By William Crooks
Local Journalism Initiative
At the Stanstead Township council meeting on Oct. 7, presided over by Acting Mayor Constance Ramacieri, the primary topic of discussion was the proposed boating restrictions aimed at protecting Fitch Bay from harmful cyanobacteria. The meeting included two public question periods, where residents raised concerns about the potential impacts of these regulations on their activities in the bay. Mayor Pierre Martineau attended virtually because he was afflicted with COVID 19.
The issue has been in the works since 2019, with the Township’s aim to reduce sediment disruption in the bay, which leads to an increase in phosphorus levels, feeding the cyanobacteria blooms. Cyanobacteria, commonly referred to as blue-green algae, pose both environmental and public health risks, particularly in shallow, phosphorus-rich waters like Fitch Bay.
The Township’s proposal, which is still under review, includes several key measures: imposing a 10 km/h speed limit across the entire bay, banning the towing of people on recreational equipment such as wakeboards, and prohibiting wake surfing. According to the council, these restrictions are intended to reduce the physical impact that boating activities have on the delicate ecosystem of the bay, particularly its sediment, which is a known source of phosphorus.
Several residents stepped up to the microphone during the first public question period, each expressing concerns about the proposed restrictions. The first resident, who lives by Fitch Bay, questioned the council’s authority to move forward with the boating restrictions without conducting a referendum. “Who gave you the mandate to do this?” the resident asked. The individual emphasized that while communications have been ongoing about the issue, they felt there was a lack of direct input from those who would be most affected by the regulations.
Ramacieri responded by clarifying that the mandate for these measures has been in place since 2019. She explained that while a referendum is not required, the council has been diligent in consulting environmental experts and collecting feedback from various stakeholders. “This process started back in 2019, and although it was delayed by the pandemic, we are now moving forward with it,” Ramacieri said. She assured the resident that public input would continue to be collected as part of the process.
Another resident raised concerns about the effectiveness of the restrictions, arguing that the problem with cyanobacteria isn’t solely caused by boating activities. The resident noted that over the past few years, boat traffic in the bay has decreased significantly, but cyanobacteria blooms have still occurred. “I think the problem isn’t being correctly identified. It’s not just the boats; there are other factors contributing to the issue,” the resident said.
In response, Ramacieri acknowledged that cyanobacteria blooms are caused by a combination of factors, including agricultural runoff and septic systems. However, she stressed that reducing boating activities that stir up the sediment is one part of the solution. “We believe that lessening the pressure on the bay will help mitigate the chances of cyanobacteria blooms,” she explained, adding that the council was taking a multi-pronged approach, including stricter regulations on septic tanks and shoreline compliance.
One of the more prominent concerns voiced by residents was the impact the boating restrictions would have on recreational activities in the bay. A resident who regularly uses a pontoon boat expressed frustration that the proposed 10 km/h speed limit would prevent them from towing their grandchildren on weekends. “With these restrictions, I won’t be able to use my pontoon to pull my grandchildren on a tube, even though it doesn’t create the kind of large wakes that cause damage,” the resident said.
Ramacieri empathized with the concern but reiterated that the regulations aim to protect the entire bay. She also noted that the current request to Transport Canada includes provisions for residents to provide feedback. “There is room in the request process to include your concerns, and we encourage you to share them with us so we can pass them on to Transport Canada,” she said. However, she emphasized that the council believes the 10 km/h speed limit is necessary to protect the bay’s ecosystem.
Another resident followed up, asking whether the council had considered more targeted restrictions instead of a blanket speed limit across the entire bay. The resident argued that limiting only larger, more disruptive boats, such as wakeboats, would allow for recreational activities like tubing and pontooning to continue without harming the bay. “Not all boats are the problem,” the resident said. “Why not restrict the ones that cause the most damage instead of penalizing everyone?”
Ramacieri explained that Transport Canada regulations do not currently differentiate between different types of water sports or boats when it comes to speed limits and towing restrictions. She added that the council would take into account these types of comments when finalizing the request, but ultimately, the decision lies with Transport Canada. “We don’t make the rules regarding how water sports are regulated; that’s under federal jurisdiction. Our job is to propose what we believe is the best solution for the bay,” she said.
One of the final questions came from a resident who suggested that the council should delay the resolution and allow for more consultation with the community. “We need more time to discuss this and find a solution that works for everyone,” the resident said. They argued that rushing into the restrictions could lead to unintended consequences, including economic impacts on tourism and property values.
Ramacieri responded by reiterating the council’s commitment to transparency and community engagement. “We are not rushing into this decision,” she assured the resident. “We have been working on it for several years, and we will continue to gather feedback before submitting the final request to Transport Canada. This is an evolving process, and we want to make sure we get it right.”