In This Issue . . .
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BRLA Membership 2001
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If you have not bet renewed your 2001 membership, in this mailing
of DRIFTWORDS you will find enclosed a copy o f BRLA 2001 membership
renewal form. Please take the time to renew your membership now.
Remember membership is the foundation of our Association. Member's
that have renewed their membership will find enclosed their 2001
membership decal. Thank Wok fog your continued and valued support
by renewing your membership!
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 Tip
of the Hat!
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Paul VanLuuen, for his plumbing help at Dry Dock.
Tackaberry Construction, for a load of gravel for our parking
lot.
Len's Cove Marina, for their continued help with servicing our
boats.
The Carmichaels, for storing the MNR tracking boat over the winter.
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BRLA 2001 Special Events Listing
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Saturday June 30 - Canada Day fireworks display from Cow Island.
To be held at dusk.
Saturday July 7 - the BRLA annual general meeting, and BBQ, at
the Portland Community Hall between 10 AM to 3 PM.
Saturday August 4 - the Annual Family Regatta at
Cow Island, starting at 10:30 AM.
Saturday August 18 - Sun, Sand, Wind, and Water
Fair, from 10 AM to 10 PM on the Gallagher House Property.
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Marketing Special Events Update &
Rideau Ferry Storefront - By: Rob Hunter
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Firstly, I would like to bring members up to date on the application
the BRLA has made to the Ontario Trillium Foundation. We had
hoped to have an answer in regards to funding support in Mid-April,
but due to lack of funding available at Trillium's fiscal year
end, our application has been placed in the first round of funding
for Trillium's fiscal year 2001-2002. We should know the level
of Trillium funding support by Mid-June.
Secondly, our application to The Samuel and Saidye Bronfman Family
Foundation for funding support for our Wastewater Garden Marketing
initiative was approved. The Bronfman Foundation provided the
BRLA with a $5,000.00 grant under their Special Initiatives Program.
This grant will be used to purchase two computers for the Marketing
department and provides funding for the development and production
of a brochure on the Wastewater Garden. Look for the brochure
in your June Driftwords mailing. Also, check out our revamped
website at www.brla.on.ca
and see all the changes.
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BRLA Staff Update - By: Kathy Rankine
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Thanks to our Job Creation Partnership with Human Resources Development
Canada, we have a superb staff on board for this season.
Our marketing team led by our Marketing & Public Relations
Manager Rob Hunter will be assisted by Dry Dock Manager Dave Rogers
and Marketing Assistants Dan Wood and Maggie Pebbles. Erika Kiss
and Paul Biscala will be taking on the fisheries work under the
direction of Fisheries and Environmental Programs Manager Stacy
McLean. Also under Stacy's leadership are Jeff King and Julie
van Ossenbruggen who will be delivering our environmental programs.
Glenn Pierce will be leading the Watershed Research division and
assisting him will be Kit Au. Mike McManus is our new GIS Technician
and Todd Masse is our expert on alternative technologies. Krista
Hearty our Interpretive and Facilities Manager will be assisted
by Corey Pietrvszvn. Interpretive programs, Paul Gordon, Facilities
and Patty Kenny and Sarah Wiseman, Construction. Dale Lefebvre
is working as our web designer and Geoff Hall will be doing special
aquatic research. Kathy Rankine, Coordination, and Central Administration
has enlisted the assistance of Tracey Alf to help with the administrative
duties. A special welcome to our co-op student Chris Hefferman
from Athens District High School who will be with us until Mid-June.
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President's Pen - By: Molly Ellard
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The ice had a peaceful passage this year and I have not heard
many reports of any ice damage. By my records, it was about a
week later than the average.
The BRLA office has been very busy. Our core staff have worked
on various projects over the past months including: publishing
the Winter edition of Driftwords, writing reports, making presentations
and preparing proposals for future projects. A good example of
this effort is the watershed research project lead by Glenn Pierce
that was approved by the Green Municipal Enabling Fund (GMEF).
This study will include the Portland Harbour and Rideau Ferry
area.
Thank you to Irma Aikmen for her keen interest and willingness
to write for Driftwords. We always welcome input from members.
Membership has been steadily rising over the past year and we
are pleased to see this trend. Our members know that a strong
BRLA is a credible voice in our community and in the Rideau corridor.
Please remind your neighbours to renew their membership and please
tell any newcomers about our Association. Rob Hunter our Marketing
and Public Relations Manager can be contacted at 613-272-3629.
He would be happy to send out information to new lakeside residents
or anyone else who may be interested in joining the BRLA.
Do not forget our BRLA Yard Sale at Dry Dock on Saturday June
23 during Portland Days. We welcome any donations you might have.
Just drop them off at 30 Colborne Street.
Bob Evans has our Annual Fireworks display planned for Saturday
June 30 at dusk.
I look forward to seeing all members at our Annual General Meeting
on Saturday July 7 at the Portland Community Hall at 10 AM. We
will be hosting a barbeque lunch afterwards on the former Gallagher
House Property. We are fortunate that BRLA has been given the
rights to use this property this season.
If you have any questions in regards to any events, or other
issues, please feel free to visit Dry Dock at 30 Colborne Street.
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| Cow Island and the
Annual Regatta - By Bob Evans |
Annual Regatta - The Big Rideau Lake Association and the Rideau
Lakes Club are planning the 2001 Annual Regatta. The Regatta
will take place at Cow Island on Saturday August 4, 2001 at 10:30
AM.
Need a ride to Cow Island? A water taxi service will be provided
at the Government docks around 10:15 AM. Do not forget to bring
your own canoe. We look forward to seeing you there!
Please note that the new phone at Cow Island is (613)-272-0013
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| Surface Water Quality
Study |
Why do the beaches in Rideau Ferry and Portland often have to
be closed from time to time each summer due to high bacteria levels?
What effect are the runoff waters from the two villages having
on water quality in Rideau Lake? To try to answer these questions,
the BRLA research group began in April the Lakeside Wastewater
Study of surface water quality in the villages of Portland and
Rideau Ferry.
BRLA, in partnership with the Townships of Drummond North Elmsley
and Rideau Lakes, Rideau Valley Conservation Authority, CRESTech,
and Rural Leeds 2000, applied for project funding under the Green
Municipal Enabling Fund (GMEF) which is a federal government initiative
administered by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities. In
March, GMEF granted $40,000 in matching support for a lakeside
village water quality study to be conducted by the BRLA Watershed
Research Group.
Project leader Glenn Pierce and water quality technician Kit
Au have begun regular sampling of surface water, storm drain water
and near shore lake sites in Portland and Rideau Ferry. The goal
of the study is to understand any patterns of water contamination
in the villages that appear over the course of the ice-free season.
A broad range of water pollutant contaminates are being measured,
including E. coli bacteria, nutrient forms of nitrogen and phosphorus,
many ions and heavy metals, and aspects of water chemistry such
as acidity and total suspended solids.
A small set of organic chemical analyses will be done in July
to see if industrial pollutants, such as petroleum products, are
significant contaminants in the lake.
The patterns of pollution will indicate if there are problems
to be addressed by further study or remedial action. Water analyses
will be done as a courtesy by the City of Ottawa Environmental
Centre laboratory that does only municipal and non-commercial
testing in its highly automated facility. Technical expertise
and water quality information is also being provided by our partners
at the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority and the Canadian Museum
of Nature.Land use surveys, township data, and information from
the engineering survey for the Highway 15 construction will provide
essential complementary information in the GIS analysis of the
water quality data.
A major challenge for the study is to sample surface water in
a representative manner. The team must rely on sampling runoff
water in ditches and other locations where water is flowing after
a rainstorm.Several rain events are expected through the sampling
season, but the team may have to be ready to respond at any time
if the weather office calls for a storm.Fortunately, samples of
lake water and water in the Portland storm drains can be taken
on a regular schedule.
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| Rideau Lakes
Watershed Research Centre |
In order to be effective as a leader in environmental advocacy,
remediation, and public education, BRLA needs to base its position
on sound ecological and environmental information. For many years,
BRLA has expressed the need for comprehensive research on the
whole Rideau Lakes watershed, not just the lakes.The Lakeside
Wastewater Study is the first project of the new Rideau Lakes
Watershed Research Centre (RLWRC) initiated this past winter.
The mission of the RLWRC is to scientifically describe the diverse
biotic and abiotic components and understand the processes in
the rivers, lakes, and the land from which water flows into the
Rideau Lakes. The goal is to contribute significant and usable
information on environmental sustainability to a knowledge base
for use by BRLA, its many partners, and the community.
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| Sun, Sand, Wind, and
Water Fair Update |
We wanted to provide an update to members regarding the Sun,
Sand, Wind, and Water Fair to be held on the former Gallagher
House property this coming summer. Originally, the Fair was set
for Saturday August 11, 2001, the date has now changed, and the
Fair will take place on Saturday August 18, 2001. The fair will
provide members and the public with a broad perspective of what
technologies are available, supporting a sustainable and better
way of living. Representatives from various industries will be
on-site to provide valuable information. A new band Maxville
Junction has been lined up to provide an evening full of dancing
and fun. Full food and beverage service will also be made available.
As well, CARE Canada will have a booth on-site for donations of
any old hand or power tools that donors are no longer using, to
assist world relief where natural disasters have hit.
Lastly, the fair will be open to support local crafts. If you
have ideas or suggestions, please call Todd Masse at the BRLA.
We would like to hear from you. Happy Spring Cleaning!
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| Proposed BRLA
Interpretive Recreation Summer 2001 Programs |
This season (if Trillium funding permits), the BRLA hopes to
introduce an Recreation
Program (IRP). This program will provide BRLA members, area
residents, and visitors to the Rideau Lake with a variety of recreational
activities that will promote active living in order to improve
their health and well being while maintaining a focus on increasing
awareness of the local natural environment. We anticipate that
the regularly scheduled events will begin July 2 and end August
30; however, there will be some activities in September and October
according to demand. All activities (unless otherwise specified)
are directed towards the public. Enthusiasts of all ages are
welcome to join us. Following is a list of some of the activities
we hope to run this coming summer.
Guided Canoe Excursions:
Sessions will occur one to two days a week and will include
such activities as: discovering wetlands, historical paddles,
and early morning bird watching excursions. Depending on demand,
there is a possibility of offering a mufti-day excursion departing
from Portland.
Guided Hikes:
Guided hikes will be offered one to three times a week at various
locations around the lake. Hikes will be 1 1/2 to 2 hours long
and the focus will vary from bird watching, natural awareness
to wild flower/tree identification.
Family Backpack Program:
This program will focus on self-guided family oriented nature
excursions. BRLA will provide a backpack filled with everything
a family or individual would need to go on an informative excursion.
Night Lights Evening Program:
This evening information session will focus on astronomy.
It will be lead by local enthusiasts on or around the new moons
of July and August. Check our website or the local papers for
specific dates.
If you have any questions or requests for specific activities,
or would like to lead an information session, please contact us
at Dry Dock at (613)-272-3629.
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Swan News - By: Irma
Aikmen  |
Happy Springy The ice finally left the west end of Rideau Lake
on April 14, and the central part on April 18. The swans, however,
were back at the beginning of April, and checked out the lake
regularly for open water. All five had stayed here until December
19, when our two left. The three-tagged swans left Dec 21. The
whereabouts of own our two during the winter is still unknown,
but the three-tagged swans headed to Ivy Lea on the St. Lawrence
River to spend the winter in that area again. All five have returned
and are now in their own areas of the lake. They all seem to
be healthy.
We have some sad news to report, one of the four new-tagged swans
died last summer, despite the best efforts of the Toronto Zoo
and the University of Guelph. This now leaves us with our own
two, plus three tagged swans, #131, #305 and #397, comprising
one female and two males, all of whom are now nearly three years
old. Around December 18 one of the young male swans, #131 lost
his right webbed foot at the ankle. He seems to be managing quite
well so far though.
It is important that we all keep alert to their goings-on, so
that the study of these lovely birds may continue. Please call
me with any information you have, along with the dates, locations,
and their activities. I would especially like-to know which birds
form a pair, and how the injured bird #131, is faring. Please
call as often as you wish. Thanks for your help. Irma Aikmen
(613)-272-2296.
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| Bird Quest |
If you are interested in learning your birds and more about their
lifestyles and biology, Bird Quest can help. This summer, six
lessons will be taught to adults (15 and up). For more information,
please call the BRLA.
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| Bass Out Of Season:
Keep'em off the Hook! |
It is springtime, and everyone is anxious to
get out and enjoy the outdoors. Gardeners are planting, kids
are playing, and anglers are fishing. Just remember that
fishing for bass out of season is ILLEGAL! The bass season
opens on Saturday, June 30 this year and anyone caught fishing
for bass (this includes catch-and-release) before the opening
day may be fined up to $100,000 and has their gear, boat,
trailer, and vehicle confiscated! Not only would you lose
financially, fishing for bass out of season may have a negative
impact on the population.
When you are out fishing just remember these facts: If a bass
is caught off his nest, awaiting predators will prey upon
the young and destroy the nest. Even if the nest is not destroyed,
there is a 50% chance that the male will abandon the nest
due to exhaustion from being caught and released. What can
you do to help? Don't fish in waters up to 6 feet deep where
bass may be spawning prior to the opening day, and if you
do catch a bass, try to minimize playing time and release
the fish as quickly as possible.
Also, if you see someone fishing for bass out of season, become
a Poacher Watcher and call the Ministry of Natural Resources
at: 613-258-8402 on weekends and evenings and leave a message
or call toll free at 1-800-661-1940 Monday to Friday. If
you are interested in becoming a Poacher
Watcher, see the article below. Together, we can all
stop poaching! |
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Stop Poaching!
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To obtain one of these 'corrugated plastic signs to attach to
your dock/ boathouse to remind anglers not to fish for bass before
June 30th, contact the BRLA or drop by at Dry Dock to pick up
your sign for $5.00
Join the Fight Against Poaching: Become a Poacher Watcher!
Are you tired of seeing anglers target bass before the season
is open? If you would like to do something about these poachers,
become a Poacher Watcher. It is simple. Just take the Poacher
Watcher leaflet in this edition of Driftwords, put it somewhere
accessible such as your refrigerator. If you suspect someone
is fishing for bass near your shoreline before June 30, please
call the appropriate numbers on the leaflet. Do not forget to
get all the information provided on the leaflet, as this will
help conservation officers. For more information on this program,
please call Stacy at the fisheries office at: 2725140 or toll
free at 1-877-774-3328.
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We need your helpto map bass nests!
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Do you have any bass nests near your dock? The BRLA is trying
to map bass nests for the whole lake and we need your help. If
bass are nesting near your property this spring, please call the
fisheries office (272-5140) or Dry Dock with the location of the
nests.
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| MNR Fish & Wildlife
Guardians |
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The BRLA is planning to have a Master Guardian
come and perform a training session for volunteers who are
interested in becoming a Guardian. If you would like more
information on the MNR Fish & Wildlife program log on
to: www.mnr.gov.on.ca/MNR/fishing/guard.html
or call the BRLA to get involved. |
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The Rideau Lake, Lake Trout Tracking study, is now in its fourth
and final year thanks to funding from the Protection and Enhancement
Fund from the Ministry of Natural Resources. The funding provided
the BRLA with the $20,000 needed to complete this important study.
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