Newsletter - June 2009 A word from the president We are very concerned about the region. It is essential that the plan health of Lake Memphremagog. be more specific and more complete The 36 periods of blue-green algae with regard to the conservation and bloom in the summer of 2008 protection of the territory of the MRC show that the lake continues to and not only its development. Public deteriorate. If we want to correct consultations are planned for the this situation and make some fall so citizens can be heard on this significant progress, it will take all critical matter. It is important for the actors living in the watershed to people to turn out for this important get involved in the recovery effort. exercise so the choices our elected We hope for a greater effort from officials make truly reflect what some of these stakeholders, notably we the citizens want. The MCI will the municipalities. They are the present a series of recommendations ones responsible for protecting water that will, we hope, be taken into quality and they have the power to account by those we have elected. Simon C. Tétreault, Samantha Morley et Sophie Paré, Summer 2008 do so. Some concrete actions have already been taken. A case in point: As you will see when you read this This summer, our three lake green algae situation. We will also the by-law to protect the shoreline and newsletter, MCI had a very active year patrollers, Sophie, Simon and finance part of the water testing in the riparian areas. The Ville de Magog in 2008. In addition to these actions, Samantha, will again be on the job, Johns River in Vermont in partnership has taken the lead with two important we note that MCI presented a brief on carrying out their different tasks with the Vermont Department of by-laws, one on soil management and November 5, 2008, during the MRC’s related to lake surveillance, the water Environmental Conservation - Water the other on the use of fertilizer and public consultations on major changes sampling campaign for the MDDEP, Quality Division. pesticides. We wish to congratulate to the land use and development plan public awareness and education the Ville de Magog for its leadership as it affects the western sector of activities with young people, visits to In conclusion, I would like to thank in helping to protect the lake. Now, Orford Mountain, situated in the zone waterfront property owners, etc. you very much for your moral and we need to have the by-laws of all labelled « paysages naturels d’intérêt financial support and I would also shoreline municipalities harmonized. supérieur » (the zone of natural In addition. we will continue the like to thank the members of the We must do more than just protect the landscapes of superior interest). free consultations on renaturalizing board of directors of MCI for their shorelines and riparian areas, which the shorelines with specialists from dedication to defending and pro- is a very important step, but which We have also revamped our internet Aménagement Natur’Eau-Lac. We tec ting this priceless heritage, our is only a small part of the solutions site so it will be more complete and will also be working closely with our beautiful lake Memphremagog. to halt the deterioration of the lake. user-friendly. neighbours from Vermont in a major The municipal elections that will shoreline replanting project organized May I wish you all a wonderful be held in November 2009 will be One of the accomplishments we are by the Memphremagog Watershed summer, an important occasion to elect men most proud of is that MCI has been Association. For the third year, we and women who care deeply about named an official member of the are setting up our own watchdog Gisèle Lacasse Benoit protecting the environment, and Lake Québec-Vermont Committee. This network to keep an eye on the blue- Volunteer president Memphremagog in particular. We nomination recognizes the expertise encourage you to make a wise and of MCI as a major partner in the enlightened choice in these elections! efforts to save the lake. The Annual General Meeting 2009 Another important event in 2009 We begin our activities for 2009 The AGM for members of MCI will is the amendment to the land use by taking part in the provincial be held on August 15, 2009 at 9:30 and development plan, the Schéma, reforestation effort by distributing am at the Murray Memorial Centre by the MRC de Memphrémagog. more than 3000 trees, 300 shrubs and in Georgeville. We look forward to The Schéma will determine the seeds of indigenous plants in Austin, seeing you all! development guidelines for our Potton and Stanstead Township. MEMPRÉMAGOG CONSERVATION INC. C. P. 70, Magog (Québec) J1X 3W7 Tel.: 819 340-8721 www.memphremagog.org email: [email protected] Memphremagog Watershed Lake Patrol Association, Vermont In addition to collaborating with The second year of MWA has been active and productive. A different media, the patrol visited Grant was received to enable us to hire “greeters” to be at the majority of campgrounds and the Strawberry Acres boat access to hand out literature and marinas to leave information visually inspect boats entering and leaving the lake. This will leaflets for the visitors. The most be repeated in 2009. rewarding activity of the summer, however, was visiting the summer We also received a grant to fund the cost of testing water samples from seven day camps. The children we talked tributaries to Memphremagog and thirteen sites in the Johns River basin. The Sophie at work, June 2008 to will no doubt have something results found significant concerns for nitrogen, phosphorus, and turbidity in to say to their parents about their multiple locations. The economic status in Vermont may put the availability of Enjoying the sunny days of summer environmental choices and their a 2009 grant in jeopardy (possible closing of the testing lab). on Lake Memphremagog while own future activities. Following an working to protect it was an invitation from the Memphremagog In May, 2008, MWA co-sponsored a clean-up of the South Bay of Lake exceptional experience in 2008. Watershed Association, we will also Memphremagog. In July we hosted a Vermont Invasive Patrollers (VIP) The three of us having taken our go to visit day camps on the other training session to teach volunteers how to survey for invasive aquatic species. undergraduate training related to the side of the border for the first time, It was through this increased vigilance that we were able to see, sample, and environment had the opportunity to this summer. report multiple cyanobacteria blooms in late summer and fall. In 2009 several apply our knowledge while carrying volunteers will learn how to test algae samples locally and we will create a out the tasks assigned to us. We were Starting in June, 2009, we will again system of rapid response. therefore very happy to agree to tackle the various mandates with continue our involvement with MCI great enthusiasm. If the weather In the spring of 2009 MWA will do two simultaneous restoration projects for the summer of 2009. cooperates, we will be on the lake 7 establishing riparian buffer zones along the Clyde River and at Prouty Beach. days a week, for 16 weeks. There will also be an informational display erected to educate the public In 2008, we took part in many to the value of vegetated buffer zones. The Association is also working with activities targeting the improvement As you know, the involvement of municipalities within the watershed to enact buffer ordinances and address of the health of the lake. We first waterfront property owners is storm water runoff. MWA is also leading a project with other lake associations contacted the various municipal essential in continuing the activities to produce an informative handbook for waterfront property owners. inspectors to familiarize ourselves of the group, both in terms of with the by-laws related to the voluntary surveillance and in terms MWA was honored to be granted membership status along with MCI on the protection of the shoreline. This of financing. As a result of your Quebec-Vermont Steering Committee. The dedication of our membership and information was very useful because recommendations, new promotional the support of both Vermonters and Canadians has given MWA the visibility many waterfront property owners articles will be available: caps, polo and status to be a significant entity in the efforts to protect and preserve the appreciated our advice as they were shirts, t-shirts, sweatshirts... A big greater Memphemagog watershed. preparing to replant part of their thank you for your support. property. The patrol is also ready Susan Watson, Administrator to offer recommendations and We hope to meet as many waterfront explanatory documents on how to dwellers as possible this summer. maintain a natural shoreline. Please call us if you want more Municipal Inspectors information about blue-green algae We not only watched over water or if you have observations for us. Austin: 819-843-2388 Stanstead Canton: 819-876-2948 quality by taking water samples for We look forward to meeting you M. Stephen Nicholson poste 224 the MDDEP, but since last summer, on the shores, and if by chance we Mme Carter Diop testing was carried out in tandem don’t meet, you can reach us every Potton Canton: 450-292-3313 with Vermont. After the heavy rains day, on land and on the water, at poste 224 Magog: 819-843-3286 poste 53 in the summer of 2008, we reported (819) 620_3939.