Ratepayers replacing dock structures are encouraged to responsibly dispose of or recycle their old docks.
Docks destined for disposal can be dismantled into manageable sized pieces and disposed of at the Devil's Elbow, Sheep Head, Crane or Healey Lake transfer sites in the southern portion of the Township, as well as the Site 9 Landfill site in the north Archipelago. The containers for the disposal of dock materials are generally in place during the summer construction season, while materials are accepted year round at Site 9.
The dock's construction materials must be separated (metal, wood, foam etc.) prior to disposal. Contractors are not permitted to use transfer sites for this purpose and must make other arrangements for disposal.
The Township does not provide pickup and disposal services for old docks, including those abandoned. Township Council is aware that there are issues surrounding abandoned docks and is proactively tackling this. If you encounter a navigational issue with an abandoned dock, you are encouraged to report it to the responsible authority (OPP, Coast Guard/DFO).
See below for more information regarding abandoned docks.
Abandoned Docks
Over the years, more and more old docks are being seen pulled up on the shorelines of our inland lakes and along the Georgian Bay coastline. It makes sense that owners have had to replace docks; things just deteriorate over time. Most property owners have broken down their old docks and re-purposed what they could, removing the remaining bits from the shoreline.
Unfortunately, some property owners have just pulled their old docks into bays and have abandoned them. These docks create potential navigational issues. Not least, they are unsightly in our otherwise beautiful environment.
Property owners are responsible for the safe disposal of their old docks. We ask that our residents and associations identify docks that appear to be abandoned; create a pictorial inventory; talk with surrounding property owners to clarify the status of the docks; and, when it is clear that a dock is truly abandoned, assist each other in finding a way to remove the dock from our waterways.
In 2021,with support from Township Council, our Lake Associations started Wayward Dock Days whereby residents could tow such docks to a central location and The Archipelago would arrange pickup and disposal of them Please contact your Lake Association for more information about future dates.
Thank you for your consideration and assistance.
