Dear Editor,
Once again, I feel the need to respond to a letter in the paper, where a “little common sense” and some research could have saved us all some time.
We moved to Sylvan Lake in 2003, hot on the heels of two very dry years. Yes, there were miles of beach to play on, but we heard nothing but lament of how low the water level was. Fast forward 10 years, hot on the heels of several very wet years, and hey, we have nothing but lament of how high the water is. This is the natural cycle of a lake folks. Give it another 10 years and it will likely be low again. I am sure Mr. Hallgren, having been here ‘on and off since 1931’, has seen this many times.
Complaining about it to town council is of no value, other than fodder for Letters to the Editor. The town has no jurisdiction, or authority, over the waters of the lake. That solely belongs to the Department of Oceans and Fisheries Canada. So, lay off council. There is nothing they can, or will, do about the level of the lake, and badgering them isn’t going to change that.
For those concerns, please feel free to contact the Honourable Gail Shea, Minister for Oceans and Fisheries. The phone number for the Central and Arctic Office in Sarnia is 866-290-3731, or check out their website at www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca. Waters are a federal matter, not municipal.
David Spencer,
Sylvan Lake