RAINY LAKE ISLANDS CONSERVATION RESERVE (C2344) FACT SHEET

Transcription

1 RAIY LAK ILAD CORVATIO RRV () FACT HT October, 00 BACKGROUD On July, 999, the Ontario Government released the Ontario s Living Legacy Land Use trategy to guide the planning and management of Crown lands in central and parts of northern Ontario. A major part of the Ontario s Living Legacy Land Use trategy was a government intent to establish 78 new protected areas. This commitment marks the biggest expansion of provincial parks and conservation reserves in Ontario s history. The proposed is part of this significant expansion of Ontario s protected areas system. IZ AD LOCATIO The proposed is located to the north, east and southeast of the town of Fort Frances, which lies on the southwestern shores of Rainy Lake. The proposed site is comprised of Crown lands on the islands of Rainy Lake. Access to this site may be gained by water from public access points marked by signs to the east of Fort Frances off of Highway at the oden Causeway, Reef Point/Hopkins Bay and Redgut Bay. Additional public access points are located off Highway 8, which extends north off Highway approximately kilometres to the east of Fort Frances, at Baseline Bay and Crowrock Inlet. The site may also be accessed via the eine River, amakan River, Turtle River, Manitou River and Manomin River waterways. The site's boundaries coincide with the water's edge of all islands within the Canadian portion of Rainy Lake, including islands in the numerous inlets and bays of the lake, with the exception of patented properties and any shoreline reserves immediately in front of such properties. here patented properties occur adjacent to Crown lands on islands, the site's boundaries coincide with the boundaries of those patented properties. Also excluded are any Crown lands on the islands forming part of the developed lands of the oden Causeway, and andpoint Island Provincial Park. Lands connected to the mainland by fens, bogs or swamp are not considered islands and are excluded from the site, while islands separated from the mainland by marsh are included.

2 This reflects the original intent for the as provided in the Land Use trategy. It is acknowledged that the full extent of the islands intended for inclusion in the conservation reserve was not clearly depicted on the map that accompanied the trategy. The proposed is approximately,77 hectares in size. The geographic extent of the proposed site is significantly greater, with the islands spreading across the extent of the Canadian portion of Rainy Lake, which covers an area of approximately 78 square kilometres. Individual islands comprising the proposed Conservation Reserve range in size from hundreds of hectares down to rocky islets less than a hectare in size. ARA HIGHLIGHT The was identified and recommended for protection by the Boreal est Round Table, in response to public input received during consultation. The site represents both characteristic ecosystem and landform features of Districts -, - and -, and also contains significant scenic, recreational and ecological features. The represents both wetland and upland ecosystems, which overlay both granitic and metamorphic bedrock complexes and morainal and lacustrine glacial deposits. panning two Regions, three Districts and two geological subprovinces, the island ecologies provide a unique representation of ecosystem/landform features within these Districts. The islands provide habitat for rare plants such as prickly pear cactus and extensive nesting habitat for bald eagles, great blue herons and ospreys. The upland forested areas of the larger islands of are comprised of a combination of tree species common to the Great Lakes-t. Lawrence and Boreal Forest Regions, as the site lies in the transition zone between the two. uch tree species include astern hite Pine, Red Pine, Black and hite pruces, astern hite Cedar, hite Birch, Burr Oak, Red Oak, Largetooth Aspen, and Basswood. The combination of geological and ecological complexity represented by the proposed site, combined with the microclimatic effects associated with the islands in such a large body of water, provide for a diversity unusual in a single protected area. The proposed offers excellent boating, swimming, camping, hunting, fishing and wildlife viewing opportunities. LAD U ITT Conservation reserves are areas of Crown land set aside by regulation under the Public Lands Act. Conservation reserves complement provincial parks as part of a system that protects representative natural areas and special landscapes. Most recreational (e.g., hiking, skiing, tourism related uses, nature appreciation) and non-industrial (e.g., fur harvesting, commercial fishing, and bait fishing) activities that have traditionally been enjoyed in the area will continue, provided that these uses do not impact the natural features identified. Hunting and fishing are permitted within most new conservation reserves recommended through Ontario s Living Legacy. Commercial timber harvesting, mining, aggregate extraction and commercial hydroelectric development are prohibited in conservation reserves. ew private access roads and new resource access roads are not permitted in conservation reserves unless a prior written commitment has been made, with the exception of necessary access to existing mining claims, leases and patents enclosed by the conservation reserve.

3 Consistent with the pre-existing mining claims on this site will be managed as a "forest reserve" and will not be included as part of the regulated conservation reserve area. Policies for forest reserves are similar to those for conservation reserves, except that mining activities are permitted. hould the mining claims be retired in the future through normal processes, the claim area will be added to the conservation reserve. here there are existing Aboriginal and treaty rights, the establishment of this conservation reserve does not extinguish these rights. XT TP The OLL Land Use trategy established the Ministry's intent to add these Crown lands to Ontario's protected areas system, following the extensive public consultation associated with the Ontario s Living Legacy and Lands for Life land use planning initiatives between 997 and 999. Prior to the finalization of the boundary of this conservation reserve proposed for regulation under the Public Lands Act and consistent with the Ministry s nvironmental Assessment Act responsibilities, the Ministry is inviting public comment on the proposed boundary from all potentially affected stakeholders between ovember and December, 00. The Ministry is committed to ongoing consultation with First ations who are potentially affected by OLL decisions. In the interim, the area has been withdrawn and protected from resource extraction activities such as timber harvesting, hydroelectric development, aggregate extraction and new mineral exploration. In the future and subject to the intended regulation of the area as a conservation reserve, the Ministry of atural Resources will provide long-term management direction for this area. Depending upon the complexity of issues within this conservation reserve, management direction may take the form of a simple tatement of Conservation Interest or a more detailed Resource Management Plan. The public will be invited to participate in the preparation of management plans. Please let us know if you would like to be notified directly of this opportunity. Planning, management and the uses permitted within this conservation reserve will be consistent with the commitments of the Ontario s Living Legacy Land Use trategy. FOR MOR IFORMATIO For further information on the proposed, please contact John Munroe, District Planner at the Ministry of atural Resources, 08 aturn Avenue, Atikokan, Ontario P0T C0, phone (807) ext., fax (807) You may also visit the Ministry s Internet website at for information about Ontario s Living Legacy.

4 Vane Lake Oliver Lake Ash Lake aller Island hidden Lake Locking Lake Amer Island Tile xisting Provincial Park/Conservation Reserve Henderson Bay pencer Lake Pitcairn Island Rainy Lake 7A Alexandria Bay Trail Railway Lot/Township Line Federal Land, Pit/Quarry River/tream River/tream Rat Root Bay View Island Camp arrows Lyons Bay Cyr's Bay Cherry Island Horseshoe Bay helter Bay oodchuck Island Tile Lost Bay Griesinger egg Lake asaw Boffin Lake Hook Island Big Creek McKelvie Island Crowe Island conservation reserve. here the boundary appears to Land Use trategy however, should mining claims or Published: ovember, 00 cale :0,000

5 Moose Bay Vane Lake aller Island Henderson Bay Goat Island Rat Root Bay Tile xisting Provincial Park/Conservation Reserve Pit/Quarry Trail Railway River/tream River/tream Lot/Township Line Federal Land, Cyr's Bay Cyr's Point Otter Bay Ami PointChamberlain Point Big Canoe River Tile McKelvie Island Crowe Island Bare Island arrow Island Hopkins Bay Rice Bay Halkirk Rainy Lake A Bear Pass Ottertail Lake conservation reserve. here the boundary appears to Land Use trategy however, should mining claims or Published: ovember 00 cale :0,000

6 Inset Map showing Forest Reserves Turtle River Provincial Park Tile xisting Provincial Park/Conservation Reserve Pit/Quarry River/tream River/tream Trail Railway Lot/Township Line Inset Area Tibbetts Lake Heron River Mariah Bay ortheast Bay Law Lake Tile Ottertail Lake HIGHAY Farrington Gallo Lake Hoard Lake Barber Lake Little Turtle River conservation reserve. here the boundary appears to Land Use trategy however, should mining claims or Published: October, 00 cale :0,000

7 Rainy Lake 8C asaw Bay Boot Bay Pot Island hoe Bay Raspberry Island teeprock Island Gross Island Haymarsh Bay eibert Tile xisting Provincial Park/Conservation Reserve Pit/Quarry Trail River/tream Railway River/tream Lot/Township Line International Federal Land, Border Fort Frances Tile United tates conservation reserve. here the boundary appears to Land Use trategy however, should mining claims or Published: ovember, 00 cale :0,000

8 United tates Millers Bay Black Island Rocky Islet Bay atten Rainy Lake ims Moran's Bay Highway ickel Lake Blind Bay ickel Lake Armot Island andpoint Island Provincial Park Inset Map showing Forest Reserves well Bay Inset Area Tunnel Bay Bald Island Finger Point helter Cove ind Bay Dude Island trange Bay Channel Island Mackenzie Island cott Islands Fa Gagne Lake LOCKART ROAD Tile xisting Provincial Park/Conservation Reserve Pit/Quarry Trail River/tream Railway River/tream Lot/Township Line International Border Tile conservation reserve. here the boundary appears to Land Use trategy however, should mining claims or Published: ovember, 00 cale :0,000

9 cott Islands Bleak Bay United tates Gagne Lake HIGHAY eine Bay Lockart Lake eine River LOCKART ROAD Mudge Lake Bliss Lake Little Grassy Lake Moose River Moose Bay Anchor Islands Gull Rocks eine River B Rat River Bay Cormorant Bay Lindoo Island est Branch Rat River Breezy Island Kettle Island ast Branch Rat River Melin Lake Falls River Tile xisting Provincial Park/Conservation Reserve Pit/Quarry Trail River/tream Railway River/tream Lot/Township Line International Border Federal Land, Tile conservation reserve. here the boundary appears to Land Use trategy however, should mining claims or Published: ovember, 00 cale :0,000