Sylvan Lake noise ruins notion of a peaceful getaway

This form of pollution is also harmful to wildlife and residents, writes Kent Lyle

The Sylvan Lake Quiet Enjoyment Initiative, a subcommittee of the Sylvan Lake Stewardship Society, was formed to study the increasing noise pollution on and near Sylvan Lake. The initiative was to make recommendations to improve the lake’s environment by working with stakeholders to reduce or minimize the increasing noise nuisance on the lake.

Noise impacts from on-water and on-ice recreational use is a growing municipal concern nationwide. Any reduction of noise levels on Sylvan Lake will not only benefit the quiet majority of recreational users and visitors but also nearby residents and fish and wildlife.

Noise pollution has been described as noise that interferes with normal activities such as sleeping and conversation and disrupts or diminishes our quality of life and, in this case, enjoyment of lake life.

The main source of current noise pollution on Sylvan Lake is a lack of adequate noise abatement (mufflers) on larger boats, which is mandated federal law, and increasing use of powerful music systems to broadcast music across the lake, often at unnecessarily high levels. Outboards and inboard/outboards are not normally a problem as they expel their exhaust gases under the water. In the winter, noise comes from various motorized vehicles on the ice without adequate mufflers.

With encouragement from some lake municipalities and the Sylvan Lake Management Committee, the QEI developed an education and awareness program in 2016 and continued it in 2017. Community groups have also stepped forward with written support for this initiative, including a resolution from the Association of Summer Villages of Alberta.

Noise pollution on the lake can also negatively impact the tourist industry for the Sylvan Lake area. In a Leger survey of Canadians, 94 per cent (96 per cent in Alberta) said that when thinking of spending a weekend at a cottage or cabin, a quiet atmosphere was rated as the most important feature or amenity. Peace and quiet ranked above privacy, sandy beaches, access to water and outdoor activities.

The QEI is well positioned to take the lead and run with this challenge to achieve a positive outcome for all lake users, visitors, tourists and nearby residents.

In addition to reducing the calming effect that we feel when we spend time in wild and natural places, noise from sources such as high-powered boats without adequate noise abatement also has consequences for wildlife and ecosystems, according to a recent study by postdoctoral staff at Colorado State University.

The current QEI education program consists of four initiatives: creating a pamphlet outlining sources of excessive noise with suggested solutions, which is being distributed at the most popular boat launch sites and to local politicians and community groups; developing a Facebook site, addressing various community groups at ratepayers’ meetings and service clubs; and promoting appropriate signage at launch sites.

Visitors and local residents can take two actions to reduce noise levels on the lake: ensure the exhaust of all motorized boats and vehicles used is properly muffled as required by federal regulations, and keep music from one’s boat to a minimum.

Excessive lake noise is not acceptable if one considers it is against federal law to operate within five miles of shore without adequate noise abatement on a motorized boat; our Canadian common law includes the right to quiet enjoyment of property; most municipalities in central Alberta have noise bylaws; the eight municipalities surrounding Sylvan Lake have agreed, in the Sylvan Lake Management PlanUpdate 2000, to be proactive about excessive noise on the lake; personal watercraft and snow machines have been banned in all Canadian national parks due to noise pollution; and the World Health Organization’s guidelines for community noise state that noise is literally making us sick.

We all have the right to the peaceful enjoyments of our environments along with the responsibility to not disturb others.