FOCA Elert ~ September 2022

FOCA

FOCA Events

Register now: FOCA Fall Seminar on Saturday, November 19, 2022 by webinar 9:00am - 12:00pm


Our annual Fall Seminar for Lake and Road Associations will be held by webinar this year, and the theme is "Gathering Momentum." Join us for the release of a significant report about the economic impact of waterfront property owners across Ontario, updates on FOCA's top priorities, results from our recent surveys, and the launch of our revised website including a new login process for members-only benefits and resources. Also, get association tips for engaging with your incoming municipal council as they head into their next 4-year term, with an emphasis on land use planning issues. Register now.

FOCA Champions Safe & Affordable Rural Living

Cottage Closing Tips

If you are a seasonal waterfront user, you're probably already thinking about the close, as the cool weather settles in around us. Get FOCA's Top 10 Tips for cottage closing: 

https://foca.on.ca/cottage-closing-tips-from-foca/ 

(Did you already know about #9?) 

OPP reminder: Off Road Vehicle safety

Sgt. Dave Moffatt, Off Road Vehicle Coordinator of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) reported in early September that 19 people have already died in off road vehicle collisions this year.


FOCA encourages all riders to watch a quick but important reminder about off road vehicle safety in this Twitter video posted by the OPP

Lake Erie High Water Conditions

Lake Erie has been under a Flood Watch since early September, and Shoreline Conditions Statements have been issued this week for several locations along the north shoreline. Access the online Ontario Flood Map for links to related messages.

Adapting to Rising Flood Risk

In related news, a report by Canada's Task Force on Flood Insurance and Relocation was released in August, stating that the total residential flood risk in Canada is now estimated at $2.9 billion per year. The majority of risk (89%) is concentrated in a small number of the highest risk homes (10%). Additionally, the report notes that 9 in 10 Canadians living in high-risk areas remain unaware of their flood risk. Access the digital report on this webpage.

Cottage Succession Planning

Thank you to our associations that have been the hosts of our webinars this year. We have one remaining session coming up:

  • September 28th - a deeper diver into "Targeting Tax" hosted by the Chandos Lake Property Owners Association.

FOCA members attend these webinar events at no charge! (A $40 value.) Get details, links to register, and access to purchase recordings of past talks on our webpage: https://foca.on.ca/cottage-succession/

FOCA's Gold level sponsors
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FOCA Advocates for Responsive Government

All Candidates Meetings

With the Ontario municipal elections only a month away, many all-candidates meetings are taking place in townships across the province. Remember: in municipal elections you are entitled to vote in each municipality where you or your spouse owns or rents property. Get all the details, and links to find out more about your own local candidates, on FOCA's webpage: https://foca.on.ca/vote-for-your-future-municipal-elections/


image above: FOCA's Executive Director (and local resident)

moderated an all-candidates meeting on August 31st in Havelock Belmont Methuen Township

Protecting Freshwater Shorelands

FOCA is on the steering committee of the 'Planning for our Shorelands' project at Watersheds Canada. Our team has been developing Best-Management Practices (BMP) resources and a forum related to shoreland policy and land use to inform and unify municipalities in their efforts to conserve critical shoreland habitats. Learn more about the project here: 

https://watersheds.ca/planning-for-our-shorelands/

related: Shoreland Planning Resources released

The steering committee of the Planning for our Shorelands project is pleased to release 2 new resources designed to help facilitate more resilient and healthy waterfront communities:

  • Environmental Net Gain
  • Shoreline Naturalization Planting Plan template

These publications will help your municipality, and you as a property owner, to enjoy healthy and resilient waterfronts in your own community. Visit our webpage for the links to download copies of these guides: https://foca.on.ca/land-use-planning-overview/

related: Engagement Webinar 

Thursday, October 6, 2022 from 12:00-12:30pm:

Join us for a webinar presentation: “Engaging Municipal Elected Officials to Protect our Freshwater” hosted by Watersheds Canada.

Register for the webinar here.

related: Shoreline By-law

In related municipal news, on August 24, 2022 Haliburton County council passed a shoreline preservation by-law that has been under debate and study for more than two years. The by-law enforces permitting processes and restricts certain activities within 20 metres of a shoreline. It will be enforced starting April 1, 2023. Read more in Haliburton Highlander coverage (source of the image at the side)

other news: New on-land Boathouse Ban

In other municipal news, as reported by the Peterborough Examiner earlier this week, two neighbouring municipalities have passed a ban on new on-land boathouses on Jack Lake, following a consultant's report. 

FOCA Member Benefits: a highlight

CottageFirst insurance

FOCA members can benefit from "bundling" their personal insurance for home, cottage, boats, cars and more in the CottageFirst insurance program. Exclusively available to members of FOCA, the CottageFirst program is underwritten by Travelers Canada and is administered by Cade Associates Insurance Brokers. Members have reported improved cottage country coverage at competitive prices. Learn more and request a quote: https://cadeinsurance.com/cottagefirst/

Remember to check out all the current member benefits for your Association, and our member families, here: https://foca.on.ca/benefits/. If you need help accessing your benefits, email us.

FOCA's Silver level sponsors
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AVIVA
Sunspace
FOCA Promotes Healthy Lands, Lakes & Rivers

New Report: Safe Drinking Water for All

Twenty years after the release of the two reports of the Walkerton Inquiry, Canadian Environmental Law Association (CELA) has assessed the status of the 121 recommendations made by Justice O'Connor. Safe Drinking Water for All: a Status Update on Walkerton's Legacy, 20 years after Release of Inquiry Reports evaluates whether the recommendations continue to be implemented effectively, or if there have been any failures to meet the original objectives. Many of FOCA's concerns about gaps in rural and remote protection feature prominently.

Septic System Resources

REVISED: SepticSmart! resource

FOCA has worked with our industry partners over the past several years to update the popular SepticSmart! brochure for homeowners living with an onsite wastewater system.


We are very pleased to announce the release of the revised SepticSmart! brochure, and encourage everyone to read it to learn more about your own onsite wastewater system. Get a link to this and related resources on our webpage: https://foca.on.ca/septic-systems/

Septics Webinar & Overview Video

Our partners at the Ontario Onsite Wastewater Association (OOWA) have been marking Septic Awareness Week (September 19-23) with the release of a variety of homeowner resources, including a 5-minute video overview of Do's and Don'ts for septic systems, and a longer webinar that provides more detail about the components, operation and maintenance of septic systems. 

Connecting with Septic Industry Professionals 

In related news, FOCA's Executive Director spoke to septic system installers at a recent Regional Meeting of the Ontario Onsite Wastewater Association (OOWA) about communicating with waterfront property owners and our shared commitment to keeping these systems functioning properly. Also on the presenter list was Mike Dolbey of the Kawartha Lake Stewards Association, talking about the impact of pathogens and phosphorus on local water bodies. Need to find a septic system professional? Start on OOWA's interactive map.

Invasive Species

Freshwater Jellyfish

A non-native jellyfish species that has been in Ontario for some years has recently been found for the first time in Ramsey Lake in Sudbury by scuba divers. Visit our webpage for a link to the CTV News Northern Ontario article, including video of the freshwater jellyfish, as well as an article about these jellyfish in our 2017 FOCA Lake Stewards Newsletter

https://foca.on.ca/invasive-species/

Asian Carps

Could you identify the four species of Asian carps?


Visit FOCA's webpage to download a handy 2-page infographic about Silver, Bighead, Grass, and Black Carp. Also learn what to do if you sight one. Be part of the fight to prevent the spread of invasive species in Ontario! 

Great Lakes News

Great Lakes Untamed

Premiering Monday, September 26, 2022 (9:00pm ET) on TVO channels and YouTube: a three part natural history series about the North American Great Lakes. Learn how the lakes were formed, how animals, plants and people have been shaped by the extremes of this vast watershed, and explore how climate change is challenging the world's largest freshwater ecosystem. Watch the trailer now. Learn more and access the full broadcast schedule here.  

Great Lakes Public Forum

September 27-29, 2022 - Niagara Falls & virtual. FOCA will be attending this important forum, where the Governments of Canada and the United States meet every 3 years to discuss and receive public comments on the state of the Great Lakes, and binational priorities for science and action. Most of FOCA's Ontario-wide membership is situated within the extensive Great Lakes Basin. This year's Public Forum holds special significance as it falls on the 50th anniversary of the signing of the 1972 Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement between Canada and the United States. Get more information here: https://www.glc.org/event/2022-09-great-lakes-public-forum/

Public Input on Great Lakes Water Quality Progress

The International Joint Commission (IJC) wants public feedback on the latest Great Lakes progress report of the Canadian and American governments. Read the notice from the IJC (PDF, 2 pages) that explains the various ways you can add your comments to the process.

Studying Sources of Algae

The Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority (ABCA) worked with American researchers studying phosphorus nutrient loading in Lake Huron, and its impact on lower Great Lakes. The study used satellite imagery to locate sediment plumes flowing from Lake Huron into the St. Clair River. The water in the plumes was then tested for suspended solids and total phosphorus which can lead to algal growth, fish die-offs due to less dissolved oxygen in the water, and even the release of toxins that can threaten public health. Read more here. 

Other Partner Updates & Regional Notices

register: Lake Links webinar

Saturday, October 22, 2022 - FOCA is once again pleased to be a sponsor of this annual gathering of lake association representatives. Traditionally held in person in Perth in eastern Ontario, this year's event will be held by webinar and is focused on: "Challenges and Solutions for Lake & River Health" – How Associations have recognized threats on their lakes and rivers, and what steps they have taken to address them. Register here.

hold the date: Fall Cottage Life Show

November 11-13, 2022 at the International Centre, Mississauga. FOCA will be pleased to participate in-person at the Cottage Life Show for the first time since the pandemic! Watch for more information in the next FOCA Elert.

FOCA's Bronze level sponsors
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Dock in a Box
EORN

FOCA Serves Lake & Road Associations

apply now: FOCA Achievement Award - Nominate your association for the 2022 Award!


The FOCA Achievement Award is presented annually to a FOCA Member Association to celebrate the successes of the FOCA community, and to encourage peer sharing of best practices. The Award has been given out since 1996. Large or small associations can apply, and accomplishments should be current, but can include long-standing efforts.


Apply by November 30th. The award will be presented at the FOCA Annual General Meeting of Members, scheduled for Saturday, March 4, 2023. Get details and the application form, and see information about past recipients on our webpage: https://foca.on.ca/foca-achievement-award/

Final Thoughts

last call: FOCA survey 

FOCA's current survey asks questions about usage of your waterfront property. Did you use it more, less, or the same amount as usual, during the past two years? Do you have year-round access? Are you on an island? A private road?


Also, we received hundreds of responses in our June survey about the top current cottage country issues. See what made the “top 10”, and help us decipher which ones should be at the very top of the list, in this new survey:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/FOCAsurvey2_2 which closes on September 30th.

FOCA is the Federation of Ontario Cottagers' Associations,
the voice of the waterfront for the past 60 years.

Find out more about YOUR ROLE

info@foca.on.ca | 705-749-3622 | https://foca.on.ca

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