Each year, the CLPOA covers the cost of placing, removing and maintaining 86 red and yellow marker buoys and, as of August, 2002, the location of every marker was identified by a GPS reading (Global Positioning System). MAP

Dan Boyd, Vice President of the Association, is presenting the courses around the July 1st weekend for Chandos Youth. In the past, Harold Forbes ran a similar course and graduated over 567 students. The Harold Forbes Memorial Award is presented to those students who obtain a perfect score on their exam. To date over 83 youth and adults have obtained their Pleasure Craft Operator Card through Dan. See the Boater Exam Training page for further information.

Two major annual events require the coordination of many individuals: the regatta and corn and wiener roast. These are high impact events and would never occur without the dedication of the volunteers and the CLPOA Executive.

Each year, the association is asked to support various activities and community organisations: for example, library reconstruction, the sailing club and community policing have received financial donations. The sale of maps, throws, millennium prints and regatta raffle tickets enables the CLPOA to support these and other activities.

The CLPOA Yearbook Editor, Dan Durst, spends many hours each year creating one of the finest lake association yearbooks in Ontario. However, it is not a one person task. Dan relies on the cottage community to submit articles and pictures and, thanks to advertising, the yearbook is printed and mailed without additional cost to the membership, thus keeping association fees to a minimum.

The newsletter, published in the spring, summer and fall, is our main communication tool. With the newsletter, CLPOA members are kept informed about association activity as well as current and emerging issues.

In the last North Kawartha municipal election, Chandos cottagers assisted in the telephone campaign and related election tasks.

King Baker, the Lake Steward, and a group of cottagers spend time each summer gathering valuable data. Their activities include:

• taking water samples to establish phosphorous (water quality) levels,
• measuring secchi disc depths (water clarity readings) to assist in the analysis of water quality,
• taking water samples to establish levels of ecoli and coliform,
• taking water samples to analyze for the presence of foreign species, i.e. zebra mussels, spiny water flea. (Work is done in coordination with the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters and the Invading Species Program)

Recently, the Ministry of the Environment (MOE) indicated that Chandos is one of the most active lakes in Ontario: re - testing for phosphorous, and taking secchi disc readings.

Issues often emerge which require CLPOA involvement. Four years ago, several members identified the need for a speed limit in Gilmour Bay Narrows. The CLPOA approached North Kawartha Council about the concern and, with CLPOA support, Council successfully petitioned the Federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans to establish a 10 km speed limit (safety zone) for Gilmour Bay Narrows.

The CLPOA continues to respond to other cottager concerns as they arise: i.e. supporting the cottagers on Pleasant Point to oppose a recent zoning amendment request to build a cottage and boathouse on a very small lot. However, after an environmental survey was presented indicating that there would be no appreciable adverse impact on water quality or the trout fishery by the construction of a new cottage, Council allowed the request for a zoning by-law amendment to build a cottage but not a boat house.

Previously, the CLPOA, when approached by a group of cottagers, provided support via a petition to Council, to consider the construction of a tennis court on Township property in the Glen Alda area.

Occasionally, issues arise that must be addressed at County Council. In April, 2001, the CLPOA was asked to make a presentation to County Council supporting a North Kawartha Township position which opposed a proposal by the City of Peterborough to move the Apsley based ambulance to a location further south. After intense lobbying by the Municipality, CLPOA and other groups, a decision was made to leave the ambulance service at the Apsley base. Now, only in an emergency, or in a time of excessive demand on the ambulance service, does the ambulance relocate to a more southern location. The CLPOA continues to monitor the situation.

Cottagers on Chandos Lake enjoy representation at the provincial level, via CLPOA membership in the Federation of Ontario Cottage Association (FOCA).

In 1985, Chandos Lake was the first lake in Ontario to established a Cottage Watch program. Today, many lake associations throughout Ontario have adopted a similar program - using the original Chandos model. The Chandos Property Watch program is an automated, self-monitoring system with cottagers being requested to call the North Kawartha Community Police office or OPP if they spot any suspicious activity in their area.

The CLPOA supported the placing of a telephone booth at the public beach. Previously, the beach was viewed as an isolated location waiting for a tragedy to happen.

It is essential that the CLPOA Executive be kept well informed about environmental issues that might have an impact on cottage life. Each year, we attend or assist with a Lakeland Conference which focuses on lakes and related eco-systems. Two conferences were held at the Apsley Community Centre, a third in Buckhorn, and a fourth is being planned for October 2nd, 2004 at the Buckhorn Community Centre.

Wood Decay
Wood decays through the action of fungi that develop in living or dead wood. Fungi that develop in the surface are termed mould fungi, whereas sapstaining fungi penetrates the wood. Fungi produce spores which are distributed by wind, water or insects. Wood-decay can be placed in one of the three major groups:

• brown rot
• white rot (bleached effect)
• soft rot (attacks wet lumber)

The activities of wood-destroying fungi are dependent on four principal factors of which the removal of one or more of these factors will prevent decay:

• adequate moisture - spores need 20 per cent moisture content
• adequate oxygen - fungi cannot live in water
• favourable temperature - growth impeded below 1 degree and above 37 degrees
• food source - the wood itself

The following is good practice.

• prevent wood contacting soil by using concrete piers for support
• Allow at least 50 cm clearance between wood and soil in crawl spaces. Enclosed crawl spaces need a 4-6 mil polyethylene soil cover and proper ventilation (100 square centimetre vent for each 15 square metres of floor space)
• do not allow flower pots and planters to drain near foundations
• slope roof drainage pipes away from the structure to ensure fast water runoff
• ensure roof overhang is sufficient to prevent excessive weathering
• repair peeling paint to avoid trapping water behind paint chips
• provide proper attic ventilation and ensure all chimneys and vent stacks are properly maintained and flashing is watertight
• ensure attic is properly insulated to prevent ice dam buildup
• ensure roof shingles, flashing, facia and eaves are maintained
• slope soil grade away from the structure
• prevent outside water faucets dripping so that the exterior foundation is not constantly wet.

Keep the interior plumbing in good condition, and wrap the pipe to reduce sweating in humid weather.

Information from the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources

If you are planning to burn grass, brush or debris between April 1 and October 31,

you require a FIRE PERMIT

PERMITS ARE FREE at the Township office

Some turtle populations in Ontario are rapidly declining. One of the major causes is road mortality. Experts predict that unless efforts are undertaken to protect the native turtle, some species will cease to exist in Ontario. A committee comprised of area environmentalists, veterinarians, and zoo staff have opened a trauma and rehabilitation centre at the Riverview Park and Zoo in Peterborough. Injured native turtles will be treated, in order to eventually release them back into the wild.

Suggestions from the Centre:

• do not handle turtles as they can carry harmful bacteria such as salmonella,
• large snapping turtles can inflict a nasty bite. Use a shovel or board to place the turtle into a box or open plastic tub,
• it is essential to record the exact location where the turtle was found,
• the chance or survival will decrease if a turtle cannot be returned to its own territory.

Drop Off Locations:

• Riverview Park and Zoo, Water St., Peterborough
• Peterborough Pet Hospital, 379 Lansdowne Street
• Champlain Animal Hospital, County Rd. 29, Lakefield
• Indian River Reptile Zoo, County Road 38

Drop Off Times:

• Monday to Friday 8am - 4pm
• Saturday & Sunday 8am - 4pm (Riverview Park & Zoo Only)