Lingham Lake Conservation Reserve Management Statement

Statement of Conservation Interest
January 24, 2005

Approval statement

We are pleased to approve this Statement of Conservation Interest (SCI) for the Lingham Lake Conservation Reserve. It 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.

The Lingham Lake Conservation Reserve was formally regulated under the Public Lands Act on June 9, 2003. This 1,988 hectare area of Crown land is located in the geographic township of Grimsthorpe in Hastings County, about thirty kilometres north of the Village of Tweed.

This conservation reserve located in Ecodistrict 5E-11, protects Lingham Lake, the many small islands scattered within it, the surrounding shoreline and a large wetland in the northeast portion of the reserve. The reserve was identified as unique in 1990 when it was recommended and confirmed by the former Eastern Region of the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources as a regionally significant life science Area of Natural and Scientific Interest (ANSI) due to its representation of a large shallow lake on bedrock landform.

Lingham Lake is well known for its excellent bass fishery and waterfowl habitat, and the area is greatly valued for its remote backcountry qualities. Hunting, fishing and backcountry travel are among the popular traditional uses of this conservation reserve.

This Statement of Conservation Interest provides guidance for the management of the Lingham Lake Conservation Reserve and provides the basis for the ongoing monitoring of activities.

Administrative responsibility for the Lingham Lake Conservation Reserve lies with the Ministry of Natural Resources through the Mazinaw Area Team in Bancroft District.

Approved by:
Monique Rolf von den Baumen-Clark
District Manager
Bancroft District

Approved by:
Ron Running
Regional Director
Southern Region

1.0 Introduction

The Lingham Lake Conservation Reserve is a 1,988 hectare area of Crown land located in Hastings County about 30 kilometres north of the Village of Tweed. The site is in the geographic township of Grimsthorpe. It is located in Ecodistrict 5E-11 (previously called Site-District 5E-11).

This conservation reserve protects Lingham Lake, the shoreline and islands of Lingham Lake and a large wetland northwest of the lake (see Figure 1: C11 - Lingham Lake Conservation Reserve). The lake is shallow and well known for its excellent bass fishery, waterfowl habitat and scenic views. The lake was formed as a reservoir, created by a dam at the outflow of the lake, and is managed by Quinte Conservation for the purposes of moderating the annual fluctuation in the downstream flow of the Black and Moira Rivers.

The reserve was identified as unique when Brunton (1990) recommended it as a regionally significant Area of Natural and Scientific Interest (ANSI) for representation of a large shallow lake on bedrock landform. It was confirmed as a regional life science ANSI by the former Eastern Region of the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources in the same year.

The site has a history of recreational use and resource management prior to being regulated as a conservation reserve in 2003. Following the direction of the Tweed District Fisheries Management Plan (OMNR, 1988), Lingham Lake continues to be managed by the Ministry as a remote access fishery.

The purpose of this Statement of Conservation Interest (SCI) is to identify and describe the values of the Lingham Lake Conservation Reserve. The SCI outlines the activities that occur within the reserve and provides guidelines for the management of current and future activities in the context of protecting the natural and cultural values.

Conservation Reserves are established by Regulation under the Public Lands Act. Statements of Conservation Interest are prepared under the authority of Procedural Guideline A – Resource Management Planning (PL Procedure 3.03.05).

1.1 Background information

1.2 Representation/targets

This section provides a summary of the earth science, life science and cultural values represented in the site. It also outlines existing and potential recreational opportunities available.

Earth science representation:

The Lingham Lake Conservation Reserve contributes the following earth science representation to Ontario’s system of protected areas:

Bedrock

The representation of the supracrustal mafic volcanic and mafic/felsic plutonic components of the Grimsthorpe Domain, Elzevir Terrane is regionally significant within Ontario’s parks and protected areas system (Duba and Frey, 2002).

The representation of the Mazinaw Terrane contributes to the conservation of the Grenville continental accretion theme outlined by Davidson (1981).

Surficial geology

The surficial geology is locally significant.

Life science representation:

The representation of a shallow lake [and associated life science values] on bedrock outcrop landform is considered regionally significant (Brunton, 1990).

Cultural resources representation:

Cultural resources inventories have not yet been completed for this conservation reserve.

The conservation reserve is not situated within an area encompassed by a First Nation land claim. First Nation groups that may have an interest in this area include Alderville First Nation and Hiawatha First Nation and the Kawartha Nishnabae.

Recreational resource representation:

The remote access fishery in Lingham Lake is known as one of the best largemouth bass fishing lakes in eastern Ontario attracting anglers from southern and central Ontario as well as (nearby) northern United States, and therefore is considered to be regionally significant (Scott, 2003).

1.3 Survey information

This section provides an overview of the inventories completed, their level of detail and any further inventory work required.

*Note: all survey work requires permission to be granted prior to commencing (see Appendix 2 Procedural Guideline C– Research Guidelines in Conservation Reserves.)

2.0 Values to be protected

This section provides a description of the key natural heritage values of the reserve and their condition relative to past and present resource use and management activities. It also addresses the sensitivity of these values to future land use and management activities.

2.1 Earth science

Lingham Lake Conservation Reserve is dominated by the large and shallow Lingham Lake and its surrounding bedrock and barren uplands. The main rock types are mafic metavolcanic rocks, the Lingham Lake Complex metagabbro and minor metatonalite of the Grimsthorpe Domain, Elzevir Terrane in the south-central part of the Central Metasedimentary Belt of the Proterozoic Grenville Province.

The Grenville Province is the product of thrusting and imbrication of the crust to the northwest as it collided with a continental landmass to the southeast. The Grenville Orogeny, circa 1140 to 1070 million years ago, culminated more than 500 million years of crustal evolution. The eroded roots of the products of these events are displayed in the complexly metamorphosed and deformed rocks of the region.

The Elzevir Terrane is one of five lithotectonic terranes of the Central Metasedimentary Belt. Within the Elzevir Terrane, the Grimsthorpe 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. As such, its representation in the Lingham Lake Conservation Reserve contributes to the conservation of the Grenville continental accretion theme outlined by Davidson (1981).

Within Ontario’s parks and protected areas system, the geology of the Lingham Lake Conservation Reserve has regional significance in its representation of the supracrustal mafic volcanic and mafic/felsic plutonic components of the Grimsthorpe Domain, Elzevir Terrane. The surficial geology is locally significant (Duba and Frey, 2002).

2.2 Life science

The Lingham Lake Conservation Reserve is located within Ecodistrict 5E-11, previously known as Hill’s ecological Site District 5E-11 (1959).

Representation:

This site provides regional representation of a large shallow lake on bedrock, and of extensive young intolerant deciduous, mixed and coniferous forest. The terrain is strongly bedrock controlled. The lake is very shallow in many places, and has an irregular shoreline with many bays and islands.

The vegetation in a large proportion of the lake consists of aquatic marsh. The non-native aquatics Eurasian water milfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum) and curly pondweed (Potamogeton crispus) dominate in shallow portions of the lake; however, there is a wide variety of other native aquatics as well. Deeper portions of the lake support large beds of floating bur-reed (Sparganium fluctuans). Shoreline marshes are well-represented as narrow bands on sand mixed with muck around the edges of the lake and islands. These support a diverse assemblage of plants typical of shorelines with fluctuating water levels, including several plant species rare in the site region and district, such as clammy hedge-hyssop (Gratiola neglecta) and Tuckerman’s panic grass (Panicum tuckermanii). There is a larger depositional area at the inlet of the Black River at the north end of the lake, which supports the only extensive emergent marsh in the study area, dominated by water horsetail (Equisetum fluviatile). A graminoid fen east of the lake and a large wetland (greater than 75 hectares) northwest of the lake are also included in the conservation reserve.

Around the lake, and on islands within the lake, upland shallow, sandy silt soils over bedrock support intermediate-aged forest dominated mainly by large-toothed aspen (Populus grandidentata) and red maple (Acer rubrum), with younger open oak (Quercus spp.) forest and rock barren along the east side of the lake.

Wildlife at the site is discussed below under Diversity.

Condition:

The conservation reserve is relatively unfragmented, with few trails and no roads within it. It also benefits from being wholly situated within a rather remote and undeveloped area of Crown and patented lands. The Crown lands surrounding the reserve are managed as part of a larger remote access "enhanced management area", known as the Lingham Lake E9a Enhanced Management Area.

Most of the island and mainland shore locations used as campsites are showing signs of moderate to heavy use in the form of litter, trampled vegetation and soil compaction. The south shore of the lake near the dam shows considerable signs of disturbance. These sites could benefit from some management to minimize impact from over-use.

The backshore communities of the site are relatively intact. The wetlands of the site, including the large marsh in the northwest and the fen community in the southeast demonstrate very little impact from use. The relative inaccessibility of the marsh and the inconspicuous location of the fen assist in protecting these wetlands from human impacts.

Non-native aquatics plants dominate in shallower portions of the lake; however, there is a wide variety of native aquatic plants as well.

Impact from the summer windstorm in 2002 was apparent on many of the islands and on the main land, in the form of blown down trees and branches. Windstorms are considered a natural process; impacts from this are not considered problematic to the ecological integrity of the conservation reserve.

Diversity:

Lingham Lake is well known for its excellent bass fishery and waterfowl habitat. The primary species of focus in the Lingham Lake remote access fishery is largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides). Smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieui), yellow perch (Perca flavescens), rock bass (Ambloplites rupestris), white sucker (Catostomus commersoni) and several species of cyprinids are also present (OMNR, 1972).

Waterfowl known to frequent the Lingham Lake area include mallard (Anas platyrhynchos), American black duck (Anas rubripes), blue-winged and green-winged teal (Anas discors and A. crecca), ring-necked duck (Aythya collaris), wood duck (Aix sponsa), hooded and common merganser (Lophodytes cucullatus and Mergus merganser), Canada goose (Branta canadensis) and common loon (Gavia immer). Common goldeneye (Bucephala clangula), considered regionally rare in MNR's former Eastern Region, has also been observed in the reserve.

There is a diverse assemblage of breeding forest birds. Red-headed woodpecker (Melanerpes erythrocephalus), a provincial and national species at risk (ranked Special Concern), was observed during breeding season. Other notable species sighted in the reserve include bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus), red-shouldered hawk (Buteo lineatus), merlin (Falco columbarius) and black-throated blue warbler (Dendroica caerulescens). Black-throated blue warbler and merlin are considered to be at the southern edge of their range, with merlin being rare in MNR's former Eastern Region. Bald eagle and red-shouldered hawk are both provincial species at risk (ranked Endangered and Special Concern respectively).

Map turtle (Graptemys geographica), a provincial and national species at risk (ranked Special Concern), was documented in Lingham Lake in the 1980's. Although this species is considered to be at the northern edge of its range, the shallow lake with weedy and open areas and many basking sites should be optimal for this turtle.

Big game mammals that have been documented in the area include white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), moose (Alces alces), Wapiti (Rocky Mountain elk) (Cervus elaphus) and black bear (Ursus americanus). Small game include snowshoe hare (Lepus americanus) and ruffed grouse (Bonasa umbellus). Furbearing mammals include beaver (Castor canadensis), mink (Mustela vison), muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus), otter (Lutra canadensis), fisher (Martes pennanti) and occasionally marten (Martes americana). Red fox (Vulpes vulpes), wolf (Canis lupus) and coyote (Canis latrans) also occur in the area.

Lingham Lake supports a high diversity of aquatic and shoreline plant species (218 found), with ten species significant in the Ecoregion or Ecodistrict (Mainguy, 2002).

Ecological considerations:

The combination of relatively shallow water, large number of bays and islands and irregular shoreline of Lingham Lake create optimum bass habitat.

The dam at the south end of Lingham Lake is owned and operated by the Quinte Conservation (QC). Although the dam is outside of the conservation reserve, it controls the water flow of the Black River as it exits Lingham Lake and is essentially the means by which Lingham Lake was created, and is maintained. The primary purpose of the QC dam is to create a reservoir to augment water flows downstream during the low flow season. Natural heritage features of the lake (e.g. habitat for fish, birds and plants) above the dam are also affected by the fluctuations of water levels.

The Fisheries Management Plan (1988) for the former Tweed District of OMNR identifies the fisheries habitat of Lingham Lake as needing protection from the impacts of water level fluctuations. For example, summer or fall draw-downs during low water years can cause fish kills due to depleted oxygen or lethal temperatures. The fisheries plan recommends the development of water management strategies and agreements with the conservation authority (Quinte Conservation) in order to protect and optimize fish habitat conditions in the lake.

Atlantic Coastal Plain species, of which several are documented in Lingham Lake are not detrimentally affected by water level fluctuations, and in fact their reproductive strategies are well suited to these fluctuations: their seeds can survive inundated with water for a many years and when water levels drop, they opportunistically germinate in the newly exposed substrate.

The undeveloped character of the remote access Enhanced Management Area (E9a) Crown land and private land surrounding the reserve enhance and contribute to the remote character of the reserve. Adjacent conservation authority (CA) lands are managed under a site specific forest management plan which is complementary to the remote access objective of the CR. The CA's primary management objective for their land at this site is to use the dam (on the south shore of Lingham Lake) to manage water flows downstream. A north-south trail runs from the Lingham Lake (municipal) Road approximately 6 kilometres to Lingham Lake and is used for CA staff to access the dam. The trail runs through private, Crown and conservation authority land. Although the conservation authority does not promote the trail as a means of public access to Lingham Lake, frequent use of this trail by anglers to access Lingham Lake by ATV, 4x4 truck or tractor is evident. Because public access to this trail is not restricted, it facilitates access to the Lingham Lake Conservation Reserve and the associated remote bass fishery. The south end of the lake shows higher signs of use than the north, which is a result of this easier access. If access by this route to the dam remains unrestricted, it is anticipated that traffic to the site, and impacts related to greater use of the site, will increase with time.

Special features:

Lingham Lake provides a high quality largemouth bass fishery. The lake is regulated as a fish sanctuary (for all species) when the bass season is not open.

The Lingham Lake Conservation Reserve supports plant species such as clammy hedge-hyssop and Tuckerman’s panic grass that are considered to be rare in Ecoregion 5E and Ecodistrict 5E-11. It also supports two provincial and national species at risk: red-headed woodpecker and map turtle (both ranked Special Concern).

Significance:

The representation of a shallow lake on granite bedrock is considered regionally significant (Brunton, 1990).

As noted under special features, the conservation reserve provides habitat for map turtle and red-headed woodpecker, both species at risk. The presence of map turtle, last documented in the 1980's, should be confirmed by field studies.

2.3 Recreational values

As one of the best largemouth bass fisheries in the eastern Ontario, Lingham Lake is locally appreciated for its scenic value and remoteness by local residents as well as anglers traveling from the northern United States. The demand for remote backcountry experiences such as those offered by the Lingham Lake Conservation Reserve will likely increase in the future.

The lake is managed by the Ministry as a remote access fishery. Recreational development is minimal, contributing to its remote character. There is no road into the conservation reserve and no designated entry site.

Public access to the lake has not been improved by the Ministry due to its prior designation and management as a remote access fishery through the Ministry’s Tweed District Fisheries Management Plan (OMNR 1988). Existing access in the vicinity of the reserve includes a forest access road across Crown land, north of the reserve, which leads to an informal, unmaintained parking area approximately 0.5 km north of the lake. Here, a sign is posted indicating that boats are not permitted to be cached within one kilometre of that location. This essentially prohibits boat caching on the upper shoreline of Lingham Lake near the shallow inlet of the Black River. In addition, no motorized vehicles are permitted along the trail to the lake.

South of the conservation reserve, there is one very rough trail (on what is mostly private land) that is used for ATV and 4X4 truck access into the reserve at the south end of the lake.

Fishing is only permitted during bass season. Outside of the bass season, the lake is a fish sanctuary for all species of fish in accordance with a special regulation under the Fisheries Act.

The large number of islands and an intricate shoreline on this 722 hectare lake support opportunities for camping and canoeing experiences.

The habitats described above in Diversity provide ample opportunity for wildlife viewing.

Other nearby sites with recreational value include a southeast to northwest utility corridor (traveled by ATVs and snowmobiles); Bon Echo Provincial Park; Elzevir Peatlands Conservation Reserve; and Mount Moriah Conservation Reserve.

Recreational activities are described in 3.3 Recreational Activities.

3.0 Management guidelines

3.1 Land tenure

Background:

The Lingham Lake Conservation Reserve consists entirely of Crown land and Crown lakebed. The reserve is composed of twenty parcels that are contiguous with one another, except where they are separated by unopened municipal road allowances (which are not part of the conservation reserve). The outer boundary of the reserve is situated generally 200 metres from the water’s edge of Lingham Lake, with the exception of where the boundary of the reserve includes a large wetland on the northwest and a fen on the southeast of the lake.

There are four recreation camps authorized under land use permits within the reserve. One of these recreation camps is authorized to operate as a commercial outpost camp and to dock a float plane. Accommodation of hunters is prohibited and a maximum of 10 guests can be accommodated. Although the permit is still held, it has not been used commercially for several years.

There are two Bear Management Areas (TW-61-005 and TW-61-04) and three registered fur harvesting trap lines (TW01-N008-01, TW01-N007-01 and TW01-N005-01) within the reserve.

The lake is managed by the Ministry as a remote access fishery (OMNR, 1988). Boat caching at the north side of the lake is not permitted (see 2.3 Recreational Values).

Other than the above mentioned, there are no land use permits, licenses or easements that apply to Crown land within the conservation reserve.

Lands adjacent to the conservation reserve are a mix of Crown land, Conservation Authority property and private lands. Crown lands surrounding the conservation reserve are managed by the Ministry as part of the Lingham Lake Remote Access E9a Enhanced Management Area. The land use intent for Enhanced Management Area E9a is to:

• Maintain remote access characteristics of the area, while also managing the area for forest management, recreation and other compatible uses. Road and other access to be limited to existing traditional access – any new roads will be retired and closed to new public travel.
• The area represents an opportunity for conserving wildlife and fisheries values, particularly the lake’s bass fishery and the extensive areas of beaver ponds providing waterfowl habitat. Management should complement the natural heritage protection of the adjacent Lingham Lake, Elzevir Peatlands and Mount Moriah Conservation Reserves and take into consideration the remote fishery provisions of the MNR's Bancroft District Fisheries Management Plan for the area around Lingham Lake.

Land owned by Quinte Conservation (QC) at the south end of the lake is used to manage a dam to control water flow rate through the Black River as it exits Lingham Lake. QC accesses the site regularly to maintain and manage the dam via a trail from the south end of the lake to the Lingham Lake Road, approximately 6 kilometres south. Although QC uses this trail regularly, it does not maintain the trail to facilitate public access.

Private lands adjacent to the reserve are not part of the reserve (see patent land in Figure 1: C11 - Lingham Lake Conservation Reserve).

In addition to the adjacent conservation authority lands, the nearest other parks and protected areas are Mount Moriah Conservation Reserve (approximately 1km southwest), Elzevir Peatlands Conservation Reserve (approximately 3km southeast) and Bon Echo Provincial Park (approximately 15km northeast).

Guideline:

The sale of Crown land within the conservation reserve is not permitted.

The conservation reserve will continue to be managed under the Public Lands Act. All activities within the conservation reserve shall be consistent with the Ministry’s conservation reserve policies and procedures and Ontario’s Living Legacy Land Use Strategy (OMNR 1999).

Existing private recreation camps are eligible for enhanced tenure but not for the purchase of lands. A decision to grant enhanced tenure or to transfer recreation camps will be addressed through a screening process. Should a recreation camp be voluntarily surrendered to the Ministry by the permittee, the Ministry will consider the long term benefit to this protected area of removing the improvements and may or may not re-issue the permit.

Renewals of existing leases, land use permits or agreements are permitted.

In order to consolidate the reserve boundaries and to facilitate more effective resource management, the Ministry would be interested in entering into discussions with the municipality to close all unopened road allowances and transfer them to the Crown for inclusion within the conservation reserve, if this matter was acceptable to the municipality.

3.2 Existing/proposed development

Background:

Existing development on Lingham Lake Conservation Reserve is limited to informal trails within the reserve and several established recreation camps (see 3.1 Land Tenure). There are no designated camping sites, although many locations on the islands and a few spots on the mainland are being used for camping and shore lunches.

Access to the reserve is not promoted or facilitated by the Ministry due to its management as a remote access fishery as directed under the Tweed District Fisheries Management Plan (OMNR, 1988). At present, public access can be gained by portaging approximately half a kilometre from a forest access road north of the lake, by small float plane or by traveling a rough trail from the Lingham Lake (municipal) Road north to the lake. This trail is mostly on private land and is therefore not part of the conservation reserve, nor is it a Ministry designated entry point to the conservation reserve.

Under the authority of a commercial outpost land use permit, there is one commercial outpost camp on an island at the north end of Lingham Lake. It has been used as a fly-in fishing business in past years, but has not been operating in recent years.

There are no roads in the conservation reserve.

Guideline:

Improved or increased vehicular access to this remote access fishery will generally not be permitted via adjacent Crown lands, through application of the remote access land use intent and policies of the surrounding Enhanced Management Area E9a.

Existing access to the lake from the north and the south will continue to be monitored by the Ministry, including the associated impacts upon the health and quality of the fishery.

While it is unlikely that there would be any demand, given the remote area of the reserve and the fact that it is bordered by undeveloped private land and Crown lands managed as part of Enhanced Management Area E9a, new access roads are not permitted within the reserve.

Recognizing the potential impact that any substantial improvement of the southerly road would have on access to the lake, the Ministry will work with Quinte Conservation to maintain and encourage the continuance of the remote access nature of the area.

While new trails and campsites or redevelopment or relocation of existing informal trails and campsites are not being encouraged by the Ministry, they may be permitted subject to compatibility with other recreational uses, the maintenance of environmental integrity, and the requirements of Procedural Guideline B – Test of Compatibility (Appendix 1). Any new trails and campsites must be designed to avoid those areas identified as sensitive to disturbance, or supporting provincially, regionally, or locally important plant species, in addition to the need to consider the associated access to the fishery.

3.3 Recreational activities

Background:

Fishing, camping, boating and hunting are the most popular activities in the conservation reserve. Other recreational activities include shore-lunches, float plane fly-in visits, recreation camp use and general nature activities (e.g. nature viewing). Winter activities have not been documented yet. Snowmobiling may be an activity within the reserve, but winter fishing is prohibited because the lake is regulated as a fish sanctuary (for all species) when bass season is not open.

There are four recreation camps authorized under land use permit in the conservation reserve. One of them is authorized to operate as a commercial outpost. There are also a number of recreation camps in the adjacent enhanced management area (E9a). These camps are often used in conjunction with fishing and hunting activities within the reserve and in E9a.

The scenery, flora and landscape features of Lingham Lake provide excellent potential to support recreational activities such as wildlife photography, painting and nature study.

Access to the reserve is very limited, consequently restricting opportunities for recreational use, and maintaining the remote character of the reserve. As discussed under 2.3 Recreational Values and 3.2 Existing/Proposed Development, there is no designated public access point and there are no roads to or through the reserve. Known activities within the site are associated with ATV use, boating or hiking.

There is evidence of camping on the islands but the campsites are not formally developed or managed. These campsites are showing moderate to high signs of use including litter, compacted soils and human waste.

Guideline:

To preserve the remote nature of the conservation reserve, site development will be minimal.

Most recreational activities that have traditionally been enjoyed in this area can continue provided they pose little threat to the natural ecosystems and features protected by the conservation reserve. Permitted uses include fishing, hunting, camping, day use and backcountry recreation.

Activities such as snowmobiling and the use of all-terrain vehicles (ATV's) will be permitted only on existing trails where they do not adversely affect the values being protected. Off-trail mechanized travel is permitted only for the direct retrieval of game.

Sport hunting will continue to be permitted, as outlined in 3.6 Natural Resource Stewardship. As described in 3.1 Land Tenure, the existing recreation camps authorized under land use permits may continue.

Management options to reduce negative impacts from intense site use and to promote appropriate user etiquette should be investigated.

3.4 Commercial activities

Background:

There are three registered fur harvesting trap lines (TW01-N008-01, TW01-N007-01 and TW01- N005-01) and two Bear Management Areas (TW-61-005 and TW-61-04) within the reserve.

There is one commercial outpost camp on Lingham Lake, authorized under a commercial outpost land use permit. It is not commercially active at this time.

Mineral exploration and development activities are not known to have occurred within or immediately adjacent to the reserve.

Guideline:

Some commercial activities may be permitted in conservation reserves provided they do not impact the natural heritage values for which the area is established.

Existing Crown land fur harvesting is permitted to continue within the reserve unless there are demonstrated conflicts. New fur harvesting operations can be considered subject to the requirements of Procedural Guideline B – Test of Compatibility (Appendix 1). New fur harvesting cabins are not permitted.

The existing two bear management operations are permitted to continue. New operations are not permitted.

Conservation reserves do not permit mineral exploration and development, commercial forest harvesting, hydroelectric power development, the extraction of aggregate, peat, soils, or other industrial uses (Public Lands Act, Ontario Regulation 805/94). New transmission lines (e.g. power or communications), pipelines, and road corridors are discouraged through existing planning processes.

The commercial activity of the outpost camp authorized by land use permit will be monitored and reviewed as required.

All other new commercial activities must meet the requirements of Procedural Guideline B – Test of Compatibility (Appendix 1).

3.5 Aboriginal interests

Background:

The conservation reserve is not situated within a First Nations land claim area.

First Nations communities that may have an interest in this area include Alderville First Nation, Hiawatha First Nation and the Kawartha Nishnabae.

Cultural resource inventories have not been completed for this conservation reserve.

Guideline:

The regulation and management of Crown lands as a conservation reserve does not impede the exercise of any existing Aboriginal or treaty rights. These rights may include hunting, fishing, fur harvesting, gathering of plants for a variety of purposes, and the use of ceremonial sites.

Should further resource management planning be undertaken for this reserve, local First Nation communities will be invited to participate. Should cultural inventories be undertaken by the Ministry or a partner in the future for this conservation reserve, local First Nation communities will be consulted and offered the opportunity to contribute to these inventories.

3.6 Natural resource stewardship

3.6.1 General

The conservation reserve will be managed with an emphasis on ensuring that the natural ecosystems and processes of the reserve are not negatively affected by current and future activities. Therefore, applications for specific uses will be carefully reviewed.

Although resistant to most human activities, the bedrock exposures of the conservation reserve are susceptible to graffiti and uncontrolled bedrock sampling. Appropriate cautionary warnings or controls should be implemented if increased access is promoted.

The dam at the south end of Lingham Lake is owned, maintained and managed by Quinte Conservation (QC), and is essential for the continued presence of Lingham Lake and its associated natural heritage values. The primary function of the dam, initially built to create a lake to transport logs in the 1800's, (since rebuilt and maintained by QC) is to augment low water flow. Communications between QC and OMNR should be enhanced and further developed to ensure water level management is consistent with maintaining habitat for fish and other important natural heritage features. In preliminary consultation, QC has indicated that they would support an enhanced dialogue between OMNR and QC to prevent any negative impacts to the natural values associated with the lake and/or water levels.

3.6.2 Vegetation wanagement and fire management

Background:

The upland vegetation is intermediate aged forest dominated by aspen and red oak. There are also some rock barren sites.

Much of the vegetation in the conservation reserve, including that of the lake, is wetland. Several Atlantic Coastal Plain species such as clammy hedge hyssop (Gratiola neglecta) and Tuckerman’s panic grass (Panicum tuckermanii) have been documented in Lingham Lake and the broader study area. Although these individual species are present, there is not an Atlantic Coastal Plain community represented at Lingham Lake; this is because the numbers of species are too few to classify the area as having an Atlantic Coastal Plain community. Atlantic Coastal Plain species are typically found on shorelines with fluctuating water regimes.

Regionally rare plants found in the study area are clammy hedge hyssop, Tuckerman’s panic grass, swampdock (Rumex verticillatus), northern bog sedge (Carex gynocrates), spotted waterhemlock (Cicuta maculata), and ditch-stonecrop (Penthorum sedoides).

The presence of the wetlands in and around Lingham Lake, including the Atlantic Coastal Plainflora along the shoreline, is dependent upon the continuing presence of the dam at the south end of the lake.

There are dense populations of Eurasian water milfoil (an exotic and invasive aquatic plant) in Lingham Lake. Eurasian water milfoil displaces other aquatic plant species and it has been recognized in general scientific literature that Eurasian water milfoil may have impacts on fish populations by interfering with spawning (White et al. in North-South Environmental Inc., 2002).

Fire and beaver activity are recognized as natural components of ecosystems in the area.

Guideline:

It has been documented in general literature that Atlantic Coastal Plain species are not harmed by fluctuating water levels, but may actually benefit from long term, annual and seasonal fluctuations in water levels. Seeds of many Atlantic Coastal Plain species are capable of remaining dormant in the water-saturated soil for a great many years and then emerging as seedlings during seasons of low water levels suiting their specific ecological requirements. Where other species may not be able to survive, these plants benefit from the changes and are able to colonize the area.

In accordance with existing Conservation Reserve Policy and the Forest Fire Management Strategy for Ontario, forest fire protection will be carried out as on surrounding lands. Whenever feasible, the MNR's fire program 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 include limiting the use of heavy equipment or limiting the number of trees felled during fire response efforts.

Opportunities for prescribed burning to achieve ecological or resource management objectives may be considered. These management objectives will be developed with public consultation prior to any prescribed burning, and reflected in the document that provides management direction for this conservation reserve. Plans for any prescribed burning will be developed in accordance with the MNR's Prescribed Burn Planning Manual, and the Class Environmental Assessment for Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves.

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. Similarly, programs may be developed to control exotic species in the conservation reserve where these threaten significant values in or adjacent to the site. Control will be directed to be as specific as possible to the insect, disease or exotic species. Biological control will be used wherever possible.

3.6.3 Fish and wildlife management

Background:

Wildlife species are discussed in 2.2 Life Science – Diversity.

Commercial and recreational activities related to wildlife are listed in 3.3 Recreational Activities and 3.4 Commercial Activities.

Lingham Lake supports a self-sustaining warm water fishery. In addition to being well known for its largemouth bass fishery, Lingham lake also contains populations of smallmouth bass, yellow perch, common white sucker and rock bass. The lake is managed as a remote fishery and is also regulated as a fish sanctuary (i.e. no fishing for any species) at times of the year when the bass season is closed.

In years with low precipitation, low water levels have been a concern at Lingham Lake. Low water levels can lead to warmer water, increased vegetative decomposition and reduced oxygen levels which, beyond certain thresholds, can be lethal to fish.

The reserve provides habitat for at least one species at risk, the red-headed woodpecker. There is a record from the 1980s of map turtle, a species at risk, in Lingham Lake. Given the large size of the lake and its location, it is quite plausible that map turtle is present in the lake.

Guideline:

The management of game and furbearing species in the Lingham Lake Conservation Reserve will continue to be consistent with Wildlife Management Unit 61 within which it lies.

The management of fish species will continue to be consistent with the Ministry’s fisheries management program in the surrounding area. Lingham Lake will continue to be managed as a remote fishery and fish sanctuary when the bass season is closed.

The dam at Lingham Lake provides a mechanism by which water can be retained as well as released from Lingham Lake. Should OMNR and Quinte Conservation embark on developing water level management guidelines for the maintenance or enhancement of natural heritage values, this would be an opportunity to incorporate the protection of fishery values into water level management operations.

Significant or rare species and their habitat will be protected through appropriate planning and management of the conservation reserve, including but not limited to the monitoring of impacts on the site and review of development proposals as per Procedural Guideline B – Test of Compatibility (Appendix 1).

3.6.4 Environmental management

Background:

Impacts such as human waste, litter and trampling of vegetation are more evident at the south end of the conservation reserve, indicative of more intensive use in this area of the reserve.

Guideline:

Access to the conservation reserve will not be enhanced, so that the remote character for which the site was protected will be maintained.

Opportunities and options for site maintenance and to prevent environmental impact from waste should be explored.

3.7 Cultural resource stewardship

Background:

A cultural resource inventory has not yet been undertaken for this conservation reserve. In the interim, the Ministry is not aware of any cultural resources values within the Lingham Lake Conservation Reserve.

Guideline:

Where appropriate, interested partners will be encouraged to undertake inventories and studies of the area. Any research in the conservation reserve must be approved prior to commencement (see 3.9 Research).

Should cultural inventories be undertaken by the Ministry or a partner in the future for this conservation reserve, local First Nation communities will be consulted and offered the opportunity to contribute to these inventories.

3.8 Client service

Background:

Client service for the Lingham Lake Conservation Reserve is currently limited to a fact sheet that is available at the Ministry of Natural Resources, Bancroft District Office.

There is no signage identifying the site or the boundaries of the reserve. There is no public access point, official trails, privies, campsites or trail maintenance, nor is site maintenance provided. To date, trails have been maintained by users of the reserve.

There are no roads through the conservation reserve, making it is accessible only by foot, ATV, snowmobile, float plane or 4x4 truck on a very rough trail.

Guideline:

Although there is no proposal to build facilities or expand services from the current level, development that enhances resource protection or recreational value/safety may be considered (see 3.2 Development).

Maintaining remoteness of this conservation reserve and its remote access fishery is a priority for the conservation of the ecological integrity of the reserve and of its fisheries.

At present, the focus of client service at the site will remain on the provision of low-key information and self-guided interpretation of conservation reserve values.

3.9 Research

Background:

Since the Ontario’s Living Legacy Land Use Strategy (OMNR, 1999) designation of the area as a conservation reserve, several surveys and checklists have been completed by the Ministry. A reconnaissance Earth Science Checksheet (Duba and Frey, 2002), a reconnaissance Life Science Checksheet (Mainguy, 2002) and a Recreation Report (Scott, 2003) were completed based on field surveys. Lingham Lake was also included in a detailed life science inventory of Lingham Lake, Elzevir Peatlands, Mount Moriah and the intervening lands (North-South Environmental Inc., 2002). The most recent lake survey on Lingham Lake was completed by OMNR in 1972.

Guideline:

Authorized inventory of cultural/historic and archeological values is encouraged so that these values can be appropriately protected. The potential for existing cultural and historical sites as well as for archeological features warrants a cultural survey.

Continued monitoring and research of recreational use and natural heritage values is encouraged. Recommended studies are outlined in a chart in 1.2 Survey Information.

As a significant life science/recreational value in this conservation reserve, the fisheries values of the site should be re-inventoried and then monitored. The recommendation of the Tweed District Fisheries Management Plan (1988) should be followed and an agreement with Quinte Conservation regarding the timing and management of water levels, in relation to the natural heritage values identified at Lingham Lake, should be sought. If insufficient documentation exists to support the development of these guidelines, research should be conducted to determine the needs of identified values that the conservation reserve is intended to protect. Ideally the Department of Fisheries and Oceans should be a part of this process.

All research proposals and activities must follow Procedural Guideline C – Research Activities in Conservation Reserves (Appendix 2).

3.10 Marketing

Background:

There has been no direct marketing of the Lingham Lake Conservation Reserve. Promotion and information about this site has been primarily through the 1997–1999 Ontario’s Living Legacy land use planning process, and recent (2002-2003) MNR's public consultation regarding regulation and boundary refinement of this reserve.

Guideline:

Fact sheets about this conservation reserve will continue to be available to inform the public about the special values of this area and the role of this conservation reserve in Ontario’s protected area system. Further marketing of the site is not anticipated nor warranted.

4.0 Implementation

Administrative responsibility for the Lingham Lake Conservation Reserve lies with the Ministry of Natural Resources through its Mazinaw Area Team in Bancroft District.

Implementation of this Statement of Conservation Interest will primarily involve survey and monitoring activities to ensure adherence to the management guidelines. These activities will be considered for implementation as resources and opportunity permit.

Implementation priorities include:

• undertake a cultural resource inventory;
• consult with First Nations that may have an interest in the conservation reserve;
• resurvey fisheries values in Lingham Lake, and monitor thereafter;
• cooperate with Quinte Conservation and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans to develop water level management guidelines that protect the values of the reserve and meets the objectives of all parties;
• develop a mechanism of communication between Quinte Conservation and OMNR regarding water-levels to prevent potential negative impacts to natural heritage values;
• review management options (e.g. privies, restricted camping, signage) or partnership opportunities available to protect the reserve from inappropriate recreational use or overuse (e.g. explore potential benefits of an agreement with Quinte Conservation regarding site access);
• survey for additional natural heritage values such as rare species and species at risk (e.g. Blanding’s turtle [Emydoidea blandingii] and map turtle), preferably in partnership with reserve users or researchers;
• monitor reserve use and impacts of use (e.g. angling pressure, trails, campsites, motorized vehicles) including the motorized access to the lake from the north and the south, with the goal of maintaining the remote access management intent of this lake and its fishery;
• continue recreation assessment and documentation (e.g. GPS campsites and existing trails; assess winter usage);
• monitor and review use of commercial outpost camp authorized by land use permit;
• pursue the closure and acquisition of unopened road allowances in order to consolidate the Crown land parcels which comprise the conservation reserve; and
• continue to provide a fact sheet on Lingham Lake Conservation Reserve at Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Bancroft District Office.

5.0 Review and revision of the Statement of Conservation Interest

The Lingham Lake Conservation Reserve Statement of Conservation Interest will be reviewed on an ongoing basis.

If changes are required to the Statement of Conservation Interest, they will occur 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 Mazinaw Area Supervisor. These amendments will deal with uses and activities that do not affect any of the policies in this SCI, such as new uses and/or activities that are consistent with existing policies.

Uses and/or activities that were not anticipated in the approved SCI and which have the potential to have a negative impact on the values of this conservation reserve will require a major amendment. This will include an opportunity for public comment and input, and will require the approval of the Bancroft District Manager and Regional Director, Southern Region, MNR.

References

Brunton, D. 1990. Life Science Areas of Natural and Scientific Interest in Site District 5-11. Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Eastern Region, Kemptville.

Chambers, B. et al. 1996. Forest Plants of Central Ontario. Lone Pine Publishing & Queen’s Printer for Ontario.

Crins, W.J. 2002a. Regionally Rare Vascular Plants – Site Region 5E. Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Peterborough.

Crins, W.J. 2002b. Locally Rare Vascular Plants – Site District 5E-11. Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Peterborough.

Duba, D. and E. Frey. 2002. Earth Science Report, Lingham Lake Conservation Reserve (C11). Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Bancroft.

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

Ewing, V. 2004. Personal Communication with Vince Ewing, A/Information Management Supervisor. Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Bancroft. March 2, 2004.

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.

Lee, S. 2004. Personal Communication with Scott Lee, Resource Liaison Specialist. Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Kemptville. February 25, 2004.

Mainguy, S. 2002. Life Science Checksheet, Lingham Lake Conservation Reserve (C18). Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Bancroft.

Municipality of Tweed. 2001. Municipality of Tweed website. Accessed: January 16, 2004.

NHIC. 2004. Natural Heritage Information Center (NHIC) Database: http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/MNR/nhic/nhic.cfm. (Link no longer active) Accessed: October, 2004.

North-South Environmental Inc. 2002. Lingham Lake – Elzevir Peatlands – Mount Moriah Life Science Inventory. Unpublished report and CD data for the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Bancroft District.

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

Office of the Surveyor General. 2003. Plan of C11 Lingham Lake Conservation Reserve, January, 2003. Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. (Note: not a plan of survey)

OMNR. 1972. Lake Survey Summary for Lingham Lake. Compiled by P. Joly and H. Cassalman. OMNR, Bancroft.

OMNR. 1983. Tweed District Land Use Guidelines. Tweed District, Algonquin Region, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources.

OMNR. 1988. Tweed District Fisheries Management Plan 1987-2000. Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Tweed.

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

OMNR. 2003. Lingham Lake Conservation Reserve (C11) Fact Sheet, July 2003. Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Bancroft District.

OMNR. 2004. Natural Resource Values Information System (NRVIS). Accessed: January, 2004.

Scott, S. 2003. Recreation Inventory Report, Lingham Lake Conservation Reserve (C11). Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Bancroft.

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 SCI/RMP: SCI describes values for which an area has been set aside and the range of appropriate uses that will be permitted in the area. SCI 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 SCI/RMP for the Conservation Reserve? Would the new use(s) depart from the spirit of appropriate indicator land uses in the SCI/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 on 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/communities 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?"

Indicator uses for Conservation Reserves

Industrial activities

Recreation activities

Commercial activities

Resource management activities

Other activities

Appendix 2: Procedural guideline C – Research activities in Conservation Reserves

Purpose

To encourage contributions to the goal of conservation reserves by:

• providing direction for research activities associated with conservation reserves; and
• 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, social, 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 Area Supervisor 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 Area Supervisor, 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 project.

Terms and conditions

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

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

1. The intent or conditions of this policy.
2. The requirements under the Public Lands Act, 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, trapping, excavating and marketing any specimen, artifact, 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 from the results of the project to the Area Supervisor.