Causeway trespassing banned

County plans to hire private security to patrol causeway in crackdown on litter left by anglers

The James A. Gifford Causeway on Chemong Lake will soon be off-limits to trespassers. Peterborough County council, which oversees the road link between Bridgenorth and Ennismore in Selwyn Township, approved a bylaw Wednesday that sees the length of the causeway declared a “no trespassing” zone. Fines will be in place once approved by the Ministry of the Attorney General.

The “no trespassing” zone will include the outside areas of the causeway guiderails, as well as the areas on both shores. It doesn’t include the Rotary Park area though, or the parking area adjacent to the Sippin Dip restaurant.

The county plans to hire a security company to enforce the change, and also develop a communications plan to make people aware of it. Trash pickup will also be increased to three times a week along the causeway from May to October.

Trash left by anglers fishing from the causeway’s rocky foundation was the issue that prompted the county’s move. Bridgenorth realtor Brad Sinclair brought the problem to the public eye via social media in August before appearing before Selwyn council and county council to call for change.

County council agreed that a change was needed. On Wednesday at the county council meeting, Sinclair said the plan they’ve adopted is excellent.

“It will solve all the issues I brought forward,” he said.

Chris Bradley, the county’s director of public works, said the county isn’t putting a ban on fishing – that can still happen. Anglers buy bait, gas and lunch in the area, Bradley pointed out: They’re still welcome.

“But we want them to fish in a way that they’re not upsetting our residents – or the environment,” he said.

Bradley also said he thinks it’s best to hire a private security firm to patrol the no-trespassing zones. County staff lacks the time and expertise to do it, he said. Enforcement is key, he added. “Otherwise – I’m sorry to say it this way – we’ll look foolish,” he said.

Bradley also reminded councillors that the plan should help keep the shoreline free of junk that locals tend to dump; he’s seen building supplies tossed there, for example.

“Our enforcement people should be able to help us with that, too,” he said.

The plan will cost $27,000 in 2018, a sum that is expected to decrease in subsequent years.

Sheridan Graham, the county’s director of corporate projects and services, pointed out that the county will have to cover the onetime cost of No Trespassing signs in 2018.

Bradley added that littering – and the cost to clean up that litter – can be expected to decrease sharply, over the years.

“A bit of enforcement goes a long way,” he said.