Milfoil threat leads packed Otter Lake meeting on environmental issues
Cathy Fox
Published on www.pontiacjournal.com on June 18, 2025.
OTTER LAKE — A large crowd gathered at the RA Hall, June 7, for a public information session hosted by the Municipality of Otter Lake. The event, sponsored by the Greater Otter Lake Residents’ Association (GORA), featured presentations by Councillor Robin Zacharias, Mayor Jennifer Quaile, and guest speaker Rui Medeiros of the Petit Lac Cayamant Association. Topics included radon gas, waste management and Eurasian
milfoil in local waterways.
Zacharias spoke about radon gas, referencing information from the Government of Canada’s official resources. He stressed the importance of testing buildings for radon
and urged residents to use certified professionals for any necessary remediation.
On the topic of waste management, Zacharias presented statistics showing significant changes in garbage hauling costs—rising from $83,000 in 2018 to $137,000 in 2024.
The municipality saw the need to separate compost from garbage, which adds substantial weight and contributes to methane emissions and odours at the landfill. Separating compost is both an environmental and financial necessity: it costs $200 per ton to
process compost versus $300 per ton to haul it to the landfill.
Residents were encouraged to recycle more effectively, with handouts distributed at the session. Since January 2025, Otter Lake has enforced a clear garbage bag rule to ensure recyclable and compostable materials are properly sorted. New provincial regulations now allow a broader range of plastics to be recycled—provided they are clean—and materials will be traceable back to manufacturers to ensure compliance. Similarly, new fees on bottles and cans aim to improve recycling rates by returning materials to producers.
Local waste management data shows a consistent reduction in garbage production and
an increase in recycling and composting; however, officials estimate 10% of residents haven’t fully embraced the changes. Residents can use the Ça va où ? website
(https://cavaouwebapp.recyc-quebec.gouv.qc.ca/) to check how various items
should be disposed of.
The most pressing issue discussed was the spread of Eurasian milfoil, an aggressive invasive aquatic plant now found in six outlying lakes and four main lakes in the Otter Lake area. Biologist Annie Parent and the Agence Bassin Versant des Sept (ABV7) conducted a special analysis of the situation. The invasive plant not only crowds out native species and depletes oxygen levels but also poses risks to recreational activities like boating, swimming, and fishing.
Officials outlined a multi-step plan to combat the spread of milfoil: public education, mandatory boat washing, boat traffic control, shoreline management, obtaining necessary permits from Quebec’s Ministry of the Environment (MEV), and pursuing an operation for long-term eradication. The municipality installed a high-temperature boat washing station at the municipal garage, designed to eliminate both Eurasian milfoil and zebra mussels.
The wash is free for local residents, while non-residents pay a $10 fee. A secondary, shorter wash is available for non-motorized boats and trailers.
To support enforcement, 29 red buoys have been placed throughout the main lake
and its three connecting bodies of water; four mark areas of dense infestation and are accompanied by warning signs. A $300 fine for non-compliance with boat washing rules
is expected to be enforced soon.
In addition, a new bylaw prohibits rental cottages within 50 metres of the shoreline, making it easier to monitor boaters. All property owners are encouraged to use the main public launch at Farm Lake.
Quaile reported the municipality is in the final stages of securing a permit from the MEV
to initiate a long-term eradication program. The first phase—to take place by spring 2026
—will involve smothering dense patches of milfoil with a specialized tarp costing $50,000, which can be reused in other affected areas. Funding applications are currently underway.
Medeiros spoke about a successful milfoil control initiative at Petit Lac Cayamant using divers to hand-pick the plant, and reassured attendees that waterways will remain open. Both Medeiros and Quaile emphasized the importance of community involvement and
one-on-one conversations between neighbours to raise awareness and ensure the success of the control measures.
Photo – Otter Lake Mayor Jennifer Quaile at the boat washing station. (CF)
