Lake Talon Conservation Association (LTCA)

2016 Annual General Meeting (AGM)

Sunday, July 31, 2016 at 9:30 a.m.

Camp Conewango- Hosted by Wendy Morley & Chris Winterburn

  1. Welcome

John Kelsall Sr., President of LTCA, welcomed the group and thanked the new Owners of Camp Conewango, Wendy Morleyand Chris Winterburnfor their hospitality. Approximately 40 people were in attendance in the gazebo. An Attendance List was circulated. President John advised his family is celebrating 70 years on the lake and the Laframboise family 71 years.

  1. ‘Energy East’Presentation & Discussion
  • LTCA Energy East’s Chair Diane Wallace reported that LTCA continues to actively be involved in attending Information Meetings and researching the impacts of this proposal. LTCA does not have official Intervenor status.
  • President John advised that the Algonquin First Nations do have Intervenor status at the upcoming National Energy Board Hearings. John indicates the First Nations approach is that the environment comes first and major upgrades will be needed at all water crossings before they will consider approving the proposal.
  • President John welcomed a special guest, Marc Tessier from ‘Stop Energy East’. Marc presented a series of concerns relating to the proposed conversion of one TCPL natural gas pipeline to carry 3.6 million barrels a day of diluted bitumen from the Alberta Tar Sands to an undetermined east coast port for trans-shipment to China and other countries who are capable of refining this product.

The major concerns are:

  • That the pipeline was never designed for transporting such a dense and toxic product.
  • There have been multiple natural gas leaks/explosions across Ontario (2 in North Bay) and many oil pipeline leaks including Kalamazoo, MI and currently in Saskatchewan. Leaks will happen due to many reasons, both nature (earthquakes) and human or mechanical error.
  • There are over 2,000 water crossings in Ontario, many of which are major crossings between North Bay and Mattawa.
  • Diluted bitumen consists of many toxic chemicals added to permit it to be pumped at high pressure.
  • Cleanup in water is very difficultand in cold weather virtually impossible.
  • The lost natural gas transmission capacity will need to be replaced by additional pipeline in various locations.

After considerable discussion there was a Motion moved by Bill Mountain and seconded by Don Wallace: “That the LTCA Board send a letter to the Prime Minister, the National Energy Board and M.P. Anthony Rota that the Lake Talon Conservation Association (LTCA) is strongly opposed to TransCanada Pipelines ‘Energy East’ proposal to convert their existing natural gas pipeline to carry diluted bitumen.” CARRIED

  1. Approval of Minutes of Annual Meeting, August 2nd, 2015.

It was moved by Barry Pond and seconded by George Davies that:“The Minutes of August 2nd, 2015 be approved.” CARRIED

  1. Business Arising from Minutes
  1. LTCA 2016 Newsletter – Brian Baker advised that Editor Jeff Allen was unable to attend and the Newsletter publication has been delayed for personal reasons. Brian advised that Facebook LTCA postings are being published regularly but there are very few ‘Views’. Email is used frequently to advise LTCA Members of various matters. LTCA Website is Email address is
  1. Proposed Algonquin Land Settlement – President John advised that an Agreement-in-Principal has been signed by the Algonquin First Nation, Federal Government and Ontario Government. It is expected to take another 4 years to resolve all the accompanying details.
  2. Illegal Net Fishing- Dave Humphries and Roger LaFramboise advised that there was no evidence of net fishing in the past year. The Algonquin First Nation strongly opposes net or spear fishing and have spoken to Nipissing First Nation regarding their concern over the illegal fishing of Lake Talon. There is a need for a Lake Steward in the north end of the lake who is on the lake year around.

4.Financial Report- Mike Marrs reported on the Statement of Revenue and Expenses for the year ending December 31, 2015. This report can be seen on the LTCA website. Motion moved by Dr. Goldfarb and seconded by Dave Humphries that:‘The Treasurer’s Report be approved.” CARRIED

5.Membership Report – Treasurer Nancy Humphries by way of Dave Humphries reported that we had 80 members paid before the meeting. The Students are actively adding to this total on a weekly basis. Final numbers for previous years were 130, 137 and 141 members. There are approximately 240 cottages/homes on the waterway. $1,000 YES Summer Student program subsidy is not available this year.

6. 2016 Summer Student Report- Supervisor Clint Wilson, Students MattWilson and Chris Witmer submitted both a written Interim Report (Facebook and emailed and to be posted on LTCA Website) and verbal Report. They perform public relations work on Saturday and Sunday (including renewing and soliciting memberships), and maintenance cleanup work on Friday and Monday.

7. Control of Dam/Operation & Safety - Dave Humphries reported that he provides the MNR weekly regarding water levels. Water levels are now at the high end of the MNR’s operating range. Several lake/river residents expressed concern about current high water levels. There were complaints that the water was dropped before the conclusion of the Thanksgiving long weekend making removal of boats more difficult. Dave explained that the level is often held high because it is easier to let water out than raise it. It was agreed that the LTCA Board write MNR to determine their policy and practice for managing water levels on the waterway.

8. Water Quality Testing – Roger Laframboise provided a report, which is available on the website, detailing the water quality on Lake Talon this year as well as an insert on the causes and effects of blue-green algae. Water was sampled and tested this year in Rice Bay, Grasswell’s, and Kaibuskong Bay with only the latter causing concern. The main lake is classified as mesotrophic which is moderately enriched with some nutrients. The readings indicate basically no change since the 1960s. Kaibuskong Bay, however, is eutrophic meaning that it is enriched with higher levels of nutrients which, while good for fish productivity, can lead to risking water quality problems like blue-green algae. Lake Nosbonsing appears to be the source of the problem.

9. FOCA Report – Ken Davies’ full report can be read online.

10,11.Update on Land Use and Logging – Marcia Pond advised that there was no new development on the waterway reported by North Bay – Mattawa Conservation Authority. No logging proposed in the immediate area until March 2017 as reported by Nipissing Forest Management and 2016 forestry operations completed. MNR advised that there were no land use issues. Marcia reminded everyone to be mindful of installing proper septic systems and not planting grass or using fertilizers close to the water.

  1. 12. Provincial Park Matters -Barry Pond reported no issues at Champlain Provincial Park that would affect Lake Talon. $3000 was once again provided by Parks Ontario for LTCA Summer Students.Barry Pond advised Ontario Parks have the 2 Historical Plaques from Talon Chutes in safe storage after previous vandalism.

13. Report on LTCA Action during Past Year

  • $250 donated to help fund an Ontario Historical Plaque for Louise de Kiriline (Bird Lady of Pimisi Bay). Official ceremony at Bonfield Parish Hall at 1:30 p.m. on August 18th. LTCA representatives will be attending. Plaque will be installed at picnic area on Highway 17 at Pimisi Bay.
  • $500 donated to Mattawa First Nations Fish Hatchery. Roger Laframboise advised major storm damaged Hatchery equipment so that no stocking could be carried out this past spring.
  • Motion moved by Roger Laframboise and seconded by Dr. Goldfarb “That the LTCA again donate $500 to the Mattawa FishHatchery”. CARRIED

15. Election of LTCA Officers (Bold indicates Directors)

a) President- John Kelsall Sr. agreed to continue as President for another year.

b)Vice-President - Bill Mountain

c)Treasurer – Nancy Humphries

d) Financial Audits- Mike Marrs

e) Lake Stewards- Dave Humphries, Chris James, Rick Miller, Bob Davies

f) Secretary- Jean & Paige Bennet agreed to assume the Secretary’s duties.

g) Newsletter Editor- Jeff Allen

h) Communications Officer- Brian Baker

i) FOCA Representative- Ken Davies

j) Student Manager- Clint Wilson

k) Land Use Committee- Marsha Pond

l) Water Quality Testing- Roger Laframboise

New Business

  1. Wendy Morley and Chris Winterburn, the new owners of Camp Conewango advised of their plans including renovation of the Dining Room, new Menus (including gluten free), Outdoor Pizza Oven as well as year around operation serving ATV’s and snowmobiles. All those in attendance were very pleased to hear their plans and wished them well. as well as Facebook and Instagram.
  2. Vice President Bill Mountain has written several of the camps who are sending Trippers through the waterway requesting donations to help defray our costs of maintain the portages and Grasswell’s Point. Several donations were received previously including one for $500,
  3. The Summer Students are acquiring GPS Coordinates of each dock(180 now completed) on the lake and river in order to assist in dispatching emergency and utility personnel. All Cottagers are advised to use their own GPS or smartphone app to acquire their personal coordinates and write them down for use in case of an emergency.
  4. The LTCA is participating in a joint funding application for various improvement works at Blanchard’s Landing, Grasswell’s Point, Talon Chutes and Pine Lake portages. Brian Baker gave some background and indicated that the priority needs to be the imminent replacement of the floating dock at Blanchard’s Landing. The LTCA position is that the two townships and the senior governments need to provide a significant proportion of the costs. Many members indicated a desire for a larger dock to accommodate more than one boat. LTCA will be attending a meeting on August 18th at Champlain Park. LTCA needs a Membership Coordinator and an improved method of invoicing and receiving Membership fees electronically. If you are interested inassisting your Association please contact
  5. There was some interest in bringing Muskoka Septic Services back to carry out septic pumpouts which was done in2010 at a cost of $800 each plus HST.

Meeting was adjourned at 12:15 p.m. Muffins and coffee were provided by Camp Conewango.