Latest News
How to identify and report findings of Eurasian Watermilfoil (EWM)
With the increased awareness and concerns about the appearance of the highly invasive Eurasian Watermilfioil in Drag and Spruce Lakes, many property owners are asking for assistance in identifying potential EWM outbreaks.
To help in this process, we have compiled a step by step identification guide – click here
If you have concerns with a weed sighting, go through the simple steps in this guide to establish whether it is EWM.
If yes, record the GPS location coordinates and send an email to DSLPOAEWM@gmail.com.
Thank you for your diligence and support!
From the CHA:
This will affect your lake! Watch this Wednesday (see below)
As you know the C.H.A. with support from you our members has been encouraging the County to act to protect the natural shoreline we have left with a Shoreline Preservation by law In June 2018 the then Warden told us it was coming soon In 2019 our members voted unanimously to support it
There followed over 20 public meetings Then this past February a draft by law was introduced to County Council after over 3000 people had commented on the comment website – the overwhelming majority were positive
Then the landscapers and some of the builders – very few of whom actually read and understood the proposal organized a loud opposition County Council decided that they needed more public consultation – which was quickly put on hold under the pandemic
…
For the past few years, the Drag and Spruce Lakes Property Owners Association has been monitoring an outbreak of an invasive aquatic species, Eurasian Watermilfoil, in Drag Lake. This summer we took action to begin the defense of our lakes from this threat.
Our Lake Steward, Bert Bicknell, has completed one deployment of biodegradable matting on Drag Lake and is busy preparing for the second deployment on September 12. We appreciate that many property owners are curious about the process and might be tempted to observe up close in a boat. This interest is understandable but can interfere with the deployment and might also contribute to the spread of weed clippings. For that reason, we ask that you show your support from a distance – we will post a progress report, including pictures, following the deployment to keep you informed.
This week we started a fundraising campaign to provide the resources needed to control these and future outbreaks of Eurasian Watermilfoil. I am pleased to report that we are off to an encouragingly good start. As of 6 pm today we have received contributions from 102 donors totalling $17,300! Thank-you to everyone who has taken the time to use the new PayPal donation option on our website, make an e-Transfer to dragandsprucelakes@gmail.com or send a cheque to PO Box 603 in Haliburton. Thanks as well to those who have not yet made their donation but intend to do so. To those who are undecided, please have a look at the Eurasian Watermilfoil information on our website and Facebook page. Most of the Facebook comments have come from your neighbours because they are concerned about the future health of Drag and Spruce Lakes.
We will provide regular updates to keep all Drag and Spruce Lake property owners aware of our progress with respect to Eurasian Watermilfoil control and fundraising. If you have questions for the Eurasian Watermilfoil Working Group or wish to report a possible outbreak, send an email to us at DSLPOAEWM@gmail.com.
Key Links
Land Acknowledgement
We respectfully acknowledge that the County of Haliburton is located on Treaty 20 Michi Saagiig territory, and in the traditional territory of the Michi Saagiig and Chippewa Nations, collectively known as the Williams Treaties First Nations, which are Curve Lake, Rama, Hiawatha, Alderville, Scugog Island, Beausoleil and Georgina Island First Nations.
We acknowledge a shared presence of Indigenous nations throughout the area, and recognize its original, Indigenous inhabitants as the stewards of its lands and waters since time immemorial.