Summary and Analysis of Responses Received: Patterson Lake Questionnaire on Key Lake Issues and Possible Actions
During
the Fall of 2006, all residents of Patterson Lake were solicited for their
input on the key issues which the Lake Association should address. This followed the first general meeting of
the Association which agreed unanimously that the Association should begin work
towards a Lake Management Plan.
While
only 13 responses were received to the questionnaire, their input was extensive,
with some responses from all parts of the lake and addressing all of the issues
which arose in the General Meeting.
The
following pages are a summary of the issues covered by all of the input
received from the questionnaires, including a range of suggestions regarding
actions which might be considered.
Each
input has been recorded. The number
after each indicates the number of respondents who provided this input (note
that similar ones have been aggregated where possible). The organization of the input has been done
to put comments on similar issues together – whether they are in accord or in
opposition.
The
Lake Association thanks the respondents for their thoughtful input and
suggestions. What is clear is that all those who provided input have a strong
interest in the Lake and in making sure that its future is protected. The devil is in the details – and the next
steps will have to focus on clarifying what really is needed, how it can be
accomplished, and to seek solutions which respond effectively to all these
needs.
The
responses came from the following parts of the Lake.
Fairs
Way/Lane x
Hardwood
Ridge xxx
Lakeside
road/White Pine Lane xxx
Parsons
Lane/Way xxx
Porcupine
Way xx
Other
x
Questionnaire Summary (13 received)
Image (What do we want it to be like in 20 years?
o
Peaceful (peace and quiet) 6
o
Natural/unspoiled/pristine 6
o
Clean/healthy (good water, good swimming) 9
o
Rich in wildlife 3
What is important to Retain?
Development
levels
o
Current level of development (stop inappropriate or over-development) 7
o
Keep existing Crown land in public ownership 1
o
Essentially what we have now 2
Environmental
quality
o
Current good water quality 7
o
Maintain natural ecosystems around the lake
(e.g.
wetlands, habitat, treed shores, flora, fauna)4
o
Good fishing 4
o
Treed areas around lake 2
What do we want to avoid?
Development
pressures
o
Any actions which affect the enjoyment of the lake by residents 2
o
Swimming pools and hot tubs on lakeshore 1
Negative impacts
from water levels/quality
o
Excessive high water levels [spring and fall](causing erosion, tree
loss) 3
o
Excessive low water levels [summer](causing weed growth, use problems
and hazards) 7
o
Anything which could harm fish and wildlife 3
o
Leaking of lawn fertilizers and pesticides into lake 2
o
Weed growth 3
Impacts from unsuitable
activities
o
Boats and jet skis speeding close to shore 4
o
Litter along roads and shoreline 1
What new steps would help?
Regarding
development
o
Regular information to all lake residents (including new projects,
permits, approvals) 3
o
Enforcement of setback regulations for construction 2
Regarding Lake
levels
o
Monitoring of lake level to help maintain it within normal bounds[(similar
to current mean levels] (may mean
trying to use management to limit extreme high and low if possible) 7
o
Could stream out of lake be made navigable for canoes 1
o
Bridge to replace culverts 1
Regarding
maintaining environmental quality
o
Regular testing of water quality 5
o
Alter/enhance outlet to allow for fish migration/other possible fish
enhancement such as habitat maintenance/ etc 3
o
Mandatory testing of septic tanks 5 (regular cleaning system) 1
o
Could we stock/restock the lake with suitable fish (e.g. walleye if
suitable) 3
o
Control/limit overfishing 3
o
Encourage shore/tree restoration 3
Regarding
boating on the lake
o
Agreement to limit size/speed/noise of motorcraft (e.g. agreement to
reduce or limit motor use in mornings or evenings permitting non-motor craft
use; limit on speedboats on holiday weekends, possibly some zones for this;
control of boat and motor size) 7
Concrete actions needed soon (now to next five years)
Working together
o
Make sure that all stakeholders are involved 2
o
Keep everyone informed to reduce tensions and misinformation 1
o
Work on consensus lake management plan which responds to all values 2
o
Stop independent actions which try to affect lake level. (get plan in
place to establish a consensus lake level management plan and process) 6
o
Get agreement from Township to work with Lake Committee to prevent
unilateral actions which can affect rights of all (and to provide support) 2
o
Enforcement of setback regulations for construction 2
o
Have community events to foster sense of community on the lake (e.g.
lake barbecue, paddleboat regatta etc 1
o
Join Watershed Watch or similar conservation program(s) 1
Conservation
o
Project to enhance awareness by residents of pollution 1
o
Mandatory testing of septic tanks 2
o
Plan/action on limiting weed growth/weed control 4
o
Alter outlet to allow for fish migration 2
Boating
o
Establish an agreement to limit speed and noise in key populated areas
1
o
Enforce boating regulations (particularly for fast noisy craft and
wakes) 3