Crib docks aren't necessarily the environmental villains you've heard they are. True, when yours was built - especially if it dates back to the bad old days when docks went in willy-nilly, no permits required - chances are good it destroyed some fish habitat. But now that it's there, it may be more of an asset than a liability. The spaces between the rocks in established cribs usually become fish habitat (unless they're totally enclosed, which is problematic) and, for smaller fish, a haven from predators, explains resource technician Kris Windover, with Ontario's Ministry of Natural Resources in Minden, Ont. So, taking the dock out means destroying that habitat, on top of the mess the removal process inevitably makes of the lake bottom and shoreline. The fact is, for any crib dock bigger than 15 square metres, you'd need a permit to remove it, part of the same permit process you'd go through to install a new dock or repair a damaged one.

However, if your crib dock is damaged or deteriorating, you'll need expert help in determining whether it's best to get rid of it. The place to start is your local municipal office. For more about crib dock repairs and the permit process, see "Crib Notes" in the May 2004 issue of Cottage Life.