The Environment Committee is made up of these Ratepayers' board members: Doug Clark, Roger Crawford, Michel Fortin, David Fox-Revett, Michael Silver, and co-chairs Louise Cragg and James Gilmore. This year, a sub-committee under Leigh Terry was formed to specifically investigate land usage issues. The committee would welcome volunteers interested in assisting in the committee work.

Dark Sky preservation and the celebration of the 'big black out' with the August Star Party are important to the Muskoka Ratepayers' Association. Michael Silver was part of the group that was influential in having the Torrance Barrens designated a provincially protected Dark Sky Reserve. Unfortunately, the protection of the province only pertains to property the province owns, so it takes constant vigilance to educate and achieve co-operation of local municipalities and developers to attempt to protect the Dark Sky Reserve. Muskoka Wharf is a wonderful example of co-operation in their use of dark sky friendly lighting throughout.

Water Quality is a major interest for the committee. Members have been significant in ensuring that sewage treatment in communal developments, such as large resorts, are built with minimal impact on the water quality. The regulation of bottled water has also been an important undertaking for the committee. No one should consider drinking untreated lake water, no matter how clear the water, so ensuring bottled water is free of contaminants is important to many in Muskoka. The Ratepayers is also constantly monitoring the permits to take water, particularly the vast quantities required for golf courses and the potentially negative impact of de-watering wetlands.

Last year, the committee organized an Environmental Showcase in conjunction with the 2009 AGM, and this year, the AGM focus is once again on the environment with three speakers addressing various aspects of that subject

Muskoka's Long Range Solid Waste Management Plan is being monitored. This resulted in the sub committee which recognizes that incineration may not yet be an option for Muskoka given the cost and technology restrictions but wishes to ensure that the option is kept open. The committee plans to assist in the production of the waste management guide distributed by the District each year.

The committee supports the township trails maps and will be providing for additional interpretive signs next year. Anyone interested in joining the TML Trails Committee is invited to contact us.

Members of the committee are undertaking some research to support the Muskoka Watershed Council Report Card for 2010. A review of the number of Muskoka Marinas which are/are not and if not why not/ members of the Clean Green Marina program and of the number of local ISO identified industries is on-going.

The committee is closely monitoring the development of the hydro generation plant at Bala North dam site. While there may be merit in ‘green‚ power, this installation could have significant impacts on environmental, social and economic values of residents. The MNR released, and will potentially sell, the Bala North Dam site because it is Crown Land on both sides, so it could sell it to a power company. Swift River Power is an investment group who have contracted Hatch Acres to prepare the plan for the site once they have completed a response to the Ministry of Energy RFP on their projected ‘cost of power’ potentially generated from their development. There will be an Environmental Assessment process which will require close monitoring.

The committee supports the work of Muskoka Heritage on an ongoing basis as well.

If you'd like to join the committee, please contact us.

Committee Reports (just updated)

Summer 2010 Committee Report

Ratepayers - Environment Committee Makes a Difference