May / June

Planning for the Trent-Severn Waterway – Apsley and Jack’s Lake share concerns by Hugh Spence, Secretary Jack’s Lake Cottagers’ Association
Wouldn’t Apsley be seriously hurt by any degradation of Jack’s Lake? At the end of January, the Jack’s Lake Cottages’ Association (JLCA) learned of a sudden Parks Canada call for public comments helpful to a water management study of the Trent-Severn Waterway (TSW) to the south of Jack’s Lake. Written input had to be made to the private consultants in less than two weeks. Contact among Association directors resulted in the conclusion that any study of water levels and flows in the TSW was of critical concern to Jack’s Lake and the Apsley area, and we needed to express our views. Jack’s Lake is a feeder lake for the TSW, and if it weren’t for the TSW there wouldn’t be a dam at the south end of the Lake; and without that dam there's be a vastly different Jack’s Lake - some 6’ to 8’ shallower. What would that do to property values and the viability of local businesses? This study was obviously a critical issue, so the JLCA immediately did two things: – it advised everyone for whom it had an e-address, including former and prospective Association members, that their input was being solicited by the study, and how to submit same as an individual; – it drafted a formal Association submission to the consultants that was intended to address the most critical issues in the TSW-Jack’s Lake interface, as seen by the Board. Here are the main points of the JLCA written submission, (complete copy available to any JLCA member on request): Geographic Scope: Jack’s Lake is located near Apsley, north-east of the Trent-Severn Waterway (TSW), and contributes water to this important navigable system through Stoney Lake, but has no direct boating access to the waterway itself and does not benefit from the tourism or other advantages the TSW offers or attracts. Particular interest: Jack’s Lake has acted as a dedicated TSW feeder or reservoir for almost a hundred years, its draw-down being controlled by the TSW authority through stop-logs in a double-sluice, 650-ft. concrete dam at the south end of the lake, built in 1910. Lakeshore residents, Cottages and businesses have learned to live with the annual lake level fluctuations, and it is likely Mother Nature has as well. All of the Jack’s Lake concerns are related to water level, on which the federal government has a century-old record of service commitment to adhere to, since it built the water management system that serves to define Jack’s Lake as it is today. Ideally, the level in the lake would be engineered to drop as slowly, as little and as late in the season as possible. Equitable solution: (1) The Jack’s Lake dam must be maintained in perpetuity to ensure that the optimum lake level is achieved during the passage of the seasons. This 100-year old structure is currently in need of basic repairs to existing through-wall leaks, and this must be dealt with expeditiously. (2) The seasonal management of lake level must ensure neither severe flooding nor rapid or extreme drainage of Jack’s Lake as the TSW’s demand for water changes. Procedures and technology should be applied to avoid such things as erroneous dam openings, or openings due to vandalism, which lead to dramatic level drops. (3) Whatever transpires with TSW development, the level and rate of level change of Jack’s Lake must be maintained in a fashion no worse than it has been since 1910, and hopefully better if technology permits. (4) The guaranteed navigable depth in the section of the TSW fed by Jack’s Lake should be re-evaluated, since a lowering by even a small amount might help minimize the Lake’s annual water loss and stabilize its mean level. (Note: the guaranteed depth in the Jack’s Lake-fed section is 8’., while it is only 6’. in the other “half”. These specified depths may reflect deeper draft boat designs of long ago, or now-abandoned military requirements for the canal system, which may no longer be necessary.) JLCA secretary Hugh Spence went to Peterborough on March 21 to meet with the consultants and add oral emphasis to the concerns expressed in the Association’s written submission. The JLCA was complimented on the merits of its input document, one of around 70 received by the consultants. The consultants are to submit their report to Parks Canada by May 1, and it is to become a public document shortly thereafter. Parks Canada will then work with an advisory group to oversee whatever may subsequently happen in terms of decisions on changes to the system as currently operated. It is abundantly clear from the political record that the Trent-Severn Waterway is a major and enduring public asset and deservedly needs a good deal of government development support. It is unclear, however, whether any changes to improve the waterway would take into account the potentially serious impacts to its’ infrastructure area as would occur, for example, with a decision to neglect or abandon portions of the TSW reservoir system like Jack’s Lake. In other words, we need to “Stand by our dam”! Would you like to be notified of this kind of critical issue that affects our unique Apsley- Jack’s Lake area? Please consider joining the JLCA. You certainly don’t have to be a “cottager” – contact Eileen Moulton at 705-748-4884 (home, Peterborough,) or 705-656-4253 (at the Lake.) Or, drop a line to Box 386, Apsley. For just $40 bucks, you can help us make a positive difference in what happens around Jack’s Lake.
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	Enjoying an after lunch chat in Glen Alda with Norma, Neil Currie, Bill Johnston, Jim Dudley

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Township Considers Inspecting Septic Systems
Reeve, Jim Whelan, informed council that the county has raised the fees for septic inspections. They will go from $375 to $600. The fee for larger systems could be as high as $900. He explained that the county says it needs the higher fees to support its budget for two inspectors. As an alternative, Mr. Whelan wants the township to determine what would be involved in creating its own inspection program. He suggests that it might be cost-effective if North Kawartha shared inspectors with a couple of other townships. The inspection program might be expanded to include older systems and follow-up inspections on newer installations. A committee will be formed to make a recommendation to council. New Permits Required for Chandos by the Crowe Valley Conservation Authority Reeve, Jim Whelan, and councilor, Dan Boyd (who represents North Kawartha at the CVCA) informed council that the CVCA has initiated a permit system that applies to Chandos Lake. Permits will be required by the CVCA for any construction and other activities within 30 metres of the high-water mark. If there is a wetland on the property, the distance is up to 120 metres. Only Chandos Lake is affected because it is part of the Crowe Valley System. Mr. Whelan says that North Kawartha was caught off-guard by these new permits and that this creates an additional delay for Chandos residents wanting to start construction projects. Although other conservation authorities throughout the province issue permits for similar work, North Kawartha staff were unaware that this was being implemented until two weeks ago. Chief Building Official, Tim Powell advised council that this is the peak time for issuing permits. Delays could arise not only because of the additional requirement for a permit, but because the geographic mapping system does not have enough detail to determine if an area is going to be impacted by the new permit system. Because of this, CVCA staff must physically visit each site to issue approvals. The additional cost of the permit to the property owner depends on the type of construction. (For example; $150 for decks and docks, $75 for septics and up to $600 for additions.) Customers must still get a permit from the Health Department for the septic system as well as the CVCA permit. Mr. Powell is to update council in July on the new permit system and its impacts on customers. Mr. Whelan informed council that North Kawartha’s share of the $286,000 levy to the CVCA, is $33,676 which is an increase of 5% over last year’s budget.
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	Planning for the Trent-Severn Waterway, A Chat, Township Considers Inspecting Septic Systems