Edward Island Provincial Park Management Statement

Edward Island Provincial Nature Reserve
Interim Management Statement

Regional Director’s approval statement

Edward Island Provincial Nature Reserve

This revised Interim Management Statement will provide interim direction for the management of the above Provincial Nature Reserve until a comprehensive 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.

Signed by:
M.S. Millar
A/Regional Director
North Central Region - Thunder Bay

Revised March 1991

Background information

Date: 9.03.85

Edward Island Provincial Nature Reserve map

Targets

Life science representation

Earth science representation

Cultural resource representation

Recreation opportunities

Inventories

I. Land tenure

All land within the Nature Reserve is Crown Land. There is no tenure granted for any land within the Nature Reserve.

Guideline:

Granting of tenure will not be considered for any land within the Nature Reserve, until a Management Plan has been completed.

II. Land acquisition/disposition

Edward Island Provincial Nature Reserve has been reduced from its originally proposed size to 425 hectares, to minimize conflicts with mining activity. However, Nature Reserve objectives will be achieved within the existing boundary.

There is no patented land within the Nature Reserve area.

Adjacent to the Nature Reserve’s boundary, at the most southern end of Edward Island, a twenty-one year Crown Lease for Mining Claim T.B. 99692 exists. (The name and address of the leaseholder is on file in the Thunder Bay District Office.)

Guideline:

No consideration will be given to acquiring additional land or disposing of land within the Nature Reserve until a Management Plan is completed.

III. Existing/proposed development

There presently exists dockage for approximately three commercial fishing boats and cabins for storage.

There is an old mine site located within the Nature Reserve.

There is no proposed development at the present time.

Guideline:

The use of the docks by the Lake Superior Commercial fishermen will be-allowed to continue with no additional expansion of present facilities, pending the preparation of a Management Plan for Edward Island Provincial Nature Reserve.

Development (excluding that related to public health and safety) will not be undertaken prior to completion of a Management Plan.

The boundaries for this Nature Reserve will be surveyed and cut, and appropriate signage provided, if funding permits.

IV. Recreational activities

Edward Island is classified as a Provincial Nature Reserve. Therefore, the Nature Reserve was not established for recreational purposes.

No water bodies exist within the Nature Reserve area.

The annual harvest potential for moose, deer and bear is negligible. The hunting pressure is estimated to be moderate.

Guideline:

Hunting will not be permitted within the Nature Reserve.

Wildlife viewing will be permitted.

V. Commercial activities

No trapping occurs on Edward Island due to its isolated location.

The Nature Reserve is withdrawn from staking.

The Nature Reserve has medium mineral potential.

The Nature Reserve is situated within the Port Arthur Crown Timber Management Unit; not under licence.

No other commercial activities will be permitted.

Guideline:

Trapping, forestry and mining will not be permitted within the Nature Reserve.

Other commercial activities will not be permitted.

VI. Natural resources

The Nature Reserve has been established to protect significant earth science features.

Guideline:

Restrictions on recreational and commercial activities, as noted above, are expected to provide adequate protection to the life science features. If any unforeseen threats to the preservation of these features arise, appropriate measures and/or restrictions will be implemented.

Normal forest fire suppression will take place within the Nature Reserve.

Until appropriate measures are identified in a Management Plan, insects and diseases will be controlled as is deemed necessary.

VII. Cultural resources

The cultural resources of the area is unknown, although there is high potential for existing sites.

Guideline:

A detailed cultural inventory is proposed.

Any disturbance of archaeological sites within the Nature Reserve will be discouraged, and restrictions on activities on or near the sites will be implemented if necessary.

VIII. Client services

No literature is presently available.

Guideline:

Client services will not be provided until a Management Plan has been completed, except as required by legislation or M.N.R. policy.

IX. Research and inventories

An earth science checksheet has been completed for Edward Island Provincial Nature Reserve and is on file in the Thunder Bay District Office.

Guideline:

Detailed earth science and cultural resources inventories and a brief life science survey will be completed prior to preparing a Management Plan.

Additional research inventories will be encouraged to further document Nature Reserve values. These may be carried out by M.N.R. or by outside interest groups/individuals. Any research must first be approved by the District Manager.

References/sources

Kor, P. 1981. (Unpublished Report) Earth Science Inventory Checksheet.

O.M.N.R. 1983. Backgrounder Land Use Guidelines.

O.M.N.R. 1983. Thunder Bay District Land Use Guidelines.

Map of Edward Island Provincial Nature Reserve