FOCA Elert - February 2015

FOCA Elert - February 2015

http://bit.ly/1ux2kko FOCA

Register now for the AGM!

Members: join us for the FOCA Annual General Meeting and Spring Seminar on Saturday, March 7th in Toronto.

This is an important opportunity to network with fellow associations from across Ontario, and to interact with our expert presenters on hot cottage country topics, including legal tools and tips, organizing for success, and safety and crime prevention. And don't miss the presentations from our featured member associations!


Next FOCA Webinar:

Due to popular demand, we will be hosting another webcast of FOCA's Cottage Succession event, "Keeping the Family in the Family Cottage," on April 17, 2015. Sign-up details will come in next month's Elert - stay tuned for details!

Great Lakes Water Level updates

The International Lake Superior Board of Control says water levels in the lake are at a 17-year high, and that Lakes Huron, and Michigan are similarly at multi-year highs for the month of January. See more about the Great Lakes and this recent news here: http://foca.on.ca/great-lakes-strategy-and-action/


Recap of the Toronto International Boat Show

The 2015 Toronto International Boat Show was a great opportunity to gear up for the coming boating season, in the midst of a dark January!

More than 70,000 boat enthusiasts took in the show. FOCA was pleased that so many of our members took advantage of our free passes. We saw familiar faces and met lots of new and enthusiastic boaters.

and much more

Great Lakes water levels set to hit 15-year high

This spring, cottagers along the Great Lakes who have been anxious about disappearing shorelines are in for the highest water levels in 15-years, thanks to two unusually wet years.

Last month, Lakes Superior, Huron, Michigan, and Erie were above their average monthly levels for the first time since the late 1990s, when the levels began decreasing. Experts believe that the dredging of the links between lakes to accommodate shipping and increased evaporation from climate change could have caused the low levels.

“On Superior, Michigan, and Huron, we haven’t seen two-year water level increases of this magnitude” in recorded history, said Keith Kompoltowicz, a hydrologist with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers district office in Detroit, in an interview with the CBC.

Read the rest of the story on the Cottage Life Blog

http://bit.ly/1sm9Ddw

Lake Michigan, Lake Huron, and Georgian Bay's water levels may do something only achieved 4 times in last 154 years

Michigan's Great Lakes water levels may do something only achieved 4 times in last 154 years

http://bit.ly/1o3NG0Y mlive

The story focus's on Lake Michigan but all 3 have the same level. This could be great news for all of us on these 3 bodies of water.

Water levels reach record lows in Ontario cottage country

Water levels reach record lows in Ontario cottage country

Part of Liquid State, an occasional series on our relationship with water.

The bigger boats no longer show up at the marinas. Where people once were able to scoop pails of lake water, there is now just wild grass and pebbles. Gentle waves used to lap on cottage docks, but they have been replaced by decaying weeds that wash up on the receding shore.

http://bit.ly/18KwHoU Globe and Mail

Stop the Drop campaign designed to attract attention

Stop the Drop campaign designed to attract attention

Online community focused on issue of falling water levels

http://bit.ly/1aMpipH Midland Mirror

FOCA's June 2013 Elert is out

FOCA's June 2013 Elert is out

http://bit.ly/18gSW89 FOCA

Welcome to Summer!

Here's the outlook from The Old Farmer's Almanac: "Summer will be cooler and rainier than normal, with the hottest temperatures in early to mid-July, late July, and mid-August."summer weather 

Beware of Flying Fire  

FOCA continues to advocate for safe burning practices. We warn you about the dangers of "flying lanterns," and  Cottage Life blog applaud our colleagues at the Lake of the Woods District Property Owners Association, who have garnered media interest in the subject.

Great Lakes Water Levels

International Joint Commission The International Joint Commission has announced public hearings on its new water management proposal for Lake Ontario and St. Lawrence River water levels. 

Warning: Lyme Disease in Ontario  

A FOCA member wrote to us recently, warning about the dangers of Lyme Disease to people and pets in Ontario:

Our Golden Retriever contracted Lyme disease apparently from a tick. She is on meds and we are hoping for a complete recovery. We are not sure where she got this as we live in Markham, but visit and spend time every week at our cottage ... We were oblivious to all of this and believe everyone needs to know.

The Health Unit reminds you to "know the bug, know the bite" that can spread it.

And Much Much More