• The EAC felt the 2019 environmental pamphlets were really good.  The pamphlet information will be updated for 2020 rather than doing a complete rewrite.  The draft of the 2020 pamphlet will be ready for the committee to edit by the April meeting.
• EAC will continue to work with the District office on the web site to make it as informative as possible.
• EAC is discussing the concept of an annual District clean up as part of the FireSmart program when it is implemented. Each division could be encouraged to organize an event and possibly end with a barbeque.
• Landon Farber (Emma Lake Nutrient Study) is working on a document /presentation that will combine two years of data in one report.  Plans are being made for a presentation at the March Council Meeting.
• The amount of sand permits that are approved by the District were discussed.  Discussion revolved around the negative impact on our shorelines and the fish population that sand has on our lake environment.
• It was reported that Wildfire Management is now part of the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency.
• The District Environmental Management Plan has been reviewed and updated, and a report on achievements to date has been prepared for comment by the committee.  When the process is complete the documents will be provided to Council.
• EAC kept their spending under the proposed budget for 2019 mainly due to support through the North Saskatchewan River Basin Council (EcoAction grant).

Our next meeting is scheduled for Saturday, April 18, 2020 at 9 a.m.

Respectfully submitted by,

Karen Bosker (EAC Chair)

The post EAC Report January 2020 appeared first on District of Lakeland.

There has been no evidence of Zebra Mussels in the District of Lakeland for 2019.  All the data collected with the Mussel monitoring program (May- September) was sent into the Provincial data base.

The design and format for the 2020 Environmental Pamphlets have been put into motion.  Possible topics were discussed including the design of a fridge magnet for mail out along with the Environmental pamphlets to all Ratepayer’s with the tax notices in June.

The Effective Communication presentation was very good with some ideas and actions the District might do to educate and involve more people in the area.  The presenters suggested the following ideas:

1. Proposed changes to the EAC website. For example, using some professional photography of the area, and updating the EAC links with past and present information about Environmental projects.
2. More activities to engage Ratepayer’s and visitors in the area.  Examples of this would be to:

• • a) Develop a Lakeland 521.ca App,
  • b) Spring/Fall area clean up on a neighbourhood basis,
  • c)  Have an environmentally friendly District BBQ by encouraging people attending to bring their own plates, cups and cutlery,
  • d) To engage school children in environmental projects in the District.

Over the last 2 years the Emma Lake Nutrient Study has collected a lot of data.  The findings to date indicate that lake transparency has decreased from 2011 to 2019.  It will be recommended that the study continue for another year before the data is published.  The third year of the study would focus more on water sampling.

The District Environmental Management Plan will continue being reviewed in 2020.

Respectfully submitted by,
Karen Bosker (Chair)

The post November 23/2019 Environmental Advisory Committee (EAC) Report appeared first on District of Lakeland.

Wayne Hyde reported that our SK Polytechnique student Landen Farber is on the lake daily gathering data and recording it for the second year of the Emma Lake Nutrient Study. The project will progress to using a plankton net to obtain measurement of the effect boat traffic has on water clarity. Plans for lake surveys and bird counts were also discussed.

Five thousand environmental pamphlets were printed this year. The pamphlets have been mailed to every ratepayer in the District with the tax notices. The Committee will take pamphlets to businesses and campgrounds in the District for distribution to residents of surrounding municipalities and visitors in the area.

Mussel monitors were attached to the Anglin, Christopher, Emma and McPhee Lake launch docks on the May long week end. They are monitored monthly by volunteers and the data submitted to the Provincial Government.

The Committee received a Fire Smart update on initiatives throughout the District, and federal funding program recently approved for crown land including areas identified by the Great Blue Heron Provincial Park.
EAC has agreed to review the District Management Plan annually to make sure that the plan is being implemented.

Submitted by,
Karen Bosker (Chair)

The post EAC Report June 2019 appeared first on District of Lakeland.

A SK Polytechnic presentation and update was provided by Kevin Benmerrouche and Dave Halstead on the Emma Lake Water Quality Project.

Wayne Hyde provided a document on the volunteer time and costs incurred with the project.

A draft of the 2019 environmental pamphlets was provided by Karee Davidson and Jacquie Moore for the Committee to look at and provide feedback on them.  It was recommended postponing making the  magnets with the District of Lakeland website on them until the EAC website is more user friendly.

Karee and Jacquie provided a printed outline of suggestions to make the website more easily navigated.

Vacationland News has agreed to give Jacquie an opportunity to do 6 write ups on the environment free of charge.  Suggested topics for the write ups are: 1) Natural Edge Program, story featuring one or more people who have gone ahead and used the program (Barb Gibson, Guise Beach),  2) Water Quality testing on the lakes since 2011 (Wayne Hyde, Kevin Benmerrouche and Dave Halstead),  3)  Landfill/Waste Management,  4)  environmentally friendly insect prevention- Mosquito Buzz,  5)  wildlife rehabilitation (Leslie Tuchek),  6)  history of the area (Elinor McNeil , Carwin Park and Don and Donna Bailey, Bell’s Beach).

Submitted by,

Karen Bosker (Chair)

The post EAC Report April 2019 appeared first on District of Lakeland.

Emma Lake Nutrient Study: Collection of summer data and bottom sampling went very well. There was no recreational boat use analysis this summer, this will be referred to 2019. There was some discussion on the merits of collecting historical lake level information.

Online survey regarding environmental attitudes: The online survey will be placed on hold for designation of a committee member to lead. A handout on the survey guide was distributed. There was general discussion that due to the volume of questions, the survey could be presented over a three-year time frame.

Recognized the contributions of resigning committee member, Terry Neefs.

Provincial Association of Resort Communities of Saskatchewan convention in Saskatoon on October 19 – 20, 2018: Representatives from the District of Lakeland will attend.

Zebra & Quagga Mussel Monitors: monitors will be removed for the 2018 season. There has been no evidence of mussels to date.

Wildfire Management Branch FireSmart Assessment: The District has received the results of the FireSmart assessment. District staff will prepare an action plan for review by Council in 2019.

The post EAC Report September 2018 appeared first on District of Lakeland.

Wayne Hyde reported that the nutrient study is progressing well. He is pleased with all the volunteer assistance he is receiving and the SK Polytechnic student (Kevin) is working out well. Good data is being collected. Kevin is making plots of depths and transparency data. Kevin is putting information on the Facebook page every week. (Emma Lake Environmental Stewardship Program)

Terry Neefs will continue to work on the online survey and will contact Committee for any extra help or input he may need.

Cheryl Bauer –Hyde will have an accurate financial statement for our September meeting.

The “No Wake” signs have been checked on Emma and Christopher. Two signs will be installed on Emma and Christopher Lake is still in need of one on the island.

Action Printing in Prince Albert designed and printed the pamphlets. We are pleased with the 2018 Environmental pamphlets and they have been mailed out to all ratepayers in the District. There are extra copies on the Environmental table in the foyer. Karee Davidson will head up the Environmental pamphlets for next year.

Our next meeting will be held in Council chambers on Saturday, September 8, 2018.

Submitted by Karen Bosker (Chair)

The post EAC Report July 2018 appeared first on District of Lakeland.

Grant applications to Colleges and Institutes Canada (CiCan) for our water project has been approved for $13,500. This funding is in addition to $8,000 that has been approved by Council to hire a SK Polytechnic student. The position will be offered to Kevin Benmerrouche.

Wayne Hyde and Dave Halstead will be working with Sk Polytechnic on lake assessment: (water turbidity, temperature, shoreline erosion through boat wake action and reduction in water wildlife due to boat activities).
Terry Neefs provided a handout to guide our discussion for the online survey. We hope to have everything in place for September, 2018 .

EAC did a final edit on the environmental hand outs. By printing 2,400 copies, there will be enough for inclusion in the District tax notice mailout, and also distributed through the information table, at the annual information meeting, etc. The topics for the environmental inserts are: Water Quality, Great Blue Heron Provincial Park (GBHPP) /Lakeland Trails and Responsible Pleasure Craft Operation.

Tom Laxdal provided volunteers with the Mussel Monitors to be attached to the docks at McPhee, Christopher, Anglin, Emma Lakes. Monthly data will be collected by volunteers and sent to Wayne Hyde for submission to the Government of Saskatchewan web site for Mussel Monitoring.

Our next EAC meeting will be Saturday, July 14th, 2018.

Submitted by Karen Bosker (Chair)

The post EAC Report May 2018 appeared first on District of Lakeland.

We developed our on line survey questions. Terry Neefs led this discussion and recorded the survey questions. He will send out the survey Draft to EAC for further discussion at our next meeting.

It was decided to purchase the Survey Monkey program for $288.00 for a yearly subscription as a platform for the survey.

Wayne Hyde updated the Committee on the Emma Lake Nutrient Study. He is working with NSRBC (Northern Saskatchewan River Basin Council) and Sk Polytechnic doing grant applications for extra funding.

I have received the updated SENS (School of Environment and Sustainability) application forms. I let them know we are interested in working on a future project. They are aware we are working with SK Polytechnic at this time.

I have submitted the EAC write up to the ELCA (Emma & Christopher Lakes Association) that will go in the ELCA section of the 2018 Vacationland News Cabin Stuffer.

Reported by, Karen Bosker

The post EAC Report April 2018 appeared first on District of Lakeland.

Daryl Jessop had sent in a written report about an incident of an ATV in the water at Murray Point. Our Lakeland Protective Services (LDPS) and Bonnie Greene (Conservation Officer) had been contacted regarding this incident. There was no ticket issued for this infraction from LDPS or Bonnie Greene even though pictures were sent in with the ATV in the water. As EAC members we wanted to understand why a ticket would not have been issued for this infraction. Daryl Jessop agreed to look into the incident for us. Daryl learned after speaking to both LDPS and Bonnie Greene they could not issue a ticket because there is no legislation that has a specific charge section for driving an ATV in the lake. The Federal Fisheries & Park’s Act would require someone to prove there was destruction of fish habitat which would be almost impossible to do without scientific data. Terry contacted Gordon Locke from Parks and more (No ATVS) signage will be assigned this summer. This will help with enforcing ATVS in the area.

Terry had submitted a brief report about the Spruce Beetle. His report indicated Parks has removed many mature infected trees in the Park and have traps deployed. I mentioned that Ernie Locke is also working with the Park on behalf of the District to combat the problem.

I have contacted School of Environment and Sustainability (SENS) and let them know there is no project for them right now as we are engaging SK Polytechnic in the Nutrient Study on Emma Lake.

The Emma Lake Nutrient Study, approved by Council at our February meeting, is proceeding with Wayne as lead working with SK Polytechnic. The Committee agreed that we should share the project with the public. Wayne will put together an informational note to put on our District web site.

Future EAC Committee meetings will be held the Saturday before Council meeting with the exception of July 7 or if a meeting isn’t needed.

Submitted by Karen Bosker

The post EAC Report March 2018 appeared first on District of Lakeland.

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The post EAC Report February 2018 – Emma Lake Nutrient Study appeared first on District of Lakeland.