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Kashwakamak Lake SustainabilityPlanning Committee

Update

Kashwakamak Lake Association AGM Meeting July 14, 2012

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Agenda

• About Sustainability

• Accomplishments– Research– Community Survey– Business Survey

• Next Steps– Publish State of the Lake report– Community Involvement

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What is Sustainability?

Future generations have access to

the same opportunities

and quality of life

that we do.

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Sustainability Plan = Balance

Nature• Water• Plants & Animals• Land

Economy• Business• Government

Community• Residents• Organizations• Cottagers

Sustainability is the balance of these parts to ensure they

work together

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The Committee’s Purpose

To bring together common interests of the community to develop a sustainability plan that carries forward a legacy of enjoying the lake while supporting the natural environment for future generations to enjoy.

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Purpose of a lake planning process

• Promote discussion and action with all community members

• Identify and protect specific lake values• Identify issues and impacts• Set a future vision for the lake

Community engagement is critical to ensure the lake sustainability plan reflects the interests and concerns of the broad community, not special interests

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Lake Sustainability Planning Phases

1. Research Phase• Surveys, discussion, research• Publish a state of the lake report

2. Set a Future Vision• Obtain feedback on state of the lake report• Analyze and summarize research information• Visioning with the community

3. Build a Draft Plan4. Review Draft Plan for Feedback

• Discussions in community for feedback• Change draft plan based on feedback

5. Approve Plan6. Community carrying out activities from the plan

Current Focus

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Key Accomplishments

July 2011 to July 20121. Compiled 15 pages of research for the State of

the Lake report2. Completed Community Survey (Dec 2011)3. Completed Business Survey (April 2012)

Note, the committee spent $125 to date, of our $1,000 budget

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Research Underway

• Volunteers are researching for State of the Lake Report– Hydrology and Water Levels– Shoreline, Water Quality, and Aquatic Life– Septic Systems– Fishing– Flora, Fauna, and Wildlife– Crown Land and Severances– Commercial Activity– Development, Logging, and Cottage Growth– Boating, Buoys, and Safety Issues– Social History

• Approximately 50% complete– Social history is a significant investment, and will be ongoing

after the State of the Lake report is completed

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Community Survey

• Ran from July to December 2011• Distributed in person, by website, & promoted

through Frontenac Newspaper (Sept 29, 2011)

• 170 Responses• The results required more business participation

so we conducted a specific business survey

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Community Survey Results

About the Survey Participants:• The Lake Kashwakamak community is made up

of mostly long-term residents/visitors• 88% are owners/family of a place on/near the

lake, 80% stay at a seasonal cottage, 17% at a permanent home, 3% at a lodge resort

• 29 years is the average number of years respondents have been visiting and/or living at the lake

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Community Survey Results con’t

Use of Lake:The top 5 activities that respondents indicated they participate in while at the lake:

1. Swimming (95%)2. Reading (87%)3. Boating (85%)4. Nature appreciation (77%)5. Canoeing (75%)

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Community Survey Results con’t

Values (weighted score):The top 5 values that respondents identified as adding to their personal enjoyment of the lake:

1. Clean, clear water (503)2. Peace and Tranquility (460)3. Recreational Enjoyment (455)4. Appreciation of Wildlife, Birds, etc. (446)5. Retention of Crown Land (428)

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Community Survey Results con’t

Issues/Concerns (weighted score): The top 5 issues/concerns identified as impacting negatively on the enjoyment of their time at the lake:

1. Personal Water Craft (498)2. Boat Traffic (459)3. Fish Depletion (383)4. Weeds/Algae (379)5. Daytime Noise (372)

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Business Survey

• Conducted phone survey in April 2012• 38 businesses selected for the survey based on

information provided by North Frontenac Township

• 31 businesses participated (82% response rate)• Businesses included retail, construction,

accommodation, services, and forestry• 74% of businesses surveyed would like to be

kept updated on the Lake Sustainability Plan

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Business Survey Results

About the Survey Participants:• 73% of businesses have operated more than 20

years• 130 full time jobs provided by the 31 businesses• 50% of business owners use lake for recreation• Business is very seasonal, with peak in summer

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Business Survey Results con’t

Values:The top values that businesses identified:

1. Customers (75%)

2. Good roads to customer’s property (7%)

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Business Survey Results con’t

Issues/Concerns:

The top issues/concerns identified as impacting negatively on their business:

1. Fish habitat (6% or 2 responses)

2. Lack of local customers (6% or 2 responses)

3. Low water levels in Fall (6% or 2 responses)

Note: 10 other concerns were raised, but were unique and not shared with other businesses

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Business Survey Results con’t

Summary Comments:• Several businesses may close this year• Local business is competitive - ask if you’re

seeing a better deal in the city• Local businesses offer delivery and service

Question• How can we support local businesses?

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Community Engagement

• We have engaged many parts of the community, but have not yet engaged community groups

Question• Who else should be engaged?

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Committee Plans for Next 12 Months

Publish a draft State of the Lake report

by June 2013

1. Research Phase• Surveys, discussion, research• Publish a draft state of the lake report

2. Set a Future Vision• Obtain feedback on state of the lake report• Analyze and summarize research information• Visioning with the community

3. Build a Draft Plan4. Review Draft Plan for Feedback

• Discussions in community for feedback• Change draft plan based on feedback

5. Approve Plan6. Community carrying out activities from the plan

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Your Next Steps

Information you can share:• Social History (large)• Recreational History• Environmental Research

Engagement via Facebook or email• Visit www.kashwakamak.ca for contact info

Judy McIntyre - Finance & Liaison for the KLA

Sue MacGregor - Communications

Alyson Symon - Conservation

Darryl Simpson - Forestry/Wildlife Management

Scott Bennett - Environmental Sustainability

Kevin Phillips - Owner, Fernleigh Lodge

Fred Perry - Deputy Mayor, North Frontenac

Jim Pedersen - Forestry

Joanne Fisher - Cottager

Peter Burbidge - Cottager

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Questions