Lake Plan

 Municipality of Dysart et al and the County of Haliburton Official Plans

The Official Plan is the policy document that guides how land is used. From time to time these Official Plans are reviewed and revised with input from the public, and from groups such as MACA.  Official Plans are important to us because they affect public policy on land use and development. MACA actively participates in the Official Plan review process. For more information on MACA's involvement, the following documents are available:

 

The Miskwabi Area Watershed Plan

72 full-colour pages of geological and natural history, area maps, and more. This document provides a tremendous amount of information about our watershed area. It highlights the values of the property owners in our area as obtained through a comprehensive survey. The plan took 4 years to complete with final edits made in 2015.

 

You can also download a PDF copy of the Watershed Plan by clicking on the link below:

 

Brief History of MACA's Lake Planning Process

 By Mike Giza, Past President

 At the MACA Annual General Meeting in July 2010, there was a presentation on lake planning and a discussion of the process. 

As explained in the Lake Planning Handbook for Community Groups, lake planning is a strategic process that provides an opportunity to engage all the people, governments, and business operators to develop plans and implement actions to maintain or improve the natural and social qualities of life on Ontario lakes and rivers. 

Beginning in 1999, the approach to planning shifted to a "bottom up" process from a "top down" one. This gives the communities involved a voice in establishing stewardship actions and government regulations. During the past ten years many Haliburton lakes have developed plans. Some of these are: Eagle Lake, Kennisis Lake, Halls and Hawk Lakes and Mountain Lake. 

Below is an outline based on the Planning Handbook of the steps and timelines that would be involved in pursuing a lake plan for our watershed. 

THE LAKE PLANNING PROCESS

 Phase 1: Getting Organized

  • Garner interest

  • Obtain initial approval

  • Set up steering committee

  • Seek funding

  • Announce the Lake Plan Project

This phase can take 1 to 2 years.

Phase 2: Collect Background Information

  • Determine the scope of the Lake Plan

  • Prepare work list of the information to be collected

  • Contact non-residential stakeholders

  • Prepare, distribute and collate survey information

  • Conduct a residents' workshop and prepare summary

Phase 3: Analyze and Summarize Background Information

  • Analyze background information and summarize results

  • Provide draft observations and recommendations to public

  • Review issues, strategies and final draft plan

Phases 4, 5 and 6: Prepare, Review and Obtain Approval of Draft Plan

  • Prepare draft plan

  • Circulate draft plan for internal review

  • Release draft plan for public review

  • Conduct open house

  • Consider public comments and prepare final Lake Plan

  • Provide intent to approve plan

  • Approve plan

Phase 7: Action Plan Implementation

  • Release Lake Plan

  • Implement actions

Phase 8: Monitoring and Updating the Lake Plan

  • The lake plan should be monitored on an on-going basis and updated every five years.