Living in Cottage Country (Excerpt)

Living in

COTTAGE COUNTRY What You Need To Know

Healthy Buffers

Building & Construction

Native Plants SEPTIC SYSTEMS

Docks & Pathways

Wildlife

Permits & Approvals & more

Living in Cottage Country │ What You Need To Know

Acknowledgements

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uskoka Watershed Council would like to thank the many people involved in the development and review of this handbook. From MWC members who helped develop content, local experts who reviewed specific chapters for accuracy, to community members who provided input on the content and design, this handbook would not exist without them.

MWC would like to specifically thank the following people for their input: Patricia Arney Sandy Bos Judi Brouse Wil Brunner Shonna Caldwell Angie Corson George Crawford Craig Dale Marg French Iris Gardiner

Wendy Gibson Melissa Halford Piret Hurrell Dirk Janas Ian Karn Rudolf Kurz Richard Lammers Leeanne Leduc Lyndsie McGregor Greg Mierle Rob Milligan

Dylan Moesker Peter Sale Al Shaw Jane Spencer Steve Taylor Debbie Vernon Rebecca Willison Paul Wiancko Norman Yan Scott Young

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i. Acknowledgements

WC would also like to acknowlege the support of the following organizations for the development and printing of this handbook:

Living in Cottage Country │ What You Need To Know

Table of Contents 1. Introduction .............................................................................. 7

The Purpose of this Handbook .......................................................................................... 8 Disclaimer .................................................................................................................................... 8 Our Watersheds ....................................................................................................................... 9

Muskoka River Watershed .......................................................................................... 10 Black River and Severn River Watersheds ................................................................ 11 Georgian Bay Coastline ............................................................................................. 11

Our Lakes ................................................................................................................................... 12

Algae in Our Lakes ............................................................................................................ 12

Our Forests ................................................................................................................................ 13 Our Land .................................................................................................................................... 14 Our Wetlands .......................................................................................................................... 14

2. Land Use Planning ................................................................ 16

The Planning Act ................................................................................................................... 17 The Provincial Policy Statement ................................................................................... 17 Planning Responsibilities ................................................................................................... 17

Land Severences .................................................................................................................. 19 Zoning By-laws ........................................................................................................................ 20 Site Plan Control By-laws .................................................................................................. 21 Development Permit System .......................................................................................... 21 Other By-laws .......................................................................................................................... 22 Building Permits ...................................................................................................................... 23 Other Approvals .................................................................................................................... 23

3. Your Property ......................................................................... 24

Your Property Boundary .................................................................................................... 24 The Road Allowance .......................................................................................................... 25 Shoreline Development .................................................................................................... 25 The Federal Fisheries Act ............................................................................................ 26 The Provincial Public Lands Act ................................................................................. 26 Obtaining Approvals .................................................................................................. 27

Development in Non-waterfront Areas .................................................................... 27 Who To Contact First ........................................................................................................... 28 │3│

ii. Table of Contents

The Province ................................................................................................................ 17 The District Municipality of Muskoka (Upper Tier Municipality) .............................. 18 The Area Municipalities (Lower Tier Municipalities) ................................................. 19

Living in Cottage Country │ What You Need To Know 4. The Beauty of Buffers ............................................................. 29

Urban Buffers ........................................................................................................................... 30 Rain Gardens ............................................................................................................... 30

Rural Buffers .............................................................................................................................. 30 Shoreline Buffers ..................................................................................................................... 31

Shoreline Zones ............................................................................................................ 31 Benefits of Shoreline Buffers ........................................................................................ 32 Creating or Enhancing your Shoreline Buffer ........................................................... 33

5. Building or Renovating? ....................................................... 36 Construction Tips ................................................................................................................... 37

Planning ....................................................................................................................... 37 Stormwater and Erosion ............................................................................................. 38 Vegetation ................................................................................................................... 39 Waste ............................................................................................................................ 40

Proper Installation and Maintenance of Silt Fencing ....................................... 40

6. Your Septic System ................................................................ 42 How Your Septic System Works ...................................................................................... 43 Alternative Systems .............................................................................................................. 44 Alternative Field Systems ............................................................................................ 44 Tertiary Treatment Units (aerobic) .............................................................................. 44 Composting Toilets ...................................................................................................... 45 Holding Tanks ............................................................................................................... 45 Older Systems .............................................................................................................. 45

Caring for Your Septic System ....................................................................................... 45 Is There Something Wrong With My Septic System? ......................................... 47

ii. Table of

7. The Water You Drink .............................................................. 48

How Safe is Your Water? ................................................................................................... 49

Surface Water .............................................................................................................. 49 Well Water .................................................................................................................... 49

Testing Your Water ................................................................................................................ 49

Is Your Sample Contaminated? ................................................................................. 50 Treating Your Water ..................................................................................................... 50

Installation Tips ........................................................................................................................ 51

Contents

Wells .............................................................................................................................. 51 Surface Water .............................................................................................................. 51

Well Records ............................................................................................................................ 51

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Living in Cottage Country │ What You Need To Know 8. Landscaping for a Healthy Environment ............................ 52

Balancing Environmental & Human Needs ........................................................... 53 Runoff .......................................................................................................................................... 54 Native Plants ............................................................................................................................ 56 Natural Lawn Care ............................................................................................................... 57

Tips for a Healthy Lawn ............................................................................................... 58 Cosmetic Pesticides Ban Act ..................................................................................... 58

Buffer Zones .............................................................................................................................. 58

9. Losing Ground to Erosion .................................................... 59 Preventing Erosion During Construction ................................................................... 59 Shoreline Erosion .................................................................................................................... 60 Impacts ...................................................................................................................................... 60 Human Causes of Erosion ................................................................................................ 61 Do You Have an Erosion Problem? ............................................................................ 61 Control Methods ................................................................................................................... 62

Natural Buffers ............................................................................................................. 62 Soil Bioengineering ...................................................................................................... 62 Hardened Structures ................................................................................................... 64

Retiring a Retaining Wall ................................................................................................... 65

10. Docks & Other Structures ................................................... 66

Boathouses ............................................................................................................................... 67 Planning Your Shoreline Structure ................................................................................ 67

Building Your Shoreline Structure .................................................................................. 68

Materials ....................................................................................................................... 68 Construction Guidelines ............................................................................................. 69

Approvals .................................................................................................................................. 69 Bubblers ..................................................................................................................................... 70

11. Accessing Your Property ..................................................... 71

Stairs, Decks and Other Structures .............................................................................. 72 Alternatives to Treated Wood ....................................................................................... 72

12. Buffer-Friendly Beaches ....................................................... 73

Beach Alternatives ............................................................................................................... 74 │5│

ii. Table of Contents

Design ........................................................................................................................... 67 Style .............................................................................................................................. 67 Size ................................................................................................................................ 68

Living in Cottage Country │ What You Need To Know 13. Light Pollution ....................................................................... 75

Tips for Efficient and Effective Lighting ..................................................................... 76

14. Noise Pollution ..................................................................... 77 15. Wild About Wildlife .............................................................. 78

Living With Wildlife ................................................................................................................ 78

Block Access ................................................................................................................ 79 Discourage Contact ................................................................................................... 79 Keep Food Away ......................................................................................................... 79 Wildlife on Roads ......................................................................................................... 80

Attracting Wildlife ................................................................................................................. 80 Species at Risk ......................................................................................................................... 81

What are Species at Risk? .......................................................................................... 81 Why Are Species Becoming at Risk? ......................................................................... 82 Why Do Species at Risk Matter? ................................................................................ 82 Species at Risk in Muskoka-Parry Sound ................................................................... 83 What You Can Do ....................................................................................................... 84 Endangered Species Act ........................................................................................... 84 Working Around Species at Risk ................................................................................. 85 Other Regulations and Policies that Protect Species at Risk ................................. 85

Invasive Species .................................................................................................................... 86

Watch Out for These Invaders ................................................................................... 87 Control Methods ......................................................................................................... 87

16. Removing Vegetation ........................................................ 88

Aquatic Vegetation ............................................................................................................ 88 Controlling the Growth of Aquatic Plants ................................................................ 89 Best Practices ............................................................................................................... 90

ii. Table of

Terrestrial Vegetation .......................................................................................................... 90

17. Management of Waterways .............................................. 91

Controlled Waterways ....................................................................................................... 92 Water Levels ............................................................................................................................ 92

Erosion and Debris ....................................................................................................... 93 Things to Know About Controlled Waterways .......................................................... 93

Contents

Water Levels in the Muskoka River Watershed ...................................................... 94 Water Levels on Georgian Bay ..................................................................................... 94 Appendix 1: Stewardship Programs ............................................................................................ 95 Appendix 2: Contacts for More Information .......................................................................... 97 Appendix 3: Native Plant Reference List ................................................................................. 100 │6│

1.

Introduction

So you want to live in Cottage Country…

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or over 150 years, Muskoka’s natural environment has drawn people to the area. In fact, clean water and healthy forests are likely the reason that you have come to Muskoka yourself. However, these same features are often the most impacted when we start to make changes to the environment around us.

The desire to live in cottage country in a way that will preserve its character and minimize impact on the environment is growing. The tips in this handbook will help you do just that, allowing you to save time and money, avoid frustration, protect the health of your family and visitors, meet appropriate planning regulations, and protect the beauty of your property. They may also help you protect the value of your investment, and what might be passed on to your children and grandchildren.

In an area like Muskoka where there are rivers and lakes everywhere, even if you don’t live directly on the waterfront, the actions you take on your property will still impact the quality of the water you depend on for drinking and recreation and the quality of the aquatic habitat so essential to the maintenance of watershed health. We ALL need to do our part to protect and sustain Muskoka’s natural environment.

Living in Cottage Country │ What You Need To Know

The Purpose of this Handbook

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n order to protect the natural environment of Muskoka, it is necessary to undertake development in ways that cause minimal harm. Municipalities have created a number of regulations to ensure that development takes place in appropriate ways. In addition to these regulations, there are a number of best practices that will help ensure your development is done in a way that respects the natural environment. Both regulations and best practices are there to help you develop your property in a good way.

This handbook is a guide that explains the reasons for regulations, and why best practices are believed to be ‘best’. Whether you are new to Muskoka or a long-time resident, this handbook will help you understand the issues behind the rules and regulations (sometimes called red

Photo: John McQ

uarrie

tape), and the steps we all should take in order to ensure our wonderful, but fragile, environment continues to bring us joy and satisfaction in the future.

We welcome comments and recommendations as we want this handbook to be as useful a guide as possible.

Keep In Mind...

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1. Introduction

ederal, Provincial and Municipal governments all set out regulations that guide development activities. The information contained here will assist you with working within these guidelines. However, this handbook is not comprehensive and you must still consult with the relevant agencies to ensure your compliance with applicable policies, by-laws, regulations and laws.

This handbook should not be relied upon as a substitute for specialized legal or professional advice in connection with any particular matter.

The information in this handbook is intended to give general information only and is not an interpretation of the Planning Act or any other act. You should refer to the legislation etc. for specific requirements and procedures. A good place to start is with your local Municipal Planning Department (see Appendix 2 for contact information).

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Living in Cottage Country │ What You Need To Know

Index Access, Shoreline 71 Algae 12 Aquatic Plants 34-35, 88

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Beaches 73 Alternatives 74 Bioengineering, Soil 62 Boathouses 67 Approvals 28, 69 Construction 68-69 Design 67-68 Boundaries, Property 24 Bubblers 70 Buffers 29, 58, 62 Restoring 33-35 Rural 30 Shoreline 31 Urban 30 Zones 31 Building Code 23 Building Permits 23 By-laws 20-22

C

Canada Geese 80 Consents 19 Construction 36 Contacts 97-99 Controlled Waterways 92 Cosmetic Pesticides Ban Act 58

D

Dark Sky Lighting 76 Debris Construction 40 Natural 93 Development Permit System 21 Development Non-waterfront 27 Shoreline 25 Disclaimer 8

Docks 66 Approvals 28, 69 Construction 68-69 Design 67-68 Types 68 Drainage 38-39, 54-55 Drinking Water 48 Contamination 50 Installation 51 Safety 49 Sources 48 Surface 49 Testing 49-50 Treatment 50 Well Records 51 Wells 49

E

Endangered Species Act 84 Erosion 59 Causes 61 Control 38, 62 During Construction 38, 59 Impacts 60 Prevention 32, 59 Shoreline 60, 93 Signs 61 Types 60

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Fisheries Act 26, 36 Flooding 33, 92

G

Gardening 52 Geese 80

H

High Water Mark 24 Holding Tanks 45

I

Invasive Species 86 Controlling 87

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In Muskoka-Parry Sound 87 Preventing 86

L

Land Use Planning 16 Landscaping 52 Lawn Care 57-58 Lighting, Outdoor 76

M

Municipal By-laws 20-22 Muskoka River Water Management Plan 93

N

Native Plants 56, 88, 100-106

O

Official Plan 18-19 Outdoor Lighting 76

P

Paths 71 Pesticides 58 Planning Act 16-17, 28 Pollution Light 75-76 Noise 77 Pressure Treated Wood 72 Programs, Stewardship 95-96 Property Boundaries 25 Provincial Policy Statement 17 Public Land Act 26, 36

R

Rain Gardens 30 Regulations 23, 27-28 Retaining Walls 28, 64 Softening 64-65 Retiring 65 Road Allowance 25 Runoff 54-55

Index

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Living in Cottage Country │ What You Need To Know S

Septic Systems 42 Alternatives 44-45 Approvals 28 Maintenance 45-47 Operation 43 Problems 47 Severences 19 Shore Road Allowance 25 Silt Fencing 40-41 Site Plan Control 21 Site Planning 37 Soil Bioengineering 62 Species at Risk 81 In Muskoka-Parry Sound 83-84 Regulations 37, 85 Working Around 37, 85 Stabilization, Shoreline 28 Stairs 72 Stewardship Programs 95-96 Stormwater Management 54-55

Wetlands 14 Benefits 14 Protection 15 Types 15 Wildlife 14, 78 Habitat 80-81 Living With 79 On Roads 80

Z

Zoning 20

T

Trails 71 Trees Protection 56-57, 90 Pruning 57 Trophic Status 12

V

Vegetation Aquatic 34-35, 88 Protection 34-35, 39-40 Removal 28, 88-89 Terrestrial 56, 90 Views 57

W

Index

Waste 40 Water Drinking 48 Levels 92, 94 Management 91 Watersheds 9

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Welcome to Cottage Country!

You’re here, but now what?

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he same features – cool water, clean air, healthy forests and abundant wildlife – that brought you here are the very features most in danger of being lost unless you protect them.

It may seem like a daunting task, but it isn’t! This handbook will show you how simple, everyday actions can keep your piece of cottage country healthy while complying with the various guidelines, regulations and by-laws that exist.

$20.00