The argument in favor of using filler text goes something like this: If you use real content in the Consulting Process, anytime you reach a review point you’ll end up reviewing and negotiating the content itself and not the design.
ConsultationEurasian water-milfoil is an invasive aquatic plant native to Europe, Asia, and northern Africa. Introduced to North America in the 19th century, it is now one of the most widely distributed invasive aquatic plants on the continent. It is suspected to have been introduced via ballast water, but was then moved around within the province through recreational watercrafts and natural expansion.
Eurasian water-milfoil prefers shallow water 1-3 m deep, but can root in up to 10 m of water. Being a fast-growing perennial, it forms dense underwater mats that shade out other aquatic plants. When large stands begin to die off in the fall, the decaying plants can reduce oxygen levels in the water, potentially affecting the fish communities.
The plant can hybridize with our native milfoil, northern water milfoil (Myriophyllum sibericum), creating a more aggressive form of the invasive species. Because tiny plant pieces can develop into new plants, Eurasian water-milfoil is easily spread when water currents, boat propellers, trailers, or fishing gear carry plant fragments to new areas.
Eurasian water-milfoil was first discovered in Canada in Lake Erie in 1961. Since then, it has spread to each of the Great Lakes, the St. Lawrence River, many inland lakes throughout southern and central Ontario, and much of the United States. Outside its native range, the plant has spread across every continent, except Antarctica.
For an up to date distribution map of European water-milfoil in Ontario, visit www.EDDMapS.org/distribution.
This guide was prepared by the Conférence régionale des élus de l’Outaouais – CREO (Regional Conference of the Elected Officials of the Outaouais). It provides information to Outaouais residents, stakeholders and elected officials on how to protect the region’s lakes and waterways. It emerged from consultations on the development of a regional action plan to counter the proliferation of blue-green algae in the region’s watersheds. To view the guide, click here.
This is another interesting guide. It provides information on how to preserve the true nature of a shoreline and how to restore an altered shoreline if so needed. This document was produced by Fisheries and Oceans Canada in association with Cottage Life. To view the guide, click here.
The poster « Living at the water’s edge » provides a quick guide on environmentally friendly waterfront development. To download the poster, click here.
This study in French entitled « Contrôle des espèces aquatiques envahissantes par des stations de lavage de bateau en Abitibi-Témiscamingue » is a comprehensive examination of the challenges and approaches to consider in establishing a boat rinsing program as a means of preventing the introduction of exotic invasive species in the lakes of the region. It is well written and deals with a problem that concerns us in the Association.
The website of Ontario’s Invading Species Awareness Program includes an interesting article on Eurasian water-milfoil – an aggressive, submerged aquatic plant that is now one of the most widely distributed invasive aquatic plants on the continent. To view the article, click here.
Burlap cloth can be used to cover areas infested with Eurasian Milfoil. The burlap cloth will kill off the milfoil and its roots by compressing the weak plant on the lake bottom while allowing the stronger indigenous plants to grow through. The Block-Aid system provides a solution for an easier installation of burlap cloth. For more information, click here.
Blue-green algae are microorganisms that have existed for over three billion years. Under certain conditions, they can reproduce quickly and form “algal blooms”. These blooms produce toxins that can be harmful to human and animal health. To learn more about this environmental threat and what you should do if you encounter it.
Several residents of Blue Sea Lake have expressed concern regarding the presence of increasingly large beds of aquatic plants along the shoreline. For information regarding these plants and how to limit their proliferation.
One of the issues raised at the 2012 AGM was whether bathing in a lake adversely affects its health.
To learn how a septic system works and what one must do to properly operate and maintain such a system, please click here to access a Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) fact sheet on this very important subject.
This document explains the many advantages of planting hybrid poplars along the banks of rivers and streams that are impacted by agricultural or other land use. To view the document, click here.
The FireSmart Home Owners Manual, published by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, provides information and ideas on how to reduce your risk in the event of a wildfire – a real danger in wilderness/urban “interface” areas such as the Blue Sea Lake watershed. To view the document, click here.
Three articles describing the results of studies on the impact of roadway runoff on the environment.
Are you renting out your place at Blue Sea this year? Are you a renter yourself? If either of these situations applies to you, or if you know renters who are new to our region, please take note and share with your renter friends this smart and informative pamphlet with helpful information on How to Maintain the Beauty of Blue Sea Lake and the other lakes in our watershed.
The brochure is available on the Education and Awareness page of our website. You can also pick up copies at the Municipal Offices at Blue Sea and Messines or at local depanneurs.