Events and Issues facing Star Lake
Some important issues:
Spring Flooding! - Here's some images from the recent flooding: Winter's Last Kick!
It will likely be a while before most of the damage to Parks' and private docks and properties will be fixed. Be sure to check on the state of your cottage, docks and property. Flooding may have created safety issues, please take care.
Mining Exploration - Please read this article regarding current mining exploration south of Star Lake: Mining activities in Our Backyard?
Meeting with Parks re Mining Operations! - On March 3, 2022 I had an online meeting with Joanne Podolchuk, Park Specialist and Glen Holmes, Senior Manager, Planning and Coordination, both of Parks Branch. We discussed the possibility of the above mentioned mining issue and several other topics. You can read my meeting notes at this link: Mar. 3 Meeting Notes re: Mining Operations at Star Lake!.
"Provincial Parks Endowment Funds" - have your say at Engage Manitoba Provincial Parks Endowment Funds. When you have the ability to influence your government, use it!
"South Whiteshell Garbage Cages to be Removed and Replaced with Depot Sites". Check out the WCA website (link below) for updates on Parks' plans for garbage services. Say goodbye to yet another service in the Park. No doubt fees will rise again, too. Take a last look at our Blk 6 Garbage cage with it's great Peanuts artwork! GONE NOW.
And here's a look at the new garbage/recycling site along Hwy 301 that we can all DRIVE TO to deposit our waste now. The old brown cages are gone, replaced by three brown metal dumpsters and a new blue cardboard cage. I hope the bears know they're not allowed to go dumpster diving.
And here's a look (Jan. 17, 2022) at the new garbage bins after a weekend in January. Hope there's going to be more bins put out or more pickups come May!
Please read the essay on Hunting Safety below. You can read the reply from Parks I received Oct. 6 with some comments and the reply I sent back to Parks. A tragic hunting death just outside Whiteshell Park is a reminder to us all.
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!)
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.
Archives: I will keep some information permanently on this site for future reference.
Cottage Light Industry Storage Site (CLISS) proposal information is archived at this link.
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!
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!) NEW - Mining activities in Our Backyard?
- 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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