I'm pleased to see studies taking place on Alta Lake. Over the years, I've seen many changes and I've been very concerned.
We've had property on Alta Lake since the '60s. As long as I can remember, there have been septic tanks on properties on or near the lake. The main sewer line did not go in until the late '70s and at that time, the homes on the east side of the lake were connected. From the '60s and into the '80s, we got our drinking water from a line into the lake. It is hard to imagine that it was once that clean. I'm very concerned about this new threat to the health of Alta Lake.
Septic tanks likely contribute to the problem, but the biggest change I have seen that can directly contribute to this problem is a great increase in the number of party barges on the lake. Ten years ago, there was only one party barge. Today, there are more than 30 barges. I'm not surprised that human-caused "nutrient loading—so poop and pee" ("Charting long-term change in Whistler's lakes", Pique, April 18) has increased greatly, because I have seen 10 to 30 people on one barge, drinking all day. I've seen them peeing off the barges and even cleaning their dishes in the lake after their barbecue.
Many of the barges themselves are pollutants. Many are made from oil drums, styrofoam, and cement board and other materials that break down, polluting the lake and threatening wildlife. It was extremely upsetting to find a barge breaking down in the wetlands beside the River of Golden Dreams.
It had an old mattress on it and chunks of styrofoam were breaking up into smaller bits. Another rotting at the mouth of Scotia Creek. Other barges left to rot had gas tanks, propane tanks, motors, and barbecues left on them. One even has an old fridge. There are a few barges in use that have electric motors, but most have gas-powered motors, old polluters, that burn oil. Many are extremely noisy and disturbing since they are running up and down the lake all day and evenings. Jet skis were not allowed for this reason.
Alta Lake was originally a fishing lake and for sailing and paddle sports. When not in use, the barges are often parked or abandoned near or in the wetlands and Alta Lake Park. We should not tolerate that.
With so many party barges and, unfortunately, so many individuals who don't use them responsibly, something needs to be done to protect Alta Lake from the damage they cause, directly and indirectly. I think it would make sense to study the proliferation of the barges and form some bylaws around them so that the municipality can manage their impact on the environment and peaceful enjoyment of the lake by all.
We only have one Alta Lake!
Ken Mason // Whistler
