President's Message

On behalf of the Board of Directors of The Browning Island Cottagers' Association Inc., I welcome you to our Website. Non BICA members will find some very interesting facts about the Browning Island community on our 'Home Page'. I hope you will consider joining our Association and participating more thoroughly as a full-fledged member. Applications are available on the website. Active members have access to much more interesting, informative and useful data in the 'member's only' section.

Please browse at your leisure, and if you have the inclination, send any contributions or input you might wish to provide, to our webmaster, at any time.

Thank you for your visit, and enjoy the summer of 2011 in beautiful Muskoka.

Larry Burt
President
Browning Island Cottagers' Association

Minutes of BICA's 60th AGM - July 2010

... are available under the Members Tab

To Think About:

"Here lies the body of Michael O'Day,
who died maintaining the right of way.
He was right, dead right, as he sailed along,
but he's just as dead as if he'd been wrong."
..... anon

On this page:

And from the Pitre family:

Further to your report about the lightning strike, let us add that we would like to echo the sentiment from the Barnes. We don't know quite how lightning found our shed but we do know that if Blake had not been on the lake and seen the fire, the consequences would have been much worse. He battled the blaze and made sure that it didn't get out of control, without his firefighting the results could have been far worse.

Many thanks from all of us!

The Pitre family (Mike, Karen, Eric, Emily and Sean

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Restaurant Reviews

Our president has an idea to further enhance the value of this site, by publishing member's comments about local restaurants which they have recently tried. We all like to know about new and interesting places to have a dinner out or to take friends. If we had current information on the local fare, this might help make a selection in which we'd have some measure of confidence. Read Larry and Linda's comments on 'one fifty five", under the members tab - and then submit your own to browningisland@hotmail.com to share your experiences with fellow BICA members.

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Alert Feature

BICA members can now be alerted to any significant updates or changes to the information published on this website
(if you do not wish to receive such alerts, you can "unsubscribe" by signing in to the web site with your ID and password, accessing your profile and clicking on the checkmark (to DELETE the checkmark) opposite this line in your profile:

Subscribe to website changes

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Put it On! The case for wearing Life Jackets

Not having a life jacket will cost you $250 (each) if you’re stopped by a police marine patrol. Having one, but not wearing it, could cost you your life. Even though it's not mandatory for most boats, PUT IT ON! Every year, about 180 Canadians will drown while boating, and 400 will die in all water-related accidents. Statistics show that nearly 90 per cent of those who die won’t be wearing a life-jacket - the most common risk factor for recreational boating drownings. Only 11% of drowning victims were wearing personal flotatation devices (PFDs).

Men are the primary drowning victims. Between 1991 and 2000, toddlers and males aged 15 to 24 had the highest drowning rates, followed by males over 24, according to the Red Cross. During that period, there was a 24% drop in the rate of boating drownings and a 29% decline in near-drownings.

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"Straight Up!" or "On the rocks"

Observations by our president on good boating practices

Sunday, August-29-10

Dear Browning Islanders:

It is a beautiful day in Muskoka. The temperature is around 26 C. Linda and I have been enjoying the day lazily stretched out on a chaise, reading a fascinating new book or magazine.
But..... once again a white and blue boat with a number of occupants including children passed my cottage on its way to make a 300 degree pass into our small bay on Browning Island's west side. We held our breath as the boat soared towards the centre of the bay where we know there is a rock about one foot underwater, and about sixty square feet of surface area. My concern and frustration is so great, that I am spending this gorgeous afternoon inside and writing this note to all my Browning Island friends.
There is no point yelling at these boaters (if I dare call them that, and I can think of many other descriptive terms to describe them but I will not use on the Sabbath). They never hear us above the din of their speeding engines. Waving our arms is similarly useless, as they're usually well into their turn with their backs to us when we realize what they are doing and as they head to their destiny. It happens so often every summer that now we just hold our breath and pray that the children will be safe.
Now I'm sure none of these boaters are Browning Islanders...I hope. Every summer, at least one boat, and often several hit this rock. Sooner or later someone is going to be killed. Most, fortunately sustain only minor injuries, and sheepishly and slowly limp away with much clanking of props, drive shafts and outdrives. They probably suffer the embarrassment of having the pretty girl they are trying to impress, sitting next to them in the boat, or of explaining to dad how they damaged the eighty thousand dollar pleasure craft. To be fair many of these boaters are the dads and some of them are even driving very expensive and beautiful antique boats.
Now I realize that the current training and testing for a boater's licence is next to useless. But even so, every boater, and every boat should have a chart that clearly tells you where you should not go. Barring that, all boaters must realize that obstructions within 50 feet of shore are not marked with buoys.

LESSON: Do not go within 50 feet of shore. It couldn't be more simple.
Our bay used to mark this rock with various forms of buoys such as plastic bottles, and various sorts of floating balls. To some extent they were like the mythical sirens calling boaters to the rock to pick up a lost buoy or other desirable floating object to retrieve. We also checked out government regulations re 'private buoys'. That's a very frightening experience. We quickly removed our markers after considering the potential legal consequences of not adhering to these laws when using a private marker.
Bottom Line: Don't go within 50 feet of shore, and stay out of bays (where incidentally you will be within 50 feet of shore much of the time), unless you check the charts first for any obstructions, a difficult task at very high speeds.

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Bracebridge Falls - important information

Below is a copy of the letter from our President, sent 05/11/2010 to Browning Island residents.

Dear BICA member.

I am forwarding to you a letter concerning the Bracebridge Falls, sent to the Association by Heather Ryder. Heather as you know is one of our active members. Sandy Pyper has been the most active person involved in investigating this issue. You may wish to contact him, or Heather, re any further information you may require.

Please read the attached letter, and make up your own mind with respect to any action you might wish to take. Although the attached information is not directly related to BICA business, in that it has never been discussed by the Directors, nor the members-at-large, I consider that the issues are important and urgent enough, that I have agreed to send this document to you for your information, consideration and/or action.

Sincerely

Larry Burt
President, BICA

To BICA Members,

Hope you have had a great winter and are excited to start the season early (despite the current cold weather)!

There is an important issue regarding the Bracebridge Falls that we want to bring to your attention:

Bracebridge Generation has plans to increase its generating capacity which could significantly reduce flow levels at both the Bracebridge Falls and Wilson Falls by as much as 62% or 7 1/2 months per year at Bracebridge Falls. During the other 4 1/2 months there would be increased flows but these flows would be a small fraction of the current flow.

As is all too common in the town of Bracebridge, the public notices and open houses were held over the winter months and we are now very short on time to respond with our concerns. The timing is critical as this Thursday is the cut-off date for e-mails to the Ministry of the Environment to escalate this to a higher environmental review. If a Level 2 Review is not requested by May 13th, the current plans will go ahead.

Please take a moment to e-mail a letter to: EAABGen@ene.gov.on.ca and copy Jim Bertulli, who is with the environmental planning company handling this file, at bertullij@mmm.ca. Here is a sample letter:

(NOTE: WHILE THE TEMPLATE LETTER IS A START, YOU ARE ENCOURAGED TO ADD TO IT YOUR THOUGHTS, FEELINGS, RESEARCH, PHOTOS .....IN FACT ANYTHING THAT WOULD BACK UP YOUR ARGUMENTS AGAINST THE PROPOSED PLAN, ANYTHING THAT WOULD SUPPORT MAINTAINING THE PRESENT FLOW RATES AND/OR YOUR IDEAS OF WHAT AN ACCEPTABLE PLAN WOULD BE.)

Sincerely
Heather Ryder

TEMPLATE LETTER

MINISTRY OF THE ENVIRONMENT,
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND APPROVALS BRANCH
2 ST.CLAIR AVE WEST, FLOOR 12A,
TORONTO, ON, M4V 1L5
ATTN: A. GARCIA-WRIGHT, DIRECTOR

Re: BRACEBRIDGE FALLS GENERATING STATION, GENERATING EQUIPMENT UPGRADES and WILSON'S FALLS GENERATING STATION RECONSTRUCTION

Dear Director,

As you know the Ministry of Culture and Tourism defines waterfalls as cultural assets. The above mentioned waterfalls are also tourism assets.

I am writing to request that you order the abovementioned proposals undergo a "part 2 Individual Environmental Assessment."

It is my belief that it is inappropriate to permit the proponent any (increased) diversion of flow as requested in the respective applications. The existing “scenic” flow regime is required to maintain the character of these falls for cultural, tourism, recreation and other uses. Any diversion of the existing scenic flow will cause an impairment of public values that cannot be mitigated. Accordingly, a part 2 order is required so that you may make a decision to refuse the request for increased flow diversion.

Warmest regards,

My Name is:
My Address is:
Today's Date is:

Please see the following websites for more detailed information:

http://www.protecttheroar.ca A group called "Protect the Roar" has been formed to prevent the drastic reduction of flow at Bracebridge and Wilsons Falls as proposed. Sandy Pyper, an owner on Browning Island is heavily involved in this fight.

http://www.cottagecountrynow.ca/community/southmuskoka - for the article in The Bracebridge Examiner

http://www.bracebridgegeneration.com - for Bracebridge Generation's proposal

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2011 Spring Newsletter

Download our 2011 Spring newsletter, including up-to-date island map and listing of island residents, from the members' tab.

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Property Assessment

Members can obtain an update and guidance regarding the 2011 assessment from the Assessment and Action Tab on the right hand side of the screen.

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Using Boat Gasoline with Ethanol?
Download valuable information under the MEMBERS tab before you store your boat this winter.

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Bala Falls Power Plant

The MLA is fighting the proposal to have a power plant located at Bala falls which would alter our lake level in the off season.

Both WRAFT and MLA would appreciate your support as mentioned in these articles. We have attempted to make is easy for you to make your input to these issues.

Call to Action - Prevent the demise of the Bala Falls from the private sector interests of the Swift River Energy Hydro Project. The MLA needs our help to take action on the proposed Bala Falls. Please read this message and the Things You Should Know About the Bala Falls article and pass it on to your concerned Muskoka friends whether MLA members or not, cc the MLA office at info@mla.on.ca. Please also send the attached letters to your MPPs.

Click on the links below for more information and to access the article and letter. Call to Action - Prevent the Demise of the Bala Falls

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Browning Island, A History

"Cottaging in the 'good old days' was quite a different experience, as cottagers on Browning Island aptly demonstrate in their recollections of Muskoka summers (and the odd winter) dating back to the early 1900s: food chilled by blocks of ice cut from the lake; a wandering cow munching oranges in the kitchen; excursions up the lake on elegant steamboats; a floating store that called at the dock every week; and of course who could forget that fashionable swimming attire!

"More than just a charming, sometimes poignant, often humorous peek at cottage life in another era, this book provides a unique history of the island that has been the special place for several generations of summer residents."

Copies of this delightful book are available from the Membership Director - $5.00 each or 3 for $12.00 plus postage.

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Renting? Want to find a cottage for rent? or Renting your Cottage? See the Marketplace Tab

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Septic Inspection Due for a septic inspection? Steel tank? See Members tab and FOCA website for updates on Septic testing.

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BROWNING ISLAND EXECUTIVE 2011-12

Note: The listing of BICA Directors and Executive is not accessible to non-members. You must be logged in to access the listing.

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BICA extends a warm welcome to new members.

For membership and annual dues information
please contact The Membership Director

Members, post your "cottage for rent" ads here too.