Potholes Provincial Park Management Statement
This document provides policy direction for the protection, development and management of Potholes Provincial Park and its resources.
July 28, 1986
Regional Director’s approval statement
This Interim Management Statement will provide interim direction for the management of Potholes Provincial Nature Reserve until a comprehensive Park Management Plan is prepared.
This statement will provide the basis for the subsequent preparation of the Park Management Plan.
I am pleased to approve this Interim Management Statement for Potholes Provincial Nature Reserve.
M.A. Klugman
Regional Director
Northeastern Region
3518
ISBN 07729-1263-7
© 1986 Government of Ontario
Additional information about the park and copies of this publication are available from the District Manager, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, P.O. Box 1160, 22 Mission Road, Wawa, Ontario, P0S 1K0, telephone:
I Land tenure
The park area was put into regulation as a Provincial Nature Reserve in January, 1985 (Figure 1).
II Existing development
- 350 meters walking trail with interpretive signage.
- gravel access road (250 meters) and 10 vehicle parking lot.
- 2 vault privies adjacent to parking lot.
- signs on Highway 101.
Guidelines
Ongoing maintenance
- operating season - 6 months - May 1st to October 31st.
- install highway and trail signs at start of operating season and remove at end of operating season.
- site visited twice weekly to collect garbage, clean privies, and check condition of trail and pothole site.
III Recreation activities
Recreation uses prior to provincial park regulation included wildlife viewing, sportfishing, sport hunting, and berry picking. Uses were very light.
The Wawa District Land Use Guidelines state that as a Provincial Nature Reserve, sport hunting will not continue. However, sportfishing is an acceptable activity.
Guidelines
Sportfishing will be allowed to continue.
Sport hunting is prohibited now that the park area is in regulation. The area will be managed for day use only. No day use fee will be charged. Visitation will be monitored through a traffic counter and trail register.
IV Commercial activities
The park area is part of trapline WA80.
The Wawa District Land Use Guidelines and the Ontario Provincial Park Planning and Management Policies for Nature Reserves state that trapping will not continue.
The area has been excluded from allocations in the Austin Crown Management Unit. The gravel pit was used only by the Ministry of Transportation and Communications.
Guidelines
Trapping in this portion of trapline #80 will be phased out in a manner that reduces the impact on the trapper in reaching his quotas.
No other commercial activities are anticipated.
V Natural resources
Resource management plans have not been prepared for the park.
Guidelines
Mineral Resource management
Geological research may be authorized by the District Manager provided that it enhances the knowledge or the understanding of the geological and geomorphological features and that it does not interfere with the natural setting of the site.
VI Visitor services
The park has been developed for self-use interpretation (details in Section II). All development is appropriate for a Nature Reserve Park. Monitoring of the park visitor’s experience will determine if additional services are required.
VII Research
Preliminary Life Science and Earth Science inventories have been completed at the park area.
Guidelines
Additional research that adds to the knowledge of the park values and use will be encouraged as long as it is not detrimental to the site. Prior approval of the District Manager will be required by following the procedures for research in provincial parks.
VIII Marketing
The park will be of interest to scientific and educational groups as well as to the general public as an attraction and day use area on highway 101 between Wawa and Chapleau.
Guidelines
A marketing strategy needs to be prepared so that the park resources are made known to scientific and educational interests. The strategy would also explain how the park would be marketed to local residents and tourists to the Wawa-Chapleau area. The strategy would also ensure that visitor use would be complementary to the protection of the earth science features.
References
Cecile, M. P. and Lynch, G. H., 1971, Geology of Pothole Site, Highway 101, 51 miles west of Chapleau, Ontario, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, paper, p.3.
Jackson, R.H., 1972, Preliminary Report of the Pothole Site, Ontario Department of Lands and Forests, Div. Parks, paper (file 9-17, Wawa).
Kor, Phil, Brief Geology and Geomorphology of the Pothole Site, Wawa, Ontario, Northeastern Region, Parks, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, 1975.
Macdonald, I.D., Field Notes Life Science Inventory, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, 1977.
Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Wawa District Land Use Guidelines, 1983.
Ontario Provincial Parks Planning and Management Policies, 1978.