FOCA Elert ~ March 2021 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.Please download and share FOCA’s new Strategic Plan:FOCA’s Strategic Plan (download PDF, 1.4 MB)  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: https://foca.on.ca/about/our-work/FOCA Promotes Healthy Lands, Lakes & RiversWelcoming new waterfront owners!As discussed at FOCA’s AGM & Spring Seminar earlier this month (more on that, below), Ontario cottage country was hugely popular in 2020 as the pandemic and travel restrictions led people to isolate at their waterfront properties. We know there will be new owners and visitors this year as well, and many may be having their first cottage country experience. What might they not know about the special considerations of living at the waterfront? How will you welcome then, and shepherd them into the community of lake stewards and waterfront enthusiasts?  FOCA has great publications like A Shoreline Owner’s Guide to Healthy Waterfrontsthat we encourage you to share. Also, see the Event Summary from the Spring Seminar (below) for a “Welcome Binder” or “Welcome Sheet” template your association can adapt.recent event: Ontario Invasive Species ForumMarch 1-4, 2021 (virtual) – FOCA participated in the Forum, and presented during the “Community Action” session on March 2nd about the great work being done on-the-ground across the province, by lake and cottage associations to prevent the spread, and mitigate the effect, of invasive species. Visit FOCA’s Invasive Species webpage.  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.Click here to join the webinar at the start time above  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: FOCA Microplastics webpageimage: Georgian Bay Association website 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.Register for the webinar here. FOCA’s Gold level sponsorsSponsors support our work, please support them.FOCA Serves Lake & Road Associationsevent recap: 2021 FOCA AGM & Spring Seminar for Lake AssociationsWe went virtual on March 6th, and had our largest FOCA AGM & Spring Seminar of the past decade, with over 140 of you in attendance! Instead of a full day of seminars, we enjoyed a whirlwind 2.5 hours of updates on FOCA’s files, programs and Strategic Plan, Lake Partner Program, Phragmites update, and a presentation about pandemic volunteer considerations (including liability issues) for lake associations in 2021. All FOCA members are welcome to download the extensive Event Summary which includes links to the slides:https://foca.on.ca/2021-agm-spring-seminar/ NOTE: You’ll need your Member Login for this. Don’t have, or can’t recall the Login? Contact us for assistance. Members who did not register to attend the 2021 AGM & Spring Seminar, but want to watch the full webinar recording, can still purchase digital access here.  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.LPRA was nominated under the category “political involvement” – read all the details in the Event Summary (see the link in the item above), or an overview on the FOCA Achievement Award webpage. image: John Henderson of LPRA receives the Award from Tony Lepine, Chair of FOCA’s Member Services & Benefits Committee  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.Whether you think you should be moved to an alternate rate classification, or you’ve changed your usage and need to update Hydro One that you’re living there year-round (and therefore eligible for the RRRF subsidy that is NOT available to seasonal residents), call the Hydro One Contact Centre to discuss your concerns: 1-888-664-9376.  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: https://foca.on.ca/electricity-pricing/Fire & carbon monoxide safety reminder“When 2 of my smoke/carbon monoxide alarms started to ‘chirp’ within hours of each other this past week, I realized I had forgotten the rule to replace the batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, each time the clocks change!”, says Michelle L, FOCA’s Communications Coordinator.Have you changed your batteries yet? Please, do it today.FOCA posts related safety information 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. Read more from EORN here. 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:Links to Water Maps & BulletinsFOCA’s Silver level sponsorsSponsors support our work, please support them.FOCA Fosters Communityupcoming event: Creating a Cardiac Safe Cottage Community Wednesday, April 21, 202112:00pm-1:00pmRegister to join us for a one-hour “lunch and learn” with FOCA and our partners at Action First Aid, about the importance of 24/7 access to Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) and how to create a cardiac safe cottage community.  Highlights of the agenda:hear a story from a Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) survivorunderstand the difference between SCA and Heart Attack, and when to use an AEDlearn how to use crowdfunding to place 24/7 accessible AEDs in your cottage community!Registration is open to all FOCA Association Members, and Individual/Family Supporters. There is no charge to attend, as the event is sponsored by Action First Aid.Register for the webinar now 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.  FOCA at the Virtual Cottage Life ShowFOCA’s Terry Rees is speaking THIS WEEKEND at the Virtual Cottage Life & Outdoor Living Show (March 26-28). This year, you can attend for free to hear expert speakers, view DIY presentations, and connect with cottage country product and service providers, all from the comfort of your own home. Register for all the fun, and start planning for brighter days, here: Free registration for the Cottage Life Show!  Terry will present “Top Tips for extending your time at the lake this year.” Ready to ‘make the jump’? Here’s what you need to know. Plan your virtual visit to the show to coincide with one of Terry’s talk times:Friday, March 26th at 11:00am EDTSaturday, March 27th at 11:00am EDTSunday, March 28th at 11:00am EDT FOCA is Building our CapacityWelcome, Kirk!With FOCA’s Membership & Programs Coordinator Deanna Forgie away on maternity leave, FOCA is pleased to welcome Kirk Kuipers as our Membership Coordinator. Kirk is a graduate of McMaster University with a degree in History, and in 2019 he complete the accelerated Paralegal degree program at Seneca College. Kirk has worked in inventory management and in immigration law before he moved to Peterborough and began his new role with FOCA. Kirk has enjoyed many summers at his family’s cottage at Crow Lake in South Frontenac. Kirk can be reached at the main FOCA email address: info@foca.on.ca  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 2020 Lake Stewards Newsletter (page 15), or contact the office if you have local questions, as the map is not posted publicly, but is accessible by FOCA. 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. Visit the online map. 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. Click here for information and a link and remember to take the survey by 4:30pm on April 2, 2021. 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: March 30/21 at 12pm (CT)or evening: March 30/21 at 7pm (CT) Unavailable to attend either webinar?Visit the website launched by Environment and Climate Change Canada, instead:www.placespeak.com/lakeofthewoodsto join active discussions, get notifications, and share relevant materialsWaste Bin Site Transition ongoingThe District Municipality of Muskoka released its 2020 annual report on the status of the removal of all unlicensed waste bin sites by 2023, as mandated by the Ministry of the Environment Conservation and Parks (MECP). FOCA has several member associations affected by the removal of these waste bins, which have especially served island cottages at landing points. The plan was modified in mid-2020 due to the pandemic and “on-going waste operations challenges” and is now a multi-year effort of transition planning for each community. Read the full 2020 Report online, or jump to the community-by-community summary from the Appendix.Tackling climate change in eastern Georgian Bay ICECAP (the Integrated Community Energy and Climate Action Plans) reached a milestone in its first year, recently releasing a model to help participating Georgian Bay municipalities inventory carbon emissions. To assist in the calculations, the Georgian Bay Biosphere (GBB) developed a ‘Carbon Calculator‘ online tool which can be used by anyone. Among other things, the results underscore how important boating transportation is to the region. The next steps involve working with each community to set targets to model achievable greenhouse gas emissions and consulting with councils and community members of Local Climate Action Plans. Learn more from GBB here.FOCA’s Bronze level sponsorsSponsors support our work, please support them.Final Thoughts 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. Share your own seasonal updates with FOCA!FOCA is the Federation of Ontario Cottagers’ Associations, the voice of the waterfront for over 55 years. Find 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 nearly 12,000 Elert subscribers:Click here to get free FOCA ElertsFOCA believes everyone has the right to hear about issues that affect waterfront Ontario. Those who have an existing relationship with FOCA may receive email from us, based on principles of Express or Implied Consent in Canadian Anti Spam legislation. You can unsubscribe from Elerts at any time, using the ‘Safe Unsubscribe’ link below. |
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“I want to say, I have been trying to attend your seminars for several years, can never make it. JUST LOVE THE WEBINAR! And I’m not a kid, I’m 68, it was my first time attending a webinar, and it was so simple and informative. Thanks!”
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. 
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The next Census will take place in May 2021.
Limerick Waterways Newsletter 