Mississippi Lake Plan Mississippi Lakes Association Annual General Meeting June 2, 2012

1. Mississippi Lake Plan Mississippi Lakes Association Annual General MeetingJune 2, 2012 Alyson Symon Watershed Planner

2. What is a Lake Plan? It is a Strategic Action Plan developed by the lake community to understand and preserve the special character of their lake

3. Community Based – Not Regulatory Community-based approach that puts the process into the hands of the community so that they may have a voice in the establishment of stewardship actions and government (federal, provincial, municipal) planning regulations. Implementation strategies may not be enforceable but can be used to influence other planning/regulatory processes

4. Objectives & Benefits of a Lake Plan Engage and listen to the lake community Identify specific lake values, issues and impacts Inventory of resources and background information Develop goals and actions aimed at protecting the health of the lake and its watershed Recommend stewardship actions Recommend land use policy to guide growth and development

5. Common Issues Considered Water quality /aquatic vegetation/ algae blooms Shoreline protection, health Development pressure, redevelopment, commercial development Water levels/flooding Impacts of boating Invasive species Loss of wildlife/habitat

6. Typical Actions and Outcomes • Communication and Education (brochures, workshops, signage) • Stewardship initiatives • shoreline planting, habitat rehabilitation, enhancement projects • Septic Re-inspection • Enhanced Monitoring (water quality, invasive species, etc.) • Recommendations for Land Use Regulations • Official Plan and Zoning By Law policies, Site Plan Control

7. Mississippi Lake Features area 24 km2 , 67 km shoreline 2900 sq km drainage area encompasses 4 municipalities upstream of Carleton Place Surface Water Intake >1300 residences Conditions extensive floodplain extensive wetland areas intensive redevelopment mesotrophic lake

8. Lake Classifications Oligotrophic • unenriched, few nutrients • deep, cold, and clean and capable of supporting trout species. Mesotrophic • moderately enriched, some nutrients • characterized by abundant beds of submerged aquatic plants • generally support warm water fish species such as bass, perch and pike. Eutrophic • enriched, high level of nutrients • subject to algal blooms, excessive production of aquatic plants and poor water quality • lake bottom commonly deficient in oxygen and are not suitable for high quality fish species

9. Mississippi Lake Plan Project Mississippi Lakes Association (MLA) made the decision in 2011 to investigate undertaking a Lake Plan. Oct 2011 MLA Executive assigned a subcommittee to work with MVC in undertaking a Lake Plan. Mississippi Lake Plan Committee (MLPC) first met in November 2011 Terms Of Reference to set out a project plan

10. Overall Approach The Mississippi Lake Plan is expected to take approximately 3 to 4 years to complete - managed in three phases: Phase 1: Preliminary and Background Work (Winter 2011 to Summer 2013) Phase 2: Preparation of the Plan (Summer 2013 to Winter 2014) Phase 3: Implementation of Plan Recommendations and Monitoring (2015 ongoing)

11. Lake Plan Stakeholders Mississippi Lake Planning Committee (MLPC) MLA, MVC, Municipalities (Municipal Councillors) Primary role: guide the project, set a work plan, oversee its implementation, collect and compile information, and maintain communication with the lake community and stakeholders. Mississippi Lake Plan Advisory Committee (MLPAC) MLA, MVC, Municipalities (staff and/or council members), Provincial reps (MOE, MNR), Health Unit, Stewardship Council, (DFO and First Nations invited) Primary role: to provide advice, background information and technical expertise

12. Mississippi Lake Community Group (MLCG) • Residents, property owners, business operators and 0ther individuals and interest groups (sportmen’s clubs, snowmobile clubs, field naturalists, etc.) • Open, evolving contact list established through the survey and lake plan communications. • Primary role: to identify values and issues impacting the lake, to develop a vision for the lake, to identify and prioritize recommendations and actions and to play a role in implementation of various aspects of plan. • Email or mailings with updates and information about the project • Please join the contact list!

13. Phase 1: Preliminary & Background Work (2011 to Summer 2013) Initial consultation with lake residents and community partners to determine need for, and interest in, undertaking a Lake Plan Establish organizational structure and Terms of Reference Determine what the community/stakeholders value about the lake and identify key issues that they see as a threat to those values (community survey). Collect and compile information/data about the natural, social and physical characteristics of the lake and watershed Produce a Lake Plan Background (or State of the Lake/Watershed) Report

14. Phase 2: Preparation of the Plan (Summer 2013 to Winter 2014) Establish community/stakeholders’ vision for the lake/watershed over the next 20 years (workshops) Establish goals and objectives for the Lake Plan incorporating the vision and values and the issues identified by the Lake Plan process Identify recommendations and actions in consultation with lake community and stakeholders Produce the Lake Plan

15. Phase 3: Implementation of Plan Recommendations and Monitoring 2015 and ongoing Obtain endorsement of the Lake Plan from stakeholders and community partners Adopt an implementation strategy to ensure follow through on priority actions Implement an ongoing monitoring strategy (where need identified) Adopt a formal review schedule (ex. every 5 years) to review the Background Report and Lake Plan to ensure it is effective, relevant and continues to address the key issues in the lake community.

16. Community Survey – Values and Issues Where to find it: • Online (Survey Monkey) www.surveymonkey.com/s/mississippilake • Mississippi Belle insert • MLA website www.lakemississippi.ca • Carleton Place (boat launch permits) • May to the end of August

18. Typical Lake Plan Survey Results

19. Example Issues Identified by Community

20. Background Information: Natural Elements Water Quality Status Inventory of Streams Wildlife Habitat Fish Habitat Wetlands Nesting Sites Shoreline Vegetation Invasive Species Species at Risk Other important habitat features Social Elements Historic and Cultural Sites First Nations Values Boating Use Important Landscapes Recreational Opportunities Neighbourhood Character Physical Elements Location and Access Watershed and Terrain Hazard Lands Water Levels Physical Constraints Resources (aggregate, minerals, forestry) Land Use Considerations Development Activity Lot Inventory / Land Use Inventory Official Plan and Zoning By-law Federal and Crown Land Policy Servicing (Septic systems, Water Supply) Landfill Sites

21. Next Steps Survey participation! Build stakeholder/contact list (road associations) Collect Background Information/Data

22. Questions ? Lake Planning Alyson Symon Watershed Planner asymon@mvc.on.ca