Mayor Quaiff and Council,

The Prince Edward Federation of Agriculture appreciates the fact that agricultural production and livestock watering purposes
are exempt from the bylaw to regulate the use of the water supply in rural areas (6.1.4). However, we are asking that
Restriction number 7.2 which attempts to prohibit the taking of bulk water from Roblin Lake for livestock watering be
expanded upon to say "without overriding the provisions of 6.1.4." We are bringing new information forward at this time
which was not possible to present at the last meeting. The short meeting notice meant that all of our preparation for the
presentation was put together the night before. There had been no effort by the County to consult with the sector which could
be critically impacted so the farmers had no opportunity to present their case to Council. Quinte Conservation through the
Low Water response team is asking for the reductions in non essentials but does not make any recommendations about the
specifics of implementation.
We have an email from Terry Murphy, manager of QC, which helps clarify things and I quote in part. The Roblin Lake
situation is unique; we support the overall efforts the County has taken but want to make it very clear that QC did not
recommend the restrictions that were put on water taking from the lake. It is my opinion that using water to keep livestock
alive is an essential use, but allowing people to water lawns is not essential so there should be no watering of lawns (not
even on alternate days)
Furthermore, an excerpt from Christine McClure, water resources manager, QC, addressed to the Water Response Team
which I chair from the Water Response document clarifies the role of Conservation Authorities and Municipalities.
Municipalites may implement restrictions on non essential, non permitted water uses through Municipal bylaws. We all
know that livestock watering is an essential use and the restriction of sources is not noted as being allowed.
We have found that farmers in the area of Roblin Lake do not have enough time in the day to obtain the required quantity of
water from more distant locations. Furthermore, the water quality in the Bay of Quinte may not meet the required standards
for livestock health and food safety. Therefore, they would find themselves in violation of both Federal and Provincial laws
and regulations in terms of animal care and food safety if they were sourcing their water with tractors and wagons from
further away. Extra hours per day also puts human health and safety at risk. Municipal prohibitions which have been made in
haste without any requested consultation and of questionable legality can not supersede the Federal and Provincial laws
and regulations in terms of animal care and food safety.
We did hear the concerns about the intake at the Lake. In that regard, farmers are not stirring up the Lake. On the other
hand, boaters are allowed to back their trailers far enough into the Lake to float the boats and start their motors which stir up
the water near the intake. As for impacts on the level of the Lake, we have obtained the surface area of the Lake from Quinte
Conservation and have done the calculation which you see below:
900,000 is the Roblin Lake area in square meters.
There are 0.0045461 cubic meters/gallon (or 4.5461 litres/gallon)
105,000 gallons/week is being bulk hauled for livestock (15,000*7)
This calculates to 477.3405 cubic meters/week (line 2 x line 3)
This calculates to 0.00053 meters loss per week (line 4/ line 1)
or 0.53 millimeters loss per week (line 5 x 1000)
The bottom line is the quantity of water being used by the farmers for their livestock calculates to 0.53 millimeters per week, a
very insignificant sum and it's elimination would not change any outcomes.
Given the very minimal effects which this water taking could have on both the quality and quantity of water in Roblin Lake
and the very negative effects of a prohibition for the farmers, we are asking Council to expand on 7.2 to say "without
overriding the provisions of 6.1.4."
John Thompson,
President,
Prince Edward Federation of Agriculture