Countdown to the Long Weekend! FOCA Elert May 2013

Countdown to the Long Weekend! FOCA Elert May 2013
http://bit.ly/105h99a FOCA


The Victoria Day long weekend marks the start of Safe Boating Awareness Week, May 18-24th.


Emergency Response in Ontario - FOCA seeks answers
In the aftermath of recent flooding events, FOCA has questions about community preparedness in Ontario. 


Nuclear Dump Site Proposal - Public Review Phase
FOCA is concerned about any adverse effects to human health or the environment, including Lake Huron and the Great Lakes, from the proposed long-term storage of nuclear waste north of Kincardine, Ontario, about 1 km inland from the shore of Lake Huron, and 700m below ground. 


Check 'em and Replace 'em  
Put these 2 items at the top of your long weekend checklist:
check the batteries and the expiry dates on your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms
make and practice a fire escape plan with the family. Click here for tips... 
Once you've checked your alarms, you can quickly and easily enter to win online in this year's contest. Click here for the link... FOCA is proud to be a program partner in the 2013 Peace of Mind for Your Piece of Heaven campaign for fire and CO safety. 


Important Reminders 
Don't move firewood. Drain your bilges!
Invasive and harmful animals and plants can hitchhike on wood, in your bilge water, and on trailers. To protect our precious forests, lakes and rivers, make sure you are not part of the problem. Learn more about invasive species and prevention strategies here.

And Much More

Victoria Day long weekend guide for cottagers

Victoria Day long weekend guide

Whether you're headed to the cottage for work or play this long weekend, we have the expert advice to help you along the way 

http://bit.ly/10jHJON Cottage Life

Lots of great tips, tricks and recipes wether you are a new cottager or an old hand,

The SS Keewatin officially opened to the public Saturday

Return of the brass bell signifies a new life for SS Keewatin 

The ship is now open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Full tours are $20 per adult, $10 for youth aged 11 to 16, and free for children who are accompanied by an adult. 

http://bit.ly/11vaYSe Midland Free Press

A visit is on my to do list for this summer 

Action needed on water level crisis - not more study

LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Action needed on water level crisis - not more study


It would seem trivial to understand that what is required is to restore outflows to what they were before extensive dredging, and to shut down the waste water channel. The Mississippi is flooding and doesn't need any more water.


http://bit.ly/17Tt27v Midland Free Press

Economic relief sought due to low water levels; Delegation 'very well received,' mayor says

Economic relief sought due to low water levels; Delegation 'very well received,' mayor says

The mayors of Georgian Bay communities have been successful in meeting with the feds, but not with the Ontario premier regarding economic relief for businesses impacted by record low water levels.

http://bit.ly/12o5p3p Midland Free Press

Opening-weekend checklist for your cottage

Opening-weekend checklist for your cottage

http://bit.ly/12ii8or Cottage Life

It’s time to open the cottage, making May Two-Four one of the most chore-filled weekends of the year up here. But there’s no reason it has to be all work and no play. There are things that absolutely need to be looked after, but not everything is urgent. Here’s a checklist of stuff you absolutely need to do between drinks on the deck.

A good list to start with for when you go to open your cottage up for the summer. Have you opened your cottage for the summer yet?

What you should know about Georgian Bay water levels

What you should know about Georgian Bay water levels

Lake Huron’s water level hit a record low this past February, an inch below the previous record set in 1965—and it’s still dropping. This is the 13th year in a row that water levels for Huron, as well as Lake Michigan, have been below average. In Ontario’s Georgian Bay, the drop is especially damaging, closing marinas, cutting off water access to cottages and disrupting the entire ecosystem—including the sportfishery

http://bit.ly/10yMaRB Outdoor Canada

Landowner's Guide to Controlling Invasive Woodland Plants

Looking for information on how to get rid of Japanese Knotweed, or other invasive woodland plants?

Download the Landowner's Guide to Controlling Invasive Woodland Plants here:

http://www.ontarioinvasiveplants.ca/files/LandownerGuideInvasives_web.pdf   

Ontario Invasive Plant Council

Sunrise on Georgian Bay

A view like this, is why I like to get up early at the cottage. 

The sun is coming up over Beausoleil Island

Bi-weekly yard waste (including brush) collection will take place in the County during the spring and fall. This change significantly increases access to yard waste collection service and provides more flexibility.

Materials must be placed at curbside Monday at 7 a.m. of collection week. 

Yard waste may be placed in kraft paper yard waste bags, compostable bags, cardboard boxes or open-ended rigid containers. Plastic bags are not permitted. Brush must be contained as above or bundled securely with string, be no larger than 2 metres in length and 30 centimetres in diameter.

This week is a yard waste week for our area, please make you have your waste is out for Monday May 5th 7:00 AM