Events and Issues facing Star Lake
Some important issues as summer winds down:
Please read the essay on Hunting Safety below.
August 30 - Well, Mother Nature finally gave us some rain, so the fire situation is good for now. Hunting season is soon upon us though. You can read my thoughts at the link below.
Keep up-to-date on the fire situation on the Whiteshell Cottager's Website and Manitoba Conservation and Climate's Wildfire Service which includes an interactive map of current fires: FireView 2021. And let's all pray for more rain! (Guess the prayers worked!)
Bears, bears, bears! - the current drought means no berries for anyone, including the bears. So they will be hungry this summer. Please keep all foods, garbage and other attractants well away from where bears might get at them. Remember how good someone else's BBQ smells when you're walking around the block. Bear's have 100 times our sense of smell and will be attracted to any of our foods. This is their neighbourhood, too. Don't let your carelessness result in a bear being "disposed of".
Boat dock at the public beach - the public dock at the boat launch by the beach is in rough shape. Use caution when using the dock and let's all bug Parks to get it fixed or replaced. It's a safety issue! A new end of dock bracket has been installed, the rest of the dock still needs work.
Boat launch at the public beach - the state of the boat launch ramp remains an issue. Parks added gravel to the end of the concrete slabs last year. Inconsiderate boaters "power-loading" their boats back onto trailers last fall blew the gravel away leaving a deep drop off at the end of the slabs and a pile of gravel nearly reaching the surface a few meters back from the hole. Use extreme caution if launching boats (now that the ice is off the lake) and refrain from "power-loading" in the future.
Dangerous Mine Shaft - one of the old mine shafts up the road south of Star Lake is partially open, again. Someone has been damaging the surrounding fence and opened a large access hole. I brought this up with Parks last summer. Hopefully it's on their "to do" list to repair.
As of August 30, 2021 the open shaft remains a hazard. We may need to pressure Parks for the necessary safety repairs.
For a picture of the site: Click Here.
Events at Star Lake
Star Lake Days - hopefully back in 2022! Not looking like things will get going in 2021.
Meteor Days - hopefully back in 2022!
Beaver Days - hopefully back in 2022!
Send information about events at this email link:
In this section I want to raise issues that may impact cottagers at Star Lake. For now, these are just topics to think about. I'm going to post some of my own thoughts later on, but I'd welcome your input/feedback.
(Please remember, if you want anything posted to this site you must be willing to have your name included.)
- Developments by Manitoba Parks
(We need to be consulted first about plans for Star Lake!)
- Actions and Developments by Manitoba Hydro
(Maintenance of the substation and transmission line?)
- Personal Water Craft
(Fun for some, annoying to many?)
- All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs)
(Illegal to use in the Park, but numbers are increasing?)
- Hunting
(New regulations great for hunters, annoying and dangerous for the rest?) Hunting season starts soon. Are you OK with hunters on the Hydro Line less than 300 m from your cottage?
(Please read my essay on Hunting Safety from this link.)
- Trapping
(Still allowed in the Park, definite danger to pets and children?)
- Bird Feeders
(Fun to watch, but can be bad for birds and attracts nuisance wildlife?)
- Other Wildlife Feeding
(Fun to see squirrels and deer, not great to attract skunks and bears?)
- Light Pollution
(Floodlights and yard lights: security or blinding nuisance?)
- Noise Pollution
(Loud music, radios, parties, loud cars and motorcycles? Spoils peace and quiet?)
- Brush/Leaf Dumping
(It's illegal to dump brush and leaves in ditches or along trails, but it happens a lot.)
- Road Conditions/Maintenance
(Our roads are famous for their wash-boarding, what can be done?)
- Day-use by Non-cottagers
("Public beach" results in more traffic (car and boat), more garbage and noise?)
- Water Quality
(Algal blooms from run-off, pollution from boating, etc.)
- Mining
(Not currently active, but no prohibitions against future developments!)
- Multiple buildings on cottage lots
(Multiple residences on lots increasing density and vehicle traffic.) - Speed Limits and Signs
(One sign for 30 km/hr at the entry to cottage developments, often ignored?)
- Pets Off-leash
(Technically illegal in Parks, consequences can be fatal?)
- Cottage Rentals
(Renting to family and friends, or cottage-based businesses? Regulations?)
Got something to add to these thoughts? Send it along via the email link above.
And, please remember, the way to deal with any issue, controversy or complaint is through communication, consideration and respect for others.
The annoying ad below just lets me keep track of how much traffic this page receives.
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