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12 THURSDAY, APRIL 6, 2000 Fairy Lake's future debated at meeting Those who visualize a Fairy Lake, bordered by green lawns sweeping down to sparkling waters that invite aquatic activities such as swimming, boating and fish- ing, may have to wait a few years if the findings of the Credit Valley Conservation (CVC) and the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) are right. At a meeting called by Friends of Fairy Lake on Tues- day, March 28, the need to nurture the lake back to its "beautiful, natural state and improve its health for all to enjoy and treasure," was em- phasized. The history, health and future of what has been called a "treasure in the heart of Acton" was summarized and solutions proposed to rescue it from further damage. Friends of Fairy Lake is an association of people anxious to preserve the lake. It was organized by Stan and Valerie Slater, newcomers to Acton, who see Fairy Lake as a jewel which could be brought back to its original lustre by a co- operative effort from the com- munity. "We got lots of sup- port from the Town," Stan Slater told the meeting. Re- search from CVC and the MNKR has given them direc- tion to clean and improve the water. It was noted earlier efforts organized by Counsellor Rick Bonnette to clean out debris and pull purple loose strife was a Start but a campaign to clean up the shore around the lake's perimeter would be ad- vantageous as well as enlight- ening for volunteers. Stan Slater noted that now a new dam had been con- structed and funds available for rehabilitation, a concerted effort by volunteers could do a lot in one day. "We need suggestions," he told the meeting, noting there were positions open both on the executive and volunteers of Friends of Fairy Lake. Both the CVC and MNR representatives at the meet- ing, Bob Morris and Warren May respectively, said that indigenous shrubs and trees should be planted along the shorelines along with long grass to create a buffer zone. This coincides with the Town's Master Plan for Fairy Lake, noted Warren Harris, of the Town staff. It should im- prove both the water's edge and discourage large num- bers of Canadian Geese whose "poop" often fouls the shore. Meeting chairman Coun- cillor Norm Elliot wearing a private citizen's hat, noted that the first dam that created the lake was build in 1830 on the Black Creek in order to run the mill which is still operat- ing at Mill St. W. The creek widened along the creek's course but when the dam was installed 89 acres of land was flooded. The mill pond as it was called then was chris- tened Fairy Lake in the mid- dle 1800's by a resident, Sarah Augusta Secord, as a more "euphonious" name for such a pristine body of water. The lake was purchased by Beardmore and CO. around the turn of the cen- tury and its water used for the tanning process by means of a large pipe at the dam which followed the contours of the Black Creek into the tannery. Beardmore used as much 500,000 gallons a day of lake water and officials are scratching their heads where that water has disappeared since lake levels reached new lows last year. Dredging of the lake in 1966-67 was sparked by a re- port on reservoirs in the Credit Valley watershed and it im- proved water quality. How- ever in the intervening years ground water and storm sewer water have contributed to the lake's problems. The Town inherited the problems when Beardmore deeded Fairy Lake to the Town in 1990. Bob Morris of the CVC, which is responsible for 11 different municipalities on the Credit River system, said SUPER SKATER: Ac- ton's Emily Vickery, 7, is the Acton Figure Skating Club's Skater of the Year and will rep- resent the club at the Canadian awards next month. Emily accepted this bouquet during the club's season finale car- nival on Saturday. ntiques at Centennial. 4 32nd Annual City of Guelph Antique Show & Sale CENTENNIAL ARENA College Ave., At Hanlon Expressway Guelph, Ontario, Canada Fripay, Apri 7TH, 1-9PM SATURDAY, Apri 8TH, 10AM-5PM SuNDAY, ApRIL 9TH, 11AM-5PM Admission - $4.00 © Top quality Dealers ¢ Museum and Historical Displays Carolyn B. Wilson Promotions ¢ (905) 335-0511 000 Professional Show Manager's Te. AVID SWIMMERS - Joan and Vic Morris, Prospect Park neighbours have been taking advantage of Fairy Lake for many decades. They're expected to take a dip any time now and will keep enjoying the lake well into the fall. managing Fairy Lake means also managing all the lands that drain into it, and all the little streams that feed it. That means land use controls and sourcing and controlling fer- tilizers and chemicals, animal waste and septic tank as well as storm water management and wetland creation. Warren May of the MNR said his information showed the lake only occupied about 22 acres (8.9 hectares) infor- mation challenged by Chair- man Elliott who noted that 65 acres had been dredged and almost a third had not been touched. May outlined the lake problems with weeds which decompose using much need oxygen. He said the lake was small, shallow and nutrient rich. Rehabilita- tion would need a long term solution of controlling nutri- ents, etc. Paul Nielsen spoke briefly to the crowd outline his as- sessment and those engi- neers he hired to assess the water quality in the Fairy Lake watershed. He said the lake needed more turbulence and it was partially prevented by the fact that the area drained ofthe Churchill Rd. culvert (143 acres) was acting as a reservoir, storing water which would flow into the lake. He advised on an up- stream management program to augment the flow to the lake. A question and answer period followed the speaker. alga AL BROTHERS Thursday April 20 Hide House Parking Lot PRS ilo\ lah waa) Tickets in advance $10 available from BECKERS NEEDLE GNOME WETHERBY'S This ad sponsored by Swanston's Farm Equipment RR3 Rockwood Children FREE Dr. John W. Pond -- Optometrist is pleased to announce a new associate Dr. Harvey Kader to his Acton practice. iY 0 au i For Appointments: (519) 853-4300 151 Mill Street East, Acton HOLIDAYS | NEW BABY congratulations and gifts for the family and the NEW BABY! 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