Plan contains 58 recommendations to ensure health of East Lake
Administrator | Mar 17, 2015 | Comments 0
A two-year study to help ensure long-term health of East Lake, its ecosystem and assets, has resulted in 58 recommendations.
“This is the first comprehensive study carried out on any of the Prince Edward County’s inland lakes, and will lead the way for additional studies on the other lakes in the future,” said Maya Navrot, Quinte Conservation Education Co-ordinator. “The preparation of this plan is just the first step. The important work has yet to be undertaken and we encourage everyone to engage in the recommended activities.”
In 2012 the County of Prince Edward, Quinte Conservation, and Friends of East Lake collaborated to create the plan with French Planning Services as consultants. The plan included public workshops held during the two-year period with various groups including farmers, resort and campground owners, full-time residents and seasonal users of East Lake.
“We’re proud of the hard work that has gone into this plan and we are looking forward to working with other groups who are interested in this process,” said Navrot. “The purpose of a stewardship plan is to identify, protect, preserve and enhance the unique environmental and social features of a lake and its watershed for present and future generations.”
The East Lake Plan contains 58 recommended actions under the goals of water quality, levels, natural environment, land use and development, social and recreational. Objectives include education, monitoring, maintaining and improving water quality. Actions and priorities are stated in the report’s summary (see below).
“It reflects and builds upon background materials collected for a State of the Lake Report completed in 2013 and from public consultations,” said Navrot in a statement. “The State of the Lake Report is a document containing all the information available on East Lake. It includes information on land use, development, environmentally sensitive areas, wetlands, water quality, water quantity, and species in the area. This document will be a valuable tool for Prince Edward County council to use a resource document when reviewing future development proposals.”
She noted concerned local citizens are building on the success of the East Lake Plan and looking at creating plans for Weller’s Bay and Stoco Lake.
The full plan can be downloaded and reviewed from the website eastlakeplan.ca. A copy of the State of the Lake Report and notes from all public meetings and steering committee meetings from the last two years can also be found on the website.
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