Water & Environment

On this page:

• Dark, friendly sky
• Healthy natural enviroments
• Natural shorelines
• Invading invasives
• Low (road) salt diet
• Prevent insect bites

Dark, friendly sky

In 2016, the Town of HuntsvilleCouncil passed an Outdoor Lighting Bylaw, which encourages all residents to minimize light pollution in and around the municipality.

Healthy natural environments

Trees provide a number of services for communities including habitat for species, increasing biodiversity, sequestering carbon dioxide, retaining water and providing shade. The Town of Huntsville has a municipal tree policy to help preserve the urban tree canopy.

The Town of Huntsville Community Planning Permit By-law contains study requirements and a list of conditions of approval or provisional approval that may be required including: A tree inventory and preservation plan including identification of trees on the site 5 years prior to the application and a plan for the identification, protection, maintenance and enhancement of existing trees and other vegetation, including the restoration or replacement of vegetation where removed.

The Town of Huntsville discourages feeding wildlife like deer or leaving food out that bears and other animals like raccoons can get into, as they can become food conditioned and habituated. Read the Government of Ontario's guide on Feeding wildlife: dos and don’ts and Be Bear Wise.

Resources

Muskoka Watershed Council is a non-profit committed to empower the community to protect and enhance watershed health. Read the Muskoka Watershed Report Card produced every 4 years.

Natural shorelines

The Natural Edge Program and the Love Your Lake Program offered by the Muskoka Watershed Council, is for waterfront property owners hoping to re-naturalize their shoreline assesses the health of their lake. Read Engage Muskoka's guide on Making Waves: Integrated Watershed Management.

Invading invasives

There are several invasive species threatening Muskoka’s biodiversity, including phragmites, Japanese knotweed, and spiny water flea. Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters, in partnership with the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, established Ontario’s Invading Species Awareness Program (ISAP) to address the increasing threats posed by invading species in Ontario.

Remember to Clean, Drain, Dry - Aquatic invasive plants, animals, and diseases can spread through water-based recreation when they cling to watercrafts and gear.

Low (road) salt diet

Road salt is effective at keeping roads free of snow and ice, but it also has damaging consequences. As snow and ice melt on roads, the salt washes into soil, lakes, and streams, in some cases contaminating drinking water reservoirs and wells.

With climate change comes more frequent freeze-thaw cycles and more lake effect snow, which means people will apply more road salt due to more dangerous driving conditions.

The Town of Huntsville currently uses a minimal amount of salt (3-5%), due to the classification of its roads. The type of material used, and application techniques are based on factors like temperature, weather conditions, traffic volumes and speed limits.

The facts

• The Town of Huntsville deploys sand and salt as a go-to solution for keeping winter roads and sidewalks clear.
• The Town is responsible for maintaining all municipal roads in Huntsville except for District roads and Highways, which MTO oversees.
• Town of Huntsville Roads operations must maintain 418 km of roadway over a geographical area of 711 square kilometers.
• Winter sanding is the alternative to salting on rural and residential roads or used alongside salting. Sand provides traction control.
• Salt is used when the temperature is above -12°C. Below this, sand is used because salt is ineffective.
  Damage due to salt spray is usually short-term, the browning of trees is often noticeable on the east side of Highway 11 during early spring. By summer, these trees have usually recovered and have new green growth.

Reasons to limit salt use

• Salt damages infrastructure causing corrosion of concrete, wood, and metal.
• Salt damages aquatic ecosystems in local lakes and streams.
• Increases sodium and chloride levels in our drinking water sources (see Sodium in Drinking Water).
• Causes irritation and damage to pets and wildlife.
• Long-term pollution from legacy salt stores in soil and groundwater requiring costly remediation.

Solutions

Addressing accelerating salinization of lakes requires new thinking and innovative solutions that recognize the complexity of the issue.

• It’s imperative that research, investment, and public awareness converge to address this challenge holistically.
• To mitigate the impacts of salinization, evidence-based approaches are urgently required.
• Solutions and policy recommendations must promote the reduction of salt runoff from road salt applications and other sources. Brine for example is still a salt solution, consisting of granular salt dissolved in water, but it sticks to roads better and has a more direct impact where it is needed, which means less is required.
• Establish effective and comprehensive monitoring programs.

What you can do

So, what are some of the best ways to reduce your salt use while maintaining safety?

• Shovel first to remove as much snow and ice before applying salt.
• A little salt goes a long way. You only need to spread about a tablespoon or two of salt for a one-meter square area – the size of a sidewalk slab. Use a smaller grain-size, evenly spread on icy areas only, and give it time to work before clearing.
• Only use road salt when conditions are appropriate; road salt does not work when the temperature is below -10 °C.
• Redirect your downspouts away from walkways and driveways.
• Pile Snow in a lower area close to a storm sewer.
• Limit drifting snow by using snow fences or landscaping.
• Wear proper winter footwear designed for snow and ice.
• Use a traction aid like sand on your walkway to increase traction.
• Having snow tires on your vehicle and driving at a slower speed will increase traction, lower your chances of winter accidents, and save you money through lower insurance premiums.

Things to consider when hiring winter maintenance contractors

• Hire a contractor that is Smart About Salt certified.
• Ensure payment is based on the number of snow fall events or per season and not tied to salt usage.
• Require a salt management plan.

Prevent insect bites

The Town reminds residents that many parks have planned naturalized areas intentionally left to grow wild. Please, keep to pathways to enjoy non-wild walks and avoid ticks. Read the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit's guide on Lyme Disease and Ticks.

Practice the 4 Ds for reducing mosquito risks Read the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit's guide on West Nile Virus:

1. Drain your property of unwanted standing water
2. Dusk/dawn: take extra care at these times
3. Dress appropriately: wear light-coloured, loose fitting clothing with long sleeves
4. Defend against mosquito bites by using mosquito repellents