Lake Ranger

A knee to the package and run like hell.

Do you think they'd like some toons to accompany the stories?

haha..

Honoured to be here for your anniversary!

Thanks for everything!

FYI..

Maybe get a P.O. Box number from the local Post Office, mail yourself something and leave it in your truck! Worked for me for years after I moved from Innisfil. Now I just park at the LCBO parking lot. Haven't been ticketed or towed yet!

Best of luck!

After reading all your posts, I realize the giant snapping turtle I caught is not unique. However, would you believe I caught a full bag of potatoes, a lawn chair and a crutch all in the same trip? I wonder if the owner of all that is still down there.

Hi, Anyone out there with some cool, interesting, crazy, whimsical, outrageous, kooky or comical stories or ideas occuring on a fishing or hunting excursion? I'm looking for some new material to add to a collection of fun cartoons I'm illustrating for an upcoming publication and greeting card collection of wacky outdoor experiences. (By the way, I've got a ton of material about developers, angry residents and trailer parks! ) No blood and guts or gore, just fun stuff!

Thanks for your help!

Cheers!

I'm lovin' this..only my second day and already I've created a 'hot topic'! Thanks everyone, there's alot of fun people here, and again, I do appreciate all the great advice!

Thanks to all who have some substantial and sound advice. All our letters of concern for the S.A.R. directed to the Municipality seemed to be of little concern at first. We wer pratically laughed at. We finally hired a planner who knows political lingo and jargon to speak on our behalf, who happens to work very closely with the Ministries. During our meetings with City Council, it was determined that the studies by appropriate Ministries were to be conducted PRIOR to any development to determine the natural values of the land and S.A.R. I also had letters and direction from a local author from the West Nipissing Naturalist Club on how to present our arguements concerning the S.A.R. With all our opposition and facts and research and everything we presented to council to prove that this area was in fact the WRONG place for such a development, we managed to have restrictions incorporated into the zoning amendment and began to feel somewhat satisfied, as we figured the Ministries would discover that this was indeed a marsh that needed protection. So, with this, plus all the other restrictions put in place for the special zoning of this property, we decided collectively as a group to not appeal Council's decision to pass the application. Since the day it was approved, there has been NO permits applied for or granted by any of the Ministries that were to be contacted. I personally have been in correspondence with the representatives of the area and it seems that the developers and the city were able to somehow re-word the amendments or overlook or sidestep or turn a blind eye to what is actually been happening. So. Now what? I am now taking the advice of a number of members of this forum and seeking legal advice. I am also submitting our facts and photographs and documentation, including the zoning restrictions to the media. I am also giving the planning department time to reply to my letters addressing the fact that the violations have occurred, and if I get no reply, we will hire a lawyer to sue the developers and the City. We trusted the City to do their job to keep this in check. We've been lied to, and the developer was supposed to get a survey to establish a buffer zone BEFORE dozing down the trees. Not AFTER. After asking a rep at the city why this happened, they told me that the developer was waiting until they could AFFORD a suryvey. OOPS! Caught'cha!

Wait for it, watch for it, this is going to be on CBC soon enough. This is not a NIMBY thing. Maybe in the beginning it all touched us emotionally, as we knew this place would never be the same with this type of development. There's no way I can say I wasnt' upset or angry. Basically, we were stunned that this development would even be a consideration, given the type of land, the size of the lot and the size of the lake. However, I am genuinely concerned, for the wildife, the fish, the forest, the marsh, you name it. We've tryed to play the game right, of course made some mistakes along the way, but we're learning and once I (we) stop this development, we'll know the appropriate procedures on how to prevent the next one.

THANK YOU!! This is what I need to hear! My claims are absolutely true, as I called the Ministries to see if there was any permit issued, or a study conducted. Negative on both accounts. The representative in our area has advised that he personally should have been contacted prior to the construction and dozing through the wetlands. A couple of biologists did come to the site after the marsh was filled in, but failed to report any sightings of SAR on the day they came. I feel that had they had time and were actually notified to inspect the property prior to any development, things would be different. What recourse do I have other than finding one of these animals myself? I have seen Least Bitterns and Blanding Turtles in this marsh, but have no proof at this time. I'll make a point of taking my camera for the future.

Thank you once again!

Hi, I just wanted to let you know that I've been dealing with the MNR, MNE, and MOF in the Sudbury and North Bay Districts for the past year, and have nothing but praise for the biologists that I've been corresponding with. They have taken my concerns to heart and have proven to take action on things that they are responsible for, and have given me direction on who to approach if it was out of their jurisdiction to act upon the situation.

I am deeply concerned for some wetlands that are in jeopardy, a substantial portion of which has already been destroyed by development. These particular wetlands in the West Nipissing District happen to be the habitat for a number of Species at Risk in Ontario, including a number of migratory birds and endangered turtles. I hope that you find better support for what you do, as I totally respect your position and know that you must have a deep understanding, knowledge and passion for the work that you do.

Hi, does anyone out there know the deal with shoreline rights? If someone owns vacant waterfront property and pays high taxes on such property, what is the setback in footage for public access to that shoreline? If someone docks boat or fishes from a rocky shoreline on a private property, falls out, cracks their head open on the rock or drowns from falling off the cliff, who's liable? If someone starts a fire for their shore lunch during an open fire ban, and burns the forest down, who's responsible? Can the owner of the property be sued for any or all of these situations? Do "No Trespassing" signs need to be posted along the shoreline? What's the deal? I've been welcoming campers and fishermen/women to hang out and fish from my land for years and have been told by other property owners that I shouldn't in case of an accident. I would prefer to think that people are responsible, but that's in an ideal world. Looking forward to some interesting feedback.

Thanks a bunch.

Hi, thanks for all your input. I'm getting alot of great ideas, and yes, I know the website is outdated and comes across as treehuggers looking for sympathy. It was posted long before any of the violations actually happened, long before the plan was approved. The reason the community did NOT appeal the decision was because of our opposition to the original proposal. With all the residents showing up at the meetings, describing the actual topology of the land, the lake, etc, the possible impact to the marsh, habitat, forest, etc, we figured that the restrictions put in place BY THE MUNICIPALITY would be honoured and therefore chose not to appeal. There's been corruption from the get go. I wish I had a video tape of all the City Council meetings where some of the members couldn't wait to go home and watch the hockey game rather than discuss the possible impacts this development could have on this lake. I think there was only one maybe two members who actually listened to us and understood why we were so against this proposal in the first place. Good advice to update it and start the fight over where we are now.

Cheers!

Great Forum, by the way, glad I joined!

Our more recent site..

http://www.marshallsland.com

Hi, first of all, thanks everyone for their comments. As absurd as it is, I do find the deer stand solution comical and amusing. I would like to also thank Rick for his suggestions and all who agree.

I would like to comment on the following post. I agree that a new member is quite bold to look for support, however, I'm actually looking for advice on how to handle the situation properly so that the developers do respect the restrictions put in place and do not continue to violate them. I don't believe this is a NIMBY situation at all. I believe that someone is not obeying or respecting the rules that were put in place to protect the land, the lake, the wildlife and the surrounding residents and propeties of this rural neighbourhood.

Before this one gets too far out of hand and locked... are your facts actually factual and correct?

YES, INDEED. We have proof with photos and surveys of the immediate adjacent properties.

The hair raises a tad on my back when I see a brand new member graveling for support.

I understand. I have been searching for a sight that has a forum where people who hunt and fish have respect for the system and why there are rules to protect wildlife and fish and their habitat.

I already see error in your stated land mass vs the "save the lake" websites numbers.

Please specify and I will clarify if there has been an error.

Do you have pictures outlining property lines to physically show they have gone against the agreed municipal guidelines.

YES! We have photographs, surveys, we have found the surveyor stakes at the property lines, and have obtained copies of the zoning by-law restrictions for this particular development.

If you say they indeed needed MOE studies etc before proceeding very few would fire up a dozer.

That's what blows our minds.

Just hoping that you are truely concerned and not just another GTA moved to the Northern lake NIMBY like I'm currently dealing with, as the owner of the oldest deeded piece of patent land on a prestine Northern lake. I've seen all to personally that those opposed fail to look in their own yard... to see that they are throwing stones in a glass house. In our case that the cottage association on the lake told all their members at an AGM, to feed the fear mongering, that we were building a hotel on our property.... vs a cottage tucked way up in the trees, with a highly modern septic system 450' back from the lake... vs their own island bedrock properties that they have no issue expanding right to waters edge with holding tanks that are one impact, or pump out gone wrong, away from environmental disaster. The old ...we have our paradise, now that we've cut down the trees to build our place, and how dare anyone else come and do the same syndrome

I'm from a town close to Wawa. I purchased this property 20 years ago, because of the rural way of life in the area. Most of the properties in this area are approximately 100 acres as it was homesteaded centuries ago. Sadly, new comers bought a 100 acre lot, severed their property in thirds and sold the parcels. One parcel was sold to a family looking forward to living in a quiet rural community. The other was sold shortly thereafter to the developer who plans on shoving 35+ families in RV's and campers on an area of land less than 25 acres, if the buffer zones are respected. (Which of course are now bulldozed down). The third parcel was lastly purchased by an existing land owner on the lake after this dispute errupted to prevent it from also being destroyed and developed.

I appreciate your scepticism, but we are truly concerned and will continue to fight this until we find a resolution. If a developer decides to break one or two or three by-laws all while in the initial stages of the development, what will we be up against once (and if) their facility is up and running? A whole new set of problems and Bull, that's for sure.

Hi CH312, thank you for your comment about the trailer park development issue. What you mentioned makes complete sense to me now, and I guess it's time to take this to the media again. I guess it's the stubborness or the passion in me, but I'm not ready to give up. It's a few of us against the government and the developers and yes, the almighty dollar, but we pay taxes on that land too, and have a right to fight. I really appreciate your comment, it does sound like you actually care about things like this. A few other comments were to me a bit harsh, but this is my issue and I have to deal with it. I hope that I can continue to fight it, with the support of the residents, property owners and frequent campers to the lake who also enjoy the peace and serenity of this location. The other residents and myself have allowed and welcomed respectful and seasonal campers who also know and visit the lake to enjoy the peace and serentiy and privacy of our lands, but now, due to an increased population of strangers to the area, we wil all have to post No Trespassing signs and Private Property signs down the lake and along our property lines for insurance purposes. It is very sad that it has come to this. Certain members of the West Nipissing Municipality are definately not getting my vote. What the heck are there by-laws for anyway?

Thanks again, and have a great day,

Lake Ranger

Hi, I guess I use the term "our lake", as it is where we live. and we know the lake better than anyone sitting at a desk at City Council. No, it is not contained on my acerage, but I do own land on both sides of the lake. Privately owned properties back onto one side of the lake and most of the other side is crown land. Our concern is the lake is landlocked, and excessvie boat traffic and fishing will definately have a negative impact on the lake and the fish. There is no stocking of fish in this lake. The shore where the developers plan on having a boat launch is a breeding and feeding area for pike. The lake is mostly 'marsh' and actually is a river, not a lake. There are approximately 12 families that own property and water frontage, and of those families, only 4 or 5 have a small fishing motor boat. The soil is only a couple of feet deep and then solid bedrock. The water table on the land is high. The concerns for the environment and the impact this development will have on a small, narrow, shallow body of water seem to be of no concern to anyone who doesn't actually live there. I really need some solid advice on how to get this issue noticed, for the sake of this lake, and other small lakes in our beautiful province.

Hi, there's nice and not-so-nice areas of Etobicoke and Mimico. Lots of really nice pockets of friendly neighbourhoods, tucked in on either sides of and away from the main drags, such as Lakeshore, Royal York, Islington, and Kipling. Alderwood is nice, a bit west of Mimico, and you're right near the 427 which gets you north fast! If you need more info, let me know. I also have to spend time down south in Toronto, and when I do, I live in Etobicoke!

Hi, I'm new to this site, but thought there might be someone out there who's had some experience with what I'm dealing with. I own 220 acres of land in a very remote and rural community in West Nipissing, near the French River area. There has been an ongoing dispute in our neighbourhood about a trailer park development on our small lake. Sadly, the developers got their plan passed, however, with restrictions. The intention is to develop an RV park on 25 acres of land with only 300 feet of lake frontage on a very small lake. One of the by-law restrictions put in place by the City required the developers to establish a buffer zone of 65 feet of natural forest vegetation on each side of their property lines as a visual and sound barrier for adjacent properties that was to REMAIN forested and not removed. As soon as the developers received the approvals from the City, they brought in bulldozer, dozed through a large wetland, destroying the habitat of many animals and birds and continued to doze down the trees in the 'buffer zones'. They dozed right up to adjacent properties, knocking down and destroying all trees, vegetation, anything in their path. Originally, we did not appeal the City's decision to allow the development, since we believed the restrictions would be honoured. As well, another restriction that was ignored was the fact that the Ministries were to be informed of the development prior to any work being done so they could study the property and assess the natural values of the land and marsh. This never happened. Our complaints resulted in an inspector from the City coming to the property only to determine there were no violations. Of course, they would have no clue as to where the property lines were, nor would they know about the marsh that was now filled in. We were shocked to learn of this result and once again called the city to inform them of the violations. Now the city has said that the developers will have to get a survey done to establish the 65 feet buffer zone. Wasn't that the whole idea in the first place? To 'establish' and maintain the buffer zone that was to remain forested? It will take another 50 years for a forest to return to the damaged areas, if at all! The City refused to admit they've made a mistake and will not acknowledge our concerns. The developers have broken a their contract, violated by-laws, destroyed the forest and the marsh and without the support of the Municipality we do not know what course to take to have this development stopped and their commercial zoning pulled. Is there anybody out there who has insight as to what we can do to stop this development for the sake of the forest, the wildife, the land and the lake before it's too late?

Thanks to all or anyone who can help.

Here's a more recent website which will be updated soon describing all the violations, including photographs of the destroyed buffer zones.

http://www.marshallsland.com