UPDATE: Public consultation is now underway. Click HERE.
At its June 26 meeting, Huntsville Council heard from Colleen MacDonald, Manager of Parks & Cemeteries, regarding the next steps required in order to submit a Vessel Operation Restriction Regulation (VORR) application to Transport Canada.
If approved, the application would result in a change in regulation and ban gas-powered motorboats on Clark Lake and keep electric motors to a maximum of 10 horsepower.
“The public consultation phase will require staff time to collect and compile consultation input and information as well as the use of town resources and equipment. The deadline to submit in order to meet this year’s annual intake is July 15. The timeframe for applications to be considered and determined is two years due to the extensive information that needs to be reviewed and legislative amendments. The process could be completed prior to the recreation season of 2026 if the application is successful,” stated MacDonald in her report to council (pdf).
Councillor Cory Clarke questioned whether a mailout to residents about the consultation could be done. MacDonald said that could be done but also noted that consultation is open to anyone who wants to comment on the issue.
Councillor Helena Renwick questioned what would happen in the interim. MacDonald said that while a majority of residents have an informal agreement around the lake not to use motorboats, she did not think it could be enforced unless the legislation is in place.
Councillor Jason FitzGerald said he’d like to see “a lot of public input on this so we’re headed in the right direction.”
The consultation period is anticipated to be two weeks. The Town is expected to make an announcement when it is ready to accept input and how.
Related:
Council hears from those who oppose attempts to ban gas-powered motorboats on Clark Lake
Clark Lake residents seek a ban on gas-powered motorboats
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Why just Clark Lake? I’d like to see a plan to implement electric-only boats on all our Muskoka lakes, maybe a seven year deadline, also with a maximum horsepower limit. Noise pollution and wake waves have taken on a whole new magnitude where the few destroy the pleasure of the many.