Montreal River Provincial Park Management Statement
This document provides policy direction for the protection, development and management of Montreal River Provincial Park and its resources.
March 1994
© 1994 Queen’s Printer for Ontario
50465
(0.05 k P.R., 94 03 21)
ISBN 0-7778-2385-3
Approval statement
I am pleased to approve this Interim Management Statement for Montreal River Provincial Nature Reserve.
This Nature Reserve contains geological and biological features of provincial significance. An extensive raised offshore cobble bar complex which formed 6000 years ago under glacial lake levels is now 60 metres above the present day Lake Superior. The present day shoreline of Lake Superior is a high energy cobble beach. Biological features in the nature reserve includes one of the largest lichen vegetation association in site district 4E2. In addition 200 year old fire-scarred trees in the pine forest growing adjacent to the lichen communities have old growth characteristics. Two kilometers of Lake Superior shore line within the Park provide some habitat for arctic alpine plants.
This Interim Management Statement will provide interim direction for the management of Montreal River Provincial Nature Reserve until a comprehensive Park Management Plan is prepared. The Park is operated under the management of the Superintendent of Pancake Bay Provincial Park.
This statement will provide a basis for management planning in the future.
Signed,
Al Stewart
Regional Director
Central Region
Background information
- Name: Montreal River Cobble Beaches
- Classification: Nature Reserve
- Site region/ site district: Great Lakes and Boreal Forests Transition /4E2
- OMNR Administrative region/district: Central Region/Sault Ste Marie
- Total area (ha): 44
- Regulation date: 1970
Targets
Earth science representation
Provincially significant glacial, Nipissing level (c. 6000 yrs BP) off shore bar and proglacial cobble beach
Life science representation
- normal / dry / sand - gravel:
- yellow birch/ sugar maple
- white birch / balsam fir
- white birch
- lichen complex
- white pine / red pine / jack pine/ black spruce
- pine / spruce / fir
- aspen / balsam fir / white pine
- red pine
- red pine / balsam fir / white cedar
- white cedar / white birch
- white pine / white birch / balsam fir /red maple/mountain maple
- colder / wet / sand -gravel:
- white spruce / black spruce peatland
- white cedar
- coastal coniferous
Cultural resources representation
no research as of this date, no documented cultural heritage
Recreation opportunities
viewing; walking; photography; car camping is available on adjacent land
Inventories
| Survey level | Earth science | Life science | Cultural | Recreational | Other |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reconnaissance | 1978 | 1978 | Needed | Needed | |
| Detailed | 1991/1992 | ||||
| Requirement | theme study | Site district report | MTO Hwy 17 agreement |
Management guidelines
Interim management statements identify: park values; guidelines to protect those values; and, restrictions on use.
Lands
Adjoining land uses
A “meets and bounds” description describes the Park. A boundary plan will be prepared to replace this (Figure 1).
There are no hydro transmission lines, pipelines, or other easements/corridors in the Park. Dispositions will not be permitted in the Park. Private land use changes and management of adjacent lands will be reviewed through the plan review process with the intent of maintaining Park resource integrity.
Complementary management is needed on adjoining lands of the Trans-Canada Highway, Highway 17. Highway run off is disturbing plant communities and causing erosion. This surface drainage needs to be redirected or at least filtered before it flows into the Nature Reserve. Off road vehicle access has occurred from the Highway on to the lichen communities in the past. An extension of highway guard rails could block, unauthorized access. This would lengthen the existing guard rail downhill by fifteen metres on the south bound lane south of Montreal River. Both of these Highway matters will be identified to the Ontario Ministry of Transportation to be addressed in the routine upgrading work.
Natural heritage protection
There are no existing facilities in the Nature Reserve.
Vegetation associations extend beyond the boundaries of this small Nature Reserve. Lichen vegetation associations are easily disturbed. Only facilities for interpretive viewing may be considered off site and/or in forests of the Nature Reserve following management planning and with approved site plans.
Recreation activities
Recreation uses (e.g. walking, hiking, etc.) are not managed. Sport hunting and mechanized travel is not permitted. Heritage appreciation through self guided interpretation will be encouraged through interpretive and site planning. This will consider the objectives of the Nature Reserve and possible approaches to interpretation from nearby provincial Parks (i.e. Pancake Bay, Lake Superior) as well as encourage adjoining private lands to develop interpretive views.
An informal trail has been identified with.in the Park, parallel and in view of Lake Superior shoreline. Use of this trail will be evaluated. It is possible that the Voyageur Trail could follow this route if management planning determines that this is a suitable location. There will be no camping within the Nature Reserve. Commercial Activities Commercial uses are not permitted (e.g. trapping, bait fishing, mineral resources exploration/development, forestry, commercial tourism services, etc.) within the Nature Reserve.
Commercial activities
Commercial uses are not permitted (e.g. trapping, bait fishing, mineral resources exploration /development, forestry, commercial tourism services, etc.) within the Nature Reserve.
Aboriginal interests
As of publication there are no land claims that have a bearing on the Park.
Geological and biological features
This section deals with the management of geological and biological features (e.g. landforms, wildlife, vegetation, fire, etc.).
Initial work on the natural heritage values of the Park was completed in the 1970’s. The earth science features include ancestral and modern Lake Superior shore line and off shore landforms. Special studies of life science values (Macdonald 1979, Pappin 1991, Landry 1992) have provided information on the vegetation features and some insights into fire history.
Management in the area would ideally allow natural processes to continue to shape the ecology of the forest and non-forest communities. However given the small size and adjoining private land interests this area needs to .ge managed. Further inventory is required to support management.
Natural fires will be suppressed. Fire management may occur through natural or prescribed burning following an approved management plan and fire management planning.
Cultural resources
There has been-no assessment of cultural resources: archaeological sites, historical use or artifacts, historical landscapes.
The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources in consultation with the Ontario Ministry of Culture and Communications, should study this area to determine whether there are any significant cultural resources.
Visitor services
Visitor services in this location deals with information and self use interpretation. Information on the area should identify: Park boundary, natural heritage target achievement, off site viewing opportunities and research objectives.
Research
Research will deal with all aspects of scientific study, inventory or surveys such as studies of vegetation and ecological processes, cultural resource inventories or special studies, and user surveys. An approved research application is required to conduct research in provincial parks (Appendix 1).
As in the past biological and geological research will be encouraged. Research will develop a data base on the geological and biological features within the Nature Reserve and on related properties. Comparative studies will be encouraged to understand the features and processes in the Nature Reserve with similar areas in the Lake Superior basin.
Completion of an earth science theme study for the region and a site district report for 4E2 will provide a more complete context to assess the significance of the Park’s natural areas and features.
Marketing
A marketing strategy will deal with research priorities and use.
References
The following lists all material cited in the Interim Management Statement, as well as other relevant sources of information on the Park such as District Land Use Guidelines, inventory reports, checksheets, etc.
Davidson, D.L. 1980. Montreal River Provincial Nature Reserve Earth Science Checksheet.
Department of Energy, Mines and Resources. 1969. Marnainse Point: Topographic Map Series, 1:50 000 Sheet 41 N/2.
Environment Canada, 1979. Ecotours White River to Sault Ste. Marie.
Landry, A. 1992. Personal Communication on the Fire History of Montreal River Provincial Nature Reserve. Undergraduate Thesis in progress. Laurentian University, Biology Department.
Macdonald, I.D. 1979. Montreal River Provincial Nature Reserve Life Science Check sheet and Field Notes.
Noble, T.W. 1983. Reconnaissance Inventory of Site Region 4E. Unpublished report to OMNR. Sudbury.
Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, 1981. Provincial Nature Reserves in Ontario. Montreal River Provincial Nature Reserve Map and Description.
Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, 1982. Park System Planning in Ontario.
Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, 1983. Sault Ste. Marie District Land Use Guidelines.
Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, 1985. Ontario Basic Mapping Sheet No. 17 20 5200 67890
Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, 1989. Provincial Parks Policy Implementation Details. 9 pp.
Provincial Parks and Natural Heritage Policy Branch, 1992. Provincial Parks: Planning and Management Policies (update). 90 pp.
Pappin, S.M. 1991. A Life Science Survey of Montreal River Provincial Nature Reserve and Adjacent Lands in Rix Township, for the OMNR. Laurentian University, Biology Department. 32 pp. Appendices.
Tovell, W.M; and R.E. Deane. 1966. Ancestral Lake Superior Shorelines. Montreal River Harbour Area. Ontario. Geological Association of Canada Proceedings 17:53-63.
Forest Resource Inventory Maps Slater Township
Appendix 1: Ontario Provincial Parks research policy and application
Subject: Research Activities in Provincial Parks
Policy No.: PM 2.45
Compiled by-Branch: Provincial Parks and Natural Heritage
Section: Parks Management
Date Issued: April 1/91
Replaces directive title: Research Activities in Provincial Parks and Park Reserves
Number: PM 2.45
Dated: November 20/80
Purpose:
To encourage contributions to provincial park objectives through research by:
- providing overall direction for research activities associated with provincial parks.
- establishing guidelines and review/approval processes which facilitate appropriate research by external researchers in provincial parks and which ensure review of research activities which could impact on park resources and values.
Definition:
Research means any investigations or studies of natural, cultural, social, economic, management, or other features or characteristics of provincial parks.
Policy:
Research activities will be encouraged through a variety of means to help provide a better understanding of park environments and to contribute to appropriate management practices and actions.
The provincial park management plan will define overfill research interests for the park and, will establish the need for a research plan to address key research issues for parks with substantial research interests and activities.
The management plan will also address the need for specific arrangements, facilities or management to provide improved opportunities for research activities, or to ensure that research activities do not adversely affect park resources. Such details will be specified in a research plan where warranted.
Research needs and priorities will be reviewed periodically for individual provincial parks and for the provincial parks program and summaries be compiled and made available to interested researchers.
Each applicant must submit a completed application form as prescribed in Appendix A to the appropriate District Manager.
Research in a provincial park must have the approval of the Regional Director: with the exception of extension of previously approved projects and minor research projects which can be approved by the District Manager. For minor research projects which include a number of parks, approval may be granted by the Director, Parks and Natural Heritage Policy Branch.
A research project is considered “minor” where limited to:
- brief observation visits involving no environmental disturbances, no visitor contacts nor collection of specimens.
Research projects, in provincial parks will be reviewed by the Park Superintendent and District Manager prior to being undertaken. A research application must be completed for:
- any research project proposed by researchers outside MNR
- any project proposed by MNR staff which has potential for adverse effects on park resources or visitors.
Approval in writing for the application must be obtained prior to the project being undertaken.
The District Manager may suspend or revoke permission at any time for failure on the part of the researcher to meet:
- The intent or conditions of this policy.
- The requirements under the Provincial Parks Act and Regulations. Including all amendments, where applicable.
- The requirements under any other Act and Regulations, Canada or Ontario including amendments such as those governing the taking, handling, storing, confining, trapping, excavating, and marketing of any specimen, artifact, information or action (for example, scientific collectors’ permit).
- The conditions and agreements specified in granting permission.
Permission granted under this policy will be valid for a period not exceeding 12 consecutive months from date of issue. The District Manager may grant permission to continue a research project for additional periods of 12 months or less upon submission of a written request and progress report; provided that the intent, goals and objectives of the project have not been changed.
A person or persons seeking permission under this policy will complete an application supplied by the District Manager and will provide such other information which may be requested.
The application will include a statement as to why the proposed research should be undertaken in the particular provincial park in preference to some other location.
The District Manager may require the posting of collateral, to assure that the terms and conditions of the agreement are met.
All specimens, artifacts, materials and information collected remain the property of Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Ontario as represented by the provincial park in which they are collected (unless assigned to an appropriate repository by the District Manager) and are subject to the requirements under Acts and Regulations for Canada, and Ontario and the conditions specified in granting permission.
The researcher(s) must submit a final report to the District Manager within two years of the completion of the report.
The researcher(s) will provide the District Manager one copy of all reports, publications, theses, etc. produced as a result of the research. The District Manager will forward a copy of all reports, publications and theses to the Regional Director and if requested, to the Director of Parks and Natural Heritage Policy Branch.
For projects extending over a number of parks, the Director, Parks and Natural Heritage Policy Branch will forward a copy of reports, publications and theses to Regional Directors involved.
The District Manager will assure that the rights, privileges, privacy and enjoyment of all park users are not unduly infringed upon during the course of the research activities.
The District Manager will provide all workers on a research project with a letter or means of identification to be carried by each and every worker when engaged in work related to the project.
Special requests for the use of equipment, for accommodation, or for staff assistance will be considered by the District Manager on the basis of their merit and the feasibility of providing such assistance.
Reimbursement for such assistance may be required from the researcher.
Remarque: Cette police est également disponible en français.
A. New proposals:
| Responsibility | Action |
|---|---|
| District Manager |
|
| Regional Director |
|
| Director, Parks and Natural Heritage Policy Branch |
|
| Regional Director |
|
| District Manager |
|
B) Extension of previously approved proposals/minor research projects
| Responsibility | Action |
|---|---|
| District Manager |
|
C) Research projects including a number of parks, minor research projects:
| Responsibility | Action |
|---|---|
| Director, Parks and Natural Heritage Policy Branch |
|
| Regional Director |
|
| District Manager |
|
D) Other research proposals
| Responsibility | Action |
|---|---|
| Director, Parks and Natural Heritage Policy Branch |
|
| Regional Director |
|
Appendix A: Ministry of Natural Resources application to conduct research in Ontario provincial parks
[Link to recent version of application: http://www.ontarioparks.com/email/research]