With the warming weather, the members of the Skootamatta District Ratepayers
Association have begun to see a drastic increase in shoreline camping on Skootamatta
Lake. Camping trailers and semi-permanent docks on shoreline road allowances, blocked
boat launches, extensive littering, and dangerous bonfires are just a few of the issues
that we have seen since the ice went out less than two months ago.
The SDRA worked with the Township and the Ministry of Northern Development, Mines,
Natural Resources and Forestry to develop a by-law to address illegal camping activity on
municipal shoreline road allowances and boat launches under a Land Use Permit. In
2021 this by-law was approved by Council. While the boat launches along Hughes
Landing Rd may not be subject to the by-law, as they are Ministry-controlled, the road
allowances leading to these boat launches do fall under the by-law. How is the by-law
being enforced, where the Township has clear jurisdiction?
Even though provincial boat launches are not subject to the by-law, they are subject to
the Public Lands Act. The Act is very clear that camping at boat launches is not
permitted. To this, the Ministry has posted signs at the boat launches. These signs are
routinely removed by illegal campers. The SDRA has been told to contact the Ministry
TIPS phone line to report the camping activity, but by the time there is a response, the
vast majority of campers have left and there is no follow-up with complainants. Has the
Township been in contact with the Ministry and/or the Ontario Provincial Police to
devise a strategy for addressing this illegal activity?
The SDRA does not object to minimal-impact camping activity, but what we have
continued to experience is not only illegal, but dangerous. Just prior to the fire ban that
was put in place on Monday June 5th, campers were reported to have a massive bonfire
at the overcrowded boat launch. We continue to read about the wildfire just northeast
near Centennial Lake and wonder if we’ll be next. There needs to be more enforcement
and clear jurisdiction on these matters. The SDRA would recommend that the Township
engage the appropriate Ministries of the provincial government to permit
enforcement of municipal by-laws on crown land, where the by-law does not
contradict the Public Lands Act.
If this is not an option that the government would consider, then the SDRA would
request that the Township review options for Land Use Permits for Ministry-controlled
boat launches where camping is a serious issue.
The SDRA has submitted similar letters to the Member of Provincial Parliament, Ric
Bresee, the Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry,
the Ministry of Municipal Affairs & Housing, and the Ontario Provincial Police as a means
of underscoring the need for this issue to receive urgent attention for concrete action.
The SDRA remains open and willing to discuss these issues with all parties and work
towards a satisfactory solution.
Kind Regards,
Joel Arthurs
President
Skootamatta District Ratepayers Association
Shoreline Camping – Township of Addington Highlands – SDRA 2023
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