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Welcome To The UFRCA Website
The Members menu (below at left) displays Membership Information and Membership Form, but additional components are available to UFRCA members when they Log In.
Dock Sale 2012 - Register Now!
Register before
Read more …
Newsletter Distributed April 30, 2012
The April 30 newsletter to members with the 2012-13 Membership Form was distributed April 30 by both e-mail and real mail. The newsletter may be seen in the Members Menu - Newsletters. The Membership Form for 2012-13 is now available to all in the Members Menu.
Current News
Widespread Fire Ban In Effect for Holiday Weekend
Posted Saturday May 19, 2012, 11:57 a.m.
As cottagers head north for the holiday weekend, please note that a ban on outdoor burning of any kind is prohited in many areas. The ban includes the lighting of fireworks.
Read more …
Numerous Break-ins Reported
Updated Friday April 20, 2012, 4:20 p.m.
A mass e-mail was distributed to the membership today. By a motion passed by the UFRCA Board of Directors, a $1000 contribution was made to Crime Stoppers, and other individuals have contributed $1500, for a total to date of $2500. Information was provided in the e-mail on how to donate to Crime Stoppers. For further information, contact admin@ufrca.com
Posted Thursday April 19, 2012, 8:00 p.m.
We learned today that numerous break-ins are being discovered as cottages are opened up for the season. Several incidents involve losses in the $10,000 range. A mass e-mail will be distributed shortly to all UFRCA members as soon as further information is received, and a concerted effort by the UFRCA involving Crimestoppers, the West Nipisising Police, and affected cottagers will be commenced.
Check the Weather Forecast before heading to the cottage this weekend!
Posted Thursday April 19, 2012. 7:50 p.m.
A Winter Storm Warning has been posted by Environment Canada. Heavy snow is forecast for the French River - West Nipissing - North Bay areas for Friday April 20 and continuing into Saturday.
We're calling it: The ice is gone
Posted Thursday April 12, 11:45 p.m.
By Nugget Staff
Updated 17 hours ago
It's a bit early for the ice to be off Lake Nipissing, according to records kept by The Nugget for the past 111 years. The lake was declared free of ice Wednesday (April 11) after strong winds Easter weekend pushed what remained onto shorelines, leaving only a few bays with ice for a couple more days.
The earliest date The Nugget declared Nipissing free of ice was April 3, 1945 and the latest was May 19, 1926. Other than two years ago when the ice was off April 8, 2010, all the declarations for the past 25 years have been between April 22 and May 11. Interestingly enough, during the first 25 years of ice-off record keeping, the story appears similar. Other than April 6, 1910 and seven times between April 13 and April 21, most of the declarations 1901 to 1926 were between April 22 and May 19.
Some ice left near Iron Island
Posted Wednesday April 11, 2012, 8:48 a.m. EST
By DAVE DALE The Nugget
Posted 15 hours ago
A dreary grey sky over Lake Nipissing provides a forlorn backdrop for a rusty anchor at the North Bay waterfront, Tuesday. There's no sight of ice from shore, but a pilot flying to the city from Sudbury said he saw remnants of winter floating southwest of Iron Island. The annual ice-off declaration by The Nugget, which has been going on for 111 years, will have to wait.
Lake Nipissing ice going, going …
Posted Tuesday April 10, 2012
By DAVE DALE The Nugget
April 9, 2012
Lake Nipissing is nearly free of ice after a windy Easter weekend, with only a few piles on rocks Monday at Sunset Point and cube-size pieces floating near the beach. There appears to be some ice in the eastern bays of the Manitous, as well as some isolated areas near the French River. The Nugget hopes to hear from an area pilot to declare the ice-off date for 2012.
Lake Nipissing Summit - April 3 and 4 at Nipissing University
Posted Thursday April 5, 2012
The presentations at the Lake Nipissing Summit gave clear indications that Lake Nipissing is undergoing unprecedented and complex changes. Global warming, changes in water quality, additions of invasive species like the spiny water flea with ensuing changes to a complex food web, and human pressures and harvesting are combining in unknown ways to limit the growth of walleye into mature fish of spawning age and size. Full reports by Nugget writer Dave Dale are posted here. Presentations and summary reports will be posted at http://www.lakenipissingsummit.ca/
Breaking News - River Open
Posted Wednesday April 4, 2012
Kaely McDermott reports: "I just spoke to Shirley at Riverview….and the ice is gone!
She said there is still a slight covering on the lake still but the river is clear and we're able to dock at the marina anytime now. Looks like an early cottage season."
Lake Nipissing Photos
Posted March 27,2012
Ice Conditions
The shoreline is ice-free for about 250 m and the ice is getting quite grey.
Photos by David and Jane Minden, March 26, 2012
Above, from the end of Cranberry Trail with the Manitou Islands in the distance
Left, Callander Bay from the Lookout
on old Highway 11
Warm Weather May Melt Ice-Off Record
Posted March 24, 2012
By DAVE DALE The Nugget
March 23, 2012
Warmer than average temperatures are forecast for the next two weeks, although it won't be near as balmy as the record-breaking highs recorded Tuesday and Wednesday. And despite a thick layer of ice visible Thursday, the scarcity of below freezing temperatures may lead to a new record for when the ice leaves Lake Nipissing.
The earliest recorded date for ice off on Lake Nipissing was April 3, 1945. Just two years ago, the ice was off April 8, although there was ice until April 28 last year. (Note: For more information, see Ice Out Dates in the On the Water section.)
Demarco's Confectionary runs an annual pool for customers predicting the ice off date. Two sheets beginning with April 11 into May are almost full, with most people picking closest to April 11 as possible. But due to the weather, Demarco's is considering a new sheet for the two weeks prior to April 11.
Environment Canada said Ontario's warm trend beginning last July continued through February, when North Bay experienced temperatures four-degrees Celsius warmer than normal. And despite a couple late blasts of winter culminating in a blizzard dumping 20 centimetres of snow in this area Feb. 26, there's below average snow left in the bush. The North Bay-Mattawa Conservation Authority reported that there's usually a metre of snow at the reading station off Highway 11 near the former mental health centre. There was only 23.9 cm on March 14, about 64% of normal. At the Corbeil Conservation Area, near La Vase River, snow depth was 79.2% of normal. The Wasi River, however, is almost full of runoff with snow depth measured at the Shirley Skinner Conservation Area 119.7% of normal at 40.6 cm. The next reading date scheduled Tuesday will probably show the result of the heat wave.
FOCA Elert March 23, 2012
Posted March 24, 2012
Those that subscribe to FOCA Elerts will have received this by e-mail. For the full March Elert newsletter, see http://www.foca.on.ca/foca-elerts although it will not be posted for a few days. You can easily add your name to the FOCA Elert recipient list by providing your e-mail address where indicated. This important issue has just started to receive a lot of attention.
Shoreline Protection provided by Fisheries Act: Under Threat!
Since 1975 there have been provisions (Section 35) in the Federal Fisheries Act to protect fish habitat in Canada, powers that the Federal Government is proposing to remove from the Act.
This is a most serious and short-sighted course of action that impacts not only our fisheries but also our healthy lakes, rivers and shorelines, and the populations (human, plant and animal) that our surface waters provide for.
Read more in this press release and article from the Globe and Mail (March 22nd).
Speak up for the protection of our valuable aquatic habitats today! Contact your member of Parliament.
Background:
FOCA and Fisheries & Oceans Canada have a long history of protecting water and near shore habitats, including collaborative publications like the popular Shore Primer and Dock Primer, FOCA's Shoreline Owners Guide to Healthy Waterfronts and programs like Docktalk. Much of this is based on our shared interests in healthy and thriving fish populations, protecting the conditions to allow fish and other aquatic life to thrive, and more formally on the obligations in the Federal Fisheries Act.
Proposal for Rezoning Keystone Island
Updated March 23, 2012
West Nipissing Council approved a modified subdivision plan for Keystone Island on March 20. The plan is still for 7 lots, but they are larger and conform closer to West Nipissing's regulations. In the attached document, the last page shows the revised map. See the full approved plan .
Updated March 13, 2012
We have received the following notification from Melanie Ducharme, Municipal Planner: "The subdivision application was recommended to be draft approved, subject to re-configuration of the lots, to bring them into closer conformity with current standards for lot frontage. The matter will be brought to Council for a resolution on the 20thof March."
Posted March 6, 2012; updated March 10, 2012
We have recently been informed by UFRCA members that Keystone Lodge has applied for a rezoning of the island and a plan of subdivision. A public meeting is scheduled in West Nipissing (Sturgeon Falls) Monday March 12, 2012. Several letters of objection have been filed by UFRCA members and area property owners regarding noise, septic system issues, and the need to meet minimum requirements of West Nipissing's planning regulations.
The following documents have been provided to us.
Map of Keystone Island - Plan of Subdivision
Notice of Public Meeting - Plan of Subdivision
Notice of Public Meeting - Zoning Amendment
In the Zoning amendment, note that the application does not meet requirements for lot frontage, area, and setback.
The West Nipissing minimum requirements for new lots are as follows:
Minimum frontage: 60 m or 196.8 feet
Minimum set back: 18 m or 60 feet
Minimum lot area: 4000 m2 = 0.4 ha = 0.988 acres (just under 1 acre)
Comments may be submitted to:
Melanie Ducharme - Municipal Planner, West Nipissing
Tel: (705) 753-2250 ext: 6926
Fax: (705) 753-3950
Email: mducharme@municipality.westnipissing.on.ca
North Bay Mattawa Conservation Authority
15 Janey Avenue
North Bay ON P1C 1N1
ATT: Robert Palin
Mgr. of Sewage Systems
705-474-5420 x 2003
robertp@nbmca.on.ca
Ministry of Environment
191 Booth Road
North Bay, P1A4K3
Phone: 705-497-6865
ATT: Brent Trach
Brent.Trach@ontario.ca
Ward 8 Bertram Township Councillor:
Guy Fortier
10521 Highway 64
Lavigne, ON
P0H 1R0
Tel: (705) 594-2301
gfortier@westnipissing.ca
For further information, contact Dave Minden at mindenda@onlink.net
John Hurtubise - March 6 2012
Posted March 8, 2012
We express our condolences to Lynne Hurtubise and family on the recent death of John Hutubise (UFRCA members and cottagers on the main channel of the French River).
From the North Bay Nugget
HURTUBISE, John - Age 64, ended his final chapter of life with us on Mar 6, 2012. Born and raised in North Bay, Ontario, Canada, John resided in Seminole, Florida for the past 25 years.
Read more …
Report on Lake Nipissing Travel
Posted March 5, 2012
UFRCA Board member Beth Depatie writes the following after a trip to their cotttage on Sandy Island. Click on photos to enlarge.
“It sure isn’t like the old days when you felt like the only people on the earth. There is lots of activity compared to those days. We went fishing a couple of times when we were out but didn’t catch anything worth keeping but people were catching or seemed to be. There is about 3 to 3 ½ feet of ice where we fished. There are a number of modes of transportation used to get across the ice from snowmobiles (our choice) to 4 wheels, side by sides and lots and lots of vehicles.
In our bay alone on the south side of Sandy there were 3 other people at their cottage when we were out. There is very little snow in the bush or for that matter the lake, maybe 3 cm on the lake when we were out but that may change if they got the dumping that we got yesterday in Sudbury, 20 cm. (They did - the Sudbury-North Bay region was blanketed with heavy snow on Saturday March 3.)
The expansion crack still poses a challenge for vehicles, Ihave included a picture of a truck whose front end went down when we were coming home; the other truck just hooked on and pulled the blue one out. Both trucks just followed the crack looking for a new place to cross. It is hard to get a good picture of winter on the ice because it is a big sea of white. “
Police debate re-ignites
Posted February 22, 2012
Story by Wayne LeBelle
North Bay Nipissing News www.northbaynipissing.com
Monday, February, 20, 2012 - 7:07:15 AM
STURGEON FALLS – There was a tense moment last week when West Nipissing council was looking over its first draft of the 2012 budget. Police chief Chuck Seguin presented the West Nipissing Police budget and was ready for questions, but no one asked any.
But later in the meeting, there was talk of cutting $100,000 from the West Nipissing Police Services Board budget to bring the 2012 taxes down. Mayor Joanne Savage, chair of the West Nipissing Police Services Board, asked council if they wanted to send the police budget back to the board.
Coun. Denise Brisson was the only member who supported the mayor’s suggestion. “I would like to be on council’s agenda of our next meeting to discuss whether or not council is ready to ask the Ontario Provincial Police for a costing to see if we can save some money for our taxpayers,” she said. The other councillors were silent.
Read more …
Deliberations trim 3 per cent from tax hike
Posted Feb. 17, 2012
Story by Wayne LeBelle
North Bay Nipissing News www.northbaynipissing.com
STURGEON FALLS – Whittling down a puffed-up municipal budget is both an art and a science that is practiced in many Council boardrooms these days. West Nipissing Council took its’ first run at the 2012 budget on Saturday, Feb. 11 from 8:30 a.m. morning into the early afternoon. West Nipissing Chief Administration Officer (CAO) Jay Barbeau led the deliberations shaping the demands of the 30-page budget, into the final figures. Read more …
Web Site Launched January 30, 2012
Posted Jan. 31, 2011 - Updated February 14, 2012.
This new web site became active January 30, 2012. An e-mail has been distributed to all current UFRCA members with full information on how to Log in to view the Members Area. Unfortunately, some photos were lost in a few areas when the web site was switched from its temporary site. Corrections will be made but this will take a bit of time.
Walleye catch OK, despite dark data
Posted February 8, 2012 By Dave Dale, North Bay Nugget - Ice fishing success on Lake Nipissing appears to be the best it's been in recent years despite netting studies indicating a big drop in adult walleye. Read more…..
Lake Nipissing summit April 3-4
Posted February 8, 2012 By Dave Dale, North Bay Nugget - Nipissing First Nation is organizing a conference-style summit April 3-4 to discuss issues surrounding Lake Nipissing. Read more…
Ice unpredictable this year
Posted Jan. 27, 2012
By BRANDI CRAMER The Nugget Jan. 26, 2012
Tim Sheppard said ice on area lakes is the most unpredictable he has seen in a decade. In a lot of places, the thickness will not support a vehicle, said Sheppard a sergeant with North Bay detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police. Read more …
Bill Nazar, 1970-2011
Posted December 15, 2011. The UFRCA offers its condolences to Dennis and Margaret Nazar of Sandy Island and St. Catherines on the recent loss of their son Bill (Dr. Bill Nazar, DC.) Bill was well known …
Read more …
Lakeland - Journeys into the Soul of Canada
Posted December 1, 2011. If you’re looking for a great winter read, one that will take you back to that shoreline and vista you always have in your thoughts, read Allan Casey’s Lakeland – Journeys into the Soul of Canada, (Greystone Books, 2009) and winner of the Governor General’s Literary Award in 2010. Read more…