There are some people who live along Sylvan Lake, who continue efforts to crackdown on the noise caused by unfiltered exhaust systems from boats and snowmobiles. 

The Quiet Enjoyment Initiative, which is a subcommittee of the Sylvan Lake Stewardship Society, has distributed pamphlets this summer to boat launch sites around the lake, as well as to local politicians and community groups to raise awareness and support.

Chairman of the Initiative Kent Lyle says they are not trying to ban all forms of motorized recreational boats and vehicles on the lake, but to crack down on the ones making way more noise than what is reasonable and legal.

“It’s federal law in Canada, if you are operating on any water within 5 miles of shore, you are supposed to have noise apartment that’s appropriate. And the second one is not regulated, because it’s fairly new, and that is that many of the boats now, particularly the wakeboard boats, have pretty high priced music systems on board, and powerful speakers, and as you know, sound travels easily across a lake.”

He says inboard and outboard motors do not cause a problem, as they exit their exhaust gases under the water. In the winter time, off road vehicles like snowmobiles and quads without adequate mufflers are the ones causing concerns.  

Lyle says so far the people they have spoken to have been very supportive of their cause. 

“Well when we run into people they are all very supportive...I think it’s just a few people that really, kind of ruin it for everybody else. We’re running into the people that think it’s a good idea. Probably the offenders don’t want to say anything.” 

The group will meet again this fall, to discuss the outcome of their pamphlet campaign.

Next step for the group is to create a Facebook page for their organization, then address various community groups at ratepayers meetings and other service clubs, and finally promote appropriate signage at launch sites.