SCOI executive members met with the Chief on June 7th to discuss a number of issues of interest to our members.
Following is a list of items which were discussed. To read details on any topic, please click the red plus sign.
Removing vehicles from the Beach
The Chief indicated that vehicles will be banned from the beach with the exception of those that belong to Band members, cottagers who have beach-only access to their cottages as well as security and emergency vehicles.
The entrance to the Beach at Main Street will be completely blocked off. There will be no vehicular access to the Beach from Main Street. At the Silver Lake Road (16th Street) and French Bay Road access points, the Band is considering placing large cement lane dividers in such a way as to create a single lane that is configured in an “s” shape with signage that indicates access is only for cottage owners and Band members. At this time there is no plan to have staff specifically assigned to these access points.
CanCom (519-379-4760) will once again be patrolling the beaches as well as the rest of the Saugeen First Nation lands. Currently they begin at 8:30am and are on duty until 2am. In another 2 weeks they will be patrolling 24/7.
If at anytime you think there is a vehicle on the beach that is not entitled to be there or one that is driving dangerously, you should call CanCom and indicate the location and give a description of the vehicle.
The Band is still working on its options re: parking and transportation to the beach for day visitors. When these plans have been firmed up we will once again post the information on the SCOI website. Please be sure to subscribe to updates (top right on the home page).
High water levels and access for beach-only access cottage owners
The Band is considering contingency plans to accommodate beach-only access cottage owners if lake water levels reach a point that prevent beach access. Parking close by and right-of-way access to reduce walking distance are part of the considerations. Once again, if lake levels get too high we will post the accommodations being implemented by the Band.
Progress on transition to the First Nations’ Land Management Act
The Land Plan, an integral component of the documentation required in making the transition, is in the process of being reviewed by members of the Band. The Chief felt that the Plan was being well received and that there would be a vote on a final version sometime within the next year. This suggests that the transition should be completed before the term of our current lease expires (April 2021). We will therefore not likely be dealing with lease extensions but rather will have a new lease directly with the Band (rather than the Crown as it is now).
The Chief gave us some insight into what the Band has in mind for the next lease. Because cottagers will be increasingly anxious as the lease term draws near, the Chief agreed to have Kirk Roote, Lands and Leasing Manager, send a letter to all lease holders outlining some of general directions the Band is hoping to go with in the next lease. Everything we heard sounded positive and reassuring and we look forward to hearing from Kirk directly.
Band expectations re: septic systems being brought up to code
After our recent post about progress being made on upgrading of septic systems, we received a number of comments asking that the Band send a letter to all lease holders explaining the Band’s expectations re: lease holders being expected to at the least have their system inspected and if work is required, engage with a contractor to get on a waiting list to have the work done. The concern was that this message was coming through SCOI rather than the Band directly and only about 40% of lease holders are signed up to receive website updates. The Chief agreed to ask Kirk to include this as an additional item in his letter to lease holders.
Aboriginal Day (June 21) fireworks postponed
The Chief indicated that the Aboriginal Day fireworks, which in recent years has been held on June 21st on the French Bay Road Point at the South end of the Main Beach, has been postponed. Firstly, with high lake levels, the location is inadequate for this event this year. Secondly, the Band’s amphitheatre restoration project is progressing very well and will be back in use later in the summer. The fireworks used to be at the amphitheatre before moving to the Beach a few years ago.
The new date and location for this year will be on Saturday, August 10 at the Amphitheatre (at the United Church on the south side of highway 21 in Saugeen overlooking the Saugeen River). Everyone is welcome and we encourage you to attend both for the fireworks and to see the refurbished Amphitheatre and surrounding dry stonewall works. Please see the separate post on the Amphitheatre project.
I have concern about the fireworks that are being set off at the beach (still at all hours of the night) and where there is insufficient beach remaining to do so safely. These fireworks are ending up above our cottages and trees. I feel these are and will become more of a fire hazard if we end up with drier weather. Can fireworks on the beach be banned??
To me it makes more sense to have 4 wheeler vehicles to navigate around beach goers, rather than security cars. Also if the band has rules regarding the beach, they should enforce them. If beach goers get fined, the word will spread quickly.
Hopefully this will be enough to make sun bathers follow the rules.
Thank you chief,band and scoi. I am impressed with this plan. Already,the violators are getting the message. The beach is becoming a family-friendly,safe and peaceful fun spot again.
Cottagers and other locals are appreciative.
Doug Wilson
How will you prevent people parking on Second Ave. South and cutting thru the properties on First Ave and those on the beach at Second Ave.. Do we have to build a “Wall”
Thank you for keeping us informed, and we are pleased to see that issues continue to be discussed and addressed. One emerging issue as a result of the closure of the beach to vehicles is that we are seeing cars parking along 2nd Avenue to allow patrons to walk down to the beach. We are still early in the season, so it stands to reason that this practice will increase over the coming months. What plans are in place to address this through the security/enforcement process?
This is a wise move…banning vehicles. We appreciate the work of Chief Anoquot and Band members and the SCOI Executive in this forward thinking step.
Hopefully, the washroom facilities and garbage cans will be available soon as already people are leaving their trash on this beautiful beach.
Thank you for all your work.
It will be lovely to share the beach with families instead of with smelly cars! We were there this Saturday and there was barely any beach. The cars that were driving there were practically running over our toes. I hope they will obey the signs! Thank you for this sensible solution.
I am hoping more no parking signs can be installed and even available for us to purchase to reduce the parking on 1st Ave. now that cars are no longer allowed on the beach. This will become a much more serious issue as the season gets into full swing. Already people are abusing our properties cutting through and parking sometimes restricting our access to our cottages.
If people are parking illegally or trespassing, call CanCom 519-379-4760. As explained in the post reporting on the meeting with the Chief, parking issues and transporting people to the beach are issues still being considered by the Band. When we know what is planned, you will know.
Question:
What are the TARGET DATES to implement the measures stated for controlling vehicle access to the beach (barriers etc).
We are having trouble already this season from weekender vehicles driving on the beach, so I hope that the band feels that time is of the essence to have all these measures in place.
SCOI, could you find out from the band about dates, and post the information on this website?