statement of conservation interest · this statement of conservation interest will provide guidance...

Lac des Mille LacsConservation Reserve

(C2279)

Statement of Conservation Interest

Ministry of Natural Resources

Thunder Bay District

November 2002

Approval Statement

I am pleased to approve this Statement of Conservation Interest for the Lac Des MilleLacs Conservation Reserve.

This Statement of Conservation Interest will provide guidance for the management of theconservation reserve and the basis for the ongoing monitoring of activities. Moredetailed direction at this time is not anticipated. Should significant facility developmentbe considered or complex issues arise requiring additional studies, more definedmanagement direction, or special protection measures, a more detailed ConservationReserve Management Plan will be prepared with full public consultation.

The public was widely consulted during the regulation process for this conservationreserve and further consultation is not required at this time.

The conservation reserve will be managed under the jurisdiction of the ShebandowanArea Supervisor, Thunder Bay District, Ministry of Natural Resources.

Date Date

W. D. BakerDistrict ManagerThunder Bay District

Charlie LauerRegional DirectorNorthwest Region

Table of Contents

1.0 Background Information ...........................................................................................1

1.1 Targets ............................................................................................................2

2.0 Values to be Protected ..............................................................................................3

3.0 Management Guidelines

3.1 Land Tenure ...................................................................................................43.2 Existing / Proposed Development ...............................................................4

3.3 Recreation Activities .....................................................................................5

3.4 Commercial Activities ...................................................................................5

3.5 Aboriginal Interests .......................................................................................63.6 Natural Resource Stewardship ....................................................................6

3.6.1 Vegetation Management ........................................................ 6 3.6.2 Fish and Wildlife Management .............................................. 6 3.6.3 Landforms ................................................................................ 6

3.7 Cultural Resource Stewardship ...................................................................6

3.8 Client Services ...............................................................................................6

3.9 Research .........................................................................................................7

3.10 Marketing ......................................................................................................7

4.0 Implementation ..........................................................................................................7

5.0 Review and Revisions ...............................................................................................7

6.0 Public Consultation ...................................................................................................8

6.1 Results of Past Consultation .......................................................................8

6.2 Present and Future Consultation ................................................................8

7.0 References .................................................................................................................8

Figure 1 9

Figure 2 10

List of AppendicesAppendix I Recreation Inventory ReportAppendix II Life Science ChecklistAppendix III Earth Science Checklist

Lac des Mille Lacs Conservation Reserve – Statement of Conservation Interest1

1.0 Background Information

Name Lac Des Mille Lacs Conservation Reserve

Site Region / Site District 4W -1

OMNR Administrative Region / District/ Area

Northwest Region / Thunder Bay District/Shebandowan Area

Total Area (ha) 2,537 hectares

Regulation Date Anticipated in 2003

First Nations Treaty 3 Area and Robinson Superior . Lac des MilleLacs IR 22A1 is the closest reserve.

OBM 20 15 6800 54000

Lat./Long. 48º08’ N 89º46’ W

Base map 486902 / 487902(NTS – 52A/9 –Scale 1:50,000)

General Location Description 100 kilometers northwest of Thunder Bay on thesouth shore of Lac des Mille Lacs.

Access Boat access from Lac des Mille Lacs.Secondary and tertiary roads provide limitedaccess at the south end.

Lac des Mille Lacs Conservation Reserve – Statement of Conservation Interest 2

1.1 Targets

Earth ScienceRepresentation:

Bedrock: This site is located at the north margin ofthe Quetico metasedimentary Sub-province, of theArchean age Superior Province. Bedrock is mostlygranitic, having been derived through partial meltingof the meta-sedimentary migmatites which outcropalong the lakeshore. The boundary separating theQuetico and Wabigoon Sub-province (to the north) inthis area is marked by the Quetico fault, a >400kmlong major transcurrent fault.

Surficial: There appears to be a thin loamy tillveneer over and between bedrock ridges through theinterior of this site, with more extensive hummockymoraine and loess mapped in the east part, and someesker and kame formations in the west. Noexposures of unconsolidated material were observed.

Life Science Representation: Deciduous forest on weakly broken aeolean andbeach deposits is considered critical to meetrepresentation targets. Deciduous forest occurs inscattered small patches throughout the ConservationReserve

Cultural ResourcesRepresentation:

The reserve includes a historic logging camp on thewest end of Home Lake. No other features have beenidentified.

Recreational Opportunities: Opportunities exist for hunting. The site also offersaccess to sport fishing on Home and Camp Lake andon the southern shoreline of Lac des Mille Lacs.Remote tourism could be feasible on the inland lakes.

3

Survey Level EarthScience

Life Science Cultural Recreation Other

Reconnaissance Completed2001

Completed2001

- Completed2001

-

Detailed Not required Not required Not required Not required. -

2.0 Values to be protected

This section provides a description of the key natural heritage values on the site, andtheir condition relative to past resource use as well as sensitivity to future land use andmanagement activities.

Life ScienceThis site was identified for protection based on its representation of vegetation andlandform types found throughout Ontario. Critical representative vegetation typesproduced by forest fire dynamics are absent from the reserve.

Camps Lake is a coldwater lake containing lake trout. Home Lake is a coldwater lakecontaining whitefish. Lac des Mille Lacs is a warmwater lake containing a regionallysignificant walleye fishery. It is popular fishing lake and the shoreline in theConservation Reserve is used occasionally by boaters for shore lunches. There is noevidence of negative impacts from these uses on the ecological integrity of the site.

The Lac des Mille Lacs shoreline, small lakes and fens within the conservation reservecontribute to the variability to the landscape.

Earth Science

The features of this site are generally resistant to damage by natural processes orlandscape alteration activities although high water levels in Lac des Mille Lacs reducesthe quantity and quality of bedrock exposure.

Recreational Values

Although there is only two potential water routes through the site, this feature contributesto the site’s recreational potential. Potentially, Camp Lake can also be used as a waterroute by boaters and canoeists to reach the portages to both Kashabowie and HomeLakes. The area offers opportunities for summer camping, as there are three establishedcampsites on Camp Lake. Most of these sites appear to be used regularly and are inexcellent condition. The interior of the conservation reserve may attract enthusiasts whoare in search of a short, yet reasonably remote, canoeing experience.


3.0 Management Guidelines

All management activities must conform to the stated intent and direction of thisStatement of Conservation Interest. New activities, which conform, must also beassessed for potential impacts on resource values. Values, which have been identified,should not be negatively impacted.

Management Activities are also subject to the requirements of the EnvironmentalAssessment Act.

3.1 Land Tenure

There are no crown patent lots within or adjacent to the Conservation Reserve.

No private recreation camps exist and no new ones will be permitted.

New transmission lines, pipelines, highways, and road corridors are not permitted. Nodispositions including Land Use permits or Licenses of Occupation will be issued forindustrial purposes. Land use authority excluding sales or lease may authorize permitteduses.

Any unauthorized occupations of lands within the conservation reserve will be managedin accordance with approved policy.

3.2 Existing / Proposed Development

There are no existing privies, boat launches, parking lots or waste disposal sites.Informal campsites exist. There are portages that link Home and Camp Lake toKashabowie Lake.

There are several abandoned buildings adjacent the north west shore of Home LakeThese are the remains of an old logging camp which existed approximately 30 to 40years ago.

At present, one logging road on the Southeast side of Camp Lake provides the onlymeans of land access. Access ends at the north side of Kashabowie River where a foottrail and water route exists to Camp Lake. This access point is a popular boat cache forprivate and commercial activities in the area. Bowater ‘s water crossing (2223617 )located at the Kashabowie River) is scheduled for removal.


New development such as campsites, parking lots, and privies will not be consideredunless a demand for such recreation facilities becomes apparent and a more detailedmanagement plan is prepared.

3.3 Recreation Activities

Recreational uses such as hunting, fishing, camping, hiking, wildlife viewing and snowshoeing will be allowed to continue within the Conservation Reserve.

Mechanized travel is permitted on existing roads and trails. ATV’s and snowmobiles mayalso be used for the direct retrieval of game. New trails may be considered wherecompatible with other recreational uses and environmental values.

3.4 Commercial Activities

The conservation reserve encompasses two active trap lines and two bait fish harvestareas. These uses will continue to be permitted with the condition that no new trails orother development will be allowed without specific authorization. New baitfish andcommercial fur harvest operations can be considered. There are currently no trap cabinswithin the Conservation Reserve, and no new ones will be permitted.

The site also falls within an active bear management Area. Existing baitfish and bearmanagement licenses that become vacant may be re-issued. New licenses will beconsidered on a case-by-case basis.

Timber harvesting, mining, aggregate extraction and commercial hydroelectricdevelopment are not permitted.

Applications for a tourism establishment may be considered on either Home or CampLake.

The conservation reserve area will be removed from the license area of the Dog RiverMatawin Forest.


3.5 Aboriginal Interests

No aboriginal values within the conservation reserve have been identified at this time.Aboriginal and treaty rights will continue to be respected. Should more informationbecome available it will be incorporated.

3.6 Natural Resource Stewardship

3.6.1 Vegetation Management

The life science report concludes that approximately ¾ of the reserve is over matureconifer mixed wood forest. A good portion of this forest consists of dead balsam fir. Thelast fire in the 1930’s burnt only 300 hectares of forest on the east side of the forest. Fullfire suppression will perpetuate this cycle. Until alternative fire policies have beendeveloped through a planning process, forest fire suppression policies will be similar toadjacent Crown lands. High forest values and recreational values adjacent to the reserveprecludes the use of natural fire for vegetation management. Prescribed burning may bean option to consider as a management tool.

Forest fire protection will be carried out on the Conservation Reserve with a “light onlands” approach (i.e. no bulldozers, no camp construction, minimal tree cutting).

The control of insects and diseases will be addressed on a case-by-case basis and willbe consistent with those as on the adjacent forest.

3.6.2 Fisheries and Wildlife Management

Fish and wildlife within the conservation reserve will continue to be managed inaccordance with policies and regulations prevailing in the area. Sport fishing and huntingwill continue as permitted uses within the conservation reserve.

3.6.3 Landforms

The landforms represented within this Conservation Reserve will not be altered throughany landform modification activities such as trail development. The extraction ofaggregates, peat, soils or any other similar materials will not be permitted.

3.7 Cultural Resources Stewardship

Any culturally significant sites within the conservation reserve remain unidentified at thistime. The Ministry of Natural Resources will work with the Ministry of Tourism, Cultureand Recreation in identifying archaeological sites that should be protected.


3.8 Client Services

Thunder Bay District and the Information Management staff will be the primary contactfor responding to inquiries about the basic level of information such as boundarylocations, access, permitted uses, natural heritage appreciation and wildlife viewingopportunities.

3.9 Research

Scientific research by qualified individuals that will contribute to the knowledge of naturaland cultural history and to environmental and recreational management will beencouraged.

All research programs will require the approval of the Ministry of Natural Resources andwill be subject to ministry policy and other legislation. The ministry may approve theremoval of any natural or cultural specimen by qualified researchers. All such materialsremoved remain the property of the Ministry of Natural Resources.

Approved research activities and facilities will be compatible with the protectionobjectives. Permanent plots or observation stations may be established to whichresearchers can return over time. Any site that is disturbed will be rehabilitated asclosely as possible to its original state.

3.10 Marketing

Marketing efforts to increase use are not a priority and will be kept to a minimum. A factsheet has been produced and is readily available to the public via either the Internet orthrough contact with the Thunder Bay District office.

4.0 Implementation

Implementation of this Statement of Conservation Interest will primarily involvemonitoring activities to ensure adherence to the management guidelines.

Management of the conservation reserve is the responsibility of the Shebandowan AreaSupervisor.

5.0 Review and RevisionsThe Lac des Mille Lacs Conservation Reserve Statement of Conservation Interest will bereviewed on an ongoing basis. If changes in management direction are required at anytime, the significance of those changes will be evaluated. Minor changes that do notalter the overall protection objectives may be considered and approved by the areasupervisor without further public consultation and the Statement of Conservation Interestwould be amended accordingly. In assessing major changes, the need for a moredetailed Conservation Management Plan will first be considered. Where a managementplan is not considered necessary or feasible, a major amendment may be consideredwith public consultation. Major amendments will require approval by the RegionalDirector.


6.0 Public Consultation

6.1 Results of Past Consultation

Consultation on the proposed Lac des Mille Lacs Conservation Reserve was conductedas part of the consultation associated with the Ontario’s Living Legacy Land UseStrategy from 1997 through to 1999. Subsequent consultation for the purpose ofboundary refinement was held from June 15 – July 15, 2001.

Consultation efforts involved the mailing of District Manager letters and informationpackages to adjacent landowners, local First Nations, forest industry (SFL holder), theLocal Citizens Committee, local trappers, Bear Management Area and Baitfish licenseholders as well as the Northwest Ontario Sportsman’s Alliance and any other affected orinterested parties. Newspaper advertisements were placed in Thunder Bay’s ChronicleJournal as well as the Thunder Bay Post.

6.2 Present and Future Consultation

Treaty 3 consultation has been completed.

7.0 References

Harris, Allan and Foster, Robert. Lac Des Mille Lacs Life Science Checksheet,November 2001

Harris, Allan and Foster, Robert. Lac Des Mille Lacs Earth Science Checksheet,November 2001

Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. Lac des Mille Lacs Lake Management Plan, 1992

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


Figure 1 Overview Map


Figure 2 Values Map

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