Bancroft Council is holding off on making a decision about the public boat launch on Clark Lake.
During a special meeting today, council heard from both those who oppose and support blocking off the boat launch. The town says this is being considered to prevent invasive species, like zebra mussels, from getting into the lake and the town’s water treatment plant.
In total, the town received four letters of opposition and two in support of the proposed restrictions. One person also told council that he had dropped off a letter of opposition, which Planning Coordinator Robin Tait did not receive. Three people also spoke against the proposal, including an Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters representative. Brian McRae says OFAH is getting involved because the lake is probably not able to support zebra mussels.
McRae says OFAH wants to see council explore all other options before restricting access to Clark Lake.
Bancroft and Area Stewardship Council Chair Ian Hendry was the only person to speak in support of the restrictions. Hendry, who is also a property owner on the lake, told council that part of its culture is that nobody uses motorized boats. He also says it would cost the town a lot of money if zebra mussels were to find their way into the water treatment plant. Hendry was unavailable for comment after the meeting.
After the public was given a chance to speak, Councillor Barry McGibbon put forward a motion to have council wait to make a decision on the issue until its next meeting. McGibbon says he wants time to review the information before a decision is made.
Of the four councillors at today’s meeting, only one voted against McGibbon’s motion. The issue will be back in front of council in April.