- BLUE NEWSLETTER - BLUE NEWSLETTER - BLUE NEWSLETTER - BLUE NEWSLETTER - BLUE NEWSLETTER - | The most beautiful shoreline is NATURAL | Special edition SHORES / RIVER BANKS | A LOOK AT THE FIRST RESPONSIBILITY OF THE RESIDENT We've been talking about it for decades, but still, the die-hards of lawns, chainsaws and so-called cleanliness continue to resist and, with newcomers, their numbers are growing. Keeping our shoreline healthy is the DUTY of all the people privileged enough to live near Lake Massawippi. It is the choice of reason for ecological, economical, and visual purposes. | THE CHOICE OF REASON A natural and wooded shoreline is a fact for all those who care about protecting the lake. Why is this so? 1. Habitat for fauna and flora: a biological wealth 2. Shielding against excessive water heating 3. Barrier against sediment input into bodies of water 4. Protection against soil and shoreline erosion 5. Regulation of the hydrological cycle 6. Filter against water pollution 7. Natural windbreaker 8. Landscape function | 5 M - 10 M - 15 M IT"S THE LAW MUNICIPAL: For each of the municipalities bordering Lake Massawippi, all vegetation control activities, including grass cutting, are prohibited within the first 5 meters of the shoreline. MUNICIPAL AND PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENTS: The Politique de protection des rives, du littoral et des plaines inondables.of the Government of Quebec provides that all works, structures or constructions are prohibited on the shoreline. This prohibition has been in effect on the territory since 1983 and applies to a strip of land 10 or 15 meters wide depending on the slope. This policy is endorsed by the MRC and all municipalities. | | What if we went further? The standards established are minimums. Experts agree that a 30-metre strip, or even much more, would be much more effective! Of course, the depth of most of the land along the shoreline and the existing infrastructures do not allow for such systematic protection. However, there is nothing to prevent us from considering all options to return to nature all the surfaces that allow it. Maintaining or re-establishing a forest cover on a waterfront property is undoubtedly the first solution to consider. Trees are umbrellas, screens, sunshades, carbon collectors and they form a plant shelter worthy of geniuses. | Tips for doing MORE If you are thinking of protecting the lake and reducing your ecological footprint, there are several things you can do: Plant! Trees, native shrubs, vines. Before cutting down a healthy tree, consider that it will take years to replace it. Choose shade. The warming lake is a formidable enemy. Avoid asphalt, concrete, paving stones and other impervious landscaping. Instead, opt for permeable installations that will allow water to drain before it reaches the lake. Do not fertilize your plants. Your fertilizer, even organic, feeds weed beds and blue-green algae. Let nature take its course and only intervene when necessary. | | THE GAME OF SHORELINE AWARENESS Rate the photos below: good shore / bad shore. You will find the answers in the last box of the newsletter. | CYANOBACTERIA UNDER HIGH SURVEILLANCE - SINCE JULY 21ST | Since Tuesday cyanobacteria have appeared in the water column throughout the lake. The vigilance of the Blue Patrol has been switched to twice-daily mode and 12 vulnerable sites including the beaches for swimming are under high surveillance. On Friday, Baltimore Bay (photo) experienced a short but difficult episode, but the situation was restored by Saturday. More outbreaks are expected in the coming days. If you think you see an outbreak, call us: 819-238-4410 | | WATERSHED PROJECT - the forgotten river | Bad surprise at the Niger River Our researcher Ian Ruttenberg was back Monday after two weeks of analysis of his samples at McGill University. While generally the results were good, it was the Niger River that was singled out for poor results, well beyond the Tomifobia. Ian is completing his second tour and will return to the lab next week. We will then see if these preliminary and partial results hold up. Historically, the Tomifobia River has been considered the biggest problem for Lake Massawippi. Will the often overlooked Niger River take the lead? If so, the 2021 Watershed Project will have a major impact on our future intervention choices in the Barnston Ouest and East Stanstead areas. Stay tuned! | | SOS TRIBUTARIES - IT WAS TIME. | Significant excesses in preliminary tests. Our first results on the six SOS Tributaries streams confirm our fears. Four of them exceed acceptable phosphorus levels and, more concerning, fecal coliform levels, sometimes far too high. These results are preliminary, but already they demonstrate how vital this project can be for Lake Massawippi and our fight against blue-green algae. | | THIS SATURDAY, A BLITZ IN NORTH HATLEY Massawippi Blue was everywhere in North Hatley yesterday for this mid-holiday Saturday when the nice weather finally made its appearance. | | | At the market Naomi answered questions and took comments. | | | | At our mobile washing station installed at the municipal boat launch, Catherine offers washing for recreational non-motorized boats | | | | On land patrol, James and Salomé from "ÉTÉ" travelled between the river, Dreamland Park and the municipal beach. | | | The washing station in Ayer's Cliff is now fully operational. Installed on Thursday, the new equipment is impressive... at least twice as efficient! | | Do not forget the crossing Next Saturday, open water swimmers will cross the 15 km between Ayer's Cliff and North Hatley starting at 9am. Let's be extra careful! | | Sureté du Québec at the beach The Sureté du Québec cadets spent the day at Massawippi Beach on Thursday. Their objective: safety on the lake. Thank you Megan Destremps and Maxime Thellend. | | The Wippi, a carefree ride for your vacation. For low-cost boating, Le Wippi of the Regional Park is the best choice. Captain Robert Côté and his team are waiting for you 6 days a week. More info: Le wippi.com | | Summer camps, a first at Quebec Lodge It was under the rain that the first awareness camp took place at the Quebec Lodge. With this third camp added this season, Blue Massawippi will reach more than 400 children. 👫 😃 | | Managing traffic at the exit of Massawippi Beach. First real big day at Massawippi Beach. Eliott was called in to help manage the boat launch at the end of the day. A job he knows well, having done it many times last year. Well done Eliott... not easy! | | The Blue Massawippi team has the privilege of seeing the NATURAL beauty of the lake and its watershed up close and wishes to share it. | VERY YOUNG In a shoreline area, why not combine business with pleasure? Add a few blueberry plants. And watch out when you pick them, you might get this wonderful surprise! Little bruants in the making ... please do not disturb! photo Amélie Gérin | | COMMUNICATIONS AND SOCIAL MEDIA | The best way to protect is to educate and inform. As the season picks up, we're back, every day, every week. Help us by sharing our posts in all their forms. | LIKE our Facebook page for daily news, alerts, instructions and more. Help us by sharing our posts. Facebook Blue Massawippi | STAY TUNED! Reports, scoops and analyses every week of the Summer in the NEWSLETTER. Invite someone to follow the flow, from Ayer's Cliff to North Hatley. Subscribe | | Do you wish to support our actions? Think of an e- transfer : simple, effective and free. We accept your donations directly at: bleumassawippi@lacmassawippi.ca Don't forget to notify us by email so that we can contact you for your receipt. | | THE GAME OF SHORELINE AWARENESS Answers | 1= BAD SHORELINE Underneath its legality, this strip is so small that its urban nature cannot be hidden! 5 meters is not 1 ... | 2 = GOOD SHORELINE This is an effort that deserves our respect! A solid 5 meter strip that covers an old cement block wall. | 3 = GOOD SHORELINE A privileged wooded area, opens diagonally to the lake. More than 30 meters of shade. | 4 = BAD SHORELINE A picture is worth a thousand words! | | 5 = BAD SHORELINE. A natural shoreline with some shrubs spared. There is not even 1 meter of respect... | 6 = BAD SHORELINE Artificial shoreline and nice grass, on a slope, too bad! | 7 = GOOD SHORELINE A difficult case: old cottage, old low wall, but as many trees as can be kept. | 8 = GOOD SHORELINE Partial rockfill in the process of being re-covered. Preservation of the original forest vegetation cover. | | "The most beautiful shoreline is NATURAL" | From left to right: Pierre, Julie, James, Salomé, Chanel, Vincent, Eliott, Julia, Catherine, Ian, Naomi, and Dexter | | | | |
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