 2013

Amis du Lac/ Friends of the Lake is very pleased and excited that a major Environmental Study of the lakes and land of the Sixteen Island Watershed has been completed. Started in 2008 under the direction of Corina Lupu and assisted by a number of our members, the first phase was completed in 2009 and a report was issued by Biofilia in 2010.Then, a second phase commissioned by Amis du Lac in 2010 was completed in 2011.The data from this phase was included in a final study commissioned by the Municipality, completed by Biofilia and presented to the council in 2012. This report gives a clear picture of the lake and its watershed and all is not well. Your association will use the report to plan projects and set priorities to preserve the lake and watershed. It is hoped that the present council and future administrations will use the study wisely and take the necessary action to preserve the watershed and lakes that are under stress.  A very brief section on the Biofilia recommendations and conclusions is included in this newsletter. We would like to extend an invitation to everybody to join us at the presentation of the findings of the study presented by Corina Lupu at the Amis du Lac meeting in July.

Land Use Committee Trust

In 2012, Amis du Lac was approached about the possibility of acquiring part of the property on the mountain in the village, including land extending from the cell tower, south  behind the cottages along the east shore.  The intention of Amis du Lac was to place the property in a land trust, forever protecting it in its natural state.

A professional evaluation of the property was commissioned by Amis du Lac. Members of the land use committee solicited assistance from residents of the lake to fund the purchase of the property. The evaluation report indicated that the value of the property was substantially below the asking price. It was decided that purchasing the property was not something Amis du Lac could pursue at this time.

Environment 

Lake and Watershed Environmental Study

Last summer the completed environmental study of the Sixteen Island Lake and Lac Laurel and their watersheds was presented by the environmental consultants Biofilia to the municipality. This is a comprehensive inventory and study of the health of the lakes and their watersheds. The study, commissioned by the municipality, also includes the results from the first two Biofilia studies of the lake commissioned by Amis du Lac. This is an extensive study encompassing the complete watershed which occurs in five municipalities and within three MRC’s. In addition to the Biofilia report of approximately 250 pages, there are 26 colored maps showing the locations and information within the watershed.

BIOFILIA RECOMMENDATIONS

The recommendations are divided into six main areas of intervention.

1. The protection of river system

2. Control of residential development

3. Constraints on deforestation

4. Restrictions on road construction

5. Measures of erosion control to be applied to construction sites

6. Conservation of biodiversity

(Details of these recommendations will be found in the complete Biofilia study on the Amis du Lac website here.)

BIOFILIA CONCLUSIONS

Following the analysis of the watersheds, as well as human intervention impacting the quality of the environment, we believe that the ecological integrity of the following lakes’ watersheds is:

• Lac Wonish at risk
• Lac du Grand Heron at risk
• Baie des Soeurs at risk
• Passage des Grenouilles at risk
• Lac Laurel at risk
• Lac des Seize-Îles is at moderate risk

“In order to improve or maintain the water quality of the municipality’s lakes, control of the phosphorus intake must be a priority for the municipality. Phosphorus may come from punctual sources, such as erosion problems related to roads, deterioration of the shore and other erosion hotbeds. Some non-point input of phosphorus can also come from individual drain field, fertilizers and naturally, from rain. Thus, establishing by-laws for fertilizers and drain fields would limit non point sources of phosphorus. Continuing the riparian strip restoration program would also capture the residual non point sources. Furthermore, adopting legislation with strict construction norms for roads and deforestation around dwellings would limit erosion problems as well as non point sources of phosphorus and sediments harmful to the water quality and aquatic habitats. Due to the wave action of “Wakeboats”, a real problem for the shoreline stability, this type of boat should be prohibited on the waters in question. The washing of all watercrafts should continue in order to avoid the establishment of other invasive species such as water milfoil.

In conclusion, the protection of the environment and the development of land include a range of actions, of policies and of legislations which limit the pressures of development and human usage on the receiving environment. An environmental protection policy is a process through which these actions are understood, adopted and applied. This process is first and foremost a long term vision of good territorial management. The span of this vision and the necessary time to reach it are directly dependent on the principles and the conviction of the citizens and their elected representatives. This is why raising awareness towards the importance of natural processes and the impact of every action is the key element to adopt an environmental policy quickly and efficiently.  Since the municipality of Lac-des-Seize-Îles is still, to this day, a jewel in the Laurentians, citizens have every right to expect its preservation and count on the increased protection of their environment.”

( From Biofilia report)

(Details of these conclusions will be found in the complete Biofilia study on the Amis du Lac web site here.)

Presentation and discussion of the Biofilia report    

Corina Lupu has been instrumental in getting the Biofilia study started at Sixteen Island Lake, including doing much of the field work for the first two phases.  We are most fortunate to have Corina make a power point presentation of the Biofilia Study of the lakes and watershed. This will be at the Amis du Lac meeting on Friday July 12^th at 7:00 pm, at the municipal center. This is a great opportunity to learn about the study and its potential impact, its’ critical findings, its ramifications and importance to the lakes and community, and the actions needed to be taken. The Biofilia report is intended to be used as a starting point for the revisions to the municipal urban plan. The report is to be studied by the CCU who in turn inform and make recommendations to the council.

Loon Rescue

Each spring the Sixteen Island Lake loons arrive shortly after ice out and stay until late fall when their formal black collar, spotted black and white plumage with beautiful greens and whites turn to a dull winter gray.

Late last summer, a number of Lakers noticed an adult loon continually rolling over on its side and appeared to be in distress. They could see a flash of sun and hear a metallic clinking sound as the loon shook its head and laid on its side in an attempt to dislodge a large fishing lure from its mouth. Fishing line could be seen wrapped around the loon’s head and body severely restricting its head, feet and wings. An attempt by Donald, Corina and Michael to catch the loon was futile as the loon still had enough energy to evade capture. About a week later, Miriam spotted the loon at the south end of the lake. She shut off her motor and coasted to within a few feet of the loon when she noticed that the fishing line wrapped around the loon’s body and head was trailing behind in the water. Taking hold of the line she tried to gently pull the loon towards the boat. The loon immediately began to shake its head violently with a mournful howl. Realizing that more hands were needed, she called Christiane, who in turn called the Parizeaus who arrived in their boat. Try as they might, they could not get close enough to net the loon and he slowly headed out for bigger water.

Miriam and Christiane, knowing that the loon was getting weaker, decided to attempt another rescue later that evening. They were joined by Rich who brought a larger net. After much time they spotted the loon in Black Bay where he appeared to be sleeping while a number of loons close by kept an eye on him. As they quietly approached, the loon awoke and began very slowly swimming along the shore line. Miriam kept the boat close to the loon and an initial attempt to scoop the loon up resulted in Christiane falling into the water. Recovering quickly, Rich managed to net the large loon and put it in the bottom of the boat gently holding it down using the net as a restrainer. Then, slowly and carefully working through the net, he cut all the fishing line that was wrapped firmly around the loon’s head, neck, back, wings and one foot. To their surprise the fishing lure did not have a hook, but just fell away when the fishing line that was wrapped around the loon’s tongue was cut free. Miriam, keeping her boat cushion between her and the loon, “just in case”, carefully double checked inside the loon’s mouth and tongue for any signs of a hook but none was found.  Placing a towel carefully over the loon, Rich cut the net away from its frame, and gently lifted the loon towards the water.

Immediately the loon exploded into a mad scramble of wings and feet as it flailed across 20 meters of the lake where he settled into the water and let out a large haunting loon howl. Then he rose out of the water vigorously stretching and testing his newly liberated wings.  Swimming towards the approaching group of loons he paused, turned, and looked back towards his rescuers as if to say thank you. It was a very emotional moment with not a dry eye in the boat. The three rescuers watched as the loon paused once more for a moment of preening and stretching his wings. Then joining the waiting loons, he headed towards bigger water leaving a few small feathers floating on the quiet water just ahead of the boat.

Replanting 

Friends/Amis purchased $1000 of plants and bushes to assist the municipal project to replant the south end parking area. The project directed by council member Denis Charlebois was done by the students of Centre de Formation Horticol de Laval. This project is a great improvement to reestablish the natural area that was disturbed by parking lot construction the previous summer.

Web Site

The complete Biofilia Watershed Report can be found in French on Friends/Amis  website.  The English translation of the details of the Recommendations and  Conclusions can also be found on our website here.

Calendars 

Tim Boswell continues to do an incredible job producing beautiful calendars with photos taken by Lake  residents. The 2014 Sixteen Island Lake calendars will be available this summer at the annual general meeting, at major events and from Penny Love (450-226-8062). Thanks Tim for another outstanding job.

Municipal

The past year continued to be difficult for residents as both spending and taxes have experienced large increases. 2013 is a municipal election year for the council and the mayor. For the first time the election will be held under new redistricting. Candidates for council may run in any of the six districts regardless of where they have their residence. However, only the residents of legal age who live in a district may vote for the candidate of their district. Seasonal residents get one vote per property. The position of mayor is voted on by all eligible residents in the municipality (again one vote per property owned by seasonal residents). There will be vote by mail. Once again this is an important election. Our municipality is only as good as our elected officials and we encourage residents to consider serving in the municipal government.

Be sure you are registered to vote and that your preference to vote either by mail or in person is correctly recorded at the municipal office.

Municipal Centennial Celebrations 2014 

Amis du Lac in conjunction with the Sixteen Island Lake Fishing Club is cosponsoring a Classic Boat Show and parade for the Municipal Centennial Celebrations to be held in the summer of 2014. It is estimated there are close to 30 classic boats of all types on the lake and we encourage everyone with an old boat to participate. This fun event is being coordinated by Geoff Creswell.

Membership

Thanks to all of you who continue to support the lake Association. Reminders will be sent out if renewal of your three year membership is due. Your participation in Friends/Amis is most appreciated. We will have a table at the Municipal Arts Festival so stop by to purchase your calendars. This year we will also introduce a shopping bag with the association logo. Geoff Cresswell is working on a brochure that willpromote and inform the public about Friends/Amis.

Annual General Meeting 2013

The Amis du Lac/ Friends of the Lake Annual General Meeting is Friday July 12^th at 7.00 pm.at the municipal building. We invite everyone to join us for the presentation on the Biofilia Report

Friends/Amis wishes everyone a warm and sunny summer, filled with great adventures and lasting memories!