ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE
MISSION STATEMENT
ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE
TO PROVIDE INFORMATION, ASSISTANCE AND LEADERSHIP TO COTTAGERS AND ASSOCIATIONS ON ISSUES AFFECTING OUR INTEREST, AND TO ENCOURAGE GOOD ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP ON THE PART OF EVERY COTTAGER, VISITOR AND GOVERNMENT IN OUR GREAT PARK.
Effective
The WCA Environment Committee was successful in finding a contractor who was prepared to pick up the white goods at each transfer station and remove the refrigerant at no cost. The contractor will also be responsible for the pickup and removal of these units from our transfer stations.
The negotiations that began in November of last year with Parks and Natural Areas Branch were finally concluded.
Contractors were charging from $25 to $60 to drain the fridges and air conditioners and to provide a tag indicating the refrigerant was removed.
This charge resulted in fridges being discarded in the bush, at trailer sites and even in the lakes throughout the park, by people who were not prepared to pay for this service.
There is no reason now for anyone to discard any fridges, air conditioners, etc anywhere else in the park. Anyone caught doing so will be severely dealt with
Manitoba has introduced a Clean Beaches Program.
The following beach hygiene tips will help keep our beaches clean:
· Don’t feed the shore birds.
· Don’t litter or discard food on the beach. Dispose of trash in proper receptacles.
· Please clean up after your pets. Pets are not allowed on provincial park beaches and on most beaches in rural municipalities.
· Change diapered children frequently and away from the water’s edge.
· Never bury waste in the sand.
BLACK ALGAE IN WHITESHELL PROVINCIAL PARK
The investigation of an introduced subtropical alga (Lyngbya Wollei) in Whiteshell Provincial Park, Manitoba
Final report to the Sustainable Development Innovation Fund
11 October 2004
Ainslie J. Macbeth and Dr. L. Gordon Goldsborough
This summary report states that there are only two known lakes that have been contaminated with this invasive plant in the Whiteshell at present. It continues to be increasing in abundance at an alarming rate. It was first noticed in Betula Lake, then in White Lake. Is it now in other lakes, just that we have never recognized this intruder in other lakes?
The summary report states several recommendation that all levels of government, researchers and cottagers should buy into.
Recommendations for Cottagers.
1. Familiarize yourself with l. wollei infestations.
Cottagers need to be informed so they can be an effective first line of defense against l.wollei infestation. Cottagers spend a great deal of time at the waters edge observing their surrroundings. We recommend that cottagers, their families and visitors, regardless of the lake on which they reside, should visit the main campground beaches at White and Betula Lake to examine l.wollei. Once familiar with the apearance and smell of l. wollei, they may report future infestation development and anomalies to managers and researchers.
2. Protect non-infested area by cleaning recreational watercraft when removed from infested lakes
We recommend washing all recreational watercraft when removing them from infested Whiteshell Lakes in order to remove all l.wollei filaments. Shoes and clothing with Velcro fasteners should also be investigated for the occurrence of attached l.wollei filaments. Such precautions may limit the spread of l. wollei to other water bodies.
3. Waterskiing clubs should educate friends and visitors on the importance and methods for preventing the spread of l.wollei
Waterskiing clubs should educate Betula and Whited Lake users on the occurrence of and proper management techniques used to limit the spread of l.wollei to non-infested lakes. This may be accomplished by showing visitors l.wollei infestations and encouraging them to wash transference items such as clothing, footwear and recreational watercraft when leaving the infested lakes.
Has anyone seen these signs?
Watch out for signs that reads Betula Lake and also a sign that reads Falcon Lake and West Hawk Lake.
Spring clean-up
Adopt-A- HighWay clean up is slated for June, 2008. To volunteer to be part of the solution, please contact the following people.
Every little bit counts.
Werner Toews West Hawk Lake 349-2811 June 14
Marlene Bonk Falcon Lake 349-2742 June 14
Marcel Wozney Barren Lake 349-2860 June 14
Gay Lemay Star Lake 349-3376 June 14
Tom Cutts Betula Lake 348-7290 June 7
Peter Rumak Eleanor Lake 348-2248 June 7 & 14
Richard Frederick White Lake 348-7048
MANITOBANS ADVISED TO USE CAUTION
IF APPROACHED TO PURCHASE HOME WATER TREATMENT EQUIPMENT
Manitoba consumers should be cautious and get full information about the
conditions and total costs before purchasing home water treatment equipment.
The province's Consumers' Bureau and Water Stewardship Department advise
consumers that wells are provincially regulated. Municipal water utilities
regularly do bacteriological and chemical testing for safe drinking water.
Manitoba households served by a municipal water supply do not have to test
or treat their water, but homeowners may choose to install devices to
further improve the quality of their water.
Homeowners are responsible for determining water quality from their own
private wells and other private sources of water such as lakes, rivers and
dugouts, and for the installation of appropriate treatment devices to make
the water fit for human consumption.
Any corrective action for a well is normally initiated by the owner,
Manitoba Water Stewardship or the medical officer of health.
Consumers can have their water tested for bacteriological quality under a
provincially subsidized program with Enviro-Test Laboratories and Cantest
Ltd., which are both located in Winnipeg. Under this program, 70 per cent
of the analytical cost is covered by the province. Information to help
interpret the test results is available at the laboratories or from:
http://www.gov.mb.ca/health/publichealth/cmoh/water .
The Manitoba Consumers' Bureau advises consumers to take the following
precautions before making any water treatment purchase:
* Do not rely on water test results from the seller's field tests
alone.
* Buy from suppliers who are well established and are able to supply
replacement components to ensure proper maintenance on a long-term basis.
* Get at least three written estimates outlining all details of work
to be done, equipment to be supplied, features and benefits, amount of
deposit, payment schedules and total costs.
* Review payment schedules and deposit requirements carefully.
* Check references to verify the quality of the seller's goods or work
as the performance of home water treatment units is not regulated in Canada.
* Don't be pressured into a purchase.
* Read the contract thoroughly before signing it.
* Do not sign any document if you don't understand it.
* If approached by a door-to-door salesperson, ask to see a direct
seller's licence.
* If the salesperson can't produce a licence, write down their name,
and the name and address of the company represented, then contact the
Consumers' Bureau for more information.
Consumers may have 10 days to reconsider and cancel a contract if it was
entered into as a result of door-to-door sales.
To determine if a door-to-door salesperson is licensed, make a complaint or
get more information, contact the Consumers' Bureau at 945-3800 or toll free
at 1-800-782-0067 or online at http://www.gov.mb.ca/finance/cca/consumb.
Rules and regulations on grey water, septic tanks and septic fields.
DID YOU KNOW?
Toilets use the largest proportion of household water, about 40%. Use toilets only for their intended purpose, do not flush paper towels, cotton swabs, or cigarette butts. Never flush paints, solvents, pesticides, or other chemicals, since these are hazardous to the aquatic environment.
Check for toilet leaks and repair them promptly
Low-flush toilets are availabale and are practical for home and cottage use.
Somebody once said:
A peacock who sits on his tail is just another turkey.
Integrity is like oxygen - the higher you climb, the less there
is of it.
If you are willing to admit faults, you have one less fault to admit.
On the keyboard of life, always keep one finger on the escape key.
JUG WATERER
Here's an efficient watering device for any garden plant. Take a plastic gallon jug and remove the cap, cut out the bottom, turn it upside down, and force the neck of the jug into the ground close to the plant. When the plant needs water, just use your garden hose to fill the jug. You may put fertilizer, including compost, into the jug, and the water will carry the fertilizer into the ground, right where the plant can make best use of it.
Fuel-efficient driving is safe driving
Drivers can consume up to 35% less fuel by driving at a smooth, even speed and by anticipating lane changes and traffic obstructions. This is especially the case in the winter. Slowing down and increasing the following distance between you and the vehicle in front of you allows yourself more response time which helps to save fuel and to make winter driving easier on yourself and other drivers on the roadways.
Reduce unnecessary idling
Even on the coldest of winter days you can drive away after only 30 seconds of idling provided your windows are defrosted. Contrary to popular belief, the best way to warm up your car is to drive it at a moderate speed. Idling your vehicle is not only an ineffective and inefficient way to warm up your vehicle's engine and other components – but it is actually harmful to your vehicle, costs more money, consumes more fuel, and produces more GHG emissions. To learn more visit the Idle-Free Zone
Use a timed-block heater
Use an automatic timer to switch on the block heater two hours before you plan to leave. A block heater enables the vehicle's engine to start more easily and reach its peak operating temperature more quickly than idling or using a remote car starter. Block heaters can improve overall fuel economy by as much as 10% or more in below zero temperatures.
Defog your windows without unnecessarily idling
There are two simple tricks to prevent your car windows from fogging up. One is to open a window as soon as you enter the vehicle. The second is to clear all the snow from the air intake on top of the hood; otherwise, the defroster will draw moisture into the system and fog the windshield.
Clear away the snow and ice from your vehicle Your vehicle consumes more fuel and produces more GHG emissions as snow and ice build in wheel wells and under bumpers, adding weight and rubbing against the tires. Snow and ice that collects on top of the vehicle, increase aerodynamic drag and vehicle weight.
Trip planning is particularly important in the winter Plan your route to avoid obstacles such as unplowed roads, hills and multiple traffic lights. Combine errands into one trip to help minimize your fuel consumption and GHG emissions.
Remove your ski rack when it is not needed A ski rack, even an empty one, increases a vehicle's aerodynamic drag, causing the engine to work harder, consume more fuel and produce more GHG emissions.
Take your car in for a winter check-up Do not wait until spring to have your vehicle serviced. During the winter take your vehicle to a qualified technician to have the spark plugs, the air and fuel filters, battery connections, engine belts, tires, brakes, lights, ignition system, cooling system as well as all fluid levels checked.
Perform your own monthly check-ups Read the owner's manual carefully to become familiar with your vehicle's maintenances schedule ans what you can do to prepare for winter. For example, you can head-off problems from creeping up on you during the winter by taking a few minutes to check your vehicle's fluid levels, tire pressure, spark plug wires, battery terminals and radiator hoses and clamps yourself.
Measure the pressure of your tires
Correct tire pressure is especially important during the winter as cold temperatures cause the air pressure in tires to drop and poorly inflated tires cause your vehicle to consume more fuel. Measure your tire pressure once a month, especially after there has been a sharp drop in temperature. Think about switching to winter tires. By improving traction and reducing tire slippage winter tires improve safety and save fuel on snow and ice covered roads. For more information visit Be Tire Smart.
Don't forget your windshield wipers Make sure your windshield wipers are in good condition. Keep the washer reservoir topped up with windshield washer fluid and always keep a spare jug in the trunk.