To all Bass Lake Members:

 

At the 2023 Annual General Meeting in July, the board recounted the commissioning of a sub-committee to look at and recommend solutions for beaver management of the south end in-flow point and the north end exit point of the lake. On June 26th, 2023 the sub-committee issued their report to the board. With little time before the AGM (July 1st, 2023), the board of directors asked the membership at the AGM for time to further study the report and then deliver a recommendation to the membership and a motion was passed to support this extension.

 

The board has since reviewed the report (available on www.basslakeweb.com) and have invested additional time to research options that include:

 

• Engaging the Bass Lake Road Association for shared responsibilities (as it pertains to the South end)
• Engaging officers from the Ministry of Forests and Natural Resources on best practices
• Contacting the director of Public Works for the township to obtain his insights on best practices

 

Of interest, Ken Becking (Director of Public Works, Township of Muskoka) shared his experience with beaver diversion options and identified the “Beaver Cone” system (see attached picture) as the most effective solution. While this was not identified as an option in the report, the board has decided to rely heavily on this experience and include this system.

 

Additionally, during this time, beaver activity at one of the south end culverts returned. Local members worked daily in an effort to keep the culvert clear and maintain waterflow; however, nightly activity coupled with the heavy rains (that the region has recently experienced) stymied these efforts. After additional consultation with local authorities, little option remained, and action was taken to remove the nuisance beaver. The culvert, since cleared has damage and needs to be replaced and the BLRA is taking the lead to get this done. Similarly, at the north outflow point, beaver activity has been sighted and volunteers have worked to clear the accumulation of damming materials.

 

Finally, the board recognizes an immediate need to take action to further mitigate the repeat of such events and we have drafted the following motion for discussion coupled with an electronic vote.

 

BLA MOTION REGARDING THE MANAGEMENT OF BEAVER ACTIVITY AT THE SOUTH INFLOW POINTS

 

THE BLA BOARD SEEKS THE APPROVAL OF THE MEMBERSHIP FOR THE PURCHASE AND INSTALLATION OF A BEAVER CONE DEVICE AT A COST TO BE SHARED EQUALLY WITH THE BASS LAKE ROAD ASSOCIATION TO MITIGATE THE TRAPPING OF BEAVERS AND UNDERSTANDS THAT SUCH A SOLUTION IS NOT FAIL-PROOF, MAY REQUIRE ON-GOING MAINTENANCE AND DOES NOT RESTRICT THE BOARD FROM EMPLOYING OTHER METHODS, AS LAST RESORTS, TO MAINTAIN THE INTEGRITY OF THE BASS LAKE WATERSHED AS REQUIRED.

 

BLA MOTION REGARDING THE MANAGEMENT OF BEAVER ACTIVITY AT THE NORTH OUTFLOW POINT

 

THE BLA BOARD SEEKS THE APPROVAL OF THE MEMBERSHIP FOR THE CONTINUED EMPLOY OF CURRENT MANAGEMENT TECHNIQUES TO KEEP THE NORTH OUTFLOW OPEN TO AVOID THE POSSIBLE STAGNATION OF THE LAKE WITH THE UNDERSTANDING THAT THE BOARD WILL CONTINUE TO WORK WITH THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT AGENCIES TO EXAMINE ALTERNATE SOLUTIONS AND FINANCIAL SUPPORT.

 

Members will have until 6:00 pm on August 17, 2023 to comment on these motions and all comments will be posted and available by clicking here.

 

The vote will be conducted electronically and please click here to access your electronic form to vote.  Only members in good standing (paid dues) will be eligible to vote and voting will be limited to one vote per cottage property.

 

-- 
Jeff MacDonald

Bass Lake Association

President