Canoeists and small watercraft have been safely using the portage and boat rollers at Moore Falls in Haliburton for decades. Paddlers from Kilcoo Camp, aged 8-16 years old, have relied on the under-highway portage since 1932 in order to access the lakes and parks south of the falls. On May 15, 2015 the Trent-Severn Waterway  (TSW) notified both the Gull Lake Cottagers Association and the Moore Falls Property Owner’s Association that the boat rollers and portage access had been removed (http://glca.ca/removal-of-boat-roller-system-at-gull-lake-and-moore-lake-dam/). This action was taken without any prior consultation with local residents and cottage owners.

The portage and boat rollers at Moore Falls have allowed thousands of paddlers and small watercraft over the decades to enjoy the adjoining lakes. The Moore Falls portage has been used without incident for many years. The Gull River canoe route is recognized as one of the region’s best heritage canoe routes. The water control structure at Moore Falls is unique on the TSW in that it was designed to be integral with the highway and incorporated an under-highway portage as part of its structure. Paddlers traversing between Moore and Gull Lakes are now forced to portage across the busy Highway 35 very near to a dangerous curve in the roadway. The risk to young kids crossing a highway while portaging a canoe and supplies must surely be greater than any associated risk to using the under–highway portage route.

We are asking for your help today. By signing this petition, you agree that you would like us to take actions to influence the Federal Government, through the local Member of Parliament, to take the necessary first steps to restore the portage and boat rollers.

We the undersigned believe it is in the best interest for the local community, the neighbouring municipalities and the Province for the portage route at Moore Falls to be reopened to public use.