PSLL -- Newsletter 2000

This past year, Association PSLL has functioned without a President. The responsibilities were distributed among the executive members and guidance continued under the past-president. However, for the Association to function legally and be recognised as a voice, this entity must have a president (ably supported by the Executive Committee).

It's your Association, your lake, your property, your future. The ball is now in your court!

Come on, jump in and help us continue our work in protecting our lakes and quality of life. Help us keep the ball rolling by joining the Association and attending the Annual General Meeting on July 16, 2000.

As part of your deed of sale, you, as a property owner have agreed to join PSLL. Most deeds have a paragraph that reads, "to subscribe yearly the annual fee required by the Property Owners Association of PSLL, in view of assuring the protection of the wildlife, restoration of the fishes in the lakes and to safeguard generally the interests of said property owners".

We need your support -- make sure your membership fees are paid and get active!

President Vacant	Chevreuil Lake Representatives Vacant
Past-President France Joncas	Corrigan Lake Representative Vacant
Secretary David Mainwood	Louise Lake Representative Vacant
Treasurer David Hodgkin	Maskinongé Lake Representative Vacant
Barnes Lake Representative Vacant	Rhéaume Lake Representatives Dawn Lucas Laurent Roy Simon Veilleux
Bataille Lake Representatives Irma Bigras David Kerluke Vacant

A minimal annual membership of $35.00 contributes to the welfare of our environment. Benefits include a yearly newsletter, stocking of our lakes with no less than 2,000 trout, picnic and annual general meeting. This fee also ensures that you are represented municipally and provincially on matters that affect your quality of life. Your Association has been involved on several issues such as: over fertilization, recycling and clear cutting.

The Association has taken action to minimize the efects of over fertililzation of our lakes. A consultant's study, conducted in 1996 on behalf of the Association, identified clearing of shoreline vegetation as a major contributing factor. A municipal by-law is already in place to adress this problem. It provides that vegetation from the first 25 metres from the shoreline, except for a 5 metre wide access way to the lake, and that no more than 25% of the vegation may be removed from the next 25 metre zone. Please do your part to maintain as much natural shoreline as possible and report any gross violations to the Municipality (457-9400, ext. 307).

Street signs are either blue or green. Green signs indicate municipal roads while blue signs are private roads. Property owners on private roads are responsible for maintenance and upkeep, which includes snow plowing, of these roads. Don't forget to contribute.

Mailboxes are located at the junction of Blackburn and Bataille Roads, as well as the junction of Blackburn and Chêne rouge Roads. You may contact Canada Post for further information. Postal boxes are also available at the General Store (for a fee), located at the Marché Richelieu in Perkins. Did you know that the communal mailbox site is shovelled out each winter by volunteer residents? Canada Post will not deliver if the mailboxes are not cleared of snow. With enough people volunteering, it works out to two weeks, per person, per winter. Don't forget to do your part. For Bataille and Rhéaume, contact Ron Malis.

Take advantage of the many recycling bins located in our area. These are provided by the Municipality and you do not need to separate items.

Water carries and amplifies sound. Loud music and barking dogs can cause serious annoyance. Please respect the privacy and the ears of your neighbours.

Did you know that our sector is constantly patrolled by the MRC des Collines, whether by road or water? Using unmarked vehicles, at unspecified times, they patrol the roads for dangerous drivers and possible burglars. On the water, dangerous conduct of your watercraft and unsafe practices are not tolerated and these infractions could lead to being fined and possibly having charges brought up against you.

In 1995-96 the Quebec Government allowed the usage of a peat-based bio-filtration system for wastewater treatment, the "Ecoflo". The "Ecoflo" system consists of a resistant and durable fiberglass shell containing a specially treated peat-based filter bed ("Ecofiltre TM") which treats wastewater coming from a septic tank before it is discharge into the environment. This new alternative could be the right one for you. If a replacement of your system is warranted, you must first obtain a permit from the Municipality. You can then hire a consulting engineer who will recommend the appropriate system for your needs and physical environment.

Last year at the General Meeting, held on July 11, the subject of fires on the islands of the domain was brought up. Several members seemed to think that banning fires was infringing on the freedom of our youth. It was agreed that this should be a cooperative effort with the youth within the Domain. Unfortunately, that same afternoon a fire (burning from the previous night's party) was reported on Little Ireland Island, close to Campbell's Bay. Vigilant cottage owners managed to put out the fire, pick up the broken beer bottles and garbage. However, the tree branches that were broken to make the fire cannot be replaced. Our islands are being decimated, as there is no wood for burning there and none is brought for that purpose. It is worth mentioning as well that there are not toilets on the islands but that does not seem to concern the campers. So be very careful where you walk.

Fires are now forbidden on all islands.
We cannot wait until an accident happens before doing something.

We have representatives for Bataille and Rhéaume Lakes. However, we need lake reps for Barnes, Louise, Maskinongé, Chevreuil and Corrigan. It is important to have active representatives on our executive from your lake. It is not an onerous task as we meet approximately three times a year. Only you are aware of what is happening at your lake and can bring it to the attention of the proper authorities. The President of PSLL sits on the executive of the Val-des-Monts Association of Lake Associations, thereby permitting a sharing of information, identifying similar problems and possible solutions.

The Canadian Nature Federation (CNF) recently launched "Frogwatch", inviting Canadians to join a national campaign of "citizen science" in an attempt to find out where frogs are and where they are not. Frogs are big news in the endangered species business, as their numbers are declining all over the world due to reasons such as dirty water, chemicals, loss of habitat and damage to the ozone layer. To participate, please contact the CNF office, in Ottawa, at 562-3447, or e-mail cnf@cnf.ca to get a form to record data and receive a chart with pictures of different types of frogs.

For those of you who have boats, please honour the speed limit and shoreline protection zone boundaries. A complete map of Bataille and Rhéaume, including depths, speed limits and no-wake zones, are included annually in the Newsletter. Don't forget to give swimmers, canoeists and wildlife a wide berth.

As of April 1, 1999, Transport Canada's minimum age and horsepower restrictions have come into effect, as noted below:

Age Requirements	Restrictions
Under 12 years old and not directly supervised	Can operate a vessel with no more than 10hp (7.5 kW)
Between 12 years and under 16 years old and not directly supervised	Can operate a vessel with no more than 40hp (30 kW)
Under 16 years	Not allowed to operate a PWC (personal water craft, e.g. "Seadoo")
16 years and over	No power restrictions

All operators of pleasure craft fitted with a motor and used for recreational purposes are required to have proof of competency on board at all times (see the chart below). Proof of competency can take one of three forms:

As of September 15, 1999, everyone born after April 1, 1983 requires proof of operator competency. Perhaps the best way to do this is through an accredited CCG course and exam. Once achieved, the "Pleasure Craft Operator Card" is good for life and must be carried on board whenever the person is operating a boat with a motor. The penalty for not having proof of operator competency on board is a $250 fine issued directly to the boat operator. The average cost for an accredited boating course varies depending on the course provider. For more information contact the Boating Safety National Office at 1-800-267-6687 or visit their website at http://www.ccg-gcc.gc.ca/.

Operator Competency Requirements
How this applies to operators of pleasure craft fitted with a motor and used for recreational purposes	Date at which proof of competency required
All operators born after April 1, 1983	September 15, 1999
All operators of craft under 4 metres in length, including personal watercraft	September 15, 2002
All operators	September 15, 2009

Boating safety is a shared responsibility.
If you decide to go boating, please do it in a conscientious manner.
Any abuses can be reported to our local police force,
MRC des Collines, at 1-888-459-9911.

Most of us would consider the loon as beautiful and special, symbolising wilderness and solitude. Many cottagers, campers and vacationers would feel their trip was incomplete without viewing a loon or listening to its haunting call.

The "Common Loon" is the species known to us. They migrate to the warmer areas around the Gulf of Mexico and on the eastern coasts of North America to winter, returning to our region when the ice melts in the spring.

In the summer months, the loon is a striking bird with its black-and-white chequered back, glossy black head, white belly and wing lining, and characteristic white necklace around the throat. Loons swim low in the water and their skeleton and muscular systems are designed for swimming and diving. They are streamlined with their legs placed far back on their body, allowing for excellent movement in the water but somewhat awkward on land. Many bones of the loon's body are solid, rather than hollow like other birds, which aids in their diving ability. The loon can stay underwater for almost a minute and can dive to depths of 80 metres. During the dive, the feathers are compressed and air is forced from between the feathers and from the air sacs in the body.

The life expectancy of the loon may be 15 to 30 years. They arrive in pairs and are solitary nesters, mating for life. Loons build their nest close to the water, with the best sites being completely surrounded by water, such as an island or half-submerged log. It is important not to disturb nesting loons or their eggs.

Loons are primarily fish eaters and will catch whatever species they can. Game fish, such as trout, are difficult for a loon to catch. A trout swims in a straight line and is capable of quick bursts of speed, allowing it to stay ahead of the loon. As well, the trout often heads for deeper water where visibility is poor and the loon loses sight of it. Loons are more successful at catching slower fish that zigzag to escape. They also feed on crayfish, aquatic insects, vegetation and leeches.

Loon chicks generally appear towards the end of June. They can swim right away but spend some time on their parents' backs to rest, conserve heat and avoid predators. The chicks do not return to the nest. Remember to admire loons from afar; do not chase or follow them too closely.

Despite the fact that loons live most of their lives on the water, they can also drown. A few years ago, in Campbell's Bay, a teenager with a 10 hp motor managed such a feat. He cornered a loon and terrorised it by circling around and around, forming a vortex that the loon could not escape. Some neighbours seeing this managed to warn this kid away but it was too late. By next morning, the loon was found drowned. Too tired from its exertions in trying to escape, it ran out of energy to save itself.

Arguably, the most fascinating thing about the "Common Loon" is their haunting and variable voice. They are most vocal from mid-May to mid-June. They have four distinct calls which they use in varying combinations to communicate with their families and other loons.

The loon is protected by federal law and may not be hunted. Recent studies have indicated that loon nesting success and survival of the young may decrease with increased lake acidity due to acid rain. Direct human disturbances can affect loons in many ways as well. Loons have adapted quite successfully to some level of disturbance by people on our lakes. Visitors to lakes with loons can help them by only observing adults and chicks from a distance and by not disturbing nests. People should never chase loons and should be careful with fishing tackle -- abandoned or unattended fishing lines may entangle and injure loons. Boats should be used cautiously around loons, avoiding wash near the lake edge.

If you are interested in learning more about loons or wish to become involved in loon conservation, contact The Canadian Lakes Loon Survey at 519-586-3531.

An event to collect dangerous goods is usually scheduled on a weekend in September (not yet confirmed) at the Deziel Garage, 93 du Carrefour, St-Pierre de Wakefield. Items for disposal include propane containers, paint cans, tires, etc.

Citizens are invited to recycle tin cans, plastic and glass containers, newspaper, paper and cardboard.

Items such as waxed paper, tissue paper, paints, solvents, toxic materials -- and their containers, motor oil -- and containers -- organic material, disposal diapers and used tires are not recyclable.

In preparing to recycle, flatten boxes, rinse containers to reduce odours, and remove caps and covers from glass and plastic items.

The large green recycling containers are located at most stores, and a few municipal roads. In Perkins a container can be found at the intersection of Lac Claire and Blackburn Roads.

A municipal public consultation on a pilot project was held on May 25, 2000. The pilot project will run for four years. Lac MacGregor will join the pilot study in the year 2001.

In June, a technician will be hired. Letters will be sent to Lac St-Pierre property owners to schedule an inspection visit.

During the months of July, August and September, Lac St-Pierre septic systems will be inspected.

The municipality will be borrowing $168,418 to repair du Pont Road. The cost of the loan will be borne by all Val-des-Monts taxpayers. I was the only member on Council that voted against passing this by-law -- because of this, there is no money left in the budget to cover paving, painting of road lines, and other road improvements in Ward 3 (includes Perkins-sur-le-lac).

Road improvement work will commence in 2003 and is being paid for by the province. The section to be improved is from Barrage to Vipond Roads. Todate, a survey team is marking the centre line of the new route. In wooded areas, tree removal will be limited to clearing a 1 metre (3 feet) wide corridor for surveying purposes. Only small trees will be cleared.

A hockey arena is to be built in July and August at the J.R. Perkins Park site on Manor Road in Perkins. Organisers hope to have the arena open by December 2000/January 2001. The project is being organised by the Association Recreative de Val-des-Monts Committee. Over $600,000 has been raised which includes a municipal grant.

Ditching and widening is planned for three roads in the Perkins sector: Blackburn, Lac Bataille and Sauvé.

Municipal elections will be held on November 5, 2000. The municipality wants to remind all non-residents (sole owners) and undivided co-owners that they must make a request to have their names on the electoral list. Letters have been sent to those affected. The letters must be returned to the municipality as soon as possible.

Almost 15,000 visitors have toured Laflèche Caves in 1999. This important attraction is not being used to its full potential because of the lack of tourist infrastructures within the municipality. Could we develop a package that would include a steam train ride, a sugar shack or country meal? Are there other opportunities?

This is a fundraiser with the monies going to different charities and associations. Three will be held in 2000:

May 21 -- 10:00 am to 1:00 pm at Équipage School in Perkins.
June 4 -- 10:00 am to 1:00 pm at Thibeau Park in St-Pierre de Wakefield.
September 10 -- 10:00 am to 1:00 pm at St-Louis de France Church in Poltimore.

The municipality is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. For more information contact Julie Dagenais at 457-9400 at ext. 210, or Pascale Lajeunesse at ext. 211.

Warden Judy Grant, Mayor of Chelsea and head of the MRC des Collines, reported that the seven members (Pontiac, Chelsea, La Pêche, Cantley, Val-des-Monts, Notre Dame de la Salette and L'Ange Gardien) of MRC des Collines will stay intact. The Mayor of Val-des-Monts, Marc Carrière, sits on the same board and agrees with this decision.

Louise Harel, provincial Municipal Affairs Minister, wants to force mergers whether the citizens agree or not. Ms. Harel released her "white book" on municipal reorganisation at the end of April 2000.

No matter what the Minister of Municipal Affairs has said, she is not interested in holding any referenda on the mergers. Minister Harel has admitted she is against public consultations because her government would not be by supported by most citizens.

Ms. Harel wants an Outaouais Metropolitan Community up and running by the end of the year -- which would include the cities of Aylmer, Hull and Gatineau and exclude Buckingham, Masson and Anger. She also wants to include MRC des Collines in the Outaouais Metropolitan Community but has not defined how.

Antoine Grégoire, the provincially appointed coordinator on the local advisory committee, says he studied the "white book" (132 pages) in depth and met with West Quebec mayors and MRC representatives on May 15 in the first step in the restructuring process. Judith Grant and Marc Carrière attended the half-day meeting. Mr. Grégoire stated that the purpose of the meeting was to determine a future agenda, frequency of meetings, to listen to delegates' positions on the issues and open a forum for discussion to find consensus on such services as fire, recreation, culture, etc. The first report is to be filed by the end of June.

Operation Identification is a free program offered by the Public Security Service of the MRC des Collines-de-l'Outaouais to prevent crime. This program consists of engraving a personal identification number of your choice, preferably your driver?s license number, on your valuable objects.

The electric engraver can be used on diverse surfaces such as plastic, metal, glass and even wood. Objects that should be identified due to their popularity with thieves are: televisions, VCRs, stereo systems, computers, tools, cameras, bicycles, etc.

The electric engraver is readily available from the Municipality of Val-des-Monts City Hall offices, as well as the police station of MRC des Collines-de-l'Outaouais. In order to borrow the engraver, simply present a photo identification card and you will be able to engrave your objects of value.

Upon returning the engraver, ensure that you have a copy of the itemised list of the objects you have inscribed with your personal identification number for the Municipality or police. This information is very useful in the event that you become a victim of theft. You will also be given stickers for the program Operation Identification to place on your doors and windows. These stickers warn possible intruders of the security measures taken by you.

Contact the Municipality of Val-des-Monts (819-457-9400). Staff will be happy to provide you with the engraver so that you may inscribe your valuables. This program is offered free of charge to all interested citizens and business within the area of MRC des Collines-de-l'Outaouais.