Association - Lac des Loups (ALDL)

Summary of Annual General Meeting

June 15, 2008

Community Centre

Welcome: Judy Ripley, Vice-President of ALDL, welcomed participants and thanked them for coming to the meeting. Special thanks went to Jocelyne Caloz for her very good work as the Association’s secretary and to Lisette Villeneuve for the great work she did as President of our Association. She introduced the Board of Directors: herself as the vice-president, Jim Morrisey Treasurer, Robert Lamontagne Member at Large as well as Pierre and Line Proulx (to be discussed later). She welcomed our guests, Giorgio Vecco, coordinator of the “Comité du bassin versant de la rivière Gatineau” as well as Robert Bussière, Mayor of La Pêche, Edward McCann, Mayor of the Municipality of Pontiac and Lawrence Tracy, alderman in the municipality of Pontiac and thanked them for their participation.

Approval of agenda: Brian Morrisey moved to accept the agenda as tabled; Hélène Fortier seconded the motion and it was carried.

Approval of summary of June 10, 2007 Annual General Meeting: Marcel Martin moved that the summary be accepted; Gaston Lavoie seconded the motion and it was carried.

Blue-Green Algae presentation by Giorgio Vecco: Mr. Vecco provided information on the blue-green Algae problem. While we must be concerned, we should not be afraid of the term cyannobacteria as they exist everywhere and were the first living body on the planet. The blooms are the actual problem. Mr. Vecco raised the fact that the reason why it seems that there are more cases than before is because we are now aware of the problem thus we notice it more. The blooms are caused by external sources of phosphate such as: erosion, septic systems, natural sources, bird droppings, fertilizers, dishwashing soaps, laundry detergents, etc. At a Lac Ste-Marie congress regarding the Blue-Green Algae phenomenon, it was discovered that our region is very rich in Calcaire Quartz mineral. This mineral causes a chemical reaction with the cyannobacteria that allows it to bloom even with a very low degree of phosphate concentration. It should be noted that the blue-green algae are not toxic when the phosphate concentration is very low.
What should we do to help:

-Empty the septic tank on a regular basis

-Plant natural vegetation to absorb phosphates

-Use as little water as possible in your septic system

-Avoid using any kind of fertilizers

-Avoid using soaps containing phosphate

-Leave the vegetation in its natural state within 20 feet of the shore

-Preserve the natural beauty of the lake

The deterioration of the lake was a process of many years. Even with our good actions to avoid sending phosphate in the lake, it will take years to heal. But, every little change we bring and gesture we make will help with the healing process. The beauty of it all is to have nature work for us.

For further information, please visit

Blue-Green Algae clarification by Rob Lamontagne:

-Run our boats and seadoo at low speed until we are in AT LEAST 6 feet of water. Boats and seadoos disturb the base of the lake in shallow water, disturbing the bacteria and phosphates below the bottom of the lake. The intense wave action also causes premature erosion of the shoreline.

-If you must use fertilizer, use a phosphate free one, like CIL’s Phosphate Free Golfgreen. Fertilizers have three numbers: nitrogen-phosphorous-potassium. A phosphate free fertilizer has “0” as the second number. In addition, and this comes directly from a CIL engineer, fertilizers contain other ingredients that should not be used close to a lake or waterway. To prevent run-off into the lake, NO fertilizer should be applied within 15-20 feet of the lakeshore.

-Use only phosphate free detergents and soaps.

-Ensure that your septic system is in proper working order.

-Plant weeping willows (away from septic systems). Weeping willows drink up to 5,000 gallons a day, and soak up the phosphates that are leaching into the lake.

-Plant climbing vines on retaining walls that are in contact with the lake water.

-Do not clear trees and brush from the shoreline.

Presentation of results of water testing: It is important to understand that the water test is a point in time test. It represents the state of the water at the spot and on the day and time that the water sample was taken. And although we would be surprised if the water was not safe to swim in, we have no way of knowing or certifying that the water is safe at any other date and time. We can also make generalizations about the likely state of the water, based on a series of tests over years, but this is no guarantee that the water is safe at a specific place at any specific time. If you are concerned about the water at a particular spot or at a particular time, please do some sampling and testing of your own. However, if you do take individual water tests, please send the results to the lake association so that they are documented.

The Municipality of La Pêche has committed to improve the status of the lake. The municipality will coordinate and finance water testing for phosphate content.

29 septic systems at Lac des Loups and 30 septic systems at Lac Halverson will be verified this summer.

Presentation by Mayor Robert Bussière: Mr. Bussière mentioned that there are more and more lakes with the blue-green algae problem BUT there are solutions. Lac Gauvreau was one of the lakes that was most affected by this problem 9-10 years ago. In the last 8 years, the municipality worked with the owners of Lac Gauvreau to solve the problem. They have noticed that in the last 3 years, the blue-algae blooms stopped appearing.

An intensive septic systems verification program to ensure these are according to code has already started at Lac des Loups and Lac Halverson. It should be completed by the fall. Close to 60 installations will be tested first as there is no records of these systems.

Presentation by Mayor Edward McCann: The refection of highway 366 has been completed.

Both La Pêche and Pontiac municipalities agreed to share the cost for road maintenance, library services, fire fighting services, snow removal as well as water testing.

There was an inspector that was hired last year but resigned after a few months. We are in the process of hiring a new inspector. Visit of septic systems will start by the end of July 2008.

Financial report: Jim Morrisey outlined the Association’s financial statement. The Association started the year with $2,150.00 on hand. We collected 1,040.00 from membership fees and a municipal grant of $420.00 for a total income of $1,460.00. We spent $1,295.00 on water testing, membership fees of other lake associations, ALDL signs. The balance at the end of the year was $2,315.00.

Presentation of Nominating Committee: Lisette Villeneuve proposed Judy Ripley, Jim Morrisey, Rob Lamontagne, Pierre Proulx and Line Proulx for the executive. Seconded by Jocelyne Caloz. Motion was carried.

Acceptance of slate nominated to the Board: Lake association executive, as proposed, received unanimous approval. No dissenting vote cast.

Program for 2008 - 2009: The association will support the municipality with the verification of the septic systems. Water tests for swimming will be continued.

Other Business: Robert Lamontagne thanked Madame Dubois and the organizers of the fishing derby for their help in making the participants aware of our environmental concerns and providing them with garbage bags.

The lake association will be setting up a website: The website will contain the most current water test results, as well as a history of important information. It will also contain links to relevant sites having different relevant information

The lake association is looking to put together a “welcome package” for new property owners on the lake.

Questions, requests and other points of discussion:
1.Someone asked about the frequency and spots for the phosphate content water testing. Robert Lamontagne answered that these tests will be taken 3 times a year at 6 different sites while the swimming water tests are taken about 3 times at 10 different sites.
2.Another member enquired about the usage of motor boats on the lake. Mayor Bussière answered that a petition would be required with a strong majority of property owners to enforce it. Both federal and provincial governments would be involved and it could take 1 to 2 years to take effect.
3.Another question raised was concerning the possibility of having speed limits signs on the lake as there actually are on rivers in Ontario. Mayor Bussière answered that no bylaws exist in Quebec and it would be very hard to police.
4.One member thanked both mayors for the great job they did on highway 366. Mayor Bussière mentioned the fact that money has been set aside to rebuild 2 kilometers in the village of Lac des Loups. This will be done this year.
5.Someone else enquired about boats from outside sources using our lake and was concerned about the possibility of contamination of our lake. He raised his concern about the Sea-Doos and the fact that they run close to shore at very high speed. He also requested that 2 additional speed bumps be added on Chemin Gauvin to help reduce the speed. Mayor Bussière took note of this request.
6.Another person raised the fact that the water level was really low for this time of the year. Someone else said that the beaver dams had been removed.
7.Volunteers from the Boy Scout organization requested our help during the week while they are not there to report any all tresspassers on their beach by taking down their license plate number. Rob Lamontagne requested the volunteer’s email address to send the information.

Adjournment of meeting: Rob Lamontagne thanked the guests and members for their participation at the meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 12:15 pm.

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