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Friends of Muskoka Waves Newsletter

Have Your Say In The Future Of Muskoka Lakes!

 A Joint Friends of Muskoka and MLA Communication 
The Muskoka Lakes Association and Friend of Muskoka ask that you please complete Township of Muskoka Lakes' surveys on two important issues that will impact the natural shorelines and health of our lakes:
  1. Proposed changes to the Site Alteration and Tree Preservation By-laws (13 questions; survey closes February 25, 2022)                                                   
  2. Proposed changes to the Sewage System Maintenance Inspection Program (9 questions; survey closes February 17, 2022)
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SURVEY ON PROPOSED CHANGES TO TML'S
SITE ALTERATION AND TREE PRESERVATION BY-LAWS

The Township of Muskoka Lakes is proposing changes to two of its by-laws focused on protecting the natural environment during development: the Site Alteration and Tree Preservation by-laws. Most development is regulated by a third by-law -- the Site Plan Control by-law -- which we encourage the Township to update soon.
 
The Site Alteration and Tree Preservation by-laws set rules about site alteration, including blasting and tree removal, although they do not apply to lands being developed under a building permit, septic permit or site plan agreement.

The MLA and Friends of Muskoka prepared this commentary with information to help you understand the proposals before completing the survey. We also provided suggestions to the Township in this letter, reminding them of the public's outcry last year over indiscriminate and excessive site alteration during the development process. 

The MLA and Friends of Muskoka encourage you to take the survey to make your views heard on these by-laws that contain tools for protecting our natural environment and the "view from the canoe". The survey closes on February 25, 2022. 
 
SURVEY

SURVEY ON PROPOSED CHANGES TO TML'S
SEWAGE SYSTEM MAINTENANCE INSPECTION PROGRAM

The Township of Muskoka Lakes is updating their Sewage System Maintenance Re-inspection Program and have created a survey to hear what the public has to say. 

The proposal creates a risk level classification for properties containing a private on-site sewage disposal system, as well as details on the frequency of inspections and the responsibility for doing inspections. 

The current sewage inspection program involved seasonal township staff doing inspections and they inspect approximately 500 properties each year. Any issues are addressed by seasonal staff or the township's Sewage Inspector. 

Under the proposed program the requirement, frequency and responsibility for an inspection will depend on the classification of a system as low, moderate or high risk. 

In summary:
  • A low risk system (less than 10 years old, or on a property not abutting a navigable waterway) will not be inspected.
  • A moderate risk system (between 10 and 30 years old and on a property abutting a waterbody without water quality concerns) will be inspected by TML staff every 15 years.
  • A high risk system (utilizing steel tanks, no record on file, greater than 30 years old, or on a property abutting a waterbody with water quality concerns) will be inspected every 5 years by a qualified inspector hired by the property owner. 
The MLA and Friends of Muskoka encourage you to review the proposal and complete the survey, given the importance of effectively operating sewage systems to the health of our lakes. The survey closes on February 17, 2022.
 
PROPOSAL & SURVEY

Thanks for staying involved!

FRIENDS OF MUSKOKA

Friends of Muskoka are a group of dedicated volunteers working to protect and to preserve the natural environment and unique character of Muskoka by promoting responsible use and development of its land and lakes. Friends of Muskoka believe that the environment IS the economy in Muskoka since millions of people come to Muskoka and invest here because of its clean water and natural, treed shorelines. Our lakes, forests and rivers are a resource that can drive Muskoka’s economy for decades to come if we put the environment first. To this end, Friends of Muskoka is trying to stop residential subdivisions on the waterfront in Muskoka and will work to enshrine sustainable development in the Municipal and District Official Plans.

JOIN FRIENDS OF MUSKOKA

You can help Friends of Muskoka to protect and to preserve the natural environment and unique character of Muskoka by promoting responsible use and development of its land and lakes.
JOIN FRIENDS OF MUSKOKA

IMPORTANT EVENTS

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