Ontario's Living Legacy Land Use Strategy (as amended)

The electronic version of the OLL Land Use Strategy has been modified since its original publication in 1999. Amendments to this document have taken place through a formal amendment process.

Amendments That Have Affected This Document

Amendment Tracking Number	Section of the Land Use Strategy Which Have Been Amended
2008-10	Section 2.0, 4.0, 6.1.10 and 7.2

 

Background and specifics on the amendments listed in the table above are accessible by clicking on the amendment tracking number.  This background will illustrate exactly what text was amended and why.

Table of Contents

Asterisks (**) below indicate that the section has been modified by a corresponding Crown land use amendment.

 

MESSAGE FROM THE MINISTER

 

1.0 INTRODUCTION

 

1.1 Purpose of the Land Use Strategy
1.2 Context for Planning
1.3 Planning and Public Consultation Process
1.4 Consulting with Aboriginal Peoples

 

2.0 COMPLETING ONTARIO'S SYSTEM OF PARKS AND PROTECTED AREAS**

 

3.0 RECOGNIZING THE LAND USE NEEDS OF RESOURCE-BASED TOURISM

 

3.1 Introduction
3.2 Land Use Policies
3.3 Guidelines for the Protection of Tourism Values
3.4 Resource Stewardship Agreements
3.5 Dispute Resolution Process

 

4.0 PROVIDING GREATER CERTAINTY FOR RESOURCE INDUSTRIES**

 

5.0 ENHANCING ANGLING, HUNTING AND OTHER CROWN LAND RECREATION

 

6.0 OTHER LAND USE DIRECTION

 

6.1 Crown Land and Water Management**
6.2 Forest Fire Management

 

7.0 LAND USE CATEGORIES

 

7.1 Overview
7.2 Land Use Designations**
7.3 Enhanced Management Areas

 

8.0 FEATURED AREAS

 

8.1 Great Lakes Heritage Coast
8.2 Lake Nipigon Basin
8.3 Algoma Headwaters
8.4 Spanish River Valley
8.5 Kawartha Highlands
8.6 Killarney
8.7 St. Raphael
8.8 Nagagamisis Central Plateau Complex
8.9 Woodland Caribou

 

9.0 IMPLEMENTATION

 

9.1 Status of the Strategy
9.2 Environmental Assessment Act Requirements
9.3 Keeping the Land Use Strategy Current

 

APPENDIX A: AREA-SPECIFIC POLICIES

 

Area specific policies are documented in the Crown Land Use Policy Atlas.

 

LIST OF MAPS

 

Map 1: Planning Area
Map 2: Featured Areas
Map 3: Land Use Strategy

 

LIST OF TABLES

 

Table 1: Summary of the Protected Areas System in the Planning Area
Table 2: Summary of Land Use Categories in the Planning Area
Table 3: Summary of Permitted Uses in Provincial Parks within the Planning Area
Table 4: Summary of Permitted Uses in Conservation Reserves within the Planning Area

 

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MESSAGE FROM THE MINISTER

 

The people of Ontario have been blessed with a spectacular natural environment. We have vast forests, magnificent lakes and rivers, and an abundance of fish and wildlife. It is our legacy.

 

Ontario's natural resources are vital to the environmental health of our planet. Ontario's Living Legacy is a strategy for ensuring the long-term health of our natural resources.

 

Ontario's Living Legacy includes the biggest expansion of the parks and protected areas system in Ontario's history. Living Legacy will also strengthen the forest and mining industries, and enhance tourism and recreation in northern Ontario to improve the economic health of northern communities.

 

Ontario's Living Legacy results from an unprecedented consultation process. Three citizen Round Tables did an outstanding job of stimulating public discussion about the best use and protection for our natural resources. Thousands of Ontarians provided valuable input. That input and the recommendations of the Round Tables provided the foundation for Ontario's Living.

 

Ontario's Living Legacy is a momentous achievement that will be recognized around the world as a significant contribution to sustaining our natural environment.

 

The approved land use strategy that follows outlines in detail the ideas and goals of Ontario's Living Legacy. Legacy

 

John Snobelen
Minister, Natural Resources

 

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1.0 INTRODUCTION

 

1.1 Purpose of the Land Use Strategy

 

Ontario's Living Legacy Land Use Strategy is the result of an extensive planning process that was carried out from February, 1997 to May, 1999. The Strategy outlines the intended strategic direction for the management of 39 million hectares of Crown lands and waters in a planning area covering 45 percent of the province (see Map 1). In this report, Crown land includes:

• the resources on these lands, including forests, mineral and aggregate resources, fish, wildlife, and hydro power;
• most of the beds of lakes and rivers; and,
• Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves.

The Strategy focuses on four specific objectives that were established at the beginning of the planning process:

• completing Ontario's system of parks and protected areas;
• recognizing the land use needs of the resource-based tourism industry;
• providing forest, mining, and other resource industries with greater land and resource use certainty; and,
• enhancing angling, hunting and other Crown land recreation opportunities.

The Strategy is a guidance document that sets a framework for future land and resource management on Crown lands in the planning area. It provides guidance and direction on what activities are proposed or preferred in certain areas and what activities will be permitted. This direction is primarily outlined through defining and locating land use categories that identify the general objectives, policies and uses for these areas. It also provides some general direction for resource management activities, as well as identifying a range of future planning and consultation needs.

 

Any new or revised plans for Crown lands will be consistent with the intent of the Strategy. It will replace the direction contained in a number of existing land use planning documents. Planning is a continuous process -- the strategies in the approved document will be subject to revision as a result of changes in government policy, new or refined resource information, and proposals for land use change resulting from other processes.

 

Sections 2 through 5 of the Strategy address the four objectives for the planning process. Following this, the Strategy presents additional direction for programs (Section 6), and policies for the land use categories (Section 7). Section 8 highlights nine parts of the planning area that demonstrate the range of approaches used in the Strategy, and Section 9 provides direction on implementation. A land use map and an appendix outlining the land use intent for individual land use areas are also included.

 

1.2 Context for Planning

 

The Land Use Strategy supports the overall strategic directions of the Ministry of Natural Resource (MNR). The Ministry's vision for the province is to develop natural resources in a sustainable way to meet today's needs and to ensure these resources are available for future generations. It is through the sustainable development of natural resources that MNR contributes to the environmental, social, and economic well-being of the people of Ontario.

 

MNR is the lead conservation and resource management agency in the province. To achieve sustainable development, the Ministry's mission is to manage our natural resources on the basis of ecological sustainability by safeguarding nature's capacity to renew itself.

 

The Ministry has a diverse legislative mandate and broad client base. It is responsible for:

• the conservation and management of Ontario's natural resources, including forest ecosystems, fish and wildlife resources, Crown lands and waters, and provincially significant natural, cultural, and recreational environments, including Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves;
• public safety from natural hazards such as forest fires and floods, as well as providing emergency response services in the event of natural disasters; and,
• the creation, maintenance of and access to geographic information about provincial lands, waters, natural resources, and infrastructure.

The Ministry's objectives, which provided direction for the development of the Strategy, are to ensure that:

1. the long-term health of ecosystems is assured.
2. the continuing availability and sustainability of natural resources is secured.
3. significant natural heritage features and landscape values are protected.
4. economic development potential associated with natural resources is maintained.
5. a variety of natural resource-based recreation opportunities are provided for.
6. Ontarians receive a fair return for the use of natural resources.
7. human life, property, and natural resource values are protected from hazards such as forest fires, floods and erosion.
8. natural resource science and information systems needed to support sound resource-management decisions are available.
9. appreciation of Ontario's natural resources is fostered, as well as the need to manage these in a sustainable way.

In 1994 MNR finalized its Statement of Environmental Values under the Environmental Bill of Rights (EBR). The SEV is a document that describes how the purposes of the EBR are to be considered whenever decisions that might significantly affect the environment are made in the Ministry. During the development of the Strategy, the Ministry has considered its Statement of Environmental Values.

 

1.3 Planning and Public Consultation Process

 

The Land Use Strategy is substantially based on the work of citizen Round Tables that were established in three planning regions, Boreal West, Boreal East and Great Lakes-St. Lawrence. This was as part of the Lands for Life planning process. The Lands for Life Round Tables, which were composed of 12 to14 citizens drawn from diverse backgrounds, met from June, 1997 to July, 1998.

 

The Lands for Life consultation process was the most ambitious public involvement initiative ever launched by MNR. The Round Tables carried out extensive public consultations within each planning region and in southern Ontario. In total, the three Round Tables heard from over 15,000 people during the process through a variety of means. These included regular Round Table meetings, public meetings, community workshops, questionnaires, written submissions, and e-mail. As part of the consultation process, extensive information was made available to the public through publications, open houses, and an Internet site.

 

In July, 1998 the Round Tables' draft recommendations were submitted to the Minister of Natural Resources. A subsequent report prepared by the Round Table chairs, with the assistance of a consultant and MNR staff, combined the recommendations from the three Round Tables in a consistent format. This Consolidated Recommendations report was circulated for public comment in late 1998, and over 14,000 submissions were received.

 

The provincial government also held discussions with representatives of various sectors on possible strategies for enhancing the recommendations of the Round Tables to better achieve the four objectives set out at the beginning of the Lands for Life planning process. As a result of discussions with representatives of the forest industry, the Partnership for Public Lands (a coalition of environmental groups) and MNR, the "1999 Ontario Forest Accord - A Foundation for Progress" was prepared. The accord reflects the parties' agreement on the recommended protected areas, and the means to develop mutually-acceptable suggested candidate protected areas for consideration in a broad public consultation process. The accord also addresses many current and future needs of the forest industry.

 

Following the Premier's announcement of Ontario's Living Legacy in March 1999, the Proposed Land Use Strategy was circulated for public comment, and over 8,200 submissions were received. A considerable number of revisions were made in the Land Use Strategy as a result of the comments, primarily to clarify topics and to refine selected boundaries.

 

At four major stages in the planning process a notice was placed on the Environmental Bill of Rights electronic registry to formally identify that there were opportunities for input. A decision record was also posted on the Registry that summarized how public input was considered in the planning.

 

The land use intent presented in the Strategy is the result of careful consideration of the Round Table recommendations, public comment, representations by interest groups and industries, and government analysis.

 

The Round Table discussions and subsequent recommendations addressed much more than land use planning. The Round Table recommendations also dealt with topics such as resource management practices, dispute resolution, public consultation, and financial priorities. The Land Use Strategy presents the government response to many of the recommendations related to the four planning objectives. A separate report, Ontario Government Response to the Consolidated Recommendations of the Boreal West, Boreal East and Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Round Tables, was released in March 1999 summarizing how the government will deal with all of the 242 recommendations of the Consolidated Recommendations report.

 

During the planning process, the government received numerous requests for the establishment of public forums to help to resolve land use and resource management issues. As a result, the government will be supporting the use of such forums to bring together various participants such as First Nations, the forest industry, environmental groups, the mining industry, and anglers and hunters to address land use and resource management issues. These forums will be encouraged to develop solutions to issues that arise between the participating sectors and to submit their recommendations to the Ministry for consideration.

 

1.4 Consulting with Aboriginal Peoples

 

Many Aboriginal peoples have existing Aboriginal or treaty rights which are protected under the Constitution of Canada. The Ontario government will consult with these Aboriginal peoples concerning decisions that may affect the use of Crown lands and resources that are subject to Aboriginal or treaty rights.

 

This Land Use Strategy places Crown lands in a range of Land Use Designations (LUDs) and Enhanced Management Areas (EMAs). Although these designations and areas do not themselves affect Aboriginal or treaty rights, some Aboriginal activities which are carried out under such rights on some lands may be affected by new land use policies. Most of the Crown lands in the planning area remain under a general use designation and are not significantly affected by the new land use policies.

 

Consultation with Aboriginal peoples was an important part of the work of the Lands for Life Round Tables. Continuing consultation with Aboriginal peoples who have existing Aboriginal or treaty rights in the planning area is an integral part of the Strategy. Ontario intends to, as part of the Strategy:

• To consult with the principal representative organizations of the First Nations in the Strategy planning area concerning:
• the process for consultation with local First Nations whose rights may potentially be affected by future decisions about the use of Crown lands and resources;
• measures for long-term protection of sacred Aboriginal sites on Crown lands; and,
• economic participation and opportunities for Aboriginal peoples in the resource and tourist industries on Crown lands, and opportunities for participation in the management of protected areas.
• To consult with the principal representative organizations of the Metis in the Strategy planning area concerning the topics mentioned in item 1, if and as it is established that Metis communities with existing Aboriginal or treaty rights are located in the area.
• To consult, when future decisions about use of Crown lands are made, with local First Nations and any Metis communities who have existing Aboriginal or treaty rights which may be infringed upon by such decisions.
• To have discussions with Aboriginal communities on the traditional uses that occur in recommended protected areas, and any Aboriginal and treaty rights that may exist, before the areas are regulated.

The Lands for Life Round Tables made a variety of recommendations that were related to Aboriginal peoples. The Ontario government has outlined its position with respect to all Round Table recommendations in the report Ontario Government Response to the Consolidated Recommendations. The Land Use Strategy should be read in conjunction with the Government Response report, since it addresses many related topics of concern to Aboriginal peoples that are beyond the scope of the Strategy.

 

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2.0 COMPLETING ONTARIO'S SYSTEM OF PARKS AND PROTECTED AREAS

 

Parks and protected areas achieve a range of objectives, including protection of natural and cultural heritage values, and the provision of opportunities for outdoor recreation, heritage appreciation, and tourism. The current planning process has focused on identifying areas that contribute to the representation of the spectrum of the province's ecosystems and natural features, including both biological and geological features, while minimizing impacts on other land uses. Some new protected areas with significant recreational values have also been identified as a result of suggestions by the public. The addition of the protected areas that are recommended for regulation will complete the Provincial Parks system within the planning area and protect 12.0 percent of the land and water base. All recommended sites have been placed under interim protection pending formal regulation.

 

Table 1 summarizes the existing and recommended protected areas in the Land Use Strategy planning area.

 

Table 1: Summary of the Protected Areas System in the Planning Area

Protected Area Designation	Existing (#)	New / Additions (#)	Total Number	Existing Area (ha)	Net Area of New, Additions & Reclassifications (ha)	Total Area (ha)
Wilderness Provincial Park	5	0/2	5	1,797,177	31,688	1,828,865
Natural Environment Provincial Park	49	12/21	61	1,106,426	277,658	1,384,084
Waterway Provincial Park	24	37(-1)/13	60	333,128	578,279	911,407
Nature Reserve Provincial Park	67	13/7	80	83,743	18,711	102,454
Recreation Provincial Park	37	0(-1)/2	36	30,234	1,853	32,087
Historical Provincial Park	3	1/0	4	1,858	5,163	7,021
Total Provincial Parks	185	61/45	246	3,352,566	913,352	4,265,918
Conservation Reserves	29	271/1	300	63,867	1,473,327	1,537,194
National Parks	2	0	2	186,521	0	186,521
TOTAL	216	332/46	548	3,602,954	2,386,679	5,989,633

 

Notes:

1. Area statistics in Table 1 have been derived from 1:600,000 geographic information system databases. These numbers will be revised slightly in the future as more detailed data becomes available.
2. The number of protected areas in the "total number" column is determined by adding the existing areas and recommended new areas, minus any areas that are affected by park classification changes (see note 3).
3. The (-1) note regarding waterway parks reflects the recommended reclassification of Abitibi De Troyes Provincial Park to historical class park, and the (-1) note for recreation parks reflects the recommended reclassification of Blue Lake Provincial Park to natural environment class park.
4. The area statistics for natural environment parks include the portion of Algonquin Park where commercial forest harvest is permitted, which represents 1.3 percent of the planning area.
5. The number of "existing" conservation reserves includes nine recommended reserves in the Temagami area that were announced previously and are in the process of being regulated.

The Provincial Parks system has a set of park class targets that have been used as one factor in the selection of new Provincial Parks during the Lands for Life process. The park class targets are not ends in themselves, but rather they are a means of ensuring that new parks protect a sample of representative features throughout the province. These targets are to establish at least:

• one wilderness park and one complementary wilderness zone in each of the province's site regions;
• one natural environment park or equivalent in each site district; and
• one waterway park or equivalent in each site district.

Site regions and site districts are units that subdivide the province into areas with similar ecological values. There are 8 site regions and 39 site districts which are entirely within the planning area, or where a significant portion falls into the planning area.

 

The park class targets have been achieved to the extent that is possible within the planning area given the nature of the values in specific areas, the extent of Crown land, and the other values that need to be considered in land allocation decisions. Consideration will continue to be given to the park class targets in planning for the portions of site regions and districts that extend beyond the Land Use Strategy planning area.

 

A planning and consultation process will be developed to consider future suggestions for areas that may provide improved representation of natural heritage features. Any potential protected areas will be subject to broad public consultation through a planning process.

 

The Strategy recommends the regulation of numerous new or expanded protected areas as either Provincial Parks or Conservation Reserves.  Provincial Parks are regulated and managed under the Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves Act and are assigned to one of six park classes: wilderness, natural environment, nature reserve, waterway, recreational, or cultural heritage.  Each of the classes of park has a standard set of management policies and permitted uses.  However, the Land Use Strategy outlines a number of exceptions to existing policy for parks within the Strategy’s planning area (see Section 7.2.1).

 

A Conservation Reserve is a protected area designation that is regulated and managed under the Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves Act. This designation permits many traditional land uses to continue while prohibiting: commercial timber harvest; mineral exploration and mining; generation of electricity (with limited exceptions); extracting aggregate, topsoil or peat; and other industrial uses. Some exceptions to the uses permitted in Conservation Reserves policy are identified for those reserves within the Strategy’s planning area (see Section 7.2.2).

 

The proposed boundaries of both the parks and Conservation Reserves will be refined before they are placed into regulation. This refinement will consider detailed ecological information and will attempt to locate regulated boundaries along features that can be identified on the ground. The boundary refinement process may result in modest increases or decreases in the sizes of the areas. Any existing commitments for the areas which were considered during the identification process will also be considered in this process. Some of these commitments are noted in the land use intent section of Appendix A.

 

The process for considering the regulation of new protected areas will provide for consultation with potentially affected stakeholders, particularly with respect to the refinement of the protected area boundaries. All of the recommended protected areas will be subject to interim protection policies by MNR and the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines (MNDM), which will ensure that the identified values are not altered prior to regulation. MNR will need to meet appropriate Environmental Assessment Act requirements for the establishment and management of the new protected areas.

 

Over time, management planning documents will be prepared for all existing and new protected areas. Because of the number of recommended protected areas, the short- to medium-term priority will be the preparation of interim management statements for Provincial Parks and statements of conservation interest for Conservation Reserves. Planning priorities will be established based on available funding and an assessment of ecological significance, management issues, and public interest.

 

The establishment and management of protected areas will continue to be supported by the Ministry's commitment to managing the entire landscape in a way that supports ecological sustainability. This Strategy also outlines a number of new land use designations that contribute to the protection of significant natural features, thereby complementing the protected areas system.

 

Natural heritage features outside parks and conservation reserves will continue to receive consideration as a result of policies in forest management or special area plans, other policy direction (e.g., policies for provincially significant wetlands), or because they have existing regulated protection (e.g., Wilderness Areas Act areas). Where areas have been removed from resource management solely because of the potential for establishment of a park or conservation reserve, and this status has not been confirmed through a formal land use or resource planning process, these areas will be reinstated in the productive forest land base.

 

Since many significant natural heritage features occur on lands that MNR does not manage, particularly in the southern portion of the planning area, there is a need to involve a broad range of sectors in the protection and management of natural heritage values. The Ministry will continue to work with private landowners, municipalities, organizations and other agencies in support of the protection of significant features on private lands. The Ministry will also continue to work with other agencies that manage public lands with natural heritage values, in support of a coordinated approach to protected areas.

 

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3.0 RECOGNIZING THE LAND USE NEEDS OF RESOURCE-BASED TOURISM

 

3.1 Introduction

 

Resource-based tourism is an important part of Ontario's tourism industry, particularly in northern and central Ontario. It includes segments of the tourism industry that depend on traditional resource-based activities such as hunting and fishing, as well as newer segments which provide opportunities for ecotourism and adventure travel.

 

In 1997, the Ontario government approved the Resource-based Tourism Policy, to address the resource-based tourism industry's needs for security and stability, the preservation of a quality experience for guests, and the sustainability of natural resources for future generations. The goal of the policy is to promote the development of the resource-based tourism industry in both an ecologically and economically sustainable manner. The policy recognizes that one of the ways to do this is through land use planning.

 

The Strategy identifies a number of actions that will support tourism, including:

• permitting the continuation of existing tourism operations in all land use designations;
• updating and strengthening existing forest management guidelines for the protection of tourism values;
• establishing a new process for negotiating Resource Stewardship Agreements; and,
• developing a dispute resolution process.

The Ministry will also support discussions between the forest industry and tourism industry to establish a framework for the resolution of land use issues that may arise at the local level. This includes defining the mechanisms to construct resource stewardship agreements.

 

3.2 Land Use Policies

 

Many of the recommended parks and Conservation Reserves contain existing tourism operations, or have significant tourism potential, especially ecotourism potential. Existing operations will be permitted to continue, and new operations may be permitted where consistent with policies and management plans. Management planning for protected areas will give careful consideration to tourism values and potential.

 

The Strategy defines a new land use category -- Enhanced Management Areas (EMAs). Some EMAs will contribute to the protection of tourism values and will also permit the continuation of existing tourism operations. EMAs will provide the basis for improved integration of tourism and forest activities through road access planning and management, focused on maintaining the relatively roadless nature of the areas over the long term.

 

The Strategy also defines an additional land use category -- Enhanced Management Area for Resource-based Tourism -- that will be applied in subsequent planning where Resource Stewardship Agreements have been negotiated.

 

3.3 Guidelines for the Protection of Tourism Values

 

The existing Timber Management Guidelines for the Protection of Tourism Values were approved in 1987. These guidelines will be reviewed and updated in 1999, with the involvement of the affected sectors. One objective of the review will be to improve the protection of tourism values. The revised guidelines will be applied in conjunction with the proposed Resource Stewardship Agreement process.

 

3.4 Resource Stewardship Agreements

 

In the past, tourism and forestry interests have often been at odds over how to use the land. Current approaches and the application of guidelines are adequate to address straightforward situations. However, as forest access roads and harvesting continue to affect remote and semi-remote areas, additional effort is required to ensure issues are identified early and resolved. A new Resource Stewardship Agreement (RSA) process will formalize the relationship between the resource-based tourism and resource industries, and will encourage the sharing of information and mutual problem solving. In the short term, the forest industry will likely be the principal resource industry participant, but the concept could also be applied to the mining industry. The scope of the agreements, and the process for their preparation, will be developed through further consultation with key sectors, in particular the tourism and forestry industries. RSAs will initially focus on issues related to the tourism-forestry interface, in particular the extent, method and timing of forest management (including harvest, renewal and maintenance), and the location, construction, management and possible retirement of forest access roads.

 

Proposed guidelines for the agreements are:

• RSAs will be developed between resource-based tourism operators, forest licence holders, and possibly other stakeholders, and with opportunities for review by other stakeholders;
• RSAs will be identified on a geographic basis;
• RSAs may be established in areas covered by Sustainable Forest Licences and will be incorporated into forest management planning and other existing processes; and,
• tourism concerns will be dealt with in the forest management planning process until the RSA process is in place.

Where the parties have determined that an RSA is desirable, the agreement would usually be developed by the forest industry and the tourism industry in advance of forest management planning. As a result, the establishment of RSAs will primarily be phased in as Forest Management Plans come up for renewal, but in some cases amendment of FMPs may be necessary. The RSAs must be consistent with the land use intent of the land use areas that are established in the Land Use Strategy. The Ministry of Natural Resources will ensure that other parties have opportunities to be involved in any proposals that have broader implications. In conjunction with the completion of an RSA and its incorporation into the Forest Management Plan, the Strategy may be amended to identify new EMAs.

 

Protection for tourism operations which is beyond that provided in the updated Guidelines for the Protection of Tourism Values will normally occur on a "beneficiary pay" basis.

 

3.5 Dispute Resolution Process

 

MNR is developing a dispute resolution mechanism to facilitate the resolution of resource-related issues, including those related to resource-based tourism. This approach will assist parties in seeking ways of resolving disputes through interest-based negotiations. These negotiations would encourage the parties to focus on their underlying needs, wants and concerns, rather than on predetermined positions.

 

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4.0 PROVIDING INCREASED CERTAINTY FOR RESOURCE INDUSTRIES

 

The Land Use Strategy outlines the general land use intent for all Crown lands in the planning area, providing direction on the permitted uses. The land use intent can only be altered through an amendment to the Strategy. It provides increased certainty for resource industries because it ensures continued access to an identified resource base.

 

Policies related to mineral exploration include:

• existing Mining Act tenure (e.g., claims, leases and patents) will not form part of the new protected areas;
• necessary access to existing claims, leases or patents for mineral development purposes will be permitted, subject to the provisions of the Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves Act; and
• the current rules about the implicit right to develop and to mine continue to apply to existing claims, leases and patents.

Several initiatives have been defined to address the needs of the forest industry. Initially, the Strategy recognizes the importance of the forest industry, and attempts to support the long term continuity and security of wood supply.

 

In addition, as part of the implementation of the Strategy, MNR will work with a range of sectors to develop a plan to increase forest productivity through a variety of sustainable forest practices. The Strategy defines a new land use category, Enhanced Management Area - Intensive Forestry, that can be applied in subsequent planning (Section 7.3.7). These areas have the potential to increase the quantity and quality of Crown timber grown there. The areas that would be subject to the intensive management will be determined through a planning process with broad public consultation.

 

To provide further certainty, the Ontario Government is implementing a compensation program associated with areas that are removed from forest licences for the establishment of new regulated protected areas as a result of the Strategy, or future unilateral withdrawals, where these withdrawals cannot be mitigated through other means. This compensation will cover capital investments for permanent infrastructure and assets directly related to the withdrawn lands.

 

The Ontario Government has established a new Living Legacy Trust that will support resource industries and communities in a variety of ways. Funds can be allocated to cover loss of use of existing forest roads and bridges resulting from the Ontario Living Legacy decision, improve multi-purpose resource access, develop new forest management opportunities in the far north, enhance forest science, increase forest employment through improving the quality and quantity of the wood supply from Crown forests, and encourage the manufacturing of value-added products.

 

The Strategy encourages and supports forest certification programs.

 

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5.0 ENHANCING ANGLING, HUNTING AND OTHER CROWN LAND RECREATION

 

The Strategy is intended to maintain angling, hunting and other Crown land recreation opportunities and enhance these opportunities where possible. Policies in the Strategy that will help maintain existing hunting and fishing in the planning area include:

• permitting angling in all land use designations and enhanced management areas;
• permitting hunting in all new land use areas in the planning area, including all new parks and protected areas except new provincial nature reserves; and,
• permitting the continuation of existing seasonal recreation camps that are within new protected areas, and making these areas eligible for longer-term tenure.

The Ministry is working with partners to provide a variety of improved opportunities, such as:

• expansion of the Community Fisheries and Wildlife Involvement Program;
• increased fish production in provincial hatcheries by more than one million fish;
• local enhancement projects such as improving access to hunting and fishing (e.g., boat launches and parking areas), creating new fishing opportunities, and creating improved opportunities for the viewing of wildlife;
• reintroduction of elk and expansion of wild turkey reintroduction;
• expansion of the Eastern Habitat Joint Venture Program to secure and restore wetlands and waterfowl habitat; and,
• regulatory changes such as opening additional lakes to year-round fishing, and expanding gun and archery seasons for deer.

The Living Legacy Trust will support fish and wildlife management by providing funds for:

• acquiring scientific data on fish and wildlife habitat and populations;
• carrying out fish and wildlife planning and management; and
• improving fish and wildlife habitat, and increasing access to fish and wildlife resources which will stimulate local economies.

During the public consultation carried out by the Round Tables, many additional ideas for enhancing hunting and fishing opportunities were identified. Some of these ideas are being implemented through policies in the Strategy, while others will be implemented through ongoing Ministry policy reviews or program planning work.

 

The Strategy includes a land use category, Enhanced Management Areas for Fish and Wildlife, where management of fish and wildlife resources is a priority. This land use category is intended primarily for areas where there are important habitats or populations. The Strategy includes several relatively large EMAs for fish and wildlife, with a focus on wildlife habitat. Additional areas will likely be identified during subsequent planning. The additional EMAs could include areas where there are already initiatives underway in support of fish and wildlife management, such as existing management committees or strategies, as well as areas with the potential for new management approaches. The EMAs could provide a framework for activities such as management to increase wildlife abundance, increased management responsibility by local anglers and hunters, and provision of increased access to resources.

 

The land use category, Enhanced Management Areas for Recreation, can be applied to areas that would be managed to intensify fish and wildlife production. This category can also be used to diversify and optimize angling and hunting opportunities.

 

The Strategy provides the context for local level planning which will develop management objectives and strategies related to fish and wildlife management. For example, objectives and strategies will be developed for specific areas, such as individual EMAs.

 

The Ministry will consider in future park management planning for existing provincial parks, the opportunity to provide additional hunting opportunities. Where there is demonstrated local public support for hunting in existing wilderness parks, this will be addressed as part of planning for individual parks.

 

Other Crown land recreation activities will also benefit from the Strategy. Existing authorized recreational trails will be permitted to continue in all land use categories and will receive additional protection in some of the areas. Numerous enhanced management areas have been identified as "remote access" to maintain areas that offer a sense of remoteness. Typically these areas will provide the public and tourism operators with the opportunity for high-quality remote recreational experiences including hunting, fishing, canoeing, and camping.

 

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6.0 OTHER LAND USE DIRECTION

 

In addition to the land use intent that has been outlined in connection with the four primary objectives of the planning program, there are a number of other MNR programs for which land use direction is necessary to carry out further program planning. This section briefly summarizes the relevant land use intent.

 

6.1 Crown Land and Water Management

 

6.1.1 Water Management

 

The Land Use Strategy does not contain a specific designation for water resources management. Water resources are an integral component of all land use areas designations and need to be considered in the management of all areas. Watersheds were considered in the delineation of the boundaries of many protected areas (e.g., Killarney Provincial Park) and in other land use designations (e.g., Algonquin headwaters).

 

The following water resource management objectives and considerations are relevant to all land use areas and will be considered in subsequent planning and land and water management:

• protection and management of watersheds, headwaters and groundwaters and their interrelationships;
• rehabilitation of degraded watersheds;
• determination of acceptable levels and types of landscape and shoreline alteration and vegetation disturbance to maintain secondary watercourse watershed sustainability;
• establishing management prescriptions and practices to protect sensitive headwaters, groundwaters, recharge and discharge areas and water bodies;
• evaluating potential impacts, including cumulative impacts of land and resource uses on water quality and quantity, and how those impacts can be mitigated;
• identifying lands subject to flooding, erosion, unstable slopes and unstable soils, and applying appropriate policies;
• identifying lands that could be impacted by dam or tailing pond breaks, and applying appropriate policies; and,
• identifying sites where disturbance could impair down-gradient lands or waters.

6.1.2 Waterpower

 

Commercial waterpower development strategies will be developed as part of subsequent planning. MNR will work with the waterpower industry and appropriate government agencies to establish policy and guidelines.

 

6.1.3 Crown Land Recreation

 

Some direction for the management of Crown lands in relation to recreational activities is provided in the land use intent that is outlined in Appendix A. Crown land recreation strategies will be developed during subsequent planning. This planning will provide more detailed definition of areas where recreational use will be a significant factor in land use and resource management decisions. The planning will consider areas with existing or potential recreation values such as canoe routes and trail corridors, the Great Lakes coast, water access points, and areas of Crown land camping.

 

MNR will actively pursue partnerships with other organizations to help plan, fund and manage Crown land recreation.

 

6.1.4 Recreational Corridors

 

Development and management of many different types of trails is being undertaken by communities, tourist operators and local volunteer groups, with a reliance on the availability of Crown land as a land base. MNR's major role in trail development will continue to be the provision of appropriate land tenure for trails.

 

Subsequent planning will recognize canoe routes and snowmobile, hiking and other major recreational trails as special features where Crown land management would help to maintain and enhance both the physical existence of these corridors and the experiences of the users.

 

MNR will continue to work with trail groups on the application and improvement of Ministry policy related to the establishment of new trails, authorization of existing trails, and the resolution of specific issues.

 

6.1.5 Roads on Crown Land

 

The planning area contains a network of roads over Crown land, often constructed for resource management purposes (e.g., forest management), but also to serve private land or recreational access. In recent years, MNR has devolved responsibility for many of these roads to relevant municipalities, road boards, or other users. Subsequent planning will develop management strategies for access roads on Crown land.

 

Partnerships will continue to be sought to manage existing roads over Crown lands. Where partnerships are not arranged, or if roads are no longer needed for MNR programs, they will either be closed or left to regenerate naturally. No new primary or secondary roads will be constructed on Crown lands without an access road management strategy and partner to manage the road, unless these roads are planned and managed through a resource management planning process (e.g., forest management planning, or fish and wildlife planning).

 

6.1.6 Crown Land Disposition

 

The Ministry has continually sought a balance between disposing of Crown lands to contribute to social and economic development, and retaining land that is necessary to achieve provincial goals and objectives. The Strategy does not comprehensively develop policies for Crown land disposition, but it does provide some direction on lands with significant natural heritage, resource or recreation values where disposition should not occur, or should only occur if it does not detrimentally affect the identified values. Outside these areas, disposition may occur in the context of normal Ministry objectives and policies.

 

Priorities for disposition generally include:

• existing structural development sites (e.g., buildings, rental properties);
• filled water lots;
• Crown land surrounded by private lands without public access; and,
• existing recreation (hunt) camps.

MNR will continue to seek partners for the management of intensively used areas of Crown land. In some cases, these partnerships may result in the issuance of land tenure (e.g., land use permits) in order to facilitate management of specific areas.

 

6.1.7 Land Acquisition

 

As part of MNR's Strategic Lands Initiative, a reinvestment plan has been developed that will direct financial resources to the acquisition of significant natural heritage lands, primarily for new or expanded protected areas. Funding partnerships have been negotiated with other agencies and interest groups that will provide additional contributions towards the acquisition of selected lands.

 

High priority areas for acquisition of lands by MNR and its partners include:

• patented lands adjacent to or within Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves;
• provincially significant natural heritage sites, particularly in ecological site districts where there is a high proportion of patented land, and natural heritage representation which cannot be achieved on Crown land; and,
• significant fish and wildlife habitats which offer the opportunity to protect key habitat or provide enhanced opportunities for outdoor recreation.

Although there are areas warranting acquisition in all parts of the planning area, the highest priority is assigned to land acquisition in the southern portion of the planning area, as well as areas to the south. Since more of the land here is privately owned, there is a greater need for acquisition due to existing and future land use pressures.

 

6.1.8 Cottages and Recreation Camps

 

There are a number of areas in northern and central Ontario where there is a demand for waterfront property suitable for cottages and camps. MNR will make blocks of Crown land available, at market value, in selected areas to either municipalities or the private sector to develop new cottage lots. This will primarily occur in areas where there is limited private land suitable for cottage development. The Strategy identifies some areas with potential for this initiative. Additional areas may be identified through planning at the local level. Cottage development can provide an economic stimulus to nearby communities.

 

MNR will continue to sell Crown land cottage lots that were created in the past, including areas in the south where there has been a freeze on disposition. These cottage lots will be reviewed to ensure that they are consistent with this Strategy. For example, cottage lots will not be sold in recommended protected areas, Forest Reserves and in some of the Enhanced Management Areas where disposition and/or access road construction would not be consistent with the land use intent. The review will also examine whether the lots meet current environmental requirements.

 

In areas where the District Land Use Guidelines previously prohibited the sale of Crown land cottage lots, decisions on any new major sales of existing cottage lots will be made after local consultation. Sales of smaller numbers of existing Crown land lots, or single lots, which are located within developed cottage lot subdivisions will occur as part of normal practices.

 

Recognizing the desire of many Crown land recreational camp permit holders to purchase their sites, the Ministry has initiated a program to offer for sale or lease those sites that meet a series of criteria, including environmental sustainability and consistency with established land use intent. Where sale of the site is not possible for resource management reasons, the camp holders will normally be able to obtain longer term tenure or will continue with existing tenure.

 

6.1.9 Waste Disposal

 

In the past, MNR has assumed the quasi-municipal role of providing waste disposal sites in unorganized areas of the province. MNR will continue to divest waste disposal sites to municipalities, or user groups such as cottage associations. Where MNR enters into partnerships, MNR will continue to monitor these sites to ensure that there is adherence to Ministry of the Environment regulations.

 

6.1.10 Mineral Exploration

 

Mineral exploration is controlled by the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines under the authority of the Mining Act.

 

6.2 Forest Fire Management

 

Fire has a significant ecological and economic impact on the forest and people of Ontario. In addition to the core mandates of natural resource and Crown land management, MNR is responsible for ensuring that people and property are adequately protected from undesirable fire impacts. Inherent in Land Use Strategy decisions are assumptions about the extent of fire, the impacts of fire on sustainable use, and the fire protection investment by MNR and forest users.

 

Fire Management Strategies establish strategic levels of protection, fire management investment, and protection priorities, and are designed to ensure that every fire receives an appropriate response.

 

New Fire Management Strategies will be drafted for public review that describe how the fire management program will be designed to support the management intent outlined in the Land Use Strategy. This updated strategic direction is required to ensure that:

• the social and business environment is stable within and adjacent to the forests of Ontario;
• the strategic level of protection is achievable with available government funding;
• fire impacts are matched to, and accounted for, in regional wood supply sustainability projections; and,
• fire is managed in a safe, efficient and effective manner in order to help sustain ecosystems within protected and natural heritage areas.

Fire Management Strategies will reflect the priorities in the Land Use Strategy as well as the direction contained in existing land use documents covering other parts of the province. Setting a strategic level of protection involves balancing the need for fire protection, the investment in fire protection, and the ecological role of fire in the ecosystem. The Fire Management Strategies will assign a higher priority to the protection of forest areas that may be identified in the future as being intensively managed.

 

Future land use decisions will result in refinements to Fire Management Strategies. Similarly, resource management planning, (e.g., forest management planning or park planning), will provide greater detail on the role of fire and fire management in achieving ecological sustainability. For example, as guidelines for the management of woodland caribou evolve, MNR's fire management program may require new direction regarding issues such as average area burned objectives and the impacts or undesirability of fires of specific sizes within certain land use designations.

 

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7.0 LAND USE CATEGORIES

 

7.1 Overview

 

The Strategy contains two types of geographic-specific land use categories -- Land Use Designations and Enhanced Management Areas.

 

Map 3: Land Use Strategy

Download high-resolution version (PDF, 2.5 mb)

There are five Land Use Designations:

• provincial park
• conservation reserve
• forest reserve
• general use area
• wilderness area

There are seven types of Enhanced Management Areas:

• natural heritage
• recreation
• remote access
• fish and wildlife
• Great Lakes coastal areas
• resource-based tourism
• intensive forestry

All of the land use categories are intended to provide a geographic expression of where specific sets of land use and management policies will apply. The application of the land use categories is shown on the enclosed large colour map.

 

The maps and associated policies serve three main purposes:

• graphically portraying areas of land and resource-use intent;
• preventing land use conflict by providing direction on land use compatibility; and,
• providing a level of certainty about access to lands for particular uses.

It is important to recognize that the policies that are outlined for the land use categories do not address all possible activities. The focus has been on providing direction on major uses that are of particular interest, and that are an indicator of general land use intent. In many cases additional site-specific analysis will be required to provide detailed land use direction. In the interim, management will need to be consistent with the general intent of the land use category, any direction that may be included in Appendix A, and other planning documents that may provide direction such as portions of existing District Land Use Guidelines.

 

In implementing the new land use policies, consideration needs to be given to existing commitments. For example, it is known that there are land sales in progress in some areas where the new policies indicate that disposition will not occur. Subject to meeting all other necessary requirements, the Ministry will complete transactions where a commitment has been established.

 

Some of the land use categories have policies that limit or prohibit the sale of Crown lands. In these areas there are some types of new minor dispositions that will be permitted where it does not detrimentally affect the values an area is intended to protect. Examples of these types of minor dispositions are the sale of the road allowance in front of an existing cottage, and the sale of small parcels of land to provide an adequate area for the installation of a septic system.

 

All currently regulated land use designations have been recognized in the Strategy. In a few cases, alterations or exceptions to the existing management policies for these areas are outlined.

 

Because the Strategy covers a very large area, in some cases the boundaries of the designations and enhanced management areas are relatively general, and will necessarily be subject to refinement.

 

Resource management within all LUDs and EMAs will be undertaken in accordance with applicable policy and guidelines. Management of the full land base will be carried out in a manner that ensures ecological sustainability, protection of significant natural heritage and biological features, and continued availability of resources for the long-term benefit of Ontarians. Management will be undertaken in recognition of the many interests and users of the resource, and resource-management activities in all land use areas will ensure that they do not compromise values in adjacent areas.

 

Table 2 summarizes the extent of all the land use categories.

 

Table 2: Summary of Land Use Categories in the Planning Area

Land Use Category	Number	Area (ha)	% of Planning Area
Provincial Parks (see notes 1,2,3)	246	3,674,788	8.14
Algonquin recreation/utilization zone (see note 2)	1	591,129	1.31
Conservation Reserves (see notes 1,3)	300	1,537,194	3.41
Forest Reserves	14	31,419	0.07
General Use Areas	-	31,441,816	69.68
Wilderness Areas (see note 4)	8	724	.002
Enhanced Management Areas (Total)	86	1,602,349	3.55
Natural Heritage	24	51,478	0.11
Remote Access	35	613,509	1.36
Great Lakes Coastal Area	3	50,101	0.11
Fish and Wildlife	5	210,163	0.47
Recreation	19	677,098	1.50
Resource-based Tourism	0	0	0.00
Intensive Forestry	0	0	0.00
National Parks	2	186,521	0.41
Private and Federal lands (excluding national parks)	-	6,058,918	13.43
TOTAL PLANNING AREA (including private and federal lands)	-	45,124,858	100.00

 

Notes:

1. The existing and recommended parks and conservation reserves have been combined in this table.
2. The recreation/utilization zone in Algonquin Park where logging is permitted is not included in the area for existing parks and is shown separately.
3. Numbers for parks and conservation reserves are based on the consolidation of additions with existing protected areas. A detailed breakdown of these areas is provided in Table 1.
4. Numbers for Wilderness Areas are for areas regulated under the Wilderness Areas Act, and which are outside existing or recommended Provincial Parks or Conservation Reserves.

7.2 Land Use Designations

 

There are five Land Use Designations delineated in the Strategy. Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves are established by regulation, and are governed by the Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves Act. The Forest Reserves and general use areas will not be regulated.

In many cases, existing forest access roads occur within areas identified as recommended Provincial Parks or Conservation Reserves, or Forest Reserves. These roads may be essential for continued access beyond the area for forest management or recreational purposes. Where alternative access does not exist or road relocation is not feasible, these roads will continue to be available for access. Continued use will include maintenance and may include future upgrading.

 

7.2.1 Provincial Parks

 

Existing and recommended Provincial Parks will be managed to ensure that their natural and cultural values are retained and enhanced.

 

By legislation, with some limited exceptions the following activities are not permitted on lands that are part of a provincial park:

• commercial timber harvest,
• generation of electricity,
• prospecting, staking mining claims, developing mineral interests or working mines,
• extracting aggregate, topsoil or peat,
• other industrial uses.

Existing Provincial Parks will be managed according to approved management direction and current provincial policy, subject to the exceptions outlined in the Strategy.

 

This Strategy establishes the intent to add the recommended Provincial Parks and park additions to the provincial park system and protect these areas by regulation. The recommended parks will contribute to achieving Ontario's targets for protecting representative elements of our natural heritage and will complete the Provincial Parks system within the planning area. Each recommended park or park addition has been assigned to one of the classes of provincial park, although in a few cases the classification requires confirmation through further analysis and consultation.

 

Table 3 summarizes the policy on selected uses in Provincial Parks within the Strategy's planning area. Those uses and management activities not listed in the table are governed by existing Provincial Parks policy.

 

Table 3: Summary of Permitted Uses in Provincial Parks within the Planning Area

Use	Existing Provincial Parks	New Provincial Parks and Park Additions in Planning Area
Timber harvest for commercial purposes	Not permitted, except for existing commercial forest harvest in the recreation-utilization zone in Algonquin Park.	Not permitted.
Generation of electricity	Generally not permitted; limited exceptions outlined in Provincial Parks and Conservations Reserves Act.	Generally not permitted; limited exceptions outlined in Provincial Parks and Conservations Reserves Act.
Mineral exploration and mining	Not permitted.	Not permitted
Aggregate, topsoil and peat extraction	Not permitted with limited exceptions outlined in Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves Act	Not permitted with limited exceptions outlined in Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves Act
Bait fishing, commercial fishing, commercial fur harvesting, wild rice harvesting	Existing use permitted to continue indefinitely, except in wilderness and nature reserve zones and parks, where these activities will be phased out by 2010 (except for aboriginal use, subject to applicable legislation and regulation.) No new operations permitted.	Existing use permitted to continue indefinitely, except in new nature reserves. No new operations permitted.
Sport hunting	Existing policy which permits hunting in specific park classes and zones continues.	Permitted in all new parks and additions except Nature Reserve parks and zones. Hunting permitted in additions to wilderness parks.
Sport fishing	Permitted, except in specific fish sanctuaries.	Permitted, except in specific fish sanctuaries.
Seasonal recreation camps ("hunt camps")	Existing camps may continue, as permitted by existing policy.	Existing authorized camps permitted to continue, eligible for extended tenure but not enhanced tenure (e.g., upgrade from land use permit to lease) or purchase of land (see 6.1.8).
Tourism facilities and recreational trails	Continue, as permitted by existing policy.New tourism facilities and recreational trails may be considered, subject to existing policies and management prescriptions determined through management planning.	Existing authorized facilities and trails (motorized and non-motorized) continue, subject to management prescriptions determined through management planning. Existing tourism facilities may be eligible for enhanced tenure, and decisions will be made in management planning. New tourism facilities and trails can be considered where consistent with existing park policy.
Resource access roads and trails	Existing authorized resource access roads and trails can continue, and new resource access roads and trails can be permitted, subject to the requirements outlined in the Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves Act.	Existing authorized resource access roads and trails can continue, and new resource access roads and trails can be permitted, subject to the requirements outlined in the Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves Act.

 

MNR and MNDM will put interim policies in place to ensure protection until these areas are regulated. Within recommended Provincial Parks, existing mining claims, leases and patents, and existing aggregate permits will not be included as part of the regulated area. If the claim, lease, or permit is subsequently surrendered through normal processes, the area would be recommended for inclusion in the park. In the interim, these areas will be managed as Forest Reserves. Necessary access to existing claims or leases for mineral exploration or development purposes will be permitted with appropriate consideration for the protection of park values.

 

7.2.2 Conservation Reserves

 

The Strategy establishes the intent to add the new Conservation Reserves to the existing network of Conservation Reserves and protect these areas through regulation and management under the Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves Act. They complement Provincial Parks in protecting representative natural areas and special landscapes. Policies for Conservation Reserves are outlined in the Provincial Parks and Conservations Reserves Act and Conservation Reserves Policy and Procedure (1997). Guidance for the management of individual Conservation Reserves will be provided by management direction documents that will be prepared for all Conservation Reserves.

 

By legislation, with some limited exceptions the following activities are not permitted on lands that are part of a conservation reserve:

• commercial timber harvest,
• generation of electricity,
• prospecting, staking mining claims, developing mineral interests or working mines,
• extracting aggregate, topsoil or peat,
• other industrial uses.

New Conservation Reserves will generally be managed in the same way as existing Conservation Reserves. Most non-industrial resource uses (e.g., fur harvesting, commercial fishing and bait harvesting) are permitted if they are compatible with the values of individual reserves. Table 4 summarizes the policy on selected uses in existing and new Conservation Reserves within the Land Use Strategy planning area. Those uses and management activities not listed in the table are governed by existing Conservation Reserve policy.

 

Table 4: Summary of Permitted Uses in Conservation Reserves within the Planning Area

Use	Existing Conservation Reserves	New Conservation Reserves in Planning Area
Timber harvest for commercial purposes	Not permitted.	Not permitted.
Generation of electricity	Generally not permitted; limited exceptions outlined in Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves Act.	Generally not permitted; limited exceptions outlined in Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves Act.
Mineral exploration and mining	Not permitted.	Not permitted.
Aggregate, topsoil and peat extraction	Not permitted with limited exceptions outlined in Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves Act.	Not permitted with limited exceptions outlined in Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves Act.
Bait fishing, commercial fishing, commercial fur harvesting, wild rice harvesting	Existing use permitted to continue, unless there are significant demonstrated conflicts. New operations can be considered, subject to the "test of compatibility".	Existing use permitted to continue unless there are significant demonstrated conflicts. New operations can be considered, subject to the "test of compatibility".
Sport hunting	Permitted.	Permitted.
Sport fishing	Permitted, except in specific fish sanctuaries.	Permitted, except in specific fish sanctuaries.
Seasonal recreation camps ("hunt camps")	Existing camps permitted to continue, and may be eligible for extended tenure but not enhanced tenure (e.g., upgrade from land use permit to lease), or purchase of land (see 6.1.8).	Existing authorized camps permitted to continue, and may be eligible for extended tenure but not enhanced tenure,or purchase of land (see 6.1.8).
Commercial Bear Hunting	Existing use permitted to continue. New operations not permitted.	Existing use permitted to continue. New operations not permitted.
Tourism facilities (for resource-based tourism) and recreational trails	Existing authorized facilities and trails can continue, unless there are significant demonstrated conflicts. No new tourism facilities permitted. New trails can be considered as part of planning for the reserve.	Existing authorized facilities and trails (motorized and non-motorized) can continue, unless there are significant demonstrated conflicts. Tourism facilities can apply to upgrade tenure from LUP to lease. New tourism and trail facilities can be considered as part of planning for the reserve.
Land Disposition	Sale of lands is not permitted. Renewals of existing leases or land use permits are permitted; requests for transfer of tenure will be considered in the context of the management direction that is prepared for the area. New leases, land use permits and licences of occupation permitted for approved activities, but not private non-commercial purposes.	Sale of lands is not permitted. Renewals of existing leases or land use permits are permitted; requests for transfer of tenure will be considered in the context of the management direction that is prepared for the area. New leases, land use permits and licences of occupation permitted for approved activities, but not private non-commercial purposes.
Resource access roads and trails	Existing authorized resource access roads and trails can continue, and new resource access roads and trails can be permitted, subject to the requirements outlined in the Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves Act.	Existing authorized resource access roads and trails can continue, and new resource access roads and trails can be permitted, subject to the requirements outlined in the Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves Act.
Roads (excluding resource access roads)	Existing roads can continue to be used, subject to the provisions of the Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves Act.	Existing roads can continue to be used, subject to the provisions of the Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves Act.

 

Most recreational and non-commercial activities that have traditionally been enjoyed in an area can continue provided they pose little threat to the natural ecosystems and features protected by the conservation reserve.

 

MNR and MNDM will establish interim policies to ensure protection until the areas are regulated. Within recommended Conservation Reserves, existing mining claims, leases and patents, and existing aggregate permits will not be included as part of the regulated area. If the claim, lease, or permit is subsequently surrendered through normal processes, the area would be recommended for regulation as part of the reserve. In the interim, these areas would be managed as forest reserves. Necessary access to existing claims or leases for exploration or development purposes will be permitted with appropriate consideration for the protection of Conservation Reserve values.

 

7.2.3 Forest Reserves

 

Forest Reserves are areas where protection of natural heritage and special landscapes is a priority, but some resource use can take place with appropriate conditions. This designation has been applied to a relatively small number of areas. The designation will be applied to additional areas that have been initially identified for inclusion in recommended Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves, but where detailed examination determines that there are existing mining claims or leases. The intention is that these lands will be added to the park or Conservation Reserve if a claim or lease is retired through normal processes.

 

Policies for Forest Reserves are similar to the policies for new Conservation Reserves, except that mining and related access will be allowed in a Forest Reserve. Commercial forest harvest, new hydroelectric power development, and peat extraction will not be allowed, but most other resource and recreational uses will be permitted, provided they are consistent with the values that are being protected.

 

Aggregate extraction will not be permitted except where:

• there is an existing aggregate permit;
• aggregate is required in support of mineral exploration or mining within the Forest Reserve and there are no feasible sources outside the reserve; or
• an aggregate permit is required under the Aggregate Resources Act for the production of industrial minerals and building stone.

Any applications for aggregate permits will be processed in accordance with provincial standards for aggregate resources.

 

Policies on land disposition will be similar to those for new Conservation Reserves. More detailed planning will be undertaken to determine site-specific policies that will maintain the identified values.

 

7.2.4 General Use Areas

 

About 70 percent of the planning area has been placed in a general use designation. This designation includes all Crown lands not placed into a specific designation or EMA. A full range of resource and recreational uses can occur in General Use Areas. Management of General Use Areas will occur in the context of maintaining ecological sustainability. There is an extensive set of legislation, policy and guidelines that will support and direct management actions in General Use Areas.

 

In the short term, further planning in General Use Areas will primarily occur through the forest management planning process. This planning is required to consider a broad range of objectives. For example, there are many forest management guidelines that provide specific direction for the management or protection of significant natural values.

 

Planning in the General Use Areas will also need to consider the implications of management actions on adjacent land use designations or EMAs. For example, the new protected areas have been delineated on the basis that extensive buffering is not required, because of the ecologically sustainable management that will occur on adjacent lands.

 

Appendix A, which outlines area-specific policies, does not include policies for areas that have been identified for general use. In many situations, existing DLUGs provide relevant resource management direction for General Use areas. More specific identification of policies for these areas will occur during future planning.

 

7.2.5 Wilderness Areas

 

Wilderness Areas are parcels of Crown land that are regulated under the Wilderness Areas Act, which was passed in 1959. This Act states that these areas are "set apart ... for the preservation of the area as nearly as may be in its natural state in which research and educational activities may be carried on, for the protection of the flora and fauna, for the improvement of the area, having regard to its historical, aesthetic, scientific or recreational value, or for other such purposes as may be prescribed." The Act contains the restriction that it does not limit or affect the development or utilization of the natural resources in any wilderness area that is more than 260 hectares in size. Wilderness Areas, most of which were established in the 1960's, were used to protect a variety of examples of Ontario's natural heritage.

 

Over time, the Wilderness Area designation has been recognized as a less effective tool for natural heritage protection. Provincial Parks, and more recently Conservation Reserves, have become the preferred means of affording regulated protection to areas of significant natural or cultural heritage value.

 

There are 22 regulated Wilderness Areas in the OLL planning area. Fourteen of these areas are included within existing or recommended Provincial Parks or Conservation Reserves, and these areas and their natural heritage policy intent have been effectively superseded by the new regulated protection designation. There are 8 Wilderness Areas covering a total of 724 hectares within the OLL planning area that are not within a Provincial Park or Conservation Reserve.

 

7.3 Enhanced Management Areas

 

Enhanced Management Areas is a new land use category that has been established in order to provide more detailed land use direction in areas of special features or values. A wide variety of resource and recreational uses can occur in EMAs. In some areas, specific uses may be subject to conditions that are designed to support the values that make the area special. EMAs are shown on the Land Use Strategy map.

 

Enhanced Management Areas may lead to modifications (e.g., timing, location, method, access) in resource-management practices in order to recognize other land use values. These adjustments will be implemented with no impact on wood supply, and only in exceptional cases will wood costs be affected. EMAs will provide a specific focus for the application of guidelines and other planning and management strategies. More detailed implementation strategies will be developed with the participation of stakeholders.

 

Further refinement of the boundary of EMAs may occur through future land use planning, provided that these boundary refinements:

• maintain the land use intent of the land use category;
• assist in the effective implementation of the Land Use Strategy; and
• involve appropriate discussion with potentially affected stakeholders.

Because EMAs are intended to maintain a range of values, some of which warrant specific management policies, seven categories of EMAs have been established. These categories and the code that is shown for each category on the Land Use Strategy map are:

 

n - natural heritage

r - recreation

a - remote access

w - fish and wildlife

g - Great Lakes coastal areas

t - resource-based tourism

i - intensive forestry

 

No specific EMAs in the latter two categories have been identified. Suitable areas may be identified during subsequent planning, after further policy development and more detailed analysis and consultation.

 

7.3.1 Natural Heritage

 

Natural Heritage EMAs are intended to protect areas with significant natural values, while allowing a range of resource activities. Forestry, mining, aggregate extraction and hydroelectric development are supported, but will be subject to conditions to protect natural heritage values. Crown lands may be disposed of where disposition would not affect the natural values.

 

Special prescriptions to direct resource management will be developed as part of ongoing planning. The prescriptions will identify conditions to protect natural values and will apply to activities such as development of roads or trails.

 

7.3.2 Recreation

 

Recreation EMAs have been applied to areas with high recreational use or significant recreation values for activities such as angling, hunting, motorized and pedestrian trail use, and canoeing. This EMA can be used for a wide range of recreation values and management intents, ranging from areas where relatively substantial recreation development is permitted, to areas providing low-density, high-quality recreation in a natural setting. Because of this range of application, and the associated range in policies, the policies are primarily outlined as part of the Area-Specific Policies table (Appendix A).

 

Some of the Recreation EMAs have been identified to protect remote recreation values. The intent is that these areas will be managed to provide high-quality recreation, resource-based tourism and natural values within a remote or semi-remote forested setting, while also permitting sustainable business and industrial activities. In these recreation areas, industrial activities such as forestry, mining, aggregate extraction, and hydro development, and the related construction and use of new roads, need to be carried out in such a way as to maintain or enhance the remote recreation qualities.

 

Recreation EMAs will also be used in future planning to identify areas in which enhanced management and use of accessible fish and wildlife resources is a major objective of planning and resource management. Other resource interests will be accommodated.

 

7.3.3 Remote Access

 

Remote Access EMAs are intended to maintain the remote character of selected areas. Typically, these are relatively large areas which provide the public and tourism operators with high-quality remote recreational experiences including hunting, fishing, canoeing, and camping. Given the large size, remoteness, and relative absence of roads, these areas will play a significant role in protecting wilderness values outside the parks and protected areas system.

 

Forestry, mining, aggregate extraction and hydroelectric development may occur in this EMA. The remote character will be retained through planning and establishing standards for the location and the use or abandonment of roads and trails. Roads for industrial and commercial use are permitted, however, their standards should be lower than those governing primary access roads. New roads must be planned through comprehensive long-term access planning that considers the values of the area. Some guidelines are:

• roads should be constructed to the lowest standard possible;
• new roads/trails should be directed to existing corridors where possible;
• layout should consider aesthetics; and,
• design and construction should facilitate access controls and closure/rehabilitation.

New roads will be restricted from public use. Existing authorized access will continue.

 

7.3.4 Fish and Wildlife

 

The Fish and Wildlife category has been used for areas that are managed for the maintenance and enhancement of fish and wildlife habitat and populations, while allowing for the multiple use of other natural resources. The criteria for selection of these areas include:

• areas of known or potential fish or wildlife habitat for species that require special management practices;
• areas where forestry practices can be applied to enhance or maintain special habitat requirements; or,
• areas where enhanced hunting and fishing opportunities may be provided through specific management and land use practices.

One or more of these criteria may apply to a specific EMA.

 

Several fish and wildlife areas are delineated in the Strategy. Additional areas may be identified in the future.

 

7.3.5 Great Lakes Coastal Areas

 

Great Lakes Coastal Areas is a category of Enhanced Management Area that has been applied to specific lands and waters along the shore and islands of Georgian Bay, the North Channel, and Lake Superior. This category fits within a larger "featured area" concept -- the Great Lakes Heritage Coast -- that applies to all Crown lands along the portion of the Great Lakes shoreline within the planning area (see Section 8.1). The Great Lakes EMA has been applied in conjunction with the other land use designations and Enhanced Management Areas that occur within the Heritage Coast.

 

In the coastal areas, ecosystem protection and the promotion of recreation and tourism are the primary land use and resource management goals.

 

Traditional Crown land activities that have occurred within the Great Lakes or along the shoreline are encouraged. This includes activities such as commercial and sport fishing, hunting, fur harvesting, boating, camping, tourism, and trail use. Activities occurring on or within the water portion of this land use category should be undertaken in a manner consistent with the recreation and tourism focus of the category and the land use intent of the adjacent land use category.

 

The following policies on commercial resource use and access apply to the Coastal Areas:

• Commercial timber harvesting will generally not occur in this area.
• Mineral exploration and development may occur on a controlled basis.
• Aggregate extraction may occur where it will have no significant impact on the ecological, aesthetic or tourism values of the coastal area.
• Aquaculture may be permitted provided the objectives of maintaining the ecological, recreational, and aesthetic values of the coastal area are maintained, and where federal and provincial regulations ensure protection of water quality and fish populations.
• Commercial fishing will continue to be permitted, will be managed according to Great Lakes fisheries management plans, and will take into consideration values as identified in any protected area plan. (Commercial fishing includes gill netting, trap netting, trawling and hook lines and other techniques as authorized by a license. It may also include the issuance of special licences from time to time and buildings for commercial fish camps.)
• Hydroelectric power development will be planned to be consistent with the values of the area. Underwater and underground utilities are encouraged where environmentally appropriate.
• To maintain the character of the coast, the potential impacts of any proposed new access must be carefully considered. Substantial new road access is discouraged. Where roads are constructed to access existing development or industrial activity, they must maintain the scenic, ecological, and land use values, and they must retain remote characteristics where they exist today.

The preceding guideline on land use is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all possible uses, but rather it is an outline of general direction. Other uses (e.g., sunken log removal) can occur where they are consistent with the overall intent for the area and provincial policy.

 

Sale of the remaining Crown lands within Great Lakes Coastal Areas is discouraged. Land disposition should only occur where it is clearly consistent with the policies in the Strategy, the overall intent of the Heritage Coast, and other policies related to development and disposition. For example, a sale or lease of Crown land or waterlot to permit a marina may be appropriate in areas where recreational boating is being encouraged, if it meets environmental and other requirements.

 

7.3.6 Resource-based Tourism

 

The Resource-based Tourism category will be used in future planning to recognize areas with highly significant resource-based tourism values. The identification of these areas will reflect the results of Resource Stewardship Agreements, as outlined in section 3.4. However, any proposals for new Resource-based Tourism areas that would potentially affect areas that have already been assigned to a specific designation or EMA would require careful evaluation to determine the most appropriate land use category.

 

7.3.7 Intensive Forestry

 

The Intensive Forestry category could be used in the future to identify Crown lands where timber harvesting, renewal, and maintenance programs are primary activities. In these areas, consideration could be given to intensified forest management that would increase the quantity and quality of available Crown timber. Intensive forest management practices can mitigate, to some extent, the loss of commercial access to Crown timber contained in new parks and protected areas. Further policy development and planning, in consultation with the forest industry and other relevant parties, will occur before these areas are established.

 

Amendments Affecting Chapter 7

 

Amendment number 2002_03

 

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8.0 FEATURED AREAS

 

Nine parts of the planning area have been identified as Featured Areas that demonstrate the range of approaches in the Strategy, provide specific examples of the types of features that are being dealt with in the Strategy, or warrant special strategies. These featured areas are:

• Great Lakes Heritage Coast
• Lake Nipigon Basin
• Algoma Headwaters
• Spanish River Valley
• Kawartha Highlands
• Killarney
• St. Raphael
• Nagagamisis Central Plateau Complex
• Woodland Caribou

Map 2: Feature Areas

The first two featured areas, the Great Lakes Coast and the Lake Nipigon Basin, have been identified as having a range of highly significant values that warrant special strategies. In both these areas the Strategy identifies a number of Land Use Designations and Enhanced Management Areas that are focused on retaining and enhancing the special characteristics of the area. These areas also have extremely significant tourism and recreation potential that merits increased planning, management and promotion.

 

The other seven featured areas demonstrate the range of natural and recreational values, and related management issues and approaches, that are dealt with in the Land Use Strategy. This information has been included to provide specific examples of the scope of the Strategy.

 

8.1 Great Lakes Heritage Coast

 

The Great Lakes Heritage Coast is not a land use designation -- rather it is a policy statement that identifies the Great Lakes coast for special planning and management consideration. This policy statement supports a comprehensive approach to the protection and enjoyment of the significant values that are found along the coast. In the past, plans have been developed for portions of the coast, but these have often lacked the broader context that will be provided by an overall vision for the area.

 

The Heritage Coast policy recognizes the internationally significant natural, cultural, scenic, and recreational values of the Lake Superior and Lake Huron/Georgian Bay shoreline within the planning area. The coast provides habitat for numerous significant plant and animal communities, and has fisheries habitat crucial to the ecosystem of the Great Lakes. The shoreline was a key area for both Aboriginal peoples and early explorers. The area offers some of the best -- if not the best -- freshwater boating in the world. The windswept rocky shores are a key part of the image of Ontario and Canada.

 

The Great Lakes Heritage Coast policies apply to all Crown lands, waters, lakebeds, Crown islands, and intervening coastal areas along the Great Lakes shoreline from Port Severn in Georgian Bay, through the North Channel of Lake Huron, to the international border south of Thunder Bay on Lake Superior. The Heritage Coast varies in width along the shoreline. It spans approximately 2,900 km of shoreline and covers in excess of one million ha of land.

 

While much of the Great Lakes shoreline is in Crown ownership, there are 18 Indian Reserves and significant concentrations of privately owned land west of Nipigon, around Sault Ste. Marie, and along southern Georgian Bay. Numerous areas along the shoreline are extensively developed for seasonal cottages. The Heritage Coast policies do not apply to Aboriginal or privately owned lands.

 

The Great Lakes Heritage Coast will be managed to:

• protect its outstanding scenic beauty and natural ecosystems;
• promote its recreational and tourism potential through the establishment of a network of parks and protected areas and complementary tourism infrastructure;
• ensure that only development that is compatible with the overall policy intent for the area is permitted; and,
• foster cooperation and actively seek partnerships with other levels of governments, Aboriginal communities, and interest groups in the planning and management of this coastal area.

Further work is required to define the scope of the Heritage Coast, the associated policies, and a management structure.

 

8.2 Lake Nipigon Basin

 

Lake Nipigon, the largest lake entirely within Ontario, is Lake Superior's largest and highest quality tributary basin. It is located to the north of Lake Superior and approximately 120 km northeast of Thunder Bay. The area is known for outstanding wilderness values, ideal for world-class adventure travel and ecotourism, as well as having high potential for angling, hunting, wildlife viewing, and camping. It serves as an ecological corridor between the Wabakimi/Ogoki/Albany wilderness and Lake Superior. The lake basin provides an important habitat for woodland caribou, a species designated as vulnerable.

 

There are three land use categories proposed for the Lake Nipigon Basin: Provincial Parks, Conservation Reserves and Enhanced Management Areas. These areas contain 385,612 ha.

 

The Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves in the Lake Nipigon Basin contain areas that:

• best represent the landscape and vegetation features found in the surrounding ecological area;
• include unique landscapes and natural areas that have significant natural or recreational values;
• contain representative facets of the area's geological history;
• have cultural significance.

The EMAs contain specific values that warrant special management. The intent is not to preclude any other resource activity, but to ensure that the values identified are recognized and conserved. These values include

• resource-based tourism in the north part of the basin;
• potential for ecotourism on the west shore of Lake Nipigon;
• special wildlife areas, particularly woodland caribou habitat on the north shore of the Lake;
• areas for recreation including angling, hunting, and camping; and
• access nodes (primarily at existing communities) which could be used as staging areas for world-class tourism establishments on shorelines not accessible by roads or on islands. This could support local economic diversification.

The Ministry of Natural Resources will work with First Nations, other agencies and the public to develop strategies to enhance and promote these values and opportunities.

 

8.3 Algoma Headwaters

 

The Algoma Highlands area is located about 90 kilometres east of Sault Ste. Marie. The area contains a range of forest types, including old-growth red and white pine, and dense boreal stands of jack pine or spruce. Linked by a network of rivers, lakes and wetlands, the forests here are some of the richest and most diverse in Canada.

 

More than 50,000 hectares of this spectacular landscape will be protected in the recommended Algoma Headwaters Provincial Park, the recommended Saymo-Aubinadong-Gong Waterway Park and the existing Ranger North Conservation Reserve. The proposed Goulais River Waterway Park flows out of this headwater area.

 

Recreational and tourism uses will be encouraged in the protected areas, including canoeing, camping, fishing and hunting. The Ranger North Forest Access Road and other existing authorized roads will be retained for use by the forest industry, as well as for hunting, fishing and backcountry recreational access.

 

Areas adjacent to the protected areas remain important to the forest industry and existing access for forest industry use will continue.

 

8.4 Spanish River Valley

 

The outstanding scenery, waterways and wildlife habitat of the Spanish River valley will be protected for future generations by the recommended Spanish River Provincial Park which covers 33,826 hectares, and includes more than 80 kilometres of the Spanish River. Three EMAs covering 29,200 hectares have also been identified where management will give careful consideration to the larger area's remote access, tourism and recreation values.

 

8.5 Kawartha Highlands

 

The scenic Kawartha Highlands, encompassing over 35,000 hectares, is recommended to become the largest protected area in Ontario south of Algonquin Provincial Park. This area is located 50 kilometres north of Peterborough. Situated along the southern edge of the Canadian Shield, this relatively undeveloped area features a rugged rolling landscape of small lakes, wetlands, forests and rocky barrens. Traditional recreational activities will continue, including canoeing, angling, hunting, hiking and snowmobiling.

 

MNR will establish a local stakeholder committee to work with the Ministry and Ontario Parks to determine the most appropriate protection designation for the area - provincial park or conservation reserve. The committee will also assist in finalizing the protected area boundary; developing management policies; and developing and implementing co-stewardship management of the area. Private land within the area will not be affected by the land use designation.

 

8.6 Killarney

 

Killarney Provincial Park is one of the jewels in Ontario's parks system. Its spectacular scenery has long been an inspiration to artists, particularly the Group of Seven. The land use strategy proposals will expand the protected area by more than 30,000 hectares to a total of 78,000 hectares. The new areas include islands and special features along the Georgian Bay shore, as well as the existing park's watershed, a number of lakes to the north and north east, and a sinkhole bog. Three adjacent EMAs and two forest reserves will complement the protected area, while permitting a range of resource use.

 

Camping, canoeing, backpacking, fishing and wildlife viewing will continue in the existing park. The new parks will also allow continuation of existing activities such as hunting, trapping, motor boating and snowmobiling.

 

8.7 St. Raphael

 

The St. Raphael Area encompasses more than 150,000 hectares of remote landscape in northwestern Ontario. This huge area provides important habitat and calving sites for woodland caribou and nesting grounds for sandhill cranes. Circular canoe routes and the waterway connection to the major river system of Lake St. Joseph and the Albany River, are a major attraction for backcountry canoeists.

 

The area's outstanding scenery, and natural and recreational values, will be preserved within the recommended St. Raphael Provincial Park (89,097 hectares). The potential for increased backcountry and ecotourism activities may contribute to the economies of the nearby communities of Savant Lake and Pickle Lake. Forestry and mineral exploration will be conducted in the adjacent Miniss Enhanced Management Area, giving careful consideration to the larger area's wilderness values.

 

8.8 Nagagamisis Central Plateau Complex

 

The Nagagamisis Central Plateau Complex is a rich and varied landscape of geological and natural features including moraines, bluffs, lakes, rivers, forests and bogs. It is located 75 kilometres southwest of Hearst.

 

The natural and recreational values of the area will be protected within two existing parks totaling 10,924 hectares, which have been joined and expanded by another 29,805 hectares. The parks will provide high quality canoeing, camping, fishing and hiking opportunities. Forestry operations and mineral exploration will be conducted in an adjacent Enhanced Management Area with careful consideration for the natural values and recreation potential of the complex.

 

8.9 Woodland Caribou

 

The rugged Canadian Shield landscape of the 537,864-hectare Woodland Caribou complex is a mix of elongated lakes, sudden changes in elevation, and massive bedrock outcrops, carved out by glaciers during the ice age. It is located 120 kilometres north of Kenora, along the Ontario-Manitoba border.

 

Woodland Caribou Provincial Park is popular for its canoe routes, hiking trails, backcountry camping, fishing and wildlife viewing. The area is also rich in cultural history, with evidence of early occupancy by humans preserved in pictographs, or rock paintings, and archeological sites. Much later, fur traders paddled the Bloodvein River and built a European trading post.

 

The outstanding wilderness, recreation and cultural values of the Woodland Caribou area will be preserved for future generations by recommended and existing Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves. The existing wilderness park (454,474 hectares) will be expanded through park additions totalling 29,788 hectares, and there will also be an adjacent 34,548 hectare Conservation Reserve. Forestry operations in the adjacent Pipestone Bay-Macintosh Enhanced Management Area will be conducted with careful consideration for the park's wilderness values and remote tourism potential. The management of these protected and enhanced management areas will help ensure the ecological and economic health of the Woodland Caribou complex, and its communities, for future generations.

 

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9.0 IMPLEMENTATION

 

9.1 Status of the Strategy

 

The land use intent outlined in the Land Use Strategy provides context and direction to land use, resource management, and operational planning activities on Crown land.

 

The Strategy replaces the Northwest and Northeast Strategic Land Use Plans, and the Southern Ontario Coordinated Program Strategy, for the planning area. Wherever the Strategy and the 1983 District Land Use Guidelines address the same topics, the Strategy provides the current direction. The District Land Use Guidelines will continue to provide some detailed land use and resource-management direction, particularly for the General Use Areas, which have not been dealt with in the Strategy. Local land use direction will be brought into conformity with the Strategy through subsequent planning.

 

The approved MNR land use plans for the Madawaska Highlands and Temagami will continue to guide planning and management activities for these specific planning areas. The plans for these areas are deemed to be part of the Strategy.

 

The Strategy does not directly affect land use on private lands. Municipalities or the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing (under the authority of the Planning Act) have control of land use on private land in municipalities. The Strategy should assist municipalities and other government agencies in areas where they are responsible for making decisions about land and resource use.

 

9.2 Environmental Assessment Act Requirements

 

The policy framework set out in the Land Use Strategy provides greater clarity and direction with respect to where and how MNR activities, and private sector activities guided by MNR, may be carried out. However, the Strategy does not relieve MNR of its obligations under the Environmental Assessment Act (EA Act). MNR's existing EA Act "instruments" (i.e., Approvals, Exemption Orders, Declaration Orders) will continue to apply to the range of activities that MNR may propose be carried out in the future following adoption of the policy framework in the Strategy.

 

The Ministry of Natural Resources currently has a number of instruments in place under the EA Act, in addition to the general exemptions under EA Act Regulation 334, which apply to the carrying out of MNR activities. These instruments have been developed over time to ensure that all MNR activities are carried out in compliance with the requirements of the EA Act. These activities include broad Ministry programs such as timber management, forest fire management, Provincial Park and Conservation Reserve management, fish and wildlife habitat and population management, as well as the supporting functions of land acquisition, and the disposition of rights to Crown resources. MNR's EA Act instruments also cover project-level activities such as the construction of access roads and access points, solid waste disposal sites, dams, dykes and water control structures, stream bank rehabilitation, fishways and fish stocking.

 

Where any new undertakings are proposed in the Strategy, which are not covered under MNR's existing EA Act instruments, the Ministry will need to obtain new Approvals or Declaration Orders before proceeding. Based on an analysis of the Land Use Strategy, it is expected that this will only be required for establishing by regulation the recommended new Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves.

 

9.3 Keeping the Land Use Strategy Current

 

In the future, new circumstances may require revisions to the Strategy. Amendments may be needed to respond to changing resource conditions, new or refined information, proposals for land use change resulting from other processes, or changing government policies or public need.

 

Proposed amendments must not substantially alter the overall intent of the Strategy. An amendment to the Strategy may be requested of the Minister by any party at any time. Requests for amendments will be reviewed, and the Minister will determine whether to initiate a Strategy amendment process, refer the request to another process, reject the request, or defer consideration.

 

Amendments will be classified as either minor or major. The Strategy will be amended using the following process:

 

Minor amendments are those changes that do not alter the original intent of the Strategy, have a negative effect on the public or adjacent landowners, or have any significant environmental impacts. The MNR Regional Office will review all proposed minor amendments that are primarily local in nature. Minor amendments will be approved by the MNR Regional Director and the Director, Land Use Planning Branch.

 

Major amendments are those changes that do not affect the intent of the Strategy, but which may have significant social, economic, or environmental impacts. Major amendments will be reviewed by the MNR Regional Director (where a proposed amendment has significant local implications) and the Director, Land Use Planning Branch, and recommendations will be submitted to the Minister for decision. Public consultation will occur for all major amendments, including posting on the Environmental Bill of Rights electronic registry.

 

As part of any amendment process, it may be desirable to draw on the dispute resolution process that the Ministry will be establishing.

 

If a comprehensive review and renewal of the Land Use Strategy is required, consideration will be given to carrying it out under the amended provisions of section 12 of the Public Lands Act related to planning for public lands.

 

9.4 List of Amendments

 

2002_03 - Recognition of existing regulated Wilderness Areas

2004_02 - Approval of the Crown Land Use Policy Atlas as the Official Source of Area Specific Land Use Policy for central and mid-northern Ontario (OLL planning area).

 

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