Ferguson Township White Pine Forest Conservation Reserve Management Statement

Statement of Conservation Interest

Ministry of Natural Resources
Parry Sound District

Prepared with the assistance of:
Meteek & Company
Huntsville, Ontario

March 2005

Approval statement

We are pleased to approve this Statement of Conservation Interest for Ferguson Township White Pine Forest Conservation Reserve (C107).

Ferguson Township White Pine Forest Conservation Reserve is located in Ferguson geographic township in the Municipality of McDougall, in the Territorial District of Parry Sound. It is located about 18 kilometres north of the Town of Parry Sound. Its eastern boundary lies within 200 metres of the Bunny Trail, a municipal road which links Highway 124 to Highway 520. The conservation reserve comprises 383 hectares of Crown land. While it touches private land on much of its eastern boundary, it is otherwise surrounded by a large area of Crown land.

This conservation reserve is located within ecological Site District 5E-7. It provides ecological representation of a white pine forest on low sandy hills with bare bedrock patches and flat sandy deposits. The site also provides inland habitat for the nationally and provincially threatened eastern Massasauga rattlesnake.

Ferguson Township White Pine Forest Conservation Reserve is one of 378 new protected areas approved through Ontario’s Living Legacy, a land use strategy aimed, in part, at completing Ontario’s system of parks and protected areas.

During the "Lands for Life" planning process, the public was widely consulted and provided valuable input into what became Ontario’s Living Legacy Land Use Strategy. Comments received during that time, and during consultation related to the formal Public Lands Act regulation of the boundaries of this conservation reserve, were generally supportive of the protection of this area. Stakeholders who provided comment during the earlier consultation for this site were subsequently consulted regarding the draft Statement of Conservation Interest and any comments were considered in the finalization of this document.

This document replaces the Statement of Conservation Interest that was approved in March 2001, to reflect one change in provincial direction (regarding mineral exploration) and to also improve the clarity as to MNR's intent for this site. This Statement of Conservation Interest provides guidance for the management of the conservation reserve and provides the basis for the ongoing monitoring of activities. More detailed direction is not anticipated at this time. Should significant facility development or other uses be considered or complex issues arise which require additional studies, more defined management direction, or special protection measures, then a detailed Resource Management Plan will be prepared with full public consultation.

Ferguson Township White Pine Forest Conservation Reserve is managed under the direction of the District Manager and the Parry Sound Area Supervisor of the Ministry of Natural Resources, Parry Sound District.

Approved by:
R. Griffiths
District Manager
Parry Sound District

Approved by:
Ron Running
Regional Director
Southern Region

Figure 1: Location Map - Ferguson Township White Pine Forest Conservation Reserve

Enlarge Figure 1: Location Map - Ferguson Township White Pine Forest Conservation Reserve

Figure 2: Site Map – Ferguson Township White Pine Forest Conservation Reserve

Enlarge Figure 2: Site Map – Ferguson Township White Pine Forest Conservation Reserve

1.0 Introduction

Ontario’s Living Legacy, the result of an extensive planning process that began in early 1997, culminated in the approval in July 1999 of a Land Use Strategy that identifies the intended strategic direction for Crown land in central and northern Ontario, including the completion of Ontario’s system of parks and protected areas. This process, which included extensive public consultation, resulted in the recommendation for regulation of 378 new protected areas, including Ferguson Township White Pine Forest Conservation Reserve (C107).

Ferguson Township White Pine Forest Conservation Reserve is located in Ferguson geographic township in the Municipality of McDougall, in the Territorial District of Parry Sound. It is about 18 kilometres north of the Town of Parry Sound. Its eastern boundary lies within 200 metres of the Bunny Trail, a municipal road which links Highway 124 to Highway 520. The conservation reserve comprises 383 hectares of Crown land. While it touches private land on its eastern boundary, it is otherwise surrounded by a large area of Crown land.

This conservation reserve provides an ecological representation of a white pine forest on low sandy hills with bare bedrock patches and flat sandy deposits. It provides habitat for a variety of wildlife, which includes reptiles, amphibians, small mammals, songbirds, ruffed grouse, white-tailed deer, moose and black bear. Existing recreational activities include hunting, hiking, skiing, and operating snowmobiles and all terrain vehicles.

Conservation reserves are established under the authority of the Public Lands Act, Ontario Regulation 805/94. Ferguson Township White Pine Forest Conservation Reserve was established by Ontario Regulation 461/00 on August 10, 2000.

A Statement of Conservation Interest (Statement of Conservation Interest) is prepared under the direction of Procedural Guideline A – Resource Management Planning (PL. Procedure 3.03.05). The purpose of this Statement of Conservation Interest is to identify and describe the values of Ferguson Township White Pine Forest Conservation Reserve. The Statement of Conservation Interest also outlines the activities that currently occur within the conservation reserve and provides guidelines for the management of current and future activities in the context of protecting the natural, recreational and cultural values under the authority of Procedural Guideline A – Resource Management Planning (PL. Procedure 3.03.05).

1.1 Background information

1.2 Representation/targets

Earth science representation:

Bedrock

• Parry Sound Domain of the Parry Sound Terrane, in the Central Gneiss Belt of the Proterozoic Grenville Province (Easton, 1992a)
• Dominant rock types are highly deformed metavolcanic and metasedimentary gneisses, and later pegmatites.

Surficial

• Weakly broken plain of shallow sandy till and bare bedrock.

Life science representation:

The following landform type and vegetation association is found (Rouse, 2000):

• la-25 - weakly broken shallow sandy till plain (bare bedrock, lacustrine sand)

The predominant vegetation community associated with this landform type is a middle-aged white pine forest.

Cultural resources representation:

Neither detailed cultural research nor inventory has been carried out for this conservation reserve.

Recent regional evaluation (OMNR, 2003) provides generalized broad-brush mapping which shows that this conservation reserve contains areas that have a high potential for cultural heritage sites.

Recreational opportunities:

A recreational inventory report was prepared for this site based on several site visits, and existing knowledge and data sources of MNR staff (Larson, 2004). This report and an earlier checklist (Parent & Rouse, 2000) indicate that the area accommodates a variety of hunting opportunities including ruffed grouse, waterfowl, white-tailed deer, bear and moose hunting. Snowmobiling and some all-terrain vehicle use are known to occur, particularly along the tertiary road that bisects the conservation reserve.

1.3 Survey work

2.0 Values to be protected

The conservation reserve is located entirely within Hills' (1959) ecological Site District 5E-7. Values include earth science, life science, cultural and recreational/aesthetic values, with an emphasis on the life sciences.

2.1 Earth science

(Earth science information, unless otherwise noted, is taken from Frey & Duba, 2000)

Earth science values are focused on features (bedrock and surficial) that represent the chronology of earth history in the province (Davidson, 1981).

Bedrock:

The bedrock of Ferguson Township White Pine Forest Conservation Reserve is within the central west part of the Parry Sound Domain, Parry Sound Terrane of the Central Gneiss Belt, in the Proterozoic Grenville Province. The Parry Sound Terrane is one of four lithotectonic terranes of the Central Gneiss Belt. Within the Parry Sound Terrane, the Parry Sound Domain is one of three structural domains. This geological environment is part of the modern organization of the complex products of the mid-Proterozoic Grenville orogenic events (Easton, 1992b).

The Parry Sound Domain consists of large volumes of mafic rocks (1,400 to 1,350 million years old) of mainly plutonic protolith, anorthosite and marble, metamorphosed, almost uniformly to granulite grade. These assemblages are unique in the Central Gneiss Belt. The dominant rock types of the conservation reserve are metavolcanic and metasedimentary supracrustal rocks (possibly of the Lighthouse or Amer Bay gneiss associations) and later, highly deformed pegmatites. (Easton, 1992a & b). The dominant structural patterns of the conservation reserve strike north-northwest, intersected by younger faults that strike east-northeast to west-northwest. The shallow ridges of the conservation reserve, locally striking north-northwest reflect this structural fabric.

From an earth science perspective, the geology of the conservation reserve has local significance in its representation of supracrustal and gneissic rocks, highly deformed in the Parry Sound shear zone at the western margin of the Parry Sound Domain (Frey & Duba, 2000).

2.2 Life science

(Life science information, unless otherwise noted, is taken from Rouse, 2000)

The conservation reserve is located within Hills' (1959) ecological Site District 5E-7. The assessment of life sciences is primarily focused on landform type and the vegetation communities that occur thereon within the context of an ecological site district. Ferguson Township White Pine Forest Conservation Reserve lies within landform type Ia-25, which is a weakly broken shallow sandy till, with areas of bare bedrock and lacustrine sand (Noble, 1983).

Representation:

This site is situated on a weakly broken plain of shallow sandy till over bedrock, with bare bedrock exposures. It is dominated by white pine forest on low sandy hills with bare bedrock patches and flat sandy deposits. It also contains smaller areas of middle-aged red oak forest. Beaver ponds are found in the area. The white pine forest occupies about 65% of the total area; red oak forest occupies about 16% of the area; and hard maple (8%) and aspen (>1%) forests are also represented. Non-forest areas include wetlands (open and treed muskeg, 7%) water (3%) and bare rock (>1%) (Rouse, 2000).

Condition:

No commercial forest harvesting has occurred within the last five years, but a shelterwood cut has been carried out in the past. There is no mining occurring in the area currently, although an inactive marble quarry at the north end of the conservation reserve is evidence of past mining activity.

A tertiary forest access road runs east/west through the middle of the conservation reserve; it is used as a skidding trail to remove wood from the Crown lands west of the site, and it is also known to be used by snowmobiles and all- terrain vehicles. Unauthorized trails are also known to exist within the site.

These activities are not considered to have any significant impact on the quality of life science representation.

Diversity:

Detailed inventory has not been conducted. It is expected that floral and faunal diversity is typical of this combination of landform-vegetation complexes. The site may also contain Atlantic coastal plain plant species.

Ecological considerations:

Although the conservation reserve is relatively long and narrow (on a north/south axis), its elevated position and the bedrock structure direct drainage to peripheral areas outside the site.

Special features:

The conservation reserve provides confirmed nesting habitat for Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodius). The presence of eastern Massasauga rattlesnake (COSEWIC – threatened, COSSARO, OMNR – threatened) is also confirmed. The conservation reserve provides inland habitat for this threatened species.

Significance:

Ferguson Township White Pine Forest Conservation Reserve provides provincially significant representation of a middle-aged white pine forest on a weakly broken shallow sandy till plain in ecological Site District 5E-7.

2.3 Cultural values:

While no specific cultural studies or inventories have been undertaken within the conservation reserve, and no major cultural resource values have been evaluated or identified to date, recent regional evaluation (OMNR, 2003) provides generalized broad-brush mapping which shows that this conservation reserve contains areas that may have a high potential for cultural heritage sites.

2.4 Recreational/aesthetic values

Although no specific studies have been undertaken, the conservation reserve is known to be used for sport hunting and some general exploring. An east/west tertiary forest access road that crosses through the centre of the conservation reserve, and some unauthorized trails within the site are known to be used occasionally by snowmobiles and all-terrain vehicles. A Hydro One secondary road just outside the conservation reserve’s north boundary, and a skid trail just outside its southwest corner facilitate additional access to the site.

The conservation reserve has potential for providing opportunities for snow sports, general outdoor/exploring activities, and general nature activities (Parent & Rouse, 2000). Sport fishing is not known to occur within this site.

The current and expected levels of recreational activities within Ferguson Township White Pine Forest Conservation Reserve have local significance, and with the exception of the potential for wild fire, recreational use is considered to pose little threat to the other values of the reserve.

The distance of this conservation reserve from urban areas has resulted in a relatively pristine night sky, which enhances the sense of remoteness and wilderness of this site. Pristine night skies are considered a significant value, given the increasingly limited areas of southern and central Ontario that are not heavily affected by light pollution.

3.0 Management guidelines

MNR's Class Environmental Assessment for Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves came into effect on January 10, 2005. All new MNR projects in conservation reserves, and any new approvals or permits issued, must meet the legal requirements of this Class Environmental Assessment, and any relevant amendments.

3.1 Land tenure

Background:

Ferguson Township White Pine Forest Conservation Reserve consists entirely of Crown land, and it is surrounded on three sides by Crown land. Private lands abut the conservation reserve along its eastern boundary. Two trapline areas (PS-76 and PS-85), a Bear Management Area (BMA PS-49-007) and an unassigned Commercial Bait Fish Block (PS-100) extend into the site; otherwise there are no land use permits, licenses or easements that apply to land within the conservation reserve.

There are no municipal road allowances cutting through this site, since the part of the road allowance between Concessions 6 and 7 was stopped up and closed prior to incorporation of this area into the Municipality of McDougall. Those lands were included within the regulated conservation reserve.

Guideline:

Sale of Crown lands within the conservation reserve will not be considered.

Land tenure will continue for trapping through the registered trapline areas. The provision of commercial bear hunting services associated with the Bear Management Area is allowed to continue. Upon assignment of the Commercial Bait Fish Block surrounding the conservation reserve, bait fish harvesting within the conservation reserve will be tested against the requirements of Procedural Guideline B – Test of Compatibility.

Neither new trapper’s cabins nor new recreation camps are permitted in conservation reserves.

3.2 Existing/proposed development

Background:

With the exception of an abandoned marble quarry, there are no existing buildings, structures, or constructed facilities within the conservation reserve. A tertiary forest access road crosses through the conservation reserve, running east/west. It has been used for skidding logs through the conservation reserve from the Crown lands to the west, and for recreational travel by snowmobile and all-terrain vehicle. Although not documented, it is assumed that this road also receives foot travel. There are known to be trapline trails used in conjunction with the registered trapline areas.

A secondary road lies immediately north of the north boundary of the conservation reserve. Its primary use is to provide service access to the Hydro One high voltage lines west of the conservation reserve. A skid trail runs immediately outside the site boundary at its southwest corner.

Guideline:

No new roads will be permitted into or through the conservation reserve. However, the existing tertiary forest access road crossing the site can continue to be used for winter skidding of harvested materials from west of the site.

The secondary road which runs just north of northern boundary of the site is important for servicing the Hydro One high voltage lines to the west, and this road will continue to be used for this purpose.

New recreational trails may be considered on a case by case basis, as is discussed in more detail in Section 3.3 "Recreational Activities".

Unauthorized works within the conservation reserve will be handled in accordance with the Public Lands Act, and any required removal of these works will be at the expense of those responsible.

No mineral exploration is permitted within this conservation reserve. This policy direction is based on a commitment made by the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines in March 2002. This direction replaces that identified in the 1999 Ontario’s Living Legacy Land Use Strategy (OMNR, 1999), which stated that controlled mineral exploration would be permitted in new conservation reserves which were identified as having provincially significant mineral potential.

Any new development must meet MNR's commitments to protect cultural heritage values (see Section 3.7).

While there is no intent at present to provide or permit any new development in this conservation reserve that would require lighting, should this be considered at some point in the future the MNR will not allow unnecessary, undirected light pollution. This commitment recognizes the wilderness and biological values provided by a pristine night sky.

3.3 Recreation activities

Background:

Existing known recreational activities are limited to sport hunting, some general exploring and occasional snowmobile and all-terrain vehicle use.

There are no Crown land recreation camps situated in the site.

Guideline:

Hunting is permitted to continue within the conservation reserve.

Recreational uses such as hiking, wildlife viewing, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing, while currently very limited in extent and therefore not managed, are allowed to occur in the conservation reserve.

The location of pre-existing recreation trails (trails that existed at the time of regulation of this conservation reserve) will be documented and their use will be monitored, and any increase in use of snowmobiles or all-terrain vehicles will be monitored, to ensure that conservation reserve values are not being adversely impacted. Depending on the results of monitoring, pre-existing trails may need to be redirected from sensitive areas or eliminated completely. There is no intent to mark or upgrade these trails. Off-trail use of snowmobiles and all-terrain vehicles is not permitted, except for the direct retrieval of game.

New recreational trails may be considered on a case by case basis provided that they meet Procedural Guideline B – Land Uses – Test of Compatibility (see Appendix 1) and the MNR's Environmental Assessment Act requirements. Public consultation will generally be required during the consideration of changes to existing trails, and will always be required for new trails. Any new trails must meet MNR's commitments to protect cultural heritage values (see Section 3.7).

New recreational trails, or upgrading of existing trails, for motorized vehicles are discouraged and will only be considered under exceptional circumstances if the following have been demonstrated:

• there is a community need for the trail, as well as community support;
• there are no alternative suitable locations outside the conservation reserve;
• the trail location would be acceptable and suitable for four-season use;
• the trail would meet the requirements applicable to all trails, as identified in the preceding paragraph.

Off-trail use of snowmobiles and all-terrain vehicles is not permitted, except for the direct retrieval of game.

New recreational activities will be considered on a case by case basis provided they are consistent with maintaining the values of the conservation reserve and comply with Procedural Guideline B – Land Uses – Test of Compatibility (Appendix 1). Emphasis will be placed on activities that have a low impact on the environment of the conservation reserve.

Monitoring of existing and permitted activities will be undertaken as required to ensure that the conservation reserve values are not being adversely impacted.

3.4 Commercial activities

Background:

Current commercial use of the conservation reserve is limited to trapping (PS-76 and PS- 85), and the provision of bear hunting services (Bear Management Area PS-49-007). The conservation reserve is included within Commercial Bait Fish Block PS-100; however, this is currently inactive. Therefore, there is no current commercial bait fish harvesting within the site. Forest management activities have not occurred within the conservation reserve recently (except for winter skidding of harvested timber over the existing tertiary road through the conservation reserve); there is a previous history of forest management. Likewise, mining activities have not occurred within the site within recent years, although an abandoned marble quarry exists near the north end of the conservation reserve.

Guideline:

Trapping and the provision of bear hunting services will continue to be allowed in the conservation reserve. If the Bait Fish Block is assigned in the future, bait fish harvesting operations within the conservation reserve may be considered providing they meet the requirements of Procedural Guideline B – Test of Compatibility.

Conservation reserve regulations do not permit mineral exploration, mining, commercial forest harvesting, hydroelectric power development, the extraction of aggregate and peat or other industrial uses (Public Lands Act, Ontario Regulation 805/94). Other new commercial activities must meet the requirements of Procedural Guideline B – Land Uses – Test of Compatibility (Appendix 1).

3.5 Aboriginal interests

Background:

This site is known to be of interest to First Nation communities. There are 2 treaties associated with the area: the Robinson – Huron Treaty of 1850 and the Williams Treaty, (although a Supreme Court decision in 1994 (Howard) validated that the Williams Treaty surrendered hunting, fishing and trapping rights of those First Nations affiliated with that treaty).

Guideline:

The regulation and management of this conservation reserve will not impede the exercise of existing aboriginal or treaty rights. These rights include hunting, fishing, fur harvesting, gathering of plants for a variety of purposes, and the use of ceremonial sites. It is recognized that the manner in which these rights are carried out is not limited to the manner in which they were carried out in the past, but has evolved over time with changes in technology.

The designation of this area as a conservation reserve or the preparation of this Statement of Conservation Interest will not affect any future First Nation land claim settlement. The conservation reserve designation does not preclude consideration of these lands in the settlement of a claim. If deregulation of part or all of a conservation reserve occurs as part of the settlement of a claim, this will be carried out at no cost to First Nations.

3.6 Natural resource stewardship

Guideline – general:

Other than forest management and harvest, which occurred until the late 1990s, vegetation management for specific purposes is not known to have occurred in the past. Wildlife management and fisheries management have been occurring according to the prevailing policies and legislation.

Guideline – general

The emphasis will be on ensuring that the natural values of the conservation reserve are not negatively affected by current and future activities. Therefore, applications for new specific uses will be carefully studied and reviewed. Necessary studies may be undertaken by proponents, the Ministry, and/or partner organizations.

Guideline – vegetation:

The intent of this site is to allow the existing vegetation communities to evolve naturally.

It is recognized that forest fire has been a part of this system in the past, but at this time it is not anticipated that fire will be used as a tool for the management of the site’s vegetative communities.

In accordance with existing conservation reserve policy and the Fire Management Strategy for Ontario, forest fire protection will endeavour to use "light on the land" techniques, which do not unduly disturb the landscape, in this conservation reserve. Examples of light on the land techniques may include limiting the use of heavy equipment, and limiting the number of trees felled during fire response efforts. Input from the local MNR Area Supervisor would be solicited if a forest fire threatens the area. Opportunities for prescribed burning to achieve resource management objectives may be considered. Plans for any prescribed burning will be developed in accordance with the OMNR Prescribed Burn Planning Manual.

Programs may be developed to control forest insects and diseases in the conservation reserve where these threaten significant values in or adjacent to the site. Where insects or disease threaten significant values, in or adjacent to the site, and MNR determines that control is warranted, control within the conservation reserve will be directed by the MNR as narrowly as possible to the specific insect or disease. Biological control will be used wherever possible. In all cases, regard shall be had for Procedural Guideline B – Land Uses – Test of Compatibility (Appendix 1).

Guideline – wildlife:

The management of game and fur species in Ferguson Township White Pine Forest Conservation Reserve will continue consistent with the wildlife management unit (WMU-49), trapline areas (PS-76 and PS 085), and Bear Management Area (PS-49-007) within which it lies.

The presence of eastern Massasauga rattlesnake (Sistrurus c. catenatus) has been confirmed in the conservation reserve, and the area is recognized as inland habitat for this threatened species. Management activities and proposals for new activities will have regard for the protection of this species and its habitat.

3.7 Cultural resource stewardship

Background:

No specific cultural studies or inventories have been undertaken within this conservation reserve, and no specific significant cultural resource values have been evaluated or identified to date. Recent regional evaluation (OMNR 2003) provides generalized broad-brush mapping which shows that this conservation reserve contains areas that have a high potential for cultural heritage sites.

Guideline:

Should the MNR consider either carrying out or permitting new structural development, significant clearing of vegetation or altering of land within this conservation reserve, the MNR will adhere to the cultural heritage resource screening process as is identified in its Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Ministry of Culture. While the purpose of this MOU is to provide a process to identify and protect cultural heritage resources when the MNR is reviewing work permits or disposing of Crown rights under the authority of the Public Lands Act, the considerations and criteria would also enable the MNR to identify high potential cultural heritage areas for other purposes within conservation reserves. If the screening process indicates that the site of a proposed activity is within an area of high cultural heritage potential, the MNR will consult with the Ministry of Culture to determine the appropriate cultural heritage assessment requirements and will undertake a preliminary archaeological assessment if appropriate.

Interested partners will be encouraged to undertake inventories, studies, and research to document the histories of First Nations, settlement, resource harvest/management and recreation in the area. The MNR will discuss the appropriateness of any proposed archaeological assessment with local First Nations and the Ministry of Culture.

Under the Ontario Heritage Act, a licence is required to carry out any archaeological fieldwork. This includes altering or removing any artefact or any other physical evidence of past human activity.

3.8 Client services

Background:

Access to the conservation reserve has generally been confined to traditional uses for the current commercial and recreational activities. There are no Crown facilities or services developed on or adjacent to the conservation reserve. The information fact sheet for this conservation reserve is currently available to the public through the Parry Sound District Office or via MNR's Internet site, /ministry-natural-resources-and-forestry. Information about the values of this conservation reserve is available at the Parry Sound District Office.

Guideline:

The focus will remain on low key information and self-interpretation of conservation reserve values and features. Consideration will be given to the strategic location of identity signs where the secondary road runs adjacent to the conservation reserve’s north boundary, and where the tertiary road approaches or crosses the conservation reserve boundary. Consideration will be given to the preparation of an information brochure (with map) to highlight the features for which this area was identified and appropriate uses to ensure the protection of those features.

3.9 Research

Background:

Research to date has consisted of reconnaissance surveys and checklists of the earth science, life science and recreation values of the reserve. Additional assessment is not planned at present, though may occur if future opportunities are presented.

Guideline:

The Ministry will consider whether there is a need for further inventory and documentation of natural values, and assessment of use/activity impacts on the reserve. All research will be carried out in a non-destructive manner. Research proposals must follow Procedural Guideline C – Research Activities in Conservation Reserves (Appendix 3).

3.10 Marketing

Background:

There has been no direct marketing of Ferguson Township White Pine Forest Conservation Reserve to date. Promotion and information about this site has been primarily through the Ontario’s Living Legacy planning process, and Parry Sound District public consultation regarding the boundaries of the site.

Guideline:

Marketing efforts will be kept to a minimum. The future will see continued use of fact sheets to inform the public about the role of the conservation reserve in a provincial system, and about its specific values.

4.0 Implementation

Administrative responsibility for Ferguson Township White Pine Forest Conservation Reserve lies with MNR's Parry Sound Area, Parry Sound District. Implementation of this Statement of Conservation Interest will primarily involve monitoring activities to ensure adherence to the management guidelines. Other activities will include distribution of a fact sheet highlighting the important natural heritage values of the site, and responding to inquiries. Emphasis will be placed on awareness information highlighting reserve values, and monitoring and managing the current approved uses.

Priorities will include:

• Ensure compliance to prescribed management direction of the approved Statement of Conservation Interest
• Ensure compliance with applicable legislation and regulations
• Monitor and evaluate existing and allowed recreational and commercial use levels and impacts as required to ensure that conservation reserve values are not being adversely impacted
• Actively seek partnerships with interested stakeholders
• Encourage further inventory and research of the life science and cultural resources of the conservation reserve
• Provide client services (e.g. brochure or fact sheet) at nearby MNR offices

5.0 Review and revision of the statement of conservation interest

This Statement of Conservation Interest will be amended through a standard process of minor and major amendments. Minor amendments will be processed in a relatively informal manner and will require the approval of the Area Supervisor; these minor amendments will deal with uses and activities that do not affect any of the policies in this Statement of Conservation Interest (e.g. new uses and/or activities that are consistent with existing permitted uses).

Uses and/or activities that were not anticipated in the approved Statement of Conservation Interest and which may have an impact on the values of the conservation reserve will require a major amendment. This will include an opportunity for public comment and input, and will require the approval of the District Manager and Regional Director.

6.0 References

Davidson, R. J. 1981. A framework for the conservation of Ontario’s earth science features. Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Toronto.

Easton, R. M. 1992a. The Grenville Province and the Proterozoic history of central and southern Ontario; in Geology of Ontario, Ontario Geological Survey, Special Volume 4, Part 2, p715-904.

1992b Tectonic Evolution of Ontario. Part 3: Mesoproterozoic evolution of the southeast margin of Laurentia; in Geology of Ontario, Ontario Geological Survey, Special Volume 4, Part 2, p1302-1314.

Frey, E. & Duba, D. 2000. Earth Sciences Checksheet, Ferguson Township White Pine Forest Conservation Reserve.

Hills, G. A. 1959. A ready reference to the description of the land of Ontario and its productivity. Ontario Department of Lands and Forests, Division of Research, Maple, Ontario.

Larson, S. 2004. Recreation Resource Inventory Report. Ferguson Township White Pine Forest Conservation Reserve. OMNR Parry Sound.

Noble, T. W. 1983. Biophysiographic Analysis of Site Region 5E. Central (Algonquin) Region, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources.

OMNR. 1999. Ontario’s Living Legacy, Land Use Strategy, July 1999. Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Peterborough.

2003. Cultural Heritage Registered Site Reserves and Areas of High Potential, Parry Sound District, Scale 1:150,000.

Parent, C. & Rouse, J. D. 2000. Recreation Inventory Checklist. Ferguson Township White Pine Forest Conservation Reserve.

Rouse, J. D. 2000 Life Sciences Checksheet. Ferguson Township White Pine Forest Conservation Reserve.

Appendices

Appendix 1 procedural guideline B – land uses – Test of Compatibility (PL procedure 3.03.05)

The conservation reserve policy provides broad direction with regard to the permitted uses. The policy provides only an indication of the variety of uses that will be considered acceptable in conservation reserves. The only caution is that "any new uses, and commercial activities associated with them, will be considered on a case by case basis, and, they must pass a test of compatibility to be acceptable." What does a 'test of compatibility' mean?

An examination of this must start from the premise of why an area is set aside – specifically, its representative natural heritage values. Criteria are then identified to guide compatibility considerations. These criteria apply to the long-term acceptability of both existing uses and new uses.

1. Conformity to Statement of Conservation Interest/RMP: Statements of Conservation Interest describe values for which an area has been set aside and the range of appropriate uses that will be permitted in the area. Statements of Conservation Interest may also speak to the acceptability of other 'new' uses currently not occurring in the area.

   The first 'test' is: "do proposed new land uses and/or commercial activities conform to the direction of the Statement of Conservation Interest/RMP for the conservation reserve? Would the new use(s) depart from the spirit of appropriate indicator land uses in the Statement of Conservation Interest/RMP?"

2. Impact Assessment: If the proposed use(s) pass test 1 it is important to determine their impact on the area before they are approved. This should include the following:
   • Impact on natural heritage values: "will the new use(s) impact any natural values in the area? If so how and to what degree? Is it tolerable?"
   • Impact on cultural values: "will the new use(s) impact an historical or archaeological values in the area?"
   • Impact on research activities: "will the new use(s) affect research activities in the area?"
   • Impact on current uses: "will the new use(s) have any negative impact on the array of current uses?"
   • Impact on area administration: "will the new use(s) increase administrative costs and/or complexity?" (For example, the cost of area monitoring, security and enforcement).
   • Impact on accommodating the use outside the conservation reserve: "Could the use(s) be accommodated as well or better outside the conservation reserve?"
   • Impact on socio-economics of the area: "will the new use(s) affect the community(ies) surrounding the area in a positive or negative way?" (For example, will the new use make an area less remote thereby affecting a local tourism industry that is dependent on the area’s remoteness for its appeal?"
   • Impact on area accessibility:"does the new use(s) give someone exclusive rights to the area or a portion of the area to the exclusion of other existing uses?"

The following table (Appendix 2) provides a guide of indicator uses for the consideration of uses that may be permitted within conservation reserves. For any specific conservation reserve that test of compatibility should be applied to determine which specific uses are acceptable.

Appendix 2 indicator uses for conservation reserves: generic and specific

Recreation

Science, education & heritage appreciation

Commercial activities

Resource management

Industrial activities

Other activities

Notes:

On generic policy application in conservation reserves:

On specific policy application in Ferguson Township White Pine Forest Conservation Reserve:

Appendix 3 Procedural Guideline C

Research activities in conservation reserves (PL procedure 3.03.05)

Purpose

To encourage contributions to the goal of conservation reserves by:

• Providing direction for research activities associated with conservation reserves
• Establishing a process for the review and approval of proposals by researchers which could have an impact on the values protected by the conservation reserve

Definition

Research means any investigation or study of the natural, cultural, economic, management or other features or characteristics of conservation reserves.

Guidelines

Research will be encouraged to provide a better understanding of the natural values protected by a conservation reserve and to advance their protection, planning and management. The Statement of Conservation Interest will define, for each conservation reserve, the key research issues, set out the parameters within which research may occur and identify research needs.

Applications and approvals

Researchers must apply in writing to the relevant Area Supervisor(s) for permission to conduct research. The request letter must contain a statement explaining why the proposed research should be undertaken in the particular conservation reserve in preference to another location.

Proposals will be reviewed and approved by the relevant Area Supervisor(s), guided by the Statement of Conservation Interest prepared for each reserve (see Guideline A – Resource Management Planning) and using Guideline B – Land Uses – Test of Compatibility. Permission must be granted in writing, including any conditions to be met in conducting the research, prior to the undertaking of any research.

Terms and conditions

Permission to conduct research under this policy will be valid for a period of 12 consecutive months from the date of issue. Permission to continue a research project for an additional period of 12 months or less may be granted upon submission of a written request and a progress report. The Ministry may require the posting of collateral to assure that the terms and conditions of granting permission are met.

The Area Supervisors may suspend or revoke permission at any time for failure on the part of the researcher to meet:

1. The intent of this policy
2. The requirements under the Public Lands Act, Ontario Regulation 805/94 including all amendments, where applicable
3. The requirements under any other Act or regulations of Ontario or Canada, including those governing the taking, handling, storing, confining, fur harvesting, excavating and marketing any specimen, artefact, information or action (for example, scientific collector’s permit)
4. The conditions and agreements specified in granting permission

Final report

The researcher will submit copies of reports, publications and theses following the results of the project to the relevant Area Supervisor(s)