VOLUME 44 . NUMBER 1 . CIRCULATION 1,700 A FREE PUBLICATION THE VOICE OF THE TEMAGAMI LAKES ASSOCIATION (TLA) WINTER 2014 Council Makes Decision on Fire Protection Options Are you thinking of purchasing a fire pump to protect your cottage? You may be eligible for a municipal subsidy under a new policy being put in place in the near future. Does your cottage have water-only access? You will likely see some form of limited fire service rate on your tax bill in 2015. What prompted these chang- es? In October of 2011, the Lake Temagami Permanent Residents As- sociation (LaTemPRA) approached the Municipality to ask for their as- Friday Creek, Temagami sistance in providing additional fire Photo by Doug Adams. protection services on Lake Tema- gami. This request turned out to be quite complex, and Council decided mid-June when sampling kits were dis- to form an Ad Hoc Committee to re- TLA Study Finds Low tributed to interested volunteers, who search and make recommendations donated small samples of fish muscle on the feasible options. The commit- Levels of Mercury in tissue and provided other information tee, which was struck in late April of 2012, was to include members of such as fish species, length and loca- the community, with representation Lake Temagami Sport Fish tion of catch. In total, over 50 indi- from both permanent and seasonal vidual samples from Lake Trout (10 residents of Lake Temagami, as well The TLA undertook an exciting potential risks, the data collected samples), Smallmouth Bass (31 sam- as the Temagami and Marten River new environmental monitoring proj- will allow the TLA to monitor future ples) and Walleye (11 samples) were Fire Chiefs, the Ontario Fire Mar- ect this past summer, in collaboration trends in fish mercury concentrations submitted by about five volunteers. shalls Office, and others. After extensive research, they with volunteer in the lake. This The results present a good news brought a report to Council in April fisherman from The results of the TLA study is important be- story overall, with average concentra- 2013, which identified four options: around Lake \ cause in some tions in each of the fish species falling (1) a Municipal, Marine-Based Fire Temagami. The parts of Canada, well below the 0.5 parts per million Department; (2) a Non Municipal, purpose was to S fish mercury (ppm) Health Canada guideline for Marine-Based Volunteer Organiza- assess mercury concentrations commercial sale of fish. Only one in- tion; (3) Enhanced Distribution of dividual fish, a large walleye, exceeded Individual Fire Pumps; and (4) En- concentrations have been on hanced Education & Prevention in several species of sport fish caught the rise. The causes of these trends are this guideline, but only slightly. (beyond what the Municipality is from the lake. not clear, but some researchers think Mercury and other bioaccumulat- required to provide). At high levels, mercury presents they could be related to broader eco- ing contaminants normally increase The Municipality circulated this potential health risks to people and system changes brought about by cli- with fish size, often reaching high report for public input and held two wildlife that consume fish. In addition mate warming. levels, so this finding is not unusual. continued on page 8 to providing some insight into these The monitoring project began in Moreover, in Ontario lakes, fish of continued on page 12 Group Box 129 • Temagami • Ontario • P0H 2H0 • (705) 237-8927 • Fax (877) 281-4687 • www.tla-temagami.org page 2 Temagami Times Winter 2014 The Temagami Times President’s letter Winter 2014 Issue It takes a lot to keep up with the needs of maintaining a cottage, or a house! At our family’s cottage, we’re fortunate to have a wide variety of skills, talents, and creativity among our relatives. My cousin is skilled at setting up and maintaining solar power This publication is published in the (which is very important, since we don’t have hydro!). My brother-in-law is a very talented and creative carpenter. In the past, rela- Winter, Fall and Summer by the Temagami Lakes Association. tives have applied their talents to various roofing or dock projects, installing new windows, or leveling the historic icehouse. PUBLICATIONS MAIL AGREEMENT To be honest, I don’t have any talents to bring to bear on keeping-up the cottage. I cut a little brush along the trails and around NO. 40050220 the cabins, but it is possible my biggest contribution is taking nephews to productive fishing holes! What has become clear to me PreSortation services provided by over the years is that it takes a variety of skills to maintain and improve the cottage experience. And there are lots of ways people can Flagship Software Ltd. contribute – each in their own helpful manner. EDITOR: Elaine Gunnell And so it is with the TLA. People make meaningful and creative contributions to the TLA in a wide variety of ways. People with LAYOUT: Imaginus North a knack for writing help with content for the Temagami Times. Others volunteer to monitor campsites, pick up trash, or build and ADVERTISING: Peter Healy locate loon-nesting platforms. Come to the Corn Roast on July 26 at Wabun to see dozens of volunteers coming together to make a 705 237 8927 Fax 877 281 4687 [email protected] fun social event a success! DEADLINE FOR NEXT ISSUE: Some TLA volunteer activity is less obvious, but equally important to the success and future of the organization. Ten members May 1, 2014 volunteer their time, expertise, and perspective to serve on the TLA’s Board of Directors. Three positions will be open in the sum- *The opinions expressed by the authors mer of 2014, creating excellent opportunities to serve the TLA and participate in its mission to protect and enhance the Temagami or advertisers in this edition are not necessarily Experience. In particular, the Board would benefit from new members with experience in finance, public relations, and planning. those of the Temagami Times or the Temagami Lakes Newly retired with some time? Consider running for a position on the TLA Board. Are you a young adult who has enjoyed Temagami Association. As contributing authors write articles for the Times on a voluntary basis the TLA cannot take growing up, and want to give back or make a difference? The TLA and its Board of Directors would benefit from your perspective. responsibility for errors or omissions which may I can personally say that though I have visited Temagami for decades, my most fun, meaningful, and memorable years have been accidentally appear in Times articles. those I have spent on TLA’s Board. I have met new friends, remained engaged in Temagami issues while not on the lake, and learned THE TLA BOARD OF DIRECTORS a great deal. My own personal “Temagami Experience” is strengthened through my involvement with the TLA’s leadership. If you President: Chip Kittredge have some time, energy, and interest in serving the TLA, I encourage you to consider running for a position on the Board of Directors. 1st Vice President: Ted Tichinoff 2nd Vice President: Gerry Kluwak Chip Kittredge Treasurer: David McFarlane Island 1158 Directors: Pete Calverley Will Goodman Andrew Healy Tim Richardson The TEMAGAMI TIMES welcomes signed letters or emails on any subject. Justin Metz The editor reserves the right to edit for length, clarity and relevance. Letters containing libelous remarks, personal attacks or inaccurate The term of office for a Director is 3 years. Elections are held every year in the summer. information will not be published nor will open letters or copies of letters sent to public officials or governments. The opinions expressed are the letter writers’ own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Temagami Lakes Association. As contributing authors write articles for Printed on FSC certified paper the Times on a voluntary basis the TLA cannot take responsibility for errors or omissions which may accidentally appear in Times articles. SKYLINE RESERVE TENETS FOR TEMAGAMI installed to prevent new public access roads The mainland surrounding Lake Tema- to Lake Temagami and Cross Lake. gami and Cross Lake is to be zoned as a New ski-doo trails accessing Lake Temaga- landscape ecology zone to preserve the mi/Cross Lake are to be no wider than ten beauty, restore the integrity and preserve feet and for winter ski-doo use only. Pro- the wilderness aspect of the Temagami posals for these access points to Lake Tema- Forest. This ecology zone would consist gami and Cross Lake are to be reviewed and of 2 reserves which would be protected sites inspected by the new governing body from natural disturbance e.g. fire and prior to construction. insect infestation, but would have separate management goals and prescriptions. MAINLAND DEVELOPMENT 2. Ecological Buffer Reserve: This would groups. We define the existing public road There should be no mainland develop- The two reserves would be the following: surround the skyline reserve to protect the access points to consist of the village water- ment on Lake Temagami and Cross Lake 1. Skyline: The Lake Temagami and natural forest and wildlife habitat ecosys- front, Finlayson Park, Strathcona Landing with the exception of those potential lots Cross Lake reserves must protect any part tems of the Temagami region. It would have and the Lake Temagami Access Road land- immediately adjacent to the Township of Lake Temagami or Cross Lake with no a broader range of controlled activities but ings. We agree that, where possible, park- of Temagami that are able to be serviced visual evidence to the naked eye that any no new public roads would pass through it ing areas must be screened from the main by the Township’s central sewage treat- activities such as timber cutting or mining except in the village of Temagami.