We are looking for articles of interest for our Fall newsletter. If you want to submit an article for the WCA Summer newsletter, please contact Nanci Wakeman with your submission in WORD format by October 14. Articles should be 250-700 words, and if including photos - please provide high-resolution photos (one or more, including photo credits – who took the photo, plus captions).
WCA is the latest member association to be showcased in GBA's Stewards of the Bay video series. As a part of the broader Guardians of the Bay initiative, this video series highlights the passion and action of our community members in their commitment to preserving the unique habitat of Georgian Bay. On Wednesday, August 16, a group led by WCA Board Member Richard Wilson set out from Snug Harbour with guides from Georgian Bay Forever (GBF) to do seasonal cutting of the phragmites stands on Franklin Island. GBF has developed a strong and effective program engaged in Georgian Bay shoreline phragmites eradication. Many of the stands they monitored and managed have been successfully eliminated. Coastal stands of phragmites can be combatted by cutting their stems just below the water surface, which effectively drowns the plant. Several years of repeated cutting have been shown as an effective method to eliminate a stand. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghzJ7mFLJ9o GBA MEMBER ASSOCIATION VIDEOS The goal of this video project is both to highlight the environmental efforts of cottagers and to develop more of a sense of community among our neighbouring member associations. Click here to find videos from other GBA member associations - with topics ranging from building loon nest platforms to habitat restoration to shoreline cleanup efforts to many, many more.
TEN Boating tips to save lives Join us ONLINE - August 23 @ 10 AM Prompted by the increase in boating fatalities and accidents in recent years, MLA Director Scott Ferguson presents a live e-learning module on 10 defensive boating tips to save lives. Special guest OPP Sgt. Dave Moffatt will address Ontario boating accident stats, including victim age and gender, life jacket use, and boat size. SQL Chair Diana Piquette and the MLA’s Lawton Osler will moderate. Join us! REGISTER NOW
TC Energy (TCE), formerly TransCanada Pipeline, has received permission to do a feasibility study for an open loop system Hydroelectric Pumped Storage Plant (PSP) on the federally owned shoreline of the Department of National Defense (DND) Training Centre in Meaford. This proposed facility has serious and potentially harmful implications for local communities, the environment and Georgian Bay’s aquatic ecosystem. Pumped Storage Project: Why Are We Concerned? The proposed pumped storage project by TC Energy threatens to cause significant disruption and permanent changes to the existing natural habitat. Save Georgian Bay is concerned that the proposed technology will cause fish mortality, water turbidity, and water and air pollution during the construction phase, and will require the installation of high-tension power lines from Meaford to Essa Township near Barrie. We believe there are many better alternatives that should be considered in place of the current one. Although the project is proposed for a site on the west coast of the Bay, the Georgian Bay Association is examining this project because we have several concerns about its environmental impact on Georgian Bay, notably an increase in fish mortality, water turbidity, water temperatures, and habitat destruction. These impacts will affect the entire Bay, and we are concerned about the precedent it will set. Have Your Say We wanted to bring an important matter to your attention regarding the proposed amendments to Ontario Regulation 53/05 and potential regulations under the Ontario Energy Board Act, 1998, specifically related to the rate regulation of certain pumped storage facilities. The Minister of Energy is currently seeking public input and feedback on these proposed changes, and your voice matters! This is a valuable opportunity for you to share your thoughts, concerns, and insights on this crucial topic. As advocates for the protection and preservation of Georgian Bay, we have a unique opportunity to voice our concerns and make a difference. Your voice matters in this crucial conversation. We encourage you to participate in the public consultation process by submitting your comments to the Minister. Your input could help shape the direction of these regulations and influence decisions that will impact the future of our energy infrastructure and its potential impact on our natural environment. To submit your comments online, please follow the guidelines provided by the Ministry on their official website: https://ero.ontario.ca/notice/019-7337. Alternatively, please click here to generate a pre-populated email. Let's work together to ensure a balanced and informed discussion on this matter. The deadline for submitting comments is 11:59 p.m. on August 24, 2023, so please don't miss this opportunity to make your voice heard. Thank you for your commitment to creating a sustainable energy future for Ontario. Together, let's continue to stand up for Georgian Bay and ensure our collective voice is heard in this critical matter.
WCA Summer Newsletter August 2023 WCA Spring Newsletter May 2023 (more…)
The Township of Carling will be holding an open house to discuss the possibility of transitioning from two transfer sites to one more centrally located site. The Open House will be held: Monday, August 14 at the Carling Community Centre from 5:30 p.m.-7:00 p.m. Please drop by to learn more about why the Council for the Township of Carling is considering this option. We look forward to seeing you there.
Sunday August 13, 2023 Carling Community Centre 2 West Carling Bay Road Your Dog must be Vaccinated and Leashed Registration: Aug. 13, 2023 11:00 am to 12:00 noon Dog fest show starts at 12:15 pm. Location: Grass area beside Baseball eld. Leash up your Furry Pal for a Fun Filled Contest or come as a Spectator Additional parking South of the Baseball Diamond. Numerous Categories available to enter Any donation to PAWS will be Greatly Appreciated
The West Carling Association (WCA) is looking for volunteers to cut phragmites stands on the Bay on Wednesday, August 16. A group led by WCA Board Member Richard Wilson will be departing Snug Harbour on Wednesday, August 16 (Friday the 18th in the event of bad weather on the 16th), with guides from Georgian Bay Forever (GBF) to do seasonal cutting of the phragmites stands on Franklin Island. If you would be interested in helping, there is room for a few volunteers to come along. Some light physical work is involved, likely on the shore or in shallow water. Bring a life jacket, a sharpened spade shovel and work gloves. What are phragmites and why should we be concerned? Invasive phragmites are aggressive plants that spread quickly and outcompete native species for water and nutrients. Biochemicals are released from its roots into the soil to hinder the growth of surrounding plants. Identifying this invasive can be difficult due to the existence of native subspecies. Invasive phragmites generally reach heights of up to five metres and have tan stems with blue-green leaves and large, dense seed heads. It can grow so densely that it crowds out other species. If you are unaware of what it looks like, there is a large patch on Nobel Road (old Highway 69) just south of the former 559 intersection. What is being done to eliminate these invasive plants? GBF has developed a strong and effective program engaged in Georgian Bay shoreline phragmites eradication. Many of the stands they monitored and managed have been successfully eliminated. Coastal stands of phragmites can be combatted by cutting their stems just below the water surface, which effectively drowns the plant. Several years of repeated cutting have been shown as an effective method to eliminate a stand. WCA completed the first step in our efforts to eliminate these invasive plants by conducting a thorough survey of the Carling Township Coastline in mid-June, looking specifically for the presence of invasive phragmites. In all, we identified six stands, with Franklin Island, Bateau Island, and Deep Bay being the host locations. The outcome of the mapping project was reported to WCA members and Carling Council at the Annual Members Meeting on July 29. If you are interested in assisting Richard with this important project please contact Richard directly at richardjwilson1@rogers.com or by phone 416-417-6833.
