Newsletter September 7th 2011

Forestry Update

Last year the MNR developed forest plans for the next 10 years for the Bancroft-Minden and Ottawa-Valley Forest Management Units around our lake.

Evan Croskery has prepared a summary of the annual work schedules as well as both regional 10-year plans. The Annual Work Schedule for 2011-2012 does not show any significant logging or forestry maintenance operations in our area.

The 10-year plans are now available for final review on the MNR web site
(http://www.appefmp.mnr.gov.on.ca/eFMP/home.do)

The Bancroft-Minden Forestry Plan for 2011-2021 (10 years) has contingency allocations in Area 2020 on the east side of the lower basin and in Area 2019 on the west side of the lower basin behind Hinterland Beach and across Kamaniskeg Lake Road. The area is not planned for logging however if other areas cannot be harvested as planned they may allocate part of the contingency area to make up for the shortfall.

Logging will take place between 2016 and 2021 in Area 1651 situated north of the Madawaska at Mud Bay to River Road on the west side of the lake including Big Pond and Biernacki Lake. The plan calls for a mix of shelterwood cutting, commercial thinning and clearcutting. The type of cutting is determined based on the tree species as some species need full daylight to rejuvenate. There are narrow buffer zones around the water so cutting will not take place on the actual shoreline.

The Ottawa-Valley Forestry Plan for 2011-2021 calls for renewal and maintenance work being done in the forests off Siberia Rd. between McMaster Lake and Wolf Lake. During the same period some cutting will take place in the same area and north of Siberia Rd. close to McMaster Lake. Please review the maps on the MNR web site for further details.

The forestry page on the KAPOA website has more info and MNR contact info if you want to take action.

2011 Regatta: Another Huge Success

Over 40 years of KAPOA regattas and the community still loves them! Once again, we got lucky and the weather was superb.

The sailing race brought out more competitors than in recent years, and the sailing trophy was awarded to long time race participants, John and Marie Craig of Kamaniskeg Lake Road. The swimming competitions saw a return trophy winner for the Women’s swim trophy, Olivia Joiner of Runnalls Lane, who remains unbeaten for a third year in a row! For the first time, Olivia also received the Best Overall Competitor trophy, for her combined swimming and canoe scores for the day. Ian Cox of Blackfish Bay, a first time regatta participant this year, was all smiles while receiving the Best Overall Male swimming Competitor trophy. He’s sure to be back, after his inaugural regatta year!

The event that continues to bring out the most participation is the sand castle competition. 12 teams vied for the winning ribbons, and it was heartbreaking not to be able to award everyone for their creativity and effort. We will be rectifying that next year, with participant certificates for all in that event.

Last but not least, the tug-of-war event had it’s share of controversy and catastrophe, with the rope breaking more than once during key pulls. Team Slo-Pull prevailed despite the stops and starts. You can be sure that the regatta team will be shopping for rope in the coming year, to be sure that this event continues to be the day’s final, and most talked about, event of the day!

The entire day could not have been possible without monetary support and prizes provided by our sponsors: Home Hardware (Combermere & Barry’s Bay), Cathy Pitts Realty, MV Electronics, Sand Bay Camp and the Pyz family. And without the numerous KAPOA volunteers, all of the setup, tabulation, membership, event running and food sales could not have been possible. If you didn’t help out this year, it’s never too late to contribute a little of your time next year. Volunteers are always welcome and appreciated.

Some enhancements made to this year’s regatta included a chaser boat for the “around the buoy” canoe races, and KAPOA t-shirt sales. Further enhancements are planned for next year, including participant certificates mentioned already, and more refined age categories for the noodle races (including a first ever “adult” noodle race!) If you have any other suggestions for next year’s regatta that would make the annual event safer, more fun and more memorable for your family, we’d love to receive your suggestions. Send your emails to klwylie@sympatico.ca with any helpful suggestions, and please let us know if you’d be willing to help next year!

You can see more photos on Regatta page on the KAPOA web site.