water Archives — Lindsay Advocate

Invasive species: Boaters and anglers have critical role to play in Kawartha Lakes

Published on August 9, 2020 in Environment by Matthew Robbins

The rivers and lakes of Kawartha Lakes are once again teeming with life. Boat owners everywhere are eager to take their isolation to the open water. However, we need to consider our waterways’ future. Our aquatic ecosystems have long faced a debilitating, fast-spreading and almost virulent threat, and when our current health crisis finally does subside, we will once again be faced with the challenge of invasive species.

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Water restrictions now in effect for Lindsay

Published on July 9, 2020 in Municipal by Lindsay Advocate

Kawartha Lakes would like to inform all residents and businesses in Lindsay who are on municipal water services to begin water conservation practices immediately.

The area is experiencing significant increases in water demand due to extended hot and dry weather, and necessary repairs to equipment at the Lindsay Water Treatment Plant.

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Schmale joins other rural MPs in asking for Lake Simcoe Clean-up Fund to be restored

Published on October 31, 2019 in Federal by Lindsay Advocate

Local MP Jamie Schmale joined Lake Simcoe area MPs calling on the Prime Minister to follow through on the Lake Simcoe Clean-up Fund.

The six area rural Conservative MPs are asking the new Liberal government to provide a firm commitment and timeline for reinstating the Lake Simcoe Clean-up Fund.

The original funding program assisted local groups with projects that improved the health of the lake for 10 years before it was cancelled by Trudeau’s government two years ago.

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Herbicide use on City roads: Safe or Hazardous?

Published on September 22, 2019 in Community/Environment by Geoff Coleman and Roderick Benns

Some residents have noticed signs of herbicide use along the shoulders of Kawartha Lakes’ roads and wonder what the consequences are of spraying to control vegetation – and if it even need to be done in the first place.

Denis Turcott is one such individual. Driving from his Newmarket home to his seasonal property in the Kawarthas, he became alarmed when he saw dead vegetation — obviously treated with herbicide — at the sides of major roads in proximity to watercourses and wetlands.

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Council reviews High Water Bill Adjustment Policy

Published on September 12, 2019 in Municipal by Lindsay Advocate

At the Committee of the Whole meeting September 10, Council recommended changes to the High Water Bill Adjustment Policy be forwarded to the Regular Council Meeting of September 24 for adoption.

At the July 16 Committee of the Whole meeting, Council heard a presentation from Jennifer Stover, Director of Corporate Services on the purpose of and related areas of concern within the High Bill Adjustment Policy. Those concerns have been incorporated into the new policy recommendations.

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Benns’ Belief: This land is our land — and we must protect it

Published on August 20, 2019 in Opinion by Roderick Benns

“We no longer see the world as a single entity. We’ve moved to cities and we think the economy is what gives us our life …without regard to what it does to the rest of the world.” – David Suzuki

It’s a privilege to be able to drive across Canada, not the least of which is because it helps one understand the essence of the country better than dropping in on big cities by plane. However, the cost of lodging, gasoline, and time away from jobs makes it next to impossible for too many Canadians.

So, it was indeed a privilege for us to be able to travel over 12,500 kilometres to the Yukon and back a few years ago for over a month, seeing this great country in a way that few of us do.

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The coolest job in town

Published on July 19, 2019 in Around Town/Community by Jamie Morris

Summertime, and the livin’ for many of us is sweaty and uncomfortable. Then there are the lucky few who spend their days in refrigerated bliss. The list includes workers in the Kawartha Dairy ice cream production area, the Beer Store employees who restock shelves, butchers who are in and out of freezers.

Most enviable, though, might be Tyler England, whose job includes maintaining the Lindsay Recreation Complex’s twin pad ice surface. For almost two years now he’s been one of nine who operate ice-resurfacing machines, sitting at the controls, systematically crisscrossing ice surfaces at the city’s nine arenas, leaving behind a slick of fresh ice.

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Water: How farmers meet the challenge of too little, too much

Published on May 30, 2019 in Community/Environment by Sylvia Keesmaat

Farmers have been concerned about water issues for as long as human beings have been growing crops. From the irrigation ditches of the ancient near east, to the flooding of ancient Egypt, the lack of water, or too much of it, has shaped the rhythms of farming life.

As a result, farmers throughout history have developed various strategies related to water. Some of these—like the worship of ancient fertility gods and goddesses—seem a little odd to us now. Some, like tile drainage, are still practiced but are somewhat controversial. Others, such as the use of terrace farming and dams, continue to be used today.

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