Big East River Provincial Park Management Statement

December 8, 2000

The Big East River Provincial Park Interim Management Statement provides direction for the custodial management of Big East River Provincial Park until such time as a Park Management Plan may be prepared. An Interim Management Statement, by design, is primarily an internal document intended to provide short-term guidance for Ontario Parks’ managers and staff. The Interim Management Statement will govern all activities occurring within the park and focus on custodial management required to protect park values and ensure public health and safety.

Questions or requests for additional copies of this document should be directed to:

Park Superintendent
Arrowhead Provincial Park
451 Arrowhead Park Rd.
RR #3 Huntsville, ON
P1H 2J4

I am pleased to approve the Big East River Provincial Park Interim Management Statement.

Brian Pfrimmer, Manager
Central Zone
Ontario Parks

Background Information

Inventories

Targets

1.0 Introduction

On July 16, 1999, the Ontario Government released the Ontario’s Living Legacy Land Use Strategy to guide the planning and management of Crown lands in central and parts of northern Ontario. A major part of the land use strategy was a government intent to establish 378 new protected areas. Big East River Provincial Park is part of this significant expansion of Ontario’s protected areas system. Big East River was formally regulated as a Waterway class provincial park on August 10, 2000 – the first of Ontario’s Living Legacy’s new provincial parks.

The Big East River originates in Algonquin Provincial Park, on the western slopes of the Algonquin Dome. The new waterway park flows from Algonquin Provincial Park’s west boundary in the east to Arrowhead Provincial Park in the west. The park runs through ecological site districts 5E-8 and 5E-9. Over 30 regionally or provincially rare species of plants and several rare bird species have been documented in the park to date. Big East River also provides ample opportunities for recreational activities from canoeing and fishing to swimming and hiking.

2.0 Classification

Big East River Provincial Park is classified as a Waterway class provincial park in recognition of its representative natural features and historical resources. It is also recognized that this outstanding recreational water route can provide high quality recreational and educational experiences.

3.0 Boundary

Big East River Provincial Park runs from the western boundary of Algonquin Park following the watercourse of the Big East River through the Township of Lake of Bays to Highway 11 in the Town of Huntsville. The boundary for the park is shown in figure 1. The park is 1050 hectares in size.

The boundary of the park (Figure 1) includes shore lands on both sides of the river and the waters, the riverbed and Crown islands between these shores. The Crown shore lands are 200 metres wide from the water’s edge with the exception of the north shore of part 5 and 6, Concession 3, Finlayson Township where it is 60 metres wide. The boundary lines surrounding the two former dam reservoirs located on the river have been vectored to an average of 200 metres. Where the park abuts private land and the boundary of Arrowhead Park, the boundary will extend to the water’s edge.

4.0 Zoning

Big East River will initially be zoned entirely as a Natural Environment Zone. All known significant natural features will be identified and measures to ensure their protection will be outlined in a future management plan.

5.0 Interim Management Guidelines

Unless otherwise noted, the management policies for Waterway class parks, presented in Ontario Provincial Parks: Planning and Management Policies will apply to this site (Appendix 1).

In the implementation of the approved Interim Management Statement, Ontario Parks may pursue opportunities for partnerships involving other agencies and groups. Park management and stewardship will be contingent upon availability of funding and unforeseeable changes in priorities or policy. All management and stewardship activities will meet the Environmental Assessment Act, Provincial Parks Act and other pertinent legislation.

5.1 Natural Resource Stewardship

The protection of provincially significant, special or representative life and earth science features will be the highest priority of Big East River Provincial Park.

Management of the area will ideally allow natural processes to continue to shape the ecology of the park and its shorelines where possible. A resource stewardship plan may be considered once a detailed life science inventory is completed.

All fires will be suppressed due to the adjacent private land holdings. Fire management through prescribed burning will not be considered at this time.

5.2 Cultural Resources

There has not been an assessment of cultural resources for Big East River Provincial Park. An historical study on the park may be considered prior to the initiation of the management planning process.

5.3 Recreational Activities

As noted in the Ontario’s Living Legacy Land Use Strategy, existing angling and hunting occurring within the park boundary will be permitted to continue.

Low–impact recreational activities such as hiking, swimming, canoeing, kayaking and nature–appreciation will be permitted and encouraged.

All campsites within the park boundary are to be phased out. Future camping opportunities may be established through a full management planning process.

Through the management planning process, further management prescriptions can be made to minimize user conflicts and maximize user enjoyment. In the interim, any recreational activity found to have a negative impact on the protection objectives of Big East River Provincial Park, will have appropriate actions taken to minimize damage.

Existing trails will remain. However, it is recommended that a trail assessment be completed for Big East River Provincial Park to review the existing trail structure and to provide recommendations on appropriate restructuring.

5.4 Land Tenure

The park is comprised of only the Crown land and Crown riverbed along the Big East River, between Algonquin and Highway 11. No private lands are included in the park. There are no Licences of Occupation or Crown Leases. Land Use Permits exist for four hunt camps that ar e situated within the park boundary. These permits will be continued and are eligible for enhanced tenure, but will not allow for the purchase of the land.

5.5 Existing and Proposed Development

Prior to the regulation of the park, there were two dams located along the Big East River, the Finlayson and the Distress Dam. These two dams have since been removed after appropriate Environmental Assessment. The Distress Dam has since been replaced with an overflow weir to maintain the existing reservoir, while the Finlayson Dam will not be replaced by any new structure and the river will be allowed to convert back to its nature riverine characteristics.

An existing Bailey bridge crosses the river in Lot 3, Concession 12, Sinclair Ward, in the Township of Lake of Bays. It is owned and maintained by the municipality. As the bridge is not considered secure for long term use, an alternative waterway crossing has been identified in Lot 30, Concession A, Sinclair Ward, in the Township of Lake of Bays.

There is no proposed development for Big East River Provincial Park at this time. Access points may be considered. A full management planning process will be completed prior to any future development.

5.6 Commercial Activities

As outlined in the Ontario’s Living Legacy Land Use Strategy, commercial timber harvest, aggregate and mineral extraction, and hydro development will not be permitted.

There are four identified bait fish areas and two registered trap lines within Big East River Provincial Park. These will be permitted to continue indefinitely. No new operations will be permitted.

5.7 Aboriginal Interests

Big East River is not subject to any native land claims.

5.8 Client Services

Natural Heritage Education programs and services will not be provided but may be considered through the management planning process. Basic information on the park may be provided through Ontario Parks’ printed media and web site.

5.9 Research

Research by universities and other qualified applicants will be encouraged. All research activities will conform with the Ontario Parks Research and Information Strategy, and Ontario Parks policies. Prior written permission will be required. All research will be non–intrusive in order to safeguard protection objectives.

Research priorities will be established through the management planning process. Research may deal with all aspects of scientific study, inventory or surveys of vegetation, ecological, cultural and recreational resources and processes.

5.10 Marketing

A marketing strategy is not a priority for the park. A marketing strategy may be considered when further information on park values is obtained.

6.0 References

Acresand Associated Environmental Ltd. (2000). Environmental Assessment of Big East River. Etobicoke.

Brownell, Vivian R. (1978) A Reconnaissance Life Science Inventory of the Big east River Proposal. Ontario Ministry of Natural resources. Division of Parks, Algonquin Region.

Ontario Parks (2000). Arrowhead Provincial Park Management Plan. Queen’s Printer for Ontario.

Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (1999). Ontario’s Living Legacy Land Use Strategy. Queen’s Printer for Ontario.

Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (1994). Park Policy, Procedure and Bulletin. "PM 11.02.01, Preparation of Interim Management Statements" Provincial Park Operations Branch.

Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (1992). Life Science Checklists for the Algonquin Region.

Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (1992). Ontario Provincial Parks Planning and Management Policies . Toronto: Parks and Natural Heritage Policy Branch.

Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (1981). Earth Science Checklists for the Algonquin Region.

Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (1982) Algonquin Region Life Science Check Sheets.

Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (1981) Earth Science Checklists for the Algonquin Region.

Reid, Ron and Bonnie Bergsma (1993) Muskoka Heritage Areas Program Draft Integration Program District Municipality of Muskoka and the Muskoka Heritage Foundation.

T.W. Nobel (1984) Biophysical Analysis Site Region 5E Algonquin Region Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources.