JLMA Activities

On December 12, 1995, Parkland County approved $40,000 in their annual budget to be allocated for the preparation of a Jackfish Lake Area Structure Plan (ASP). A Steering Committee was established in 1996, comprised of representatives from JLMA, Parkland County, Alberta Environmental Protection (AEP), Alberta Agriculture, Food & Rural Development and West View Regional Health Authority.

On March 30, 1996 the JLMA arranged for David Park and Bill Patterson from AEP, Fish & Wildlife to make a presentation to increase our membership’s awareness of the issues related to shoreline development.

The Area Structure Plan (ASP) did not provide for a water quality management program within the terms of reference and the most recent water quality data on Jackfish Lake was sampling from 1980 and 1981. A jointly run project between the JLMA, AEP, and Alberta Lake Management Society (ALMS) was established whereby JLMA volunteer members were trained by AEP & ALMS to collect water samples from 10 sites, twice a month from May – September. All necessary equipment and the sample analysis service were provided by AEP. The analysis was forwarded to the Steering Committee to ensure that they had current data on which to base their decision-making.

The committee submitted recommendations to improve operations at the County owned and operated Public Launch and Picnic Area. Two of the ten point recommendations were approved for implementation. The balance of the recommendations was forwarded to the Steering Committee for review.

The JLMA is unofficially a community league for the area, and, as such, has enhanced the community spirit by organizing various social events. Examples over the years have been Garage Sales, Summer BBQ & Dance, entertainment evenings, beach parties.

The JLMA also publishes a quarterly newsletter called the Jackfish Lake Echo as a means of communication with our general membership and non-members within the community.

The JLMA focused its energies on our involvement with the Steering Committee preparing the draft Jackfish Lake Area Structure Plan. It was a year of searching for solutions, facing challenges, being proactive and innovative, and compromising while keeping our mission statement in the forefront of our thoughts and actions. We encouraged every stakeholder to become involved in the public input process and to attend the Steering Committee workshops. The County public hearing for the ASP was held on October 3, 1997.

Two JLMA Members volunteered their lots for Shoreline Restoration Plots. This project was offered to us from the Alberta Conservation Association and is an initiative to show lakefront owners that natural shorelines can be developed in a responsible way and still be aesthetically pleasing. Both volunteers had been allowing their shorelines to naturalize since seeing the Vital Edge Presentation. One plot had a variety of native plants starting to regenerate and the other plot was located in an area classified in the ASP as “damaged shoreline”. This project gave us an opportunity to learn the entire process involved in planning, applying for the proper permits, implementing the project and seeing the results of two very different shoreline situations.

The JLMA took the initiative of sponsoring a “Boating Safety Awareness Program”. After discussions with the R.C.M.P. Stony Plain Detachment, it appeared feasible to enter into a contract for Boat Patrol Services at Jackfish Lake. In addition to regular boating safety and regulation enforcement, the hired constable was responsible for educating boaters on the new blanket boating restriction, the 10-30 Rule, as well as providing education on the upcoming boating and personal watercraft licensing program to be implemented in January 1999. The Community Lottery Board #32 awarded the JLMA with a grant to fund this program partially.

A new subdivision, approved in 1998, became the first test case for the Jackfish Lake Area Structure Plan. Already during the prolonged approval process, several areas that were thought to be covered by the ASP came into question as differing interpretations of the clauses were presented. In the end, Two Island Point was approved with 14 lots, most of them one (1) acre in size, surrounding the perimeter of the peninsula-shaped piece of property. As lots were sold in Two Island Point, new residents began to make improvements to their properties. Additional aspects of the development permits and the associated Restrictive Covenant placed on the properties were brought under scrutiny, specifically the tenets of the 30-metre Environmental Reserves (protected areas along the shoreline) and the common dock/pier recommendation that seemed to go by the wayside as ERs were cleared of underbrush and individual piers made their appearance at several lots.

As the Summer of 1999 drew to a close, the JLMA Executive and Board was directed by members at the Annual General Meeting held on September 18 to continue to communicate with all levels of government to be accountable for the policies contained in the Jackfish Lake Area Structure Plan, and to define more clearly how some of those policies are to be interpreted.

As we approach the "New Millennium", the Jackfish Lake Management Association plans to continue developing community spirit by sponsoring events of interest to the Lake watershed users. The JLMA will also continue to keep in touch with the regulatory issues facing our thriving community, always considering the input of all stakeholders to promote sustainable living around Jackfish Lake.

Sunday February 20, 2005 - JLMA 4th Annual Family Fun Day (2:00 pm - sunset)
Celebrate the Family Day holiday weekend at Jackfish Lake public beach/boat launch area

                Saturday July 23, 2005 - Barbecue Dinner & Fireworks Extravaganza
                    Mark your calendars -- this should be a great time! Contact us to help with the planning!

                August 2005 - Paddle Boat Event
                    Mark your calendars ...

                Next Board Meeting: (TBA)

                Annual General Meeting: Saturday May 07, 2005 at Carvel Hall
09:00-10:00 pancake breakfast
10:00-12:00 AGM & Election of new Board members

Saturday in August, 2006 - 3rd Annual Canoe and Paddleboat Rally - 11:00 am +
- details in the Jackfish Lake Echo, and in the weekly JLMA e-News
Location: Amity Bay Lot #8
Entry fee: $4 per adult, $ per child (to cover prizes, hot dogs, beverages)
Registration and contact info to be announced.
Heats begin at 1:00 pm
1. Adult Canoe 2. Adult Paddleboat 3. Child Canoe 4. Child Paddleboat
5. Adult and Child Paddleboat 6. Adult and Child Canoe
7. Anything Goes Race - cheaters welcome!!
If there are enough kayaks, there will be separate races for those.
Prize ceremony to follow races.
Get out on the water for fun with your neighbours!
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Sunday February 25, 2007 - Winterfest 2007 (formerly Family Fun Day)
Come ... Join in the fun at the 6th Annual JLMA Winterfest 2007
Join your Jackfish Lake neighbours on Sunday February 25 from 2:00 pm to sunset for an afternoon of skating, shinnie hockey, etc. Walk, skate, ski or snowmobile over to Amity Bay. The skating rink will be cleared. Hot dogs and hot chocolate will be provided for JLMA members and guests. Donations from guests appreciated. Please note: This social will be cancelled if the temperature is -20 C or colder.
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Saturday May 12, 2007 - Pancake Breakfast & Spring Meeting
Hungry? Come for breakfast (08:30-10:00am) at Carvel Hall.
Breakfast will be followed by the Annual General Meeting of the Association, usually with a guest speaker, and then elections for Board positions (10:00-12 noon).
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Saturday July 21, 2007 from 5:00 pm to sunset - 5th Annual Jackfish Lake Barbecue
Location: Bayshore Estates (Huston cabin)
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Sunday February 17, 2008 - Winterfest 2008
2:00-5:00pm at the public boat launch
- bonfire, fishing derby, snow shoe races, 3-legged racesprizes, hotdogs & hot beverages

Saturday July 19, 2008 - 6th Annual Jackfish Lake Barbecue
Location: Edwards Beach
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Sunday February 22, 2009 - Winterfest 2009
2:00-5:00pm on the south side of Church Island
- bonfire, hotdogs, hot chocolate & beverages