Kap-Kig-Iwan Provincial Park Management Plan: Amendment

Approval statement

I am pleased to approve this Minor Amendment to the Kap-Kig-lwan Provincial Park Management Plan. This minor amendment is a statement of policy update to the original 1984 management plan.

This minor amendment is based on direction in Ontario’s Living Legacy Land Use Strategy (1999) to add lands identified as the Kap-Kig-lwan Additions to the existing Kap-Kig-lwan Provincial Park. In combination, the existing park management plan and this minor amendment provide guidance for the protection, management and development of all lands and waters within the new regulated park boundary under the Provincial Parks Act (O.Reg. 383/01). The management plan and this minor amendment provide guidance for the preparation of resource stewardship, development, operations, and subsidiary implementation planning necessary to implement park policies that are consistent with park objectives.

Paul Bewick
Zone Manager
Northeast Zone
Ontario Parks

Date December 6, 2006

1.0 Introduction

Kap-Kig-lwan Provincial Park and the park additions (P1717) are located three kilometres south of the town of Englehart in northeastern Ontario (Figure 1). The park can be accessed by secondary roads via Highway 11. The Englehart River runs through the park and the additions. The park additions were identified by Ontario’s Living Legacy Land Use Strategy (OMNR 1999) to complement the existing provincial park. The boundaries of the park additions were formed along the existing private land that surrounds the site.

The original park was first regulated in 1957 (O.Reg. 114/57), while the park additions were regulated in October of 2001(O.Reg. 383/01). The park is a natural environment class park. The Kap-Kig-lwan Additions (P1717) added 131 hectares and bring the current total to 461 hectares (Figure 2).

1.1 Objectives

The Kap-Kig-lwan Provincial ParkAdditions will be managed according to the four objectives for provincial parks:

Protection: To protect provincially significant elements of the natural and cultural landscapes of Ontario.

Recreation: To provide provincial park outdoor recreation opportunities ranging from high­ intensity day-use to low-intensity Wilderness experiences.

Heritage Appreciation: To provide opportunities for exploration and appreciation of the outdoor natural and cultural heritage of Ontario.

Tourism: To provide Ontario’s residents and out-of-province visitors with opportunities to discover and experience the distinctive regions of the Province.

2.0 Management context

The purpose of this Minor Plan Amendment is to provide direction to ensure the custodial management of park resources. Future park planning may be undertaken as required to provide direction on significant decisions regarding resource stewardship, development, operations and permitted uses.

Park management will follow direction from:

• Provincial Parks Act (1990) and regulations
• Ontario Provincial Parks Planning and Management Policies (OMNR 1992)
• Ontario’s Living Legacy Land Use Strategy (OMNR 1999) and policy clarifications (OMNR 2000), amendments, and related direction
• Crown Land Use Policy Atlas (OMNR 2004a).

In addressing custodial management obligations to protect park values and ensure public health and safety, Ontario Parks will ensure that policy and Environmental Assessment Act (1990) requirements are implemented.

2.1 Environmental assessment

As a part of the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR), Ontario Parks is a public sector agency which is subject to the Environmental Assessment Act. Park management will be carried out in accordance with legislation, policies, and guidelines that are required under A Class Environmental Assessment for Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves (OMNR 2005).

3.0 Park features and values

The Kap-Kig-lwan Provincial Park Additions contain several natural heritage features including Horseshoe Falls, white-water rapids, and several old-growth eastern white cedar trees.

3.1 Geological features

The western portion of the addition is within the 2.75 to 2.67 billion-year-old western Abitibi Subprovince, in the Archean Superior Province of the Precambrian Shield, and the eastern portion of the addition is in the Paleozoic marine sedimentary record of the Lake Timiskaming outlier.

The surficial geology of the site is dominated by glaciolacustrine and alluvial deposits, with bedrock outcrops occurring in Englehart River (Frey and Duba 2002). The river has eroded downward through approximately 30 metres of alluvium to expose the bedrock. Glacial till is found in the eastern addition near Englehart River. There are limited amounts of glacial till deposited by the glaciers and ice sheets. The till is less than one metre in depth, reddish/brown and comprised of clay/silt base. The clay bank around the river has noticeable mass movement landslides (Cudmore, Burkhardt and Longyear 2004).

The bedrock geology of the Kap-Kig-lwan Provincial Park Additions is provincially significant in its representation of the Catherine-Pacaud supracrustal assemblage. The Middle Silurian Thornloe Formation is a provincially significant representation of Paleozoic stratigraphy in the Lake Timiskaming Rift Valley. The glacial Lake Barlow varve stratigraphy also is provincially significant (Frey and Duba 2002).

The western block of the park additions encompasses Horseshoe Falls on the Englehart River. The total drop of these falls is approximately six metres (Frey and Duba 2002).

3.2 Biological features

The site is characterized by typical boreal species but also contains certain Great Lakes-St. Lawrence forest species either as scattered individuals or isolated patches. The predominant forest is a mixed association of balsam fir, black spruce, and white birch, with scattered white spruce and trembling aspen (Cudmore, Burkhardt and Longyear 2004). There are three forest communities in the western portion of the addition, which consists of mixed poplar hardwood, dominant poplar hardwood, and a small section of predominant poplar hardwood. There are two forest communities in the eastern portion of the additions which consist of predominant poplar hardwood, with some dominant poplar hardwood. Both parts of the additions contain small sections of oldfield that was previously agricultural land. The eastern portion also contains a small section of brush and alder wetland. The majority of the tree species in the park additions range from 60 to 90 years of age, which correlates to the Haileybury Fire of 1922 (Cudmore, Burhardt and Longyear 2004). There are some individual old growth eastern white cedar trees present in the additions (Harper 2003) that survived the 1922 fire.

3.3 Cultural setting

No detailed survey or analysis of cultural history or features within the Kap-Kig-lwan Provincial Park Additions has been completed.

Any future planning will be within the context of a provincial framework, A Topical Organization of Ontario History (OMNR 1974). In addition, updates and discussions with First Nations, other agencies and stakeholders may be carried out to identify cultural heritage values and features within the park and their significance. This information may be used to develop management guidelines to conserve and protect representative archaeological and historical values and features, or to provide direction for further research.

3.4 Recreation

Existing recreational activities include canoeing on the Englehart River, viewing the old growth eastern white cedar and the erosional feature of a deeply incised river valley, and fishing. A striking scenic falls; Horseshoe Falls is located in the western portion (Harper 2003).

4.0 Aboriginal use

The Kap-Kig-lwan Provincial Park Additions are located within the Robinson-Huron Treaty area of 1850. Mattachewan Indian Reserve, located 50 kilometres northwest of the park, is the closest Aboriginal community.

First Nations have expressed interest in and have shared knowledge of the park and surrounding area. Aboriginal communities have used the area for hunting, trapping, fishing, gathering and travel. These uses may continue, subject to public safety, conservation and other considerations.

Any communications and cooperation between Aboriginal communities and the MNR for planning and operations purposes will be done without prejudice to any future discussions or negotiations between the government of Ontario and Aboriginal communities..

5.0 Stewardship policies

The removal, damage or defacing of Crown property, natural objects, relics, and artefacts is not permitted (Provincial Parks Act).

Non-native species will not be deliberately introduced into the park. Where non-native species are already established and threaten park values (i.e., has become invasive), a strategy to control the species may be developed (OMNR 1992).

5.1 Terrestrial ecosystems

5.1.1 Vegetation

Harvesting

Commercial forest operations are not permitted (OMNR 1992).

The harvest of non-timber forest products such as club moss, Canada yew, etc., will not be permitted (OMNR 1992).

New wild rice harvesting operations will not be permitted.

There are no fuelwood cutting permits currently issued for the park. New permits will not be issued (OMNR 2000).

Insects and disease

Insects and diseases may be managed where the aesthetic, cultural, or natural values of the park are threatened (OMNR 1992). Control measures will follow guidelines established by the Ontario

Ministry of the Environment (MOE) and MNR. Whenever possible, biological control measures will be given preference over the use of chemicals (OMNR 1992).

Fire

Kap-Kig-lwan Provincial Park and Additions are located within MNR's Boreal Fire Management Zone. In accordance with existing provincial park policy and the Forest Fire Management Strategy for Ontario, forest fire protection will be carried out in the park as on surrounding lands. Whenever feasible, MNR's Forest Fire Management program will use techniques that minimize damage to the landscape, such as limiting the use of heavy equipment or limiting the number of trees felled during response efforts (OMNR 2004b).

5.1.2 Wildlife management

The Kap-Kig-lwan Provincial Park Additions are located within Wildlife Management Unit 28. The removal or harassment of non-game animals is not permitted (Provincial Parks Act).

Hunting

Sport hunting is permitted to continue. Considerations of safety and conservation with respect to hunting may be made through future management planning, which would include public and Aboriginal consultation (OMNR 2000).

The Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act (1997) and the Migratory Birds Convention Act (1994) govern hunting within the park. The Ontario Hunting Regulations Summary contains regulations specific to this area. The harvest of bullfrogs or snapping turtles is illegal in provincial parks.

Hunting is not permitted within the original park boundary as per the 1984 park management plan (OMNR 1984).

Bear Management Areas

The Kap-Kig-lwari Provincial Park Additions fall within Bear Management Area (BMA) KL-28-000 (Figure 3).

Existing commercial bear hunting operations are permitted to continue in the additions. This activity may be subject to conditions identified during future management planning (e.g. the designation of nature reserve zones).

New BMA licenses will not be permitted (OMNR 2000; 2003).

Commercial bear hunting is not permitted within the area of the previously regulated Kap-Kig­lwan Provincial Park.

Trapping

There are no existing licensed trap lines within the Kap-Kig-lwan Provincial Park Additions. New operations, including trap cabins and trails, will not be permitted (OMNR 2000; 2003).

5.1.3 Industrial resources

There are no licensed active and inactive aggregate pits within the additions. Aggregate extraction is not permitted in the park additions (OMNR 1992; 2004a).

There are no existing mining claims within park. The mining and surface rights on all lands within the park have been withdrawn from staking under the Mining Act (1990). Mineral exploration and mining are not permitted in the park.

5.1.4 Access and crossings

Access

There is limited access to the park additions. Both the western and eastern portions are accessible by a canoe route on the Englehardt River. The western portion can be accessed by River Road.

Roads and utility corridors

River Road borders and is outside the east side of the western addition (Figure 2). The road can be accessed from Highway 11, via Harmens and Brentha roads. The eastern addition has no direct road access.

There are no existing utility corridors crossing the additions. All public utilities (e.g. gas pipelines, transmission lines, communications towers) must avoid park lands wherever possible. New utility corridor crossings may be necessary to maintain essential public services (OMNR 2004a).

Any future utility corridors proposed through the park, where park lands are unavoidable, will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Protection of park features and values will be priority and all requirements of the Environmental Assessment Act will be met.

Recreational trails

Canoe Routes: The Englehart River, which passes through the centre of the park additions, is an established canoe route.

Snowmobile Trails: There are no snowmobile trails associated with the Kap-Kig-lwan Provincial Park Additions. The feeder trail, which is located to the northeast of the eastern portion is outside the park additions (OFSC 2006).

Other Trails: There are currently no other authorized recreational trails within the park additions. New trails (e.g. hiking) may be developed if the need arises. Any proposed development within the park is subject to Environmental Assessment Act requirements.

5.1.5 Adjacent land management

Forestry

The lands in the vicinity of the Kap-Kig-lwan Provincial Park Additions are located in the Timiskaming Forest Management Unit (FMU 280). The Timiskaming Forest Management Plan was approved in 2006 and is scheduled for renewal in 2011 (B. Johnson, personal communication, November 30, 2006).

Patent land

Privately held parcels of land completely surround the park additions. Agriculture is the major land use in this area. Forestry, aggregate extraction, and mining occur on adjacent lands.

General use area

There are a few small sections of Crown land in close proximity to the park additions that are within the Little Clay Belt (G1841) General Use Area.

5.1.6 Land disposition

The park additions are located within Dack and Evanturel townships. New land disposition for the private use of individuals or corporations will not be permitted (OMNR 1992; 2000).

Land Use Permits, Licenses of Occupation, and Unauthorized Occupations

There are no existing authorized Land Use Permits (LUP). license of occupations or known unauthorized occupations within the Kap-Kig-lwan Provincial Park Additions.

Patent land

Private lands are not included in the park and, as such, the policies and legislation of the Provincial Parks Act do not apply.

Boat caches

Boats are not permitted to be left unattended in the park without written permission from the superintendent under the authority of the Provincial Parks Act

5.2 Aquatic ecosystems

Sustaining quality water resources is integral to the protection of park and adjacent land values. The MOE enforces applicable legislation and regulations for water quality.

5.2.1 Water management

New hydroelectric developments are not permitted within the Kap-Kig-lwan Provincial Park Additions (OMNR 2000; 2004a).

5.2.2 Fisheries management

Fisheries management will complement the maintenance and enhancement of native, self­ sustaining fish populations (OMNR 1992).

Sport fishing

Sport fishing is permitted within the park. This activity is governed by legislation and regulations in the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act and the Fisheries Act (1985). The Recreational Fishing Regulations Summary contains details on the applicable regulations for this area.

Commercial fishing

There are no commercial fishing operations within the boundary of the Kap-Kig-lwan Provincial Park Additions. New operations will not be permitted (OMNR 2004a).

Commercial baitfish harvesting

There are two commercial baitfish harvesting licenses allocated in Dack (KL-05-20) and Evanturel (KL-07-01) townships (Figure 4).

Existing commercial baittish harvesting may continue where the activity has been licensed or permitted since January 1, 1992. This activity may be subject to conditions identified through future park management planning or fisheries management plans. New baittish licenses will not be permitted (OMNR 2000; 2003).

Fish stocking

The stocking of native fish species may be considered through park management planning, with full public and Aboriginal consultation.

6.0 Operations policies

6.1 Recreation management

6.1.1 Motorized recreation

Motorboats

The use of motorboats is permitted to continue, unless park values are being threatened (OMNR 2004a).

Aircraft

Aircraft landings are not possible within the Kap-Kig-lwan Provincial Park Additions and thus are not permitted within the site (OMNR 2004a).

Snowmobiles

There are no existing snowmobile trails within the park additions. Proposals for new trails may only be considered through future Planning with public and Aboriginal consultation (OMNR 2000). Snowmobile off-road/off-trail use will not be permitted within the park additions (OMNR 2004a).

A proposal for a new snowmobile trail through the existing park was submitted in 1999. The proposed trail would have bisected a nature reserve zone and conflicted with the safety of existing park users. Alternative routes were investigated, however these routes were not considered viable and the trail was not permitted.

All terrain vehicles

There are no authorized all-terrain-vehicle (ATV) trails within the Kap-Kig-lwan Provincial Park Additions. Proposals for new trails may only be considered through future planning with public and Aboriginal consultation (OMNR 2000).

The off-road/off-trail use of ATVs will not be permitted within the park boundary.

6.1.2 Non-Motorized Recreation

Camping

The initial recreation assessment found no developed campsites within the Kap-Kig-lwan Provincial Park Additions (Foy and Silver 2001). If there is an identified need, new campsites may be considered (OMNR 2004a). Infrastructure will be permitted in order to protect park features and values in response to use, environmental deterioration and environmental protection requirements. Any proposed development in the park must fulfill the requirements of the Environmental Assessment Act.

Hiking

Existing hiking trails may be permitted to continue unless such trails threaten park features and values, create user conflicts or raise safety/liability issues;

If there is an identified need, the development of new hiking trails may be considered. Trail infrastructure to protect park va1ue;s and features will be permitted. Any proposed development within the park is subject to Environmental Assessment Act requirements.

Canoeing/kayaking

Existing uses may continue, unless park values are threatened (OMNR 2004a). Infrastructure to protect park features and values may be permitted and developed in response to use, environmental deterioration and environmental protection requirements.

6.1.3 Emerging recreational uses

There are emerging recreational uses for which there is limited or no policyto deal with their management (e.g. adventure racing, geocaching). The park superintendent will use legislation, policy, and guidelines which are in place to manage emerging uses.

6.2 Development

There is no existing park infrastructure located within the boundaries of Kap-Kig-lwan Provincial Park Additions. Infrastructure to protect park features and values may be permitted and developed in response to use, environmental deterioration, and environmental protection requirements. Any proposed development within the park additions is subject to the Environmental Assessment Act.

6.3 Commercial tourism

Infrastructure for commercial tourism does not exist within the Kap-Kig-lwan Provincial Park Additions. New commercial tourism facilities may be considered where they would be consistent with park policy (OMNR 2004a). Any development must meet the requirements of the Environmental Assessment Act.

7.0 Cultural resources

An assessment of the cultural resources specific to the Kap-Kig-lwan Additions has not been conducted. The management of any cultural values within this park will be directei:t toward protection and heritage appreciation (OMNR 1992).

8.0 Heritage education

Natural Heritage Education will be managed in accordance with the park management plan. A natural heritage education plan may be prepared in keeping with the direction provided in the management plan to manage education activities.

Literature and other supporting information may be developed to describe the park in the context of Ontario’s provincial park system. Boundary limits, significant heritage features and permitted uses of the park may be included in park literature.

Prospective park visitors may be informed about the sensitivity and significance of park values through park literature.

9.0 Research

Scientific research by qualified individuals which contributes to the knowledge of natural or cultural history, or to environmental or recreational management, may be encouraged in the park. Ontario Parks will encourage institutions, such as universities, to undertake research projects.

All research programs will require the approval of Ontario Parks and are subject to park policy and other applicable legislation. Any materials removed from the park will remain the property of Ontario Parks.

Approved research activities and facilities will be compatible with the park’s protection objective. Any site which is affected by research will be rehabilitated as closely as possible to its original state. Environmental Assessment Act requirements will apply.

10.0 References

Cudmore, W., B. Burkhardt and S. Longyear, 2004. Natural Heritage Area -Life Science Checksheet P1717 Kap-Kig-lwan Provincial Park and Additions. OMNR.

Environmental Assessment Act, 1990.

Fisheries Act, 1985.

Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, 1997.

Frey, E. and D. Duba, 2002. Draft Earth Science Checksheet - P1717 Kap-Kig-lwan Provincial Park Additions. OMNR.

Foy, W. and M. Silver, 2001. Kap-Kig-lwan Provincial Park Addition - P1717, Recreational Inventory Checklist. OMNR.

Harper T., 2003. Recreation Assessment Kap-Kig-lwan Provincial Park Addition P1717 Recreation Inventory Report - Version 1.1. OMNR.

Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994.

Mining Act, 1990.

Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs Website. Retrieved November 30, 2006, from http://www.ofsc.on.ca/Downloadsrtrails/maps/District14.pdf [invalid link]

Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, 1974. A Topical Organization of Ontario History. Historic Sites Branch Division of Parks.

Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, 1984. Kap-Kig-lwan Provincial Park Management Plan.

Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, 1992. Ontario Provincial Parks: Planning and Management Policies 1992 Update. Parks and Natural Heritage Policy Branch.

Ontario Ministry of Natural Resourees, 1999. Ontario’s Living Legacy Land Use Strategy July 1999. Queens Printer for Ontario.

Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, 2000. Ontario Provincial Park Policy as Amended by the Ontario Living Legacy Land Use Strategy September 26, 2000.

Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, 2003. Directions for Commercial Resource Use Activities in Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves. 5 pp.

Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, 2004a. Crown Land Use Policy Atlas.

Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, 2004b. Forest Fire Management Strategy for Ontario. Aviation and Fire Management Branch.

Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, 2005. A Class Environmental Assessment for Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves.

Provincial Parks Act, 1990.

Appendix A: Background information

Name: Kap-Kig-lwan Provincial Park Additions (P1717)
Classification: Natural Environment
Ecoregion/Ecodistrict: 4E-5 New Liskeard
OMNR Administrative Region/District: Northeast - Kirkland Lake 131
Regulation date and number: October 2001 O.Reg. 383/01

Representation

Earth science:

The west Kap-Kig-lwan Provincial Park Addition is within the 2.75 to 2.67 billion-year-old western Abitibi Subprovince, in the Archean Superior Province of the Precambrian Shield. The Abitibi Subprovince is one of many elongated orogenic terranes subprovinces of distinctive structure and metamorphosed volcanic, sedimentary and plutonic rock assemblages that accreted southward in the early Precambrian. The east Addition is in the Paleozoic marine sedimentary record of the Lake Timiskaming outlier. The surficial deposits are mainly glaciolacustrine and alluvial clays and silts. These sediments were deposited ~9 to 8 ka, when proglacial Lake Barlow flooded the area during the northward recession of the Superior Lobe. The representation of these features contributes the conservation of the Quaternary Algonquin Stadial and Timiscaming lnterstadial environmental themes. Within the Ontario Provincial Park system, the bedrock geology of the Kap-Kig-lwan Provincial Park Additions is provincially significant in its representation of the Catherine-Pacaud supracrustal assemblage. The Middle Silurian Thornloe Formation is a provincially significant representation of Paleozoic stratigraphy in the Lake Timiskaming Rift Valley. The glacial Lake Barlow varve stratigraphy also is provincially significant (Frey and Duba 2002).

Glaciolacustrine deposits are the dominant landform in the park/additions according to the quaternary geology of Ontario coverage. According to Rik Kristjansson (2004), OLL geologist, the site is dominated by glaciolacustrine deposits and alluvial deposits with bedrock outcrops occurring in Englehart River. The Englehart River has worked its way through approximately 30 meters of underlying geology to expose the bedrock. Glacial till is found in the eastern addition near Englehart River. There are limited amounts of glacial till deposited by the glaciers and ice sheets. The till is less than 1 meter in depth and it is reddish/brown and comprised of clay/silt base. The clay bank around the River has noticeable mass movement landslides. The Englehart River has weakly broken deep lacustrine fine sand plane of lacustrine clay and sandy till (Cudmore, Burhardt and Longyear 2004).

Life science:

The Kap-Kig-lwan Provincial Park Additions are found within Ecodistrict 4E-5 of the Lake Timagami Ecoregion (4E). The site is characterized by typical boreal species but also contains certain Great Lakes-St. Lawrence forest species either as scattered individuals or isolated patches. The predominant forest is mixed consisting of an association of balsam fir, black spruce and white birch with scattered white spruce and trembling aspen. Die-back of balsam fir and white birch has resulted in patches of shrubs such as mountain maple and hazelnut. Jack pine is on sand terraces along rivers and poor, rocky soils. Black spruce occurs with tamarack or eastern white cedar in wet, organic soils and other lowland areas. The topography is rolling. Underlying Pre-Cambrian rock is under the shallow till overburden (Cudmore, Burhardt and Longyear 2004).

Although the park is considered to be within the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence forest, boreal forest descriptors were used as the forest communities are typically boreal. There are a total of eight different forest communities within the park and additions: three communities are within the western park addition, seven communities in the park and two in the eastern park addition (Cudmore, Burhardt and Longyear, 2004).

Cultural resources:

No investigation or analysis of cultural resources specific to Kap-Kig-lwan Provincial Park Additions has been completed at this time.

Recreation and tourism:

Present recreational activities include canoeing on the Englehart River. Horseshoe Falls, a waterfall in the western addition, provides scenic viewing. Fish species in the Englehart River include walleye, lake trout, lake herring, pike, ling, brown bullhead, smallmouth bass, yellow perch, and white sucker (Harper 2003).

Inventories:

Survey level: Reconnaisance
Earth science: Frey and Duba, 2002
Life Science: Cudmore, Burkhardt and Longyear 2004
Cultural: Required
Recreational: Foy and Silver 2001; Harper 2003