A Message from Rob Messervey, President of the Scugog Lake Stewards


Hello, and thank you for helping the Scugog Lake Stewards learn about how people use and feel about Lake Scugog. Your answers will help shape stewardship, education and management priorities for the lake.

The Survey takes about 10-12 minutes, depending on how many optional questions you answer. Responses are confidential and will be reported only in aggregate.

If you have any questions, please email us at info@scugoglakestewards.com.

By continuing, you consent to your anonymous responses being used for the organization’s planning and reporting.

Again, many thanks.

*Respectfully, we ask that all answers be given using considerate language and tone. Thank you.
Section A — Background

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1. Which of the following best describes you? (Select one)

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2. How long have you been in the role you mentioned above, e.g. year-round resident, cottager, visitor

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3. Select your age group

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4. Postal Code

Section B — Use and Frequency

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5. How often do you use or visit Lake Scugog, or its tributaries?

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6. During a typical summer season, how many days do you or your household spend by or on the lake/its tributaries.

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7. Which type(s) of watercraft do you use (if any)? Check all that apply.

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8. Consider the following lake activities, and select up to three that you enjoy most often

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9. If you fish, what kind of fishing do you do? Check all that apply.

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10. If you fish, what kind of fish are you after? Check all that apply.

Section C — Perceptions & Concerns

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11. In general, how would you rate the overall health of the lake?

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12. Compared to five years ago, do you think the lake’s condition is…

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13. How concerned are you about…

  Very Moderatley Slightly Not at all
Water clarity/turbidity
Harmful algae - Cyanobacteria
Aquatic invasive species - Starry stonewort, zebra mussels, phragmites
Weed overgrowth (underwater aquatic plants)
Shoreline erosion
Loss of fish habitat/fish decline
Depth of the lake

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14. How concerned are you about….

  Very Moderately Slightly Not at all
Septic system seepage
Road salt run-off into the lake
Fertilizer run-off from Port Perry
Fertilizer run-off from farmland
Trash and litter
Boat wakes and safety
Climate change impacts - water levels, season shifts

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15. Select your top 3 concerns about the lake.

Section D — Priorities & Actions

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16. Please rank the activities below in order of top priority to lowest priority.

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17. Are there any priorities you feel are missing?

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18. Would you support any of the following? Select all that apply

Section E — Community Role and Engagement

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19. How familiar are you with our organization and its role in caring for the lake?

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20. In what ways have you connected with the Scugog Lake Stewards? Check all that apply.

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21. How interested would you be in getting involved in protecting the lake?

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22. In what ways would you consider participating? Select all that apply.

Section F — Follow Up

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23. If you’d like to sign-up for our newsletter, please add your email here:

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24. If you’d like to be contacted to volunteer, please leave your email here:

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25. Please let us know where you learned about our survey?

Section G — Open Comments & Suggestions

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26. Do you have any other suggestions for actions or improvements that would help protect or restore Lake Scugog, including its wetlands, and the river/creeks that feed into it.

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27. Any other comments?

Section H — For Lakefront Property Owners

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28. If you are NOT a lakefront property owner, please click ‘No’ below, and it will take you to the end of the questionnaire. If you are a lakefront property owner, please proceed. Thank you!

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29. Have you taken any of the following actions to reduce your property’s impact on Lake Scugog? Check all that apply.

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30. Do you plan to make additional improvements in the next 5 years to reduce your impact on the lake?

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31. Have you heard of the Scugog Water Fund to help pay for shoreline protection, septic system upgrades or lakeside buffer planting?

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32. Do you have any of the following invasive plants on your property? Check all that apply.

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33. Do you feel you need assistance to remove the invasive plants?

Important Information about Septic Systems and Landscaping
Septic Systems: This section does not apply to Holding Tanks, which are tanks that operate without a weeping bed.

Pumping your septic tank regularly will maintain and support a healthy septic system. Keeping it maintained is far more affordable than dealing with a failed system. Septic tanks in heavily used septic systems should be pumped more often than lightly used ones. Depending on use, tanks should be pumped every 3 to 5 years. (Holding tanks, without weeping beds, are pumped every 3 to 4 months.)

It’s notable that not pumping your septic tank can lead to a range of unpleasant consequences. Waste can build up and cause septic system failure, including:

*Contamination of nearby lakes, drinking water supplies and nearby soil

*Septic system back up of your home or yard

*Strong, persistent odours inside and outside

*Damage to the drain field, requiring full system replacement

*Ignoring your tank can also significantly reduce its lifespan.
Landscaping:

For home/cottage owners within 200m of Lake Scugog and its tributaries:

Do you have large trees planted between your septic system and Lake Scugog?

Do you have other shrubs and native plants as a buffer between your septic system and Lake Scugog?

Large trees with broad root systems are able to capture some of the contamination (primarily phosphorous) from septic systems before it reaches the lake. Other plants also help. Having trees and a buffer between septic systems and the lake can do the following:

*Protect water quality

*Stabilize the shoreline

*Filter fertilizers and pesticides from lawns. Better yet, don’t use fertilizers and pesticides near the lake.

*A buffer between the lake and your lawn may even prevent geese from taking over your space!
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Thank you!

Thank you for participating in the Scugog Lake Survey.

We appreciate your time and value your input.

For more information about the Scugog Lake Stewards, or to sign-up to become a member, you can find us at…

www.scugoglakestewards.ca

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