The Green Lane   Environment Canada     http://www.ec.gc.ca

In lake management, there is a very important principle that must be remembered and understood : on a long term basis the anticipated effects of  corrective measures on the lake will be reduced by a continuous inflow of important quantities of silt, organic matter and nutrients.  Therefore, all restoring efforts must start with the protection and management of the watershed in order to obtain positive effects in the lake itself.
1)  PROTECTION OF SHORES IN THEIR NATURAL STATE
The government protection policy of shores and coastlines states that for an incline of less than 30%, a vegetated belt of at least 10m must be maintained, and that for an incline of over 30% this belt must be at least 15m wide.  Certain municipalities have an even stricter policy. The Association should check and propose to the Municipal Council to include in the municipal code stricter protection of all shores.  Usually, only trees that are deficient, sick, dying, damaged or dead can be removed within the protective belt.
2)  SEPTIC INSTALLATIONS and VEGETATION MANAGEMENT
It is known that septic installations are important contributors to fecal coliforms and abnormally high concentrations of  nitrates and phosphates in lakes and rivers.  Here, we must make a distinction between bacteriological pollution (ex : coliforms) and pollution caused by over-fertilization.  A septic installation might be in accordance to regulations and not cause any bacteriological pollution, but still contribute to over-fertilization of a lake.  This will depend on the distance between the lake and the evacuation field of the septic installation and its vegetation coverage.  It is the root system of shore vegetation that will permit shore stabilization by pulling from the ground effluent water originating from septic installation, including nutrients.
The density of root systems varies from one type of vegetation to an other : denser and closer to the surface with herbaceous plants, less dense but deeper with shrubs and bushes and even deeper and especially wider spread with trees.  In general, when all three types of vegetation are found, such as they are in a natural environment, the shore will offer a higher level of resistance to erosion factors and, a most importantly, optimum use of available nutrients.
The recommendation here is quite simple : in the best interest of the lake, maximize vegetation between shore and septic installations.
We propose that the Association ask the municipal inspectors to establish a follow-up program for the emptying of septic installations.  Since it is written in the septic installation regulations (Q2.r8.) that all such installations must be emptied every two years for permanent residents and every four years for temporary residents, the municipality can require a receipt as proof that the installations have been emptied.  The inspector can also request a verification of the state of any septic installation at the time of emptying before it can be covered up.  This way, all septic installations can be documented and a legal request for replacement of non-conforming or deficient facilities can be made.
3)  FERTILIZERS and PESTICIDES
In many cases, the use of fertilizers is the major cause of lakes fertilization.  If some residents of Lake Beaven and Round are still using fertilizers, whether they be chemical or from natural sources (manure), it would be important for the Association to set up an awareness campaign against the use of such products.  Just remember that if it is good for the grass, it is also good for the algae (and even better) !  Pesticides, on the other hand are poison for lake fauna. The use of  fertilizers as well as pesticides around the lake should be prohibited at all times.
4)  TRIBUTARIES AND BEAVER DAMS
A study of a lake conducted by Éco-Guide Environment  showed that total phosphate concentrations of waters upstream of beaver dams were up to 10% higher that those of the lake in question. When a new beaver dam is built, flooded trees and shrubs die and decompose.  As a result, the decomposition of these organic matters increases the biochemical need in dissolved oxygen.  The pond can then become partially or totally depleted of oxygen.  This way, phosphates become soluble once again and are carried downstream to the lake, consequently increasing the internal charge of nutrients to the lake.  Also, due to the decomposition of organic matter, as well as the fact that such places attract wildlife, there is inevitably a higher proliferation of fecal and total coliforms.  Such high levels of bacteria may render the water dangerous for humans to drink or even swim in. Beaver dams also cause the water temperature to increase, which may have an impact on the quality of the water.
When a beaver dam is less that 500m from your lake, take water samples from flooded areas in order to determine what impacts there could be. If the beaver pond is a source of pollution, eliminate it (see recommended procedures), including the huts, preferably in early spring. Beavers will then be forced to move to another area.  Before any destruction, beavers should be humanely trapped and relocated by an experienced trapper. 
5)  AGRICULTURAL ZONING and SHORE PROTECTION
Whether it be for agriculture or cattle farming, certain rules must be respected including shore and coastal protection.  Under no circumstances should cattle have direct access to lakes or to their tributaries.  Shores should therefore be fenced off at least three meters from the high water mark.  As for agricultural zoning, the protective vegetation belt of at least 3 meters, as imposed by the « Politique de Protection des Rives, du Littoral et des Plaines Innondables » (MEF),  must be respected.   If agriculture is practiced in a resort area, the belt will be from 10 to 15 meters, depending on the angle of the slope !  Please note that the belt  width is measured from the natural high water mark or from the top of the embankment.  The Municipal Inspector  has received training on how to establish the high water mark and should be officially contacted in order to make sure these regulations are respected.
Even if lakes Beaven and Round do not show apparent signs of  eutrophization, it is important to remember that they are now considered, according to recorded data, as being in a transitional state.  Serious measures should be taken to protect their watersheds.  A badly situated manure pile can cause more damage than the combined septic installation output of all shore residents.  This is therefore an important point to consider.
6)  MYRIOPHYLLIUM SPICATUM and OTHER PLANTS AND EXOTIC ORGANISMS
Practically everybody has heard about the zebra mussel, which has invaded the Great Lakes around 1985 and has since caused considerable damage to the existing fauna and flora, and serious problems to industrial and municipal water pumping infrastructures.  This exotic organism now does not seem to be able to progress in the same manner in our Laurentian lakes due to the lack of certain favorable conditions.  However, there is an exotic plant that could easily spread in our lakes: the Myriophyllum spicatum.  It is the cousin of the Myriophyllum that has already invaded Round lake, but even worse as it can grow to a length of over 4 meters.  Because of its reproductive mode (any cut part will replant), Millfoil has overcome other indigenous aquatic plants by stifling them.  In fact, the Myriophyllum spicatum forms tight banks and uses up all available light and nutrients.  A good example of this type of invasion is Lac Duhamel in St-Jovite Paroisse, where  presently thousands of dollars are being spent on an extensive restoration program.
How was this plant introduced in a closed body of water ?  Scientists believe that motor boats were the hosts for these exotic plants.  Therefore, public awareness campaigns as well as boat verification and cleansing facilities must be to set up (such as at the lake access across from the Beefeater restaurant) by the Association.
The menace could also come not only from boats, but from other lakes feeding into lake Beaven and Round.  Therefore, it is important to verify if these lakes have already been invaded by this particular species of Myriophyllum in order to determine if a protection plan must be established. If not, the residents of these lakes should be warned of the possibility of such an invasion so they can set up their own protection program.  As mentioned in the beginning, a lake is a reflection of its watershed.  Therefore, all lakes feeding your lakes must be regulated in order to assure the protection of Beaven and Round lakes.  Regrouping all Lake Associations in your region is strongly recommended in order to strengthen protection efforts.

BY-LAWS OF THE   ASSOCIATION LAKE BEAVEN & LAC ROND

As adopted by the General Assembly in 1999, keywords in bold, revised  wording in italics for approval at AGM 2003
                       
BY-LAW ONE:  NAME AND OBJECTIVE
The name of the association is "Association Lake Beaven & lac Rond", hereinafter referred to as "the Association" and abbreviated ALBERO. 
Its aim is to protect the environment and the water quality of the two lakes and neighboring creeks, to promote the safe use of the waterways, and to increase the community awareness of the natural environment.

BY-LAW TWO:  MEMBERSHIP
There are two classes of members: active and honorary.
The active membership of the Association shall consist of owners or lessees of property in the Beaven-Round Lake area, and the members of their families, who apply for membership and pay the annual membership fee.
The honorary membership of the Association shall consist of such persons who may be so elected by the Board of Directors.  They shall have full rights and privileges in the Association except for the right to vote or hold office.  They shall not be required to pay any dues or fees.
The annual dues shall be determined by the Board of Directors and must be paid in full each summer.  Only paid-up members may benefit from the services provided by the Association or vote at the Annual General Meeting or any Special General Meeting which may be called.  New members may join at any time by paying the full annual dues.  Upon payment of the annual dues, a member shall be entitled to a receipt signed by an Officer of the Association, which receipt shall be evidence of membership; or, at the discretion of the Board of Directors, membership cards may be issued.

BY-LAW THREE:  MEETINGS
The Annual General Meeting shall be held each year on a date determined by the Board of Directors.
Special General Meetings of members may be called by the President with the consent of the Board of Directors, and shall be called by him/her upon receipt of a written requisition, specifying the purpose of the proposed meeting, signed by not less than ten members of the Association.  Should the President fail to call such meeting within two weeks of such requisition, the requisitioning members may themselves call the meeting.
Notice of  Special meetings, specifying the place, date and time of the meeting, shall be mailed to each member at least two weeks in advance, and shall state the purpose of such meeting, and the business transacted thereat shall be confined to such purpose.  In any case of urgency (which urgency must then be approved by a majority of members present), the President may authorize the calling of a meeting on short notice and in such manner as the President may deem sufficient in the circumstances.
The quorum shall be constituted by ten members of the Association personally present, or twenty-five percent of the membership, whichever is smaller, for any Special or Annual General Meeting.
The order of business shall be as follows:
a) Call to order and quorum
b) Reading of the notice calling the meeting
c) Reading of Minutes of previous meeting
d) Reports of Directors, Officers and Committees
e) Approval of Financial Statement, and, if so requested by a majority of those present, appointment of an Auditor  
f) Election of Board of Directors
g) New business
h) Adjournment

BY-LAW FOUR:  DIRECTORSHIP
A Board of Directors of eight persons, elected as hereinafter provided, plus the Immediate Past President, all persons at the time of their nomination and during their term of office being members of the Association, shall manage the Association.  The Board shall, insofar as is possible, equitably represent the various sectors of both lakes.
The term of office is two years, with one-half of the Board being elected each year.  Directors whose term is about to expire are eligible for re-election if they so consent.
For the election of Directors, a Nominating Committee (By-law Seven) shall annually select a slate of  candidates for election to the Board.  Additional nominations may be made at the Annual General Meeting; and if such nominations are seconded and accepted by the nominee, they shall be submitted to the vote. It shall not be necessary that voting be conducted by ballot, unless such voting is requested by at least ten active members present.
Any vacancies occurring in the Board shall be filled by majority vote of the remaining Board members.  Any person so elected (preferably the sector deputy, art.6) shall hold office for the balance of the term of the vacated directorship.
The responsibilities of the Board of Directors, either as a whole or through its Officers, shall be to determine the policies of the Association, administer its funds, constitute all standing and special committees, and generally administer the affairs of the Association, the whole subject to ratification by the membership at the Annual General Meeting.  The Board shall meet physically at least once from April to September, or when called by the President.
Consultations and decisions can be made by Internet in lieu of meetings.
Special Meetings of the Board shall be called by the President on the requisition of any four Directors.  Should (s)he fail to do so within 48 hours of such requisition, the four Directors may themselves convene a Special Meeting of the Board.  At least seven days notice of Board meetings, specifying date, place and time, shall be given to the Directors, personally, by mail, e-mail or by telephone.  Board meetings may be held at any time or place without notice if all Directors are present and consenting.   Five Directors shall constitute a quorum at Board meetings.

  BY-LAW FIVE:  OFFICERS
The Officers of the Association shall consist of a President, a Vice-president, a Secretary and a Treasurer, and such other Officers as the Board may deem necessary.  The Officers shall be those Directors so designated by the Board.  A Director may hold more than one office.
The President shall preside at all meetings of the Association and of the Board of Directors.  (S)He may act upon matters not discussed by the Board when such matters are not of sufficient importance to warrant a meeting of the Board, but in such event (s)he shall report fully on such matters at the next meeting. (S)He shall have a casting vote in case of a tie at all meetings of the Board and of the Association.  (S)He shall have such other powers and duties as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine by resolution.
The Vice-president shall have such powers and duties as are assigned by the Board.  In the event of absence or disability of the President the Vice-president shall assume those powers and duties.  If the office of the President becomes vacant, the Vice-president shall automatically assume it for the unexpired term.
The Secretary shall prepare and deliver the notices of the Association and of the Board; shall keep minutes of all meetings of the Association and of the Board; shall deliver to each Director, within a reasonable delay following each meeting of the Board, a copy of the minutes of such meeting; shall carry on the correspondence of the Association; shall keep in safe custody all books and documents of the Association; shall file all documents as required by law or by the Association; and shall perform such other duties as pertain to the office or required by the Board.
The Treasurer shall have general charge of the finances of the Association.  (S)he shall deposit all moneys of the Association in its name and to its credit in such bank as the Board may determine; shall maintain proper records of the financial transactions of the Association; shall ensure that disbursements are made only with proper authority; shall render to the Board whenever requested an account of the financial condition of the Association and of all his transactions; and shall prepare a tentative Financial Statement for the Annual General Meeting, and a definite one around the end of the fiscal year.

BY-LAW SIX: SECTOR DEPUTIES
Each of the sectors (some eight) around the two lakes can be attended by one sector deputy, active member, designated by the sector director, and approved by the Board. The sector deputy assists the sector director in his/her duties concerning the sector, in particular the follow-up of the members in the sector.
The sector deputy can attend any Board meeting, but can vote only if the sector director is not present. After one or two year, (s)he becomes prime candidate for election to the Board.

BY-LAW SEVEN : GOVERNORS
The Governors of the Association shall be its Past Presidents.  They may attend any meetings of the Board.  They may at any time be called upon by the Board for advice or assistance which they are able to render by virtue of their previous experience. A governor can be re-elected to the Board or as sector deputy.


BY-LAW EIGHT : COMMITTEES
The nominating committee shall consist of the three most recent past presidents available to serve.
Other committees, either standing or special, may be constituted and appointed by Resolution of the Board of Directors to conduct and supervise particular activities of the Association. Each such committee shall have a Chairman who shall preside over the committee and report to the President, the Board, or the Association as appropriate on the work of the committee.

BY-LAW NINE :  FINANCES
The financial year of the Association shall end on the thirty first day of December in each year.
The Directors shall cause to be kept a Book of Account regarding all moneys received and expended by the Association and the matters in respect of which such receipts and expenditures take place.
An Auditor may be appointed by the members of the Association at the Annual General Meeting, to audit the books of account.  Remuneration shall be fixed by the Board of Directors.
All checks or other orders for the payment of money accepted or endorsed in the name of the Association shall be signed by two of the three Directors named for this purpose by Resolution of the Board of Directors.  Such signing officers may arrange, balance and certify all books of account and sign all bank forms related to the Association.
All funds of the Association shall be deposited to the credit of the Association in such bank as the Board of Directors may approve.
Neither the Association nor anyone acting for or on its behalf shall have power to borrow money.

BY-LAW TEN :  LEGAL
Any officer or other person nominated for the purpose by the President or Vice-president is authorized and empowered to appear and answer for the Association in all legal matters and to make all affidavits and sworn declarations in any judicial proceeding to which the Association is a party.
The Association is empowered to enter into contracts which have been approved by Resolution of the Board of Directors.  Such contracts are to be signed on behalf of the Association by two Directors named for this purpose by the Board.  The signing Directors shall bear no personal legal, financial or other  liability for the contracts they  sign.
 
BY-LAW ELEVEN:  COMPLAINTS AND REMOVAL FROM  OFFICE
Any member may be reprimanded or removed from office for violation of any By-law of the Association or of any regulation approved by the Board of Directors, by the following  procedure:
a) a written notice of complaint signed by not less than ten members shall be lodged with the President;
b) the President shall, within three weeks of receipt of such notice, convene an investigating committee composed of five members, one named by the member in question, one by the complainants, two by the Board of Directors, and the fifth by the other four.  Should the President fail to convene such committee within such delay, the Board shall do so;
c) the Committee shall give written notice to the member in question to appear before it within one week, and shall hear his defense and all other relevant testimony;
d) the Committee shall then either dismiss the complaint or reprimand the member or recommend to the Board the removal of the office of the member, in which latter case a two-thirds vote by ballot of the Board is required for removal of the member from office.

BY-LAW TWELVE :  BY-LAWS
The Board of Directors may from time to time enact, repeal, or amend the By-laws of the Association, but any By-law so enacted, repealed or amended shall not become effective until it has been confirmed by a majority of the members present at an Annual General Meeting or at a Special General Meeting called for such purpose.

BY-LAW THIRTEEN : MISCELLANEOUS
The regular activities of the Association shall be non-professional and no member shall receive any private financial gain or profit for or from such activities.
Funds shall not be solicited for the Association or for any of its activities unless previous authorization has been granted by Resolution of the Board of Directors.
The Board of Directors may from time to time confer an Outstanding Service Award, in the form of a certificate or a plaque, on an individual whom it wishes to recognize for extraordinary effort in furthering the aims of the Association.