Greater Bobs and Crow Lakes Association hosts a successful AGM.
On Sunday last, members of the Greater Bobs and Crow Lakes Association (GBCLA) gathered together and enjoyed a delicious lunch prepared by the Catholic Women’s League at Glendower Hall. Mayor Ron Vandewal and Councillors, Steve Pegrum and Adam Turcotte along with representatives of the Ontario Provincial Police, the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority (RVCA), the South Frontenac Volunteers Fire Department, and the Bedford Historical Society were on hand to answer our questions.
Meghan MacDonald of the RVCA gave an excellent presentation on invasive species, what they are, how to identify them and what to do about them. This was followed by an introduction to iNaturalist and how to use citizen science to gather information not only about invasive species but all species on our lakes.
Acting President, Lynn Watson reviewed the activities of the GBCLA over the past year including the introduction of two new initiatives, the Invasive Species Committee, and a program to support groups who wish to purchase fire pumps to further protect their properties from the potential of wildfires.
The Bobs and Crow Lakes Foundation has generously offered to support the purchase of up to six fire pumps with a grant of $1,500.00 per pump. Applications will be sent to members and road associations this week, followed by widespread distribution on social media. Groups will have until Labour Day to apply and the pumps will be delivered next spring. There will be a demonstration on the use of the pumps upon delivery. This is an important new initiative on the part of the GBCLA.
The Director of Fisheries reported they had helped stock 18,000 walleye fingerlings along with the MNR & F last fall. As well, members of his committee were out counting walleye in the spring and found that the population seems to be increasing. This year the committee will work with the RVCA to improve walleye habitat by dropping Christmas trees into various locations, weighing them town with concrete blocks.
According to our Marine Safety Director at least 60 buoys marking shoals around the lakes are placed by GBLA volunteers. The association, also, works with the township to ensure that speed limit signs are posted and provides “Slow no wake” signs are available for placement in the many narrows around the lake. He stated that the OPP has been on the lake once a week this summer and most recently charged boaters with failure to have PFDs on board and with alcohol related offences.
It was reported that the water quality and the nutrient levels on the lakes meet or exceed provincial guidelines. The RVCA has tested for Ecoli and found that all sites on the lake meet or exceed Provincial standards. Zebra mussels are well established in several bays and, at least, observed in all bays.
The Stewardship Director reported that the Invasive Species Committee had successfully applied to the Federation of Cottage Associations (FOCA) to have a biologist visit our lakes and sample for invasive aquatic species. This will greatly assist us with our information gathering on what and where we have invasives so that we can begin to design a program of removal of the most threatening species.
The members of the association elected the slate of officers presented and Lynn Watson was elected as President for the coming year. Lynn welcomed Nadine Pickard, owner of Irwin’s Cabins, as the new Director of Communications with an emphasis on social media and public relations. She, also, thanked our incredible volunteers, without whose assistance, our programs wouldn’t exist. These volunteers, work to enhance the fishery, place buoys on shoals around the lake to assist boaters, place the signs that remind our cottagers of our AGM, measure water quality, plan programs to reduce invasive species on our lakes, sit on ad hoc committees to develop new programs, work on the Board of Directors and on the Foundation Board, all to make the lakes a safe, quiet, healthy environment. It is important, also, to celebrate and support our business members; Deckerman’s Services, Irwin’s Cabins, Lakeview Storage Solutions, Greenshields Pest Control, Sunset Country Campground, Tangled Garden, Herlehy’s Hardware, Sutton Real Estate, Wilson’s Country Cottage Plumbing, Rideau Pizza, Perth and District Septic Service and Tay River Clothing Company.
We are excited about the coming year with new programs being launched and long-standing ones maintained. We will continue to strive to improve and enhance our programs.