Healthy Lakes and Wetlands For Tomorrow - Species at Risk

MOTORIZED WATER VEHICLES:
Drive at speeds that do not produce a wake within 30 m (100 feet) of the shoreline.
Under Transport Canada’s Vessel Operation Regulations all power-driven vessels are required to move at
speeds less than 10 km/h within 30 m (100 feet) of all river and lake shorelines in Nova Scotia. Wakes from
vehicles like motorboats and personal watercraft can disturb wildlife species and erode shorelines, while
motorboat propellers can tear up vegetation, hit wildlife, and increase sedimentation.
Use public access boat launches instead of creating a boat launch on your property.
Boat launches require extensive shoreline modification and a road to the lake. Public access boat launches
are an easy alternative to avoid impacting the lake shoreline and water quality.
Do not drive motorized vehicles in shallow vegetated water.
Avoid areas where your boat can stir up lake bottom sediment, disturb wildlife, and tear up vegetation.
Refuel all detachable fuel tanks well away from the water.
Minimize fuel spills by using devices like funnels or fuel pumps and place fuel absorbent pads underneath
the tank when refueling. Do not top-up or overfill your tank because fuel expands when it warms and
could leak if your tank is overfilled. Prevent fuel leakage by keeping your engine well maintained.
Purchase an electric or four-stroke engine when replacing your motor.
Every year recreational boating is responsible for the release of millions of litres of fuel and oil directly into
freshwater lakes. Two-stroke engines are inefficient and release 25-40% of their fuel directly into the water
as unburned exhaust. Environment Canada found that driving 8,000 km in a car produced fewer emissions
than running a 70 hp two-stroke motor for two hours! Four-stroke engines emit 80% less pollutants, are
quieter, and require 40-80% less fuel – a good way to save money and help the environment.
NS Public Lands Coalition
NS Public Lands Coalition
J. McNeil
FROM TOP LEFT: Aerial view of the damage from vehicle use to a bog; Off-highway vehicle tracks through sensitive bog habitat; Eastern
Ribbonsnake crossing the road.
Resources:
Tread Lightly!
www.treadlightly.org
A non-profit organization dedicated to spreading the word about how to be a
responsible outdoor enthusiast. Click on “education” and then “recreation tips” to
learn ways to decrease your environmental impact while riding off-highway vehicles,
hiking, fishing, mountain biking, and many more.
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Travel responsibly
Respect the rights of others
Educate yourself
Avoid sensitive areas
Do your part