It is an imperative direction in the Official Plan that all development on the Township’s lakes must protect, improve, or restore the quality of water in the lakes, as well as protect the social experiences of those people using the lakes. Recreational carrying capacity is a fundamental facet of protecting water quality.
See the discussion paper Recreational Carrying Capacity to learn about Provincial and current township policies. After reading, answer the discussion promoting questions below to express what you would like to see in the upcoming Official Plan.
1. Are you satisfied with the current definition for Recreational Carrying Capacity? What could be
improved?
2. Are there other elements of carrying capacity that should be considered? Is carrying capacity the
best way to address the utilization and development density on lakes?
3. How should smaller lakes with less than 40 hectares of area be better protected through policy?
Hi all, SBA has received your input for the Seguin OPR. Your submission has been added to our comment matrix and will be considered for the OPR. Regards, Marissa Handley, BES Planner SBA
I support strengthening the policies around Recreational Carrying Capacity. Specifically, I feel that smaller lakes (less than 40 Ha) should also be protected. Once the quality of these lakes is depleted, through development, we will never get it back. We should be proactive in our approach, not reactive.
I'm completely in agreement with the Mayor's observation around impacts of larger boat craft and this should be extended to other recreational craft such as high powered jet skis. I'm also wondering if there would be considerable merit in setting out some values based statements at the outset of the section which frames the discussion around recreational carrying capacity? i.e. what are the values of Seguin's precious lakes that are cherished and have to be defended in ensuring the right balance between recreation and environmental protection?
RCC is the jewel of our environmental protection of our precious lakes. The only thing I would like to see added somehow is the impact of bigger, faster and more boats on the impact on shorelines and water quality.