On behalf of the PLRA Board, we extend our warmest welcome and wish you all an enjoyable and pleasant spring and summer at Percy Lake with friends and family. As you are no doubt aware, the weather this winter, along with rain storms this spring has been erratic and in some locations, destructive. The photo of our bay shows ice still on the lake in early May, although the ice is expected to be gone by now. Last year, the “ice out date” on Haliburton’s Head Lake was May 5, breaking the 1956 record by just one day.

Percy Lake May 4, 2019

CURRENT MATTERS
FLOODING
As you well know, many communities in Ontario, Quebec and New Brunswick have experienced extensive flooding, requiring extensive emergency measures. No doubt the flooding was brought on by excessive rainfall and snowmelt, and the inability of the frozen grounds to
absorb the excess water, leading to swollen rivers, and especially resulting in extensive damage to properties, particularly those by the rivers and in floodplains. Close to our region, Bracebridge, Huntsville and Minden Hills, were particularly adversely
affected. As reported by some of our residents, on April 19, Easter weekend, a big washout occurred on the Percy Lake road.
While the constant precipitation made travel on the road extremely hazardous, if not impossible during this period, luckily, repair work was quickly done by Dysart road crews. But this was not the first time in the last six or so years that communities experienced flooding.
While we offer no predictions for this summer, but in light of climate uncertainty, it is best to be cautious and take heed of stormy weather. At the same time, we must ask some serious questions about erratic weather, repeated flooding, and face these issues squarely.

• How prepared are communities to deal with “flooding”, particularly, routine and increased amounts such as witnessed this spring in a number of communities, necessitating emergency measures to abate the flooding and rescue residents?
• Are there or will there be adequate government resources (financial, evacuation, emergency services, etc.) to “cope” with erratic weather, flooding, wildfires, etc.?
• What strategies do governments (municipal, provincial, federal) have to implement measures to mitigate the impacts of flooding and address root causes (climate change), not only in the short term, but long-term? How up-to-date is flood mapping in Ontario?
• What changes need to be made, both short-term and long-term, in planning, that would protect our environment? Are we prepared to address these issues?

A recent Environment Canada report shows that annual precipitation in Ontario between 1948 and 2012 has increased by an order of 18%. In comparing the last 6 years to the previous 30 years, [1981-2010], the increase in precipitation in spring is more dramatic, as witnessed by
flooding in Minden for example in 2013, 2017 and now 2019.
[Reference: https://www.nrcan.gc.ca/environment/impacts-adaptation/21177]

THE LAKE HEALTH REPORT FOR THE HALIBURTON HIGHLANDS
This new 260 page report includes detailed information on 123 lakes in Haliburton County. Its
primary purpose is to motivate lakefront property owners to act to protect the health of their
lakes. The report includes both general and specific information for each lake. For example:

• Size, depth, number of properties, and health of the lake;
• A full list of fish species for each lake and specific data on trout lakes;
• Information on the importance of shorelines and how they protect the lakes.

Protecting the lakes go hand-in-hand with protecting the land, rivers, and forests. This is the backbone of our country.

The PLRA Board has ordered sufficient copies to cover all properties of Percy Lake. There will be no charge for members of the PLRA (i.e., members signed up in 2018 and any new membership in 2019). Otherwise, the cost is $5.00. We will notify you when we receive the reports as to arrangements for picking up this report. [Note: This report is not available electronically.]

PLRA’S NEW WEBSITE
This past year, we have developed a new website: www.plra.ca which replaces the former site www.plra.net which has been taken down, if you do click on it, it will direct you to go to the new site. The new site was designed and created by Claire Ristow. Anyone can email pictures
or content to her to be updated on the site at hello@plra.ca which she monitors. Claire has agreed to be the webmaster and do all the updates for free. We encourage you to explore the new site and provide comments, suggestions, etc.

HYDRO ONE – LINE MAINTENANCE WORK
Hydro One is entering into its cycle of cutting and pruning vegetation and trees on their rightof-way that could interfere with power lines. Accordingly, property owners are being notified of this activity. I have been speaking to Hydro One on this matter and the need to communicate with property owners about the work that would be done. Any shrubbery or trees requiring trimming or removal are to be identified by a blue dot indicating trimming, and an orange dot, removal. In the case of removal, property owners are to be contacted. Hydro One also noted that any shrubbery and wood from trimming and cutting down would remain on the property. If you have any concerns or issues regarding this, you can contact Hydro One directly at 1-888-664-9376.

UPCOMING EVENTS – SUMMER 2019
A number of events, informative and social, are being planned for this summer, as in the past few years. Dates and location, along with relevant information will be sent out well ahead of time. In particular:

1. PLRA ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING (AGM)
   The AGM is typically held the August holiday weekend. The AGM is a time for discussion on topics of common interest and exchange of information, and where questions and issues can be raised for our guest speakers. It is also a social opportunity to get to know your neighbours and renew your annual membership! Typically, light refreshments are served. We expect to have as
   guests our local elected representatives at the AGM. The specific location and further details will follow as we get closer to the date. Hope to see you there!
2. ANGLING ACTIVITIES
   1. FULL SEASON YOUTH ANGLING CONTEST – 16 Years and Younger
      This contest is open for the entire legal fishing season for both lake trout and bass to Percy Lake Ratepayers’ members and their families. Trophies will be presented at the following year’s AGM. Entrants should take pictures and be prepared to tell your fish stories.
   2. FISHING TOURNAMENT
      PLRA’s Catch and Release Fishing Tournament is typically held the third week in August from 8:00 AM to noon. The tournament is open to members (and family) of the PLRA. Rules for both the Youth Angling Contest and the one-day fishing tournament will be posted at the new
      website. Youth can enter both contests.
3. POT LUCK SOCIAL EVENT
   We are planning on holding our annual social event on Saturday afternoon on the third week of August, typically after the fishing tournament. Stay tuned for further details on this fun-filled active day. Suggestions and volunteers are most welcome.

PLRA MEMBERSHIP
The annual PLRA membership fee is a modest $30 per family. These fees pay our major expenses, including membership in organizations including Coalition of Haliburton Property Owners’ Association (CHA), the Federation of Ontario Cottagers’ Associations (FOCA), and the
Coalition for Equitable Water Flow (CEWF) and for expenses incurred by PLRA’s annual obligations and events.
These organizations provide valuable information on local, regional and provincial matters of particular interest to communities and cottagers, on a variety of issues and concerns. For example, FOCA produces a lot of information available as “FOCA Elerts”, a monthly email newsletter with updates on policy and environmental changes, and event notices and regional news across cottage country in Ontario. As an example, the FOCA Elert, April 2019 online is: https://conta.cc/2ZicUNN. If interested, you can subscribe directly to receive the FOCA Elert (ealert) through http://bit.ly/FOCA_Elert.

REMINDER
We encourage you to renew your membership for 2019, or if not a member, to join the association. A membership form is attached in this e-mail for your convenience and is also found in our website.

PLRA BOARD
Our current Board members are as follows:
Anna Tilman: President
Brian Edey: Secretary
Koko Yamamoto: Treasurer
Graham Warren: Past President
Lou Kiriakou: Live Release Bass Tournament and Newsletter Printing
Jim Richert: Full season Fishing Contest and Lake Development
Katherine Nanowski: Member-at-Large
Lake Steward: Mick Tilman
Have a great time this summer, and I look forward to meeting you at our AGM and the Pot-Luck
event and of course, on the lake or thereabouts.
Best regards,
annatilman@sympatico.ca

The Elert is FOCA’s e-news. You can unsubscribe to the Elert at any time, using the link in every message. FOCA respects your privacy, and does not sell or share our e-list with third parties.