FOCA Elert ~ April 2021Having trouble viewing this email? Click to view as a webpage instead FOCA Champions Affordable & Safe Rural LivingStay at home order: Can I go to the cottage?  With Ontario under a stay-at-home order that will last until at least May 6th, FOCA has been fielding calls about whether it is OK to go to the cottage. FOCA recommends following all public health and provincial guidelines. The stay-at-home order directs all Ontarians to remain at home except for essential purposes. If you choose to self-isolate at your waterfront home, you should stay there for at least 14 days and bring all supplies you might need during that time. FOCA posts related information here: https://foca.on.ca/covid-19-update-from-foca/last call to register: WEBINAR: Creating a Cardiac Safe Cottage Community Wednesday, April 21, 2021 from 12:00pm-1:00pm Register to join us for a one-hour “lunch and learn” with FOCA and our partners at Action First Aid, about Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) and how to create a cardiac safe cottage community. Highlights:> hear a story from a Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) survivor> understand the difference between SCA and Heart Attack, and when to use an AED> learn how to use crowdfunding to place 24/7 accessible AEDs in your cottage community.  Sign up for the webinar hereRegistration is open to all FOCA Association Members, and Individual/Family Supporters. There is no charge to attend; the event has been sponsored by Action First Aid. BONUS: Everyone who attends the April 21st event will be entered into a draw to win one of 3 seats in Action First Aid’s new on-line training program: CPR/AED & Basic First Aid Awareness. Associations: Please share the registration link with your members: http://bit.ly/cottage-safety  Enhanced emergency response coming to rural and northern Ontario?Seven years ago, FOCA sought assurance from the Province that the health and well-being of northern and rural Ontario residents is a priority of the provincial government, and that effective communications and coordination are in place to respond to emergency situations. Recently, the Ministry of the Solicitor General and Ministry of Heath established the 9-1-1 Emergency Response Inter-Ministerial Task Force in response to recommendations of a 2018 Coroner’s Inquest. This task force is exploring a provincial framework for 9-1-1 and emergency communications service delivery in Ontario. In related news, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commissionhas directed all telecommunication service providers to change their networks to be ready to provide Next Generation 9-1-1 services. This will ultimately enable the public, 9-1-1 call centres and emergency responders to transmit and receive text, images, video and data. Read more about emergency response here:https://foca.on.ca/emergency-response-in-remote-areas/FOCA Advocates for Responsive GovernmentElectricity Pricing update  April 12, 2021 – the Ontario Energy Board (OEB) has released “Procedural Order #1” in connection with the elimination of the seasonal rate class of Hydro One electricity customers. FOCA has posted an overview, and a link to the full document, here:https://foca.on.ca/electricity-pricing/Cell Gap Project, Enhanced Broadband in eastern Ontario FOCA was pleased to be part of last month’s announcement from the Eastern Ontario Regional Network (EORN) about a significant investment in cellular coverage in Eastern Ontario, which will see immediate improvements and a full roll-out by 2025. Now, your help is needed: EORN has asked FOCA to circulate a call-to-action to our eastern Ontario lake Associations, to write the Ministers responsible for supporting EORN’s Gig Project, which would bring speeds of up to 1 Gigabyte per second to residents, cottage owners and businesses across the region. Access to high-speed broadband services will meet our collective needs and support the local economy, long into the future. Find details and a template letter you can use, here: https://foca.on.ca/utilities-and-rural-services-overview/FOCA’s Gold level sponsorsSponsors support our work, please support them.FOCA Promotes Healthy Lands, Lakes & RiversFocus on plastic waste  April 2021 – the Council of the Great Lakes Region (CGLR) has announced the creation of Circular Great Lakes, a regional initiative focused initially on keeping valuable plastic materials out of the waste stream and the environment. Link to the new initiative, and find out more about plastics and microplastics, on FOCA’s webpage: https://foca.on.ca/microplastics-at-alarming-levels-in-canadian-lakes-and-rivers/recent event: Plastic Pollution webinar In related news, on April 9, 2021 FOCA attended a webinar hosted by Ohio Sea Grant about plastic pollution in the Great Lakes. The speakers confirmed that our plastic waste is entering aquatic ecosystems at alarming rates. While slides from the webinar were not circulated, FOCA has posted some highlights from the event on our Plastics webpage (see: April 2021 webinar posting).Invasive mussels found in aquarium products! FOCA’s partners at the Invasive Species Centre (ISC) reported this month that invasive Zebra and/or Quagga mussels have been found in moss ball products sold in Canada for use in aquariums. Read more from ISC here. (image from invasivespeciescentre.ca)As part of FOCA’s ongoing efforts to prevent the spread of invasive species in Ontario, FOCA will be working with our invasive species partners and some lake association members this year on selective monitoring to target Zebra mussels and spiny water flea. Stay tuned for further details.Modelling the effects of Asian carp on the Great LakesComputer modelling has been used to predict the impacts of bighead carp and silver carp on Great Lakes ecosystems including Lake Erie and Lake Huron. Get a link to the study, published in the North American Journal of Fisheries Management, here: https://foca.on.ca/asian-carp/ image: Predictions for Lake Erie from Supporting Info Doc. #3 of American Fisheries Society posting  upcoming webinar series: Love Muskoka – Sustain MuskokaThursdays @ 5:00pm from April 22 to May 27 (virtual) – The Muskoka Steamships & Discovery Centre and regional partner organizations are hosting a digital webinar series on sustainability with a roster of great speakers and important topics of interest to viewers in Muskoka, and beyond:Apr.22 – Climate change and policy tools with Dr. Dianne SaxeApr. 29 – Watershed Management and how cottage owners can be nice to Mother Nature May 6 – Protecting green spaces, riparian zones and education May 13 – Climate change impacts for Muskoka with Dr. Peter Sale & Dr. Richard LammersMay 20 – Indigenous Perspective: reconnecting with the natural worldMay 27 – The future of our lakes despite climate change with Dr. Norman Yan Click the image at the side to download the series poster (PDF, 1 page). Register for one session, or all six, here: http://realmuskoka.com/sustainability/upcoming webinar: Life in the “Weeds”  Wednesday, May 5, 2021 @ 2:00pm (virtual) – Join Watersheds Canada and the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife – Michigan State University for a webinar about the critical role of native aquatic plants in our lakes. Register for the webinar here.With so many new folks having purchased waterfront property over the winter, FOCA believes it is going to be critical to welcome them early in the season, and help them understand the value of a natural shoreline – before the “weeds” start getting ripped out. We look forward to this webinar, and hope it gives some good ideas for ways to share the importance of aquatic plants with new cottage neighbours!FOCA Serves Lake & Road AssociationsFOCA helps with Member Association AGMsAt this point, it seems inevitable that lake association events such as Annual General Meetings will be digital again this summer.  If your lake association is wondering what to do about your AGM, contact FOCA for an information sheet with notes about phone or webinar or even Facebook Live options. FOCA may be available to provide some up-front advice for your group to set up your own Zoom event. We also have a limited number of slots available to host member AGMs on FOCA’s Zoom platform, for a members-only price. For details, email: communications@foca.on.caFOCA’s Silver level sponsorsSponsors support our work, please support them.Partner Updates & Regional NoticesLake of Bays Short Term Rental Report April 6, 2021 – a new staff report to Council was released about short-term rental (STR) regulation in Lake of Bays. The report includes a detailed overview of issues, potential costs to administer licenses, and feedback from public consultation. Other areas may find the report interesting as an example.Download a copy from the “News” section this FOCA webpage: https://foca.on.ca/responsible-cottage-rentalLake Huron Management Plan: input invited The next Lake Huron Lakewide Action and Management Plan(LAMP) is being developed this year by the Lake Huron Partnership in order to meet Canada and the U.S.’s commitments under the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement, and public input is invited.Want to participate? First, review the 2017-2021 Lake Huron LAMP (download PDF, 105 pages), then submit suggestions or questions by April 30, 2021 to the Canadian Great Lakes Executive Committee Secretariat (Environment and Climate Change Canada) by email: ec.aqegl-glwqa.ec@canada.ca. A draft plan will be made available for further comments, later this year.Real-time water levels in Muskoka  A new tool is available through the Muskoka GeoHub that allows residents to see flood plain mapping and real-time water levels: www.muskoka.on.ca/gisWhile many of the layers contain datasets specific to Muskoka, the difference in daily average water level data is province-wide, from Natural Resources Canada.Lake of the Woods water quality: input invited  Last call to provide input to Environment and Climate Change Canada on its proposals for phosphorus reduction options to manage algae blooms on Lake of the Woods. FOCA’s partners at the Lake of the Woods Water Sustainability Foundation encourage everyone with an interest in Lake of the Woods to get involved and have their say in the proposed lake ecosystem objectives and phosphorus reduction options. The public comment period ends April 30, 2021. Participate online here: PlaceSpeak.com/lakeofthewoods Kawartha & Scugog Water Funds Property owners in the City of Kawartha Lakes, or Townships of Scugog, Brock or Clarington are invited to apply to Kawartha Conservation for funding for projects that contribute to the health of the watershed. Projects could involve shoreline naturalization to prevent erosion, tree plantings, well or septic system stewardship, and more. Get details, and apply by May 12, 2021, here: https://www.kawarthaconservation.com/WaterFundHaliburton webinar on environmental threats  Our members at the Lake Kashagawigamog Organization have asked us to share information about their upcoming webinar, which is open to all:Tuesday, April 20, 2021 at 7:30pm (virtual) – Stayin’ Alive: Environmental Threats to our Lake and Forest Creatures – a presentation on the effects of pollution on freshwater molluscs (clams, snails and slugs), how they are adapting to environmental change, and what us humans can do to help. Register via the LKO website.FOCA Fosters CommunityFOCA at the Virtual Cottage Life ShowFOCA’s booth had over 1000 “visits” during the inaugural Virtual Cottage Life & Outdoor Living Show (March 26-28), and our Executive Director Terry Rees spoke each day on the Main Stage about what to consider if you’re thinking of spending more time at the cottage this year. (Yes please!) Although the Show is over, you can still register to listen to recordings of all the great content including Terry’s talk, as well as our partners speaking about cottage succession planning, responsible cottage rental, boating and cottage safety, and much more. You can continue to visit the Virtual Show as often as you like until May 31st! Access the Virtual Cottage Life Show & recordings   FOCA’s Bronze level sponsorsSponsors support our work, please support them.Final ThoughtsTurtles are on the move! Our member groups have started reporting seeing turtles on the move already, which means it’s time for a refresher on what to do if you encounter a turtle crossing the road or digging in gravel at the road’s edge. Here’s some help: click to watch a video about how to move a turtle safely, and download an infographic from the Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre with lots of important tips for turtle encounters.  FOCA is the Federation of Ontario Cottagers’ Associations, the voice of the waterfront for nearly 60 years. image: Andy MetelkaFind out more about YOUR ROLE today.info@foca.on.ca | 705-749-3622 | https://foca.on.caConnect with our channels: Did someone forward this message to you? Join 12,000 fellow subscribers:Click here to get free FOCA Elerts delivered to your inbox, monthlyFOCA believes everyone has the right to hear about issues that affect waterfront Ontario. 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FOCA’s Strategic Plan 2020-2023As presented by the Board of Directors at the FOCA Annual General Meeting earlier in March, a refreshed Strategic Plan will guide our organization through the coming years.
The Elert sub-headings below have been updated to reflect the 6 priority areas of FOCA’s new Strategic Plan:promoting healthy lands, lakes and riversadvocating for responsive governmentserving local lake and road associationschampioning affordable and safe rural livingfostering community, andbuilding FOCA’s capacity.We hope you see your concerns addressed in these priorities. Find out more about FOCA’s work, here: 
FOCA has great publications like 
upcoming event: Abandoned Boats webinarWed., April 7, 2021 from 4-6pm (virtual) – our partners at Boating Ontario are hosting a webinar about abandoned boats, including Transport Canada speaking about the ‘Wrecked, Abandoned or Hazardous Vessels Act’. No registration is necessary for this free event.
FOCA Advocates for Responsive GovernmentDock Foam Bill moving forwardMarch 22, 2021 – FOCA spoke to the Ontario Legislative Committee in support of the Private Member’s Bill 228, ‘Keeping Polystyrene Out of Ontario’s Lakes and Rivers’. This would apply to new docks, not existing structures. Learn more about the Bill, and the plastic problems it seeks to address, here: 
upcoming event: Drinking Water Source ProtectionMarch 24, 2021 (10am-noon) – Join legal counsel from the Canadian Environmental Law Association and FOCA’s Terry Rees, for the launch of CELA’s quarterly “Water Conversations.” In the March edition they will discuss the state of legal protections for our drinking water, and the steps required to make the Clean Water Act more effective to serve the needs of First Nations and rural residents.
FOCA’s Gold level sponsors
2020 FOCA Achievement AwardCongratulations to the Long Point Ratepayers’ Association(LPRA) on Lake Erie, the recipients of the 2020 FOCA Achievement Award, which was presented at the 2021 AGM & Spring Seminar event on March 6th.
FOCA Champions Affordable & Safe Rural LivingSeasonal Rate reclassification: Got questions?If you received a letter from Hydro One over the past month, indicating you will be one of the 147,000 families moved out of the collapsing ‘Seasonal Rate’ class and into one of three existing density classes, you may have questions.
FOCA has submitted to be an intervenor at the next Ontario Energy Board hearing about the implementation of the elimination of the Seasonal Rate Class. Get background on this file here: 
EORN Announcement: Better cellular services coming to Eastern Ontario residents & businessesFOCA was pleased to be part of a press conference held by the Eastern Ontario Regional Network (EORN) on March 19, 2021 to announce a significant investment in cellular coverage in Eastern Ontario. Improvement will begin immediately, with a full roll-out by 2025. 
Watching for high water this SpringOntario cottage country communities must be especially vigilant in Spring as melting snow and ice, heavy rainfalls, and high water flows on lakes and rivers can make for rapidly changing conditions. Preventative action can minimize loss to buildings, docks and boathouses, but overland flooding remains a real risk for those located in or near a flood plain. 
FOCA posts related info, including links to emergency messaging and regular water bulletins for the Great Lakes, Trent Severn & Rideau waterways, and from the Ontario Surface Water Monitoring Centre, here:
Partner Updates & Regional NoticesOntario WaterpowerCoincident with the Ontario Waterpower Association‘s (OWA) annual Queen’s Park Day on March 24, MPP Mike Mantha (Algoma – Manitoulin) is introducing a private member’s bill that would see June 20th in Ontario declared as “Waterpower Day“. Fully one quarter of the province’s electricity comes from this renewable source. 
FOCA recently wrote about waterpower and our data sharing partnership with OWA, to map where waterfront property owners and the waterpower industry overlap on the landscape. Read the article in the 
Kawartha Conservation Mapping ToolMembers in the Kawartha Conservation (KC) region can now consult an online mapping tool to see if your property is in a regulated area or impacted by source water protection considerations. If so, you will need to apply for the appropriate permit or Source Protection Notice before any development, construction or site alteration such as grading, fill placement or excavation. 
Short Term Rental Survey: Tiny Twp.The Township of Tiny is in the process of developing a licensing framework for Short Term Rental (STR) properties in Tiny, and is seeking feedback from residents to guide the process. 
Lake of the Woods water quality Tuesday, March 30, 2021 – You are invited to have your say about the future of Lake of the Woods water quality! Take part in an online webinar meeting and town hall discussion, organized by the Lake of the Woods Water Sustainability Foundation in partnership with the Lake of the Woods District Stewardship Association, to connect you directly to the Lake of the Woods policy team at Environment and Climate Change Canada. Click the appropriate link to register for your preferred time: midday: 
Unavailable to attend either webinar?Visit the website launched by Environment and Climate Change Canada, instead:
Enjoy every season!Thanks to Jennifer K. who shared these spectacular pictures of her family’s lake ice curling rink on Round Lake in Havelock, from earlier this season. She wrote: “I used flour and food colouring for the rings and a cement mold with epoxy for my rocks.”We love it! Thanks for sending us the pictures. 
Find out more about 
1. Check your notice, and if you think your classification is incorrect, call the Hydro One Networks Customer Service line: 1-888-664-9376. Areas with 100 or more customers, and at least 15 customers for every kilometer of power line used to supply energy to the zone, are intended to become “Medium Density” but FOCA has already heard of cases where the designation on the Notice was incorrect.
Although the Ontario Energy Board (OEB) is an independent public agency, FOCA encourages everyone to contact their Ontario Member of Parliament to provide first-hand feedback to our politicians about the negative impact of this change on your household budget. More than 1,200 actions have already been undertaken by you and your fellow waterfront property owners, including:emailing the MPP of your seasonal property calling the MPP of your seasonal property (speaking notes provided) emailing the MPP of your permanent residence.It only takes a moment to input your address and use the online software to automatically find your MPP. We have provided a template message to make it quick and easy. (Pro tip: customize the subject line and first paragraphs to ensure your message gets read!) Join over 1,200 other concerned citizens and take action, here: 
FOCA was recently asked by a member about the implications of using a “bubbler” to keep winter ice away from docks or in-water boathouses. We referred them to 
Dr. Liz Favot, FOCA’s Assistant Lake Stewardship Coordinator based at the Dorset Environmental Science Centre, will speak about the LPP at FOCA’s AGM & Spring Seminar on March 6, 2021. Lake Stewards can 
February 22 – 26, 2021 – if your Association has a social media presence, and is involved in efforts to prevent the spread of invasive species, FOCA and our partners encourage you to participate in this year’s Invasive Species Awareness Week! Post and share with the hashtag #InvSpWk on your social media platform of choice. FOCA’s posts are on 
January 25-26, 2021 – FOCA and municipal partners from across rural Ontario participated in the annual Rural Ontario Municipal Association(ROMA) Conference, held digitally this year. ROMA is the rural arm of the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO). ROMA supports strong and effective rural governments, and brings priority issues affecting rural and northern communities to the attention of the provincial and federal governments. Learn more about the importance of municipal government to our lake communities, here: 
February 17, 2021 – FOCA and our partners at the Invasive Species Centre, the Toronto Region Conservation Authority, and the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters shared information about collaborative efforts to reach key audiences in preventing the spread of Asian carp into the Great Lakes.
March 26-28, 2021 – Join us at the Virtual Show. FOCA’s Terry Rees will be speaking on the “main stage” with Cottage Life, talking about: Top 5 considerations for those thinking about making the jump to spending more time at the cottage this year!Register to attend for free, 
The Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO) wants Ontario residents’ input in a survey to understand current community awareness and thoughts about the way NWMO and communities communicate and engage with the siting communities about Canada’s plan for the long-term management of used nuclear fuel. 
FOCA’s member group, the Georgian Bay Association, has launched a campaign to support MPP Norman Miller’s Private Member’s Bill 228, Keeping Polystyrene Out of Ontario’s Lakes and Rivers Act, which is being presented for second reading in the Ontario Legislature on February 23, 2021. You can write your local MPP in support of the bill; information is posted here: 
image of Town Island_ 
The Haliburton Highlands Land Trust‘s (HHLT) discovery days “Animal Tracks and Signs” continues through February. Post your pictures and sightings on the HHLT’s 
Do you spend time in the Kawartha Lakes watershed: Balsam, Cameron, Sturgeon, Pigeon or Scugog Lake? If so, Kawartha Conservation‘s Watershed Management Department wants to hear from you. They are undergoing a review of their current monitoring programs and need your input. Help shape the science that protects your environment. 
February 9, 2021 – enjoy the recording of the Environment Haliburton talk by Dr. Liz Favot, FOCA’s Assistant Lake Stewardship Coordinator, about algae: the good, the bad and the ugly. The 45 minute presentation is followed by a panel Q&A session, with Professor Barb Elliot and Dr Norman Yan. 
image: 
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The next Census will take place in May 2021.
FOCA is working with the “Green Shovels Coalition” – a collaborative that includes the Invasive Species Centre (ISC), Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC), Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC), and the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (OFAH) – to continue FOCA’s important work around invasive species management. 
