Boat washing and the management of our public boat launches

 

Background

Before launching in our Cedar lakes, boaters coming from other regions must wash all watercraft and their trailers. This has been mandatory since 2017. Boat washing is vital to preserving the water quality in our lakes and the integrity of the shoreline. It prevents the introduction and spread of non-indigenous invasive plants.

Boat and trailer washing is critical to preserve the environment in our lakes. Visitors must pay $25 at the washing station and claim their "Wash Certificate," as required by bylaw. The Wash Certificate must be prominently displayed on the windshield of their vehicle. Failure to comply may result in a $300 fine.

As a property owner in the municipality, you have free access to the boat washing stations. Watercraft owned by locals must display a sticker (vignette) issued by the Municipality of Messines, and it must be renewed annually. To register your watercraft, go to Messines’s website at www.messines.ca and click on the link "Boat washing program."

 

What's happening in our Cedar lakes

There is a boat launch on each of Grand lac des Cèdres and Petit lac des Cèdres. Both launches are on chemin Champagne. Access to lakes in the province is a privilege. And, with privilege comes responsibility. The role of the APLC is to make local and visiting boaters aware of the importance of washing boats and respecting municipal bylaws. The signs at the boat launches clearly explain the bylaw and the rules to follow.

For its part, the Municipality's role is to enforce the regulations by monitoring the boat launches. The maintenance of the boat ramps is also the responsibility of the Municipality. The enforcement steps at the boat launch are as follows:

  • The bylaw officer and two students patrol the launches from May 1 to mid-September.
  • When they find a vehicle (with a trailer) that does not display a valid Wash Certificate, bylaw issues a notice of violation. This compels the owner to get in contact with the Municipality within 48 hours to either show proof of a Wash Certificate or, if they were not aware of the bylaw, to have the regulations explained to them. If a second notice is left on the same vehicle, a notice of violation is automatically sent to the offending party.
  • Some have tried to fight the ticket. To date, no judge has ruled in their favour and all fines have become due ($300 and more).

 

Boat ramp use study and the risks associated with the introduction of aquatic invasive species.

The importance of washing a boat prior to launch is well understood. Boats that are not properly cleaned can carry invasive species, such as zebra mussels and Eurasian watermilfoil, from one lake to another. The APLC wants to better understand the use of the boat launches by daytime visitors and any associated risks. In August 2022, we had a good meeting with the mayor of Messines, Mr. Ron Cross, and members of his administration. We agreed that the boat ramp study, overseen by the APLC, will identify and measure the risks of the introduction of invasive species by watercraft into Petit and Grand lac des Cèdres. The initiative will include the following elements:

  1. Review of relevant scientific literature
  2. Profile on the use of the Cedar lakes boat ramps
  3. Examination of approaches used by other municipalities in Quebec

Once we complete the study, we will: Assess the current approach used to manage the boat launches Identify possible solutions to reduce the risk of further spread of invasive species Initiate a discussion with stakeholders in light of the data collected, with the objective to develop an action plan. 

 

Chronology

2022

  • Agreement with Municipality: Boat ramp use study and the risks associated with the introduction of aquatic invasive species.

2021

  • The Municipality of Messines has more than 17 lakes within its boundaries. Three of them have a public boat launch, and two of these boat ramps are on the Cedar lakes. For the 2021 season, APLC plans to monitor and analyze the use of the public boat launches on our two lakes.

2020

  • The year of pandemic. Many Canadians look to escape to nature. Over the summer the APLC is concerned about the high number of boaters who visit the Cedar lakes without washing their boat.
  • The Municipality issues 9 tickets.

2019

  • The APLC puts up signage at both public boat launches highlighting the requirement for boaters to wash their boats or risk a fine.
  • The Municipality issues 15 tickets.

2018

  • The boat washing station is installed in a convenient location across from the municipal office at Marché Chez Rock.
  • An enrolment program allows property owners to register their watercraft and use the boat washing station at no cost to them.

2017