8/6/2019 Managing Loon Lake's Future

1/4

8/6/2019 Managing Loon Lake's Future

2/4

We may not always be aware of these harmful actions or if we are, we maynot understand their consequences. It may not even occur to us at the timethat the action being done is harmful. And we may even trivialize the action,once we know about it.

It is also realistic for people to not want to question their neighbours actions,for fear of causing bad relationships.

So people can tend to eventually accept what has been done.

As a result, the questionable action remains and the possibility exists forother similar actions to perpetuate.

Over time, one or two questionable actions may seem innocuous, but givenmultiple actions , it's doubtful that their cumulative effect cannot besomehow harmful to Loon Lake. It's very hard to predict their long termeffect and it's even harder to prove it. But once it's happened, it's either toolate or very difficult to reverse.

So what can be done ?

I believe it's logical that there should be an organized group of peoplekeeping a watchful eye over Loon Lake and who can react to provideprotection for the lake when needed.

I also believe it's not enough to depend on a small group of neighbours orfriends who can be called upon should an emergent situation arise and whomay not even be available when needed or who may have "retired" fromhelping out.

The organized group of people should consist of a group of lake stewardswho operate under the auspices of a lake association - sort of as a"department" of the lake association. The lake stewards would have funding,liability insurance, recognition, direction, a broad resource base, and supportof a lake association when interfacing with cottagers, residents, outsidegroups or governmental agencies. This is also where the term "Managing" asused in the title to this article applies.

8/6/2019 Managing Loon Lake's Future

3/4

Some definition is required - I just used the term "lake steward". This is aperson who helps ensure the well-being of a lake and the lake community.While a steward may be involved with many activities, a steward could be aperson who tests for water quality, monitors the results, and takes any

necessary actions resulting from the results of the tests. A lake stewardcould also be a person who watches development and construction activitieson the lake and takes actions to ensure compliance with official plans andbuilding codes. And a lake steward could also be an individual who teachespeople how they can effectively help Loon Lake.

In order to make all of this possible, the group of stewards and the parentlake association would have to have a set of operating principals orguidelines.

A significant amount of this information has recently been made available.

The Coalition of Haliburton Property Owner's Associations has written anexcellent textbook [loose leaf manual] titled "Living on the Edge - LakeStewards Handbook Haliburton Highlands" which is a reference manual forlake stewards and lake associations. The manual is a "how to" guideline foranyone or any lake association interested in implementing and maintainingan effective stewardship program.

I believe what I have presented is a "doable" solution toward providing longterm protection for Loon Lake and should be carefully considered by anyone

who wants to preserve the beauty and health of Loon Lake for decades tocome.

So far, people have not noticeably harmed Loon Lake , but the future iscertainly risky and unknown.

And that is why it makes good sense to be a bit more aware of what we doaround the lake and to pause and think before acting, and be proactive - forthe good of Loon Lake.

MikeDisclaimer

This article is published by me as a service to my readers and other interested parties. It is based on my ownfindings and interpretations. No scientific validation has been performed. No one should act upon comments madewithout considering the facts of specific situations and/or consulting appropriate professional advisors.

I assume no responsibility for errors or omissions and will not accept liability of any nature whatsoever that maybe suffered by use of the information contained in this article.

8/6/2019 Managing Loon Lake's Future

4/4

2011