Lake planning has taken off like wildlife across southern Ontario since the first lake plan was prepared for Peninsula Lake in 2000.

The process on each lake often starts with one person or a small group of people with common interests.  This group seeks approval of the Executive Committee and then forms a steering committee to engage people through surveys, workshops, open discussion, review of background information and approval of the plan. 

This chapter describes the many right reasons to start the process on your lake however our advice is not to initiate a lake planning process to fight a development application or a resource planning decision (e.g., timber harvest, new dam facility).  The lake planning process is based on consensus building principles to identify positive actions (both stewardship and land use decisions) that the community can agree on and it must be reflective of all interests.

The process has to be fun, engaging, interesting and relevant to your lake and your community’s interests and volunteers needs.

This chapter contains the following:

• Section 1 – What is Lake Planning and Why Do It? defines what a lake plan is and what it can and can’t do, including the benefits and key lessons learned so far.
  
  
• Section 2 – What does a Lake Plan Look Like and What is In It? describes what a lake plan looks like, how you put it together, the issues that are common to most shoreline communities, and the factors that influence the quality of life.
  
  
• Section 3 – Other Stewardship Options identifies other stewardship options and common activities that can be put in place immediately.

To read this chapter of the FOCA Lake Plannning Handbook, simply select the image below and use either up/down arrow keys or the roller function of your mouse to move through each page. You can also use page up or down to view the entire document, once you have selected it with your mouse.

Document setting do not allow you to save, copy or print this document. If you would like a copy that you can use for your lake association, contact FOCA (Federation of Ontario Cottagers Associations) through their website or by calling 705-749-3622 during regular business hours.