Thank you for the…

Thank you for the opportunity to provide comments on behalf of the Lake of Bays Association (“LOBA”) regarding the Proposal to amend Ontario Regulation 161/17 to the Public Lands Act to not allow floating accommodations to be used for overnight accommodation on water over public land. LOBA strongly supports the proposal, and we request that careful attention be given to both broadly defining floating accommodations and coordinating the application of the regulation with Transport Canada, so the regulation fulfills the intent of the Proposal.
LOBA represents more than 1,200 permanent and seasonal resident families living on or near Lake of Bays in Muskoka. Our mandate is to promote, sustain and enhance a clean and healthy natural environment, a well-serviced community, and a safe and peaceful Lake of Bays. The lake and its shoreline are a beautiful and treasured resource for residents and visitors.
The current rules for what structures may be used for overnight accommodation on water are indeed too permissive. Floating accommodations do have a negative impact on lake beds, fish, wildlife, and habitat. These structures pose a real risk of water pollution due to grey and black water discharge resulting from inadequate wastewater management, and due to household garbage falling into lakes. When used for camping, these structures cause significant noise pollution, aesthetic, and privacy-related impacts to waterfront private property owners. Camping on water often occurs in sheltered bays where all these problems are magnified.
The appropriate response is indeed to not allow floating accommodations to be used for overnight accommodation on water over public land.
To make sure the Proposal works as intended, we ask that careful attention be given to broadly defining floating accommodation to include all non-boats. There should also be coordination with Transport Canada to ensure a common approach to defining such structures. Floating accommodations should not be federally registerable as vessels, as this may affect enforceability of the prohibition.
We appreciate your attention.

Sincerely,

Tim Hadwen
Chair, Planning, Development and Government Relations Committee
Lake of Bays Association