**FLOOD LETTER FROM THE MLA**

Dear Member,

The MLA has listened carefully to member feedback and is in progress of assembling all the facts that have contributed to the flooding currently happening in Muskoka. As many of you may know, the water levels have not dropped materially yet. Damage to properties and shorelines continues, as the winds have shifted ice. Ice flows are still around the lakes in selected areas and being carried by wind and waves, connecting with docks and boathouses.

 

Given this urgent matter, the MLA has formed an emergency task force, which we are calling the MLA Water Level Management Task Force.  Action must be taken today to address the flood, and a plan must be developed to avoid this in the future.  That is what we will be driving towards on your behalf.

One key focus of the group will be pressing for an update of the Muskoka River Water Management Plan (MRWMP) which expired last month and has been given a 5 year extension by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF). 

Flooding has been a problem in 3 of the last 5 years and we believe that the potential damage and impact of another 5 years of possible flood events is not acceptable.

Below is a summary of some of the key actions our task force has commenced on your behalf. While these are mostly in the information gathering stage, other actions additional are on the horizon.

• 1.       We are obtaining additional information on the extension of the MRWMP,
• 2.       Making contact with the local representatives of MNRF in addition to our recent contacts,
• 3.       Conducting personal meetings with local municipalities and the District of Muskoka to determine what they are doing regarding the plan update and flood conditions,
• 4.       Making contact with the Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry to pass along the concerns of cottagers regarding the ongoing issue of high water levels,
• 5.       Making contact with other cottage associations and groups to see what they have been doing,.
• 6.       We will be communicating our progress with members on a regular basis.

In the meantime, we have included a couple of attachments (see links below) you may be interested in regarding insurance and electrical safety.

As well, the Township of Muskoka Lakes has announced that it is working with MNRF and are making arrangements to allow repairs of docks and boathouses damaged by water/ice on an expediency basis.  If you are in the township, please contact the building department for more information.

Thank you for your support and comments so far.  While we are not quite there yet, we will be looking for your input and help with information in future emails which we hope you'll participate in.

Flood Affected Areas (PDF)

Flood Water Coverage.pdf

MLA Water Level Management Task Force

Muskoka Lakes Association

65 Joseph Street, Port Carling

(705) 765-5723

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