Clark Lake vessel restriction in limbo
The Town of Huntsville will not be proceeding with an Environmental Assessment for a Vessel Operation Restriction Regulation or (VORR) application to ban motorized boats on Clark Lake.
The small, five-meter-deep lake has no public access and has seen an informal ban on gas-powered boats since the 1970s, which most residents support.
The issue, however, was brought to the forefront by a resident who organized a lake association to formalize the ban in 2022 following issues with short term rentals. After presenting to Huntsville council, staff were directed to proceed with the application, which would take up to two years to complete. The ban aims to protect the lake’s ecosystem.
Transport Canada has since requested the assessment to evaluate potential environmental impacts, which would require significant resources.
Mayor Nancy Alcock suggested pausing the application instead of withdrawing it, leaving room for future action if funding becomes available.
