Hello and Happy Spring!
Spring is one of my favorite seasons! The lake emerging from its icy blanket, the bright blue skies, the hopefulness of green buds poking through the cold ground. And the birds returning, their happy chirping everywhere!
Along with the new season, we have many initiatives underway. And we have a new Outreach Coordinator! We welcome Crystal Ilczyna who joined us at the end of February. She will be your key contact for questions and distribution of our educational material.
The Wakes and Speed Pilot we conducted last year was successful and we will be incorporating our learnings in our 2021 plans. We have designed some new No Wake signs for you to display on your boathouse or dock if you are located on a narrow or busy channel. Details on how to order one will be available soon. Our Boater's Code posters along with other educational material are ready now. Please contact Crystal at crystal@safequiet.ca
We were delighted to learn that Transport Canada, at the Canadian Marine Advisory Council meeting in November, has opened the topic of boat mufflers. They have heard community input including from Safe Quiet Lakes that excessive muffler noise is a growing concern on Canadian waterways. This is very encouraging as it may mean that the route to success for the Decibel Coalition could be significantly shortened.
As your associations proceed with your summer plans, please consider including the Decibel Coalition in your promotions; as well as putting up our Boater's Code posters at local boat launches and marinas. Also be on the lookout for communications on our 2021 Your Lakes, Your Views – Lake Activity Survey. The more people we can get to take the survey, the better the insights we will all get into the evolving concerns of our lake communities in Muskoka.
Warm regards,
Diana Piquette
Chair, Safe Quiet Lakes