Dear ,

Happy Thanksgiving to all of our MPOA members and families! 

MEMBERSHIP UPDATE:

While the MPOA board have been busy working on various items, none have been as prevalent as those surrounding our Eurasian Water-Milfoil (EWM) issue.

Eurasian Water-Milfoil (EWM), is one of ten recently prohibited or restricted invasive species by the Province of Ontario to reduce its significant environmental, economic, and social wellbeing impacts. Unfortunately, Mazinaw Lake has 27 colonies of EWM in both the north and south lake, representing a 17.4% increase in colonies compared to last year’s survey (map here). 

The  Mazinaw Property Owners Association’s (‘MPOA’) has taken action to engage with world renowned PhD experts in the field of invasive species to educate property owners or lake users about EWM and minimize its spread by producing a video published to our website, as just one example of these efforts. The MPOA have also collaborated with the Bon Echo Provincial Park, to ensure invasive species water markers are installed in the Park’s regulated area, which has the 2nd largest colony of EWM. Additionally, the MPOA have engaged with local businesses to hand out educational material, erect land signs at high traffic locations such as Tappings Landing Boat Launch and installed water markers at colonies elsewhere on the lake, outside of the Park regulated area; and created an orthomosaic map to help all Lake users understand where the colonies are located so that they may be avoided to prevent further spread. However, these efforts alone cannot adequately address the scale of the problem. 

Motivated by our shared love for Lake Mazinaw and sense of responsibility to it, there has been much discussion amongst MPOA members and local residents about how to best manage the EWM invasive species issue on Lake Mazinaw. There is a shared sense that there is a need for the government to play a greater role. Members are asking why the MPOA has to lead this and question why the government is not stepping forward to do so. To date, no level of government has intervened to manage the EWM invasive species issue on the Lake, since it was first registered in the Invasive Species of Ontario database by the Conservation Authority on Oct 29th 2019. 

Since government action has been extremely difficult, if not impossible, for Ontario Lake Associations faced with similar challenges, the MPOA has sought the assistance of government advisors, and will engage our elected officials in new and strategic ways to seek their leadership on this issue. These efforts include requests for multi- level government meeting(s) with North Frontenac and Addington Highlands Townships, together with MPP John Jordan, MPP Rick Breese, MP Shelby Kramp-Newman, MP Scott Reid for government leadership and intervention. Copies of our written communications will be made available to members who make a request to: communications@lakemazinaw.ca 

Should the government take the lead on managing EWM, they will determine the best course of action, whether it is the use of Health Canada approved aquatic herbicides, consistent with their invasive species management plans in abuting watersheds and nearby Federally controlled waters or a different approach. Until it is known what leadership role the government will take, if at all, the MPOA will wait before pursuing further steps, including seeking ProcellaCOR FX to manage the EWM in the lake. An update to the Membership on the success of these efforts will be provided in due course.

In the meantime, the MPOA will continue to gather information and share it with our members. We are observing and learning from abuting Conservation Authorities, Federal Government and Lake Association’s invasive aquatic species water management plans. For example, we attended and observed a recent Government aquatic herbicide treatment and were able to ask questions on site. We continue reviewing reports to gain insights into testing done on lakes after the application of herbicides. As well, we've been busy producing a FAQ in collaboration with world renowned PhD experts based on questions posed by our members.    

Fundraising will continue knowing that regardless of which management option is decided, resources will be required. Thank you to those members who have already generously donated. 

As always, if you have any questions, please send them to communications@lakemazinaw.ca.

Hope everyone is able to enjoy the fall colours and have had a chance to see the Northern Lights!

Sincerely, 

Francine Bates
President, Mazinaw Property Owners Association