Hello everyone,

Last year, winter arrived almost overnight on Thanksgiving weekend and forced many of us to cocoon over such a traditionally beautiful weekend at Pemichangan. What a difference year makes (proof is on our Facebook page and in the beautiful photo above from James Maxwell Webster)! Fall this time around has been glorious, to wit the Northern lights, hunter’s moon, comet and enduring warmth and sunshine. As always, the FLP Board has been particularly busy this fall. Following up on ideas and concerns raised at the AGM, the Board met first with a milfoil specialist and then with the Municipality of Gracefield. And it has other meetings in the works, all in fulfillment of its mission to protect the health of Pemichangan. Read on to know more.

AGM 2024

At the July 7 AGM, the Board reported on membership, lake health, camping and financials. The members present proceeded to re-elect the same members of the Board. The Board thanked former Board member Pat Zakaib for all her work on the FLP database. A Great Friends of Lac Pemichangan plaque was presented to Rick Robertson’s family in recognition of Rick’s many years of work as FLP president. The main takeaway from the AGM is that the spread of milfoil continues to be a major concern, along with the need for boat washing to avoid the introduction of other invasive species. The Board also noted that almost all the people present were from the north end. The Board has been busy since September looking more deeply into the issue of milfoil. And later this year it will look into ways of reaching out to the south enders, whose voices also need to be heard at the AGM. Thank you to everyone who came out!

Outreach

The FLP has joined various water protection organisations to stay abreast of provincial and federal water protection initiatives and to find experts who can guide us in this area. In September, an FLP Board member attended the Annual General Meeting of the Regroupement pour la protection de l’eau de la Vallée-de-la-Gatineau, where presentations were made on boat washing systems, including entry controls, and lake health initiatives in our region. In October, the Board had a very informative virtual meeting with Université Laval Professor Claude Lavoie, a prominent Quebec expert on invasive aquatic plants and one of the principal authors of the Prévention et lutte contre le myriophlle à épis, Guide d’accompagnement released by the Québec government last year.

The Board also arranged a meeting with Gracefield Mayor Mathieu Caron, Director General Julie Jetté and Deputy Director Julie Thérien to discuss various topics. Highlights of the meeting include the following:

  1. 2025 municipal elections – There will be no voting by mail at the Sunday November 2, 2025 elections due to the very weak outcome of the last voting-by-mail experience, too costly and complicated. Property owners eligible to vote will need to appear in person. Under Elections Canada regulations, US citizens cannot vote in municipal elections.
  2. Boat washing stations – A second station will be opened (date TBD), on Chemin du Poisson-Blanc between Lac à la Barbue and Lac Heney. It will serve three lakes, including the south end of Pemichangan. The current Gracefield station serves the north end of Pemichangan. The current Lac-Sainte-Marie station serves the south end.
  3. Presence of the mayor at the 2025 AGM – If possible, the Mayor will be present.
  4. Water levels – the old Point-Comfort dam (in very poor condition) will be left to die a natural death over time, in which case water will flow only through the three culverts which, according to the Mayor, are sufficient to control the appropriate flow from Pemichangan into 31 Mile Lake.
  5. Boat launch – Negotiations are continuing between Gracefield and the Gatineau Fish and Game Club.
  6. Real estate developments on the lake – the ministerial authorization process allowing certain developments (such as in Baie Alie) has been tightened. Further enquiries should be sent directly to the Municipality/Mayor’s office.

Mayor Caron follows the FLP Facebook page with interest and directed our members to the Gracefield Facebook page for current information. He also asked the Board to remind FLP members to contact him directly with any questions and concerns.

Lake Health – Is your septic system still doing its job?

According to professor Lavoie, eutrophication (defined as an excessive richness of nutrients, frequently due to runoff from the land, which causes a dense growth of plant life and death of animal life from lack of oxygen) is one of the leading threats to lake health. The two main ways to prevent eutrophication are by preserving 10 – 15 m of wild vegetation (no grass) along the shoreline (mandatory under MRC regulations) and by maintaining your septic system in good working order. The lifespan of a septic system is generally 25 to 30 years. A septic tank that complied with the code of the day when it was installed may no longer meet current codes. A faulty septic system can cause contamination of your water well, backup in your cottage and discharge of wastewater into the environment and lake. All three can affect your health, the environment and the value of your property. Sewage leaks visible on the ground surface or around the septic tank are a clear sign of a problem and require immediate attention. These leaks often take the form of an accumulation of water that is still present a few days after a rainfall. They can also appear as vegetation that is greener than elsewhere on a portion of your property. For the love of the lake, get your septic system inspected!

Camping Corner

The FLP regularly receives online requests for campsite reservations at the lake. As a result, the Board has removed the camping site map from the public section of the FLP website since it seemed to be acting as a form of marketing and advertising for camping. The map is only intended to help users navigate the lake. It is now available in the Members’ Only section of the website. Please contact Wanda Taylor for the password.

Membership

The FLP currently has a record 175 members out of a possible 300 or so. If you have not gotten to it, you can still become a member here. Renewals will occur automatically unless your email or credit card changes. Please contact Wanda Taylor to update your information. Gatineau Fish and Game Club members can pay their membership at the same time as their club membership.

Have a general concern? Want to help out? Please contact Jeff Stanier. The FLP wants to hear from you!

Sincerely,
FLP President,
Jeff Stanier