Posted with permission of the Ontbirds Coordinator: The Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) is proposing to amend the Presqu’ile Provincial Park Management Plan. The public comment period began November 29, 2013 and ends January 24, 2014.
Proposed policy changes include: • Adding a summary of 2001 consultation on a potential alternative site for waterfowl hunting and updating the wildlife management section to reflect the decision (no suitable alternative site was found) • adding a scientific research objective; • modifying the park zoning and boundary map (e.g., new access zones); • changing zoning of some of the park’s existing infrastructure to new access zoning (e.g., secondary roads and parking areas currently zoned natural environment, nature reserve and historical); • enabling projects not currently identified in the management plan, including: o disposition of park land for public purposes (e.g., municipal drainage, water or sewer easements); o development of a new campground office and park store; o development of a cycling trail section from Beach 4 access road to the campground office, and improving road shoulders along the main park road for cycling lane use; o development of an addition to the park office; o reconfiguration and expansion of the park’s trailer dumping station; o development of an emergency exit route through High Bluff campground; o enhancement, rehabilitation and restoration of Species at Risk habitat; o vegetation management to maintain or restore natural environments; o wildlife habitat enhancement, rehabilitation and restoration (e.g., artificial turtle nesting sites); o development of a new visitor centre in place of one of the existing heritage cottages; and o development of new roofed accommodation structures on existing campsites or other suitable areas in the development zones." There may be other issues that reviewers would like to raise, including the overpopulation of mute swans in the park. Please see the note, below, and respond accordingly. Please do not discuss or debate this matter on ONTBIRDS. Thank you: "I am pleased to provide notice of the release of a proposed amendment to the Presqu’ile Provincial Park Management Plan. The comment period ends on Friday, January 24, 2014. A policy proposal notice has been posted on the Environmental Registry of the Environmental Bill of Rights website. Please visit www.ontario.ca/environmentalregistry and search for 012-0486. The proposed management plan amendment is available through the following direct link: http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/en/Business/Parks/2ColumnSubPage/PLANNING_PRESQUILE.html Comments on three proposed projects at the park are also invited until Friday, January 24, 2014: Presqu’ile Parkway road improvement, trailer dumping station expansion, and emergency exit route. All three projects are being evaluated as Category B projects under the Class Environmental Assessment for Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves. Please contact me or Rob Cunningham, A/Park Superintendent (613-475-4324 ext 226; [email protected]) if you have questions or require further information. Regards, Susan Grigg Senior Park Planner OntarioParks , Southeast Zone Ministry of Natural Resources 51 Heakes Lane Kingston , Ontario K7M 9B1 Tel: 613-531-5722 Fax: 613-545-4033 email: [email protected] Don Davis Toronto, Ontario, Canada _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to [email protected] For information about ONTBIRDS including how to unsubscribe visit http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdssetup
