Gulliver River Conservation Reserve Management Statement

Statement of Conservation Interest
March 2002

Dryden District
Ministry of Natural Resources

Approval statement

We are pleased to approve this Statement of Conservation Interest for Gulliver River Conservation Reserve (C2292).

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

The Gulliver River Conservation Reserve will be managed under the jurisdiction of the Ignace Area supervisor, Dryden District, Ministry of Natural Resources.

Charlie Lauer
Regional Director
Northwest Region
Ministry of Natural Resources

R.G. McColm
Dryden District
Manager Ministry of Natural Resources

1.0 Background information

The purpose of this document is to identify and document the natural heritage values of the Gulliver River Conservation Reserve, the activities that occur there and, through a set of management guidelines, lay out the activities that will and will not be permitted. For more information regarding this Statement of Conservation Interest (SCI) please refer to the "Conservation Reserve Policy and Procedure PL3.03.05".

Table 1.1: Background information for Gulliver River Conservation Reserve.

Name	Gulliver River Conservation Reserve (C2292)
Site Region / Site District	3W-2
OMNR Administrative Region / District / Area	Northwestern Region / Dryden District / Ignace Area, English River Forest
Total Area (ha)	2774
Regulation Date	Anticipated for 2002
First Nations	Ojibway Nation of the Saugeen Band, Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation, Aboriginal People of Wabigoon
OBM	15 6150 54585
Latitude / Longitude	49° 15' / 91° 25'
Basemap	492912, 493912, 492913
General Location Description	Located approximately 20 km southeast of Ignace, off of Highway 17
Access	Access can be gained via boat and portage at the Gulliver River Bridge on Grit Road Crescent Road, off Highway #17, also leads into the reserve. Several other forest access roads enter the reserve but few are passable.

Figure 1: General location of Gulliver River Conservation Reserve

Table 1.2: Representation Targets – A summary of earth science, life science, cultural resource values and present or possible recreational opportunities.

Life Science Representation	Upland Forest/Forested Dunes: Conifer mixed forest – Jack Pine, White Pine, Red Maple Wetland: Fen – open-saturated to semi-treed conditions Bog – Black Spruce, ericaceous shrubs, Sphagnum moss Meadow marsh Animal Species: Sharp-tailed grouse observed Evidence of muskrat, beaver, eagle and osprey Sufficient habitat for moose, bear and deer.
Earth Science Representation	Underlain by granitic rock Beach, delta and aeolian outwash sands Peat accumulation in wetland areas Well-developed active meandering river system
Cultural Value Representation	No documented cultural values
Recreational Opportunities	Opportunities exist for canoeing, exploring, hunting (large mammals and waterfowl), snowmobiling, fishing, bird watching and general nature activities.

Table 1.3: Survey Information – Overview of inventories completed, their level of detail and any inventories that are needed.

Survey Level	Life Science	Earth Science	Cultural	Recreational
Reconnaissance	- checklist 2001 - Life Science Inventory	- checklist 2001 - Earth Science Inventory	- not required	- checklist 2001 - Recreation Resource Inventory
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, their condition relative to past resource and management activities, and their sensitivity to future land use and management activities.

Table 2.1: Values identified on Gulliver River Conservation Reserve.

Life Science	Uncommon plants with limited distribution in Northwestern Ontario found in the rich patterned fen include: starved sedge (Carex exilis), livid sedge (C. livida), Michaux’s sedge (C. michauxiana), marsh rush (Juncus stygius), water shield (Brasenia schreberi), tawny cottongrass (Eriophorum virginicum) and floating clubrush (Scirpus subterminalis) The fen itself is considered globally rare according to Nature Conservancy rankings mature jack pine dominated forest on aeolian/outwash sand representative of Site District 3W-2 Animal species of significance found in the reserve include: sharptailed grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus), zigzag darner dragonfly (Aeshna sitchensis), and possibly the yellow rail (Coturnicops noveboracensis)
Earth Science	landforms associated with the forested dunes and active meandering streams are considered at least locally exceptional
Cultural	none determined
Aboriginal	none determined
Tourism	licensed BMA runs through reserve, non-resident use of Kay Lake
Recreational Fishing	permitted; occurs on Kay Lake
Recreational Hunting	permitted; moose, deer and waterfowl
Trapping	IG-57
Bear Management Area	IG-12A-11, IG-12A-12, IG-12A-13
Bait Harvesting	492912, 493912, 492913
Commercial Fishing	none

2.2 Values to be protected

The intent of this SCI is to protect the following values by establishing management guidelines for existing and potential uses in this area given the level of past disturbance and the nature of the existing features.

2.2.1 Forest values

None of the forest values found require additional protection other than that provided by this Statement of Conservation Interest and the Gulliver River Conservation Reserve Policy Report (see Appendix F).

2.2.2 Biological values

Several species of uncommon wetland plant in Northwestern Ontario can be found in the rich patterned fen (see Table 2.1). Some of these are mineral-rich condition indicators including shrubby cinquefoil, starved sedge, livid sedge and Hudsonian club rush.

A few sharp-tailed grouse were spotted in one of the cutovers. These birds are considered a regionally rare species in this area. The zigzag darner, a provincially rare dragonfly, can be found in open fen communities such as this. Although none were seen, the dense grassy cover of the meadow marsh and shore fen may provide habitat for the yellow rail, whose status in Ontario is currently under review. (Life Science Inventory, 2001)

2.2.3 Landform values

The rich patterned fen is considered a globally rare community type according to the Nature Conservancy rankings. However, this is possibly inaccurate due to the abundance of similar peatlands throughout Northwestern Ontario. Regardless, these fens are still excellent examples of this type of boreal community.

The patterned fen community is dependent upon groundwater flow from outside the reserve. Land practices outside the reserve could upset groundwater movement, damaging the fen. (Life Science Inventory, 2001)

2.2.4 Recreational values

The Recreation Resource Inventory deems the river, organic composition, wetland vegetation, water route, lake and aquatic/terrestrial wildlife to be recreation features in this reserve. Present and potential recreation activities include canoeing, general exploring, hunting, snowmobiling, fishing, bird watching and general nature activities. The aforementioned features are considered to have low sensitivity to recreation use. Feature sensitivity to resource development, however, is high as indicated in Sections 2.2.1 and 2.2.3.

2.2.5 Tourism values

Kay Lake is open to fishing year round so there is the possibility of angling by non-residents. A commercial boat cache used by one of the lodges in the area exists on Bush (Cresent) Lake, which acts as the west boundary of the reserve.

Figure 2: North arm of Kay Lake extending into Gulliver River Conservation Reserve

3.0 Management guidelines

3.1 Land tenure

The Gulliver River Conservation Reserve consists of Crown land almost entirely in the Township of Grummett with some of the reserve extending into the Townships of Dewan and Cathcart. The site is also completely surrounded by Crown land.

The reserve will remain Crown land and no dispositions (including Land Use Permits or Licenses of Occupation) will be issued for the site.

The disposition of adjacent Crown Land will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis.

Unauthorized occupations of lands within the conservation reserve will be handled in accordance with approved policy, and any required structural removal will be at the owner’s expense.

3.2 Existing and proposed development

Currently there are two forest access roads, Grit and Crescent, meters from the western and southeastern boundaries of the reserve, respectively. Both connect to Highway 17. These can be used to access the conservation reserve, however access depends upon the weather as the state of the roads vary. A bridge is located along Grit Road, permitting access to boats. At present, there are no existing trails, however the Recreation Resource Inventory implies the potential for snowmobiling indicating possible winter trails.

Approximately 7% of the reserve was harvested for merchantable tree species in the early 1990's along the north and east sides. Secondary logging roads enter the area at several locations. Some of these roads are passable. There is no evidence of human disturbance in the wetland areas or on the Gulliver River itself.

Facility infrastructure and development for recreational and/or educational purposes may be considered in the future if there is a demonstrated demand for such facilities. All provincial policies that guide development on Crown Land are applicable in Conservation Reserves. A more detailed management plan would be required prior to any development occurring. Such a plan would have to ensure that there would be no negative impacts to any habitat or ecosystem pertinent to the values protected in this reserve. In particular, the rich patterned fen and its rare plant species as well as the other species discussed in Section 2.2.2.

3.3 Recreational activities

Most recreational activities that have traditionally been enjoyed in this area can continue provided they pose no threat to the natural ecosystems and features protected by the Conservation Reserve. Those uses that are regulated include hunting, fishing and trapping. Most other permitted activities are non-regulated (i.e. canoeing, exploring, snowmobiling). See Section 2.2.4 for the recreational uses for this Conservation Reserve as determined by the Recreation Resource Inventory.

Mechanical travel is permitted only on the existing roads and trails. Off trail mechanized travel is permitted for retrieval of game only.

Figure 3: Aerial view of the Gulliver River bridge on Grit Road

3.4 Commercial activities

No new activities, such as commercial logging, hydroelectric power development, new transmission lines (e.g. power or communications), pipelines, highways or roads, and the extraction of aggregate or peat, will be permitted.

An examination of the possible impact of activities on adjacent lands should be evaluated in the Forest Management Plan. Especially due to the high degree of edge habitat already present in the small area of mature jack pine dominated forest and the sensitivity of the fen to ground water disruption.

Currently there are no remote tourist camps located on the reserve. However, as mentioned, Kay Lake, is open to both residents and non-residents for fishing and a commercial boat cache exists on the lake bordering the west end of the reserve.

3.5 Aboriginal interests

To date, no Aboriginal Groups have voiced any issues in regards to this conservation reserve. Nothing in this Statement of Conservation Interest affects in any way existing or future Aboriginal or treaty rights.

3.6 Natural Resources Stewardship

Natural Resource Stewardship involves the consideration of the following specific natural resource management categories. See Appendix G for further information on the following subheadings.

3.6.1 Vegetation management

Management within the conservation reserve will allow for the continuation of natural ecosystem processes and functions with minimal human interference.

The forest in the entire area is to be protected from any human alteration. Forest fire protection will be carried out on the Conservation Reserve as on surrounding public lands, with a "light on the land" approach (i.e. no bulldozers, no camp construction, minimal cutting). Silvicultural practices to regenerate forest in the harvested areas and deal with the existing logging roads was recommended for future management. (Life Science Inventory, 201)

Forest insect and disease management will continue as on surrounding Crown lands.

3.6.2 Fish and wildlife management

Existing Wildlife Management Unit and sport fishing regulations and management activities will apply.

3.6.3 Landforms

None of the landforms mentioned will be altered by landform modification activities such as filling and extraction. The extraction of aggregates and similar materials are not permitted.

Careful mineral exploration may occur in specific new conservation reserves proposed through Ontario’s Living Legacy, in areas that have provincially significant mineral potential. If a portion of the new conservation reserve is to be developed for a mine, it would be removed from the reserve, and appropriate replacement lands would be placed in regulations.

3.7 Cultural Resources Stewardship

To fully manage and protect sites, field surveys are required. To date, there have been no surveys done to assess cultural or heritage values. However, common knowledge of the area suggests there to be no such values on this site, thus Cultural Inventories were deemed unnecessary.

3.8 Client services

Given the focus on low key management, client information will be given on an inquiry basis only and will deal with the basic level of information with respect to access, natural heritage appreciation, recommended activities and boundaries.

3.9 Research

Non-destructive research by qualified individuals will be encouraged to provide a better understanding of the natural values protected by the Conservation Reserve and to advance protection, planning and management.

In order to assist with enhancing the management guidelines for the reserve, the collection of additional earth and life science information during research is encouraged.

All research programs will require the approval of the Ministry of Natural Resources as will the removal of any natural or cultural specimen. The establishment of permanent plots, observation points or facilities must also be approved and be compatible with the Conservation Reserve protection objective. Any site disturbed by research activities must be rehabilitated as closely as possible to its previous state.

3.10 Marketing

Awareness of the Conservation Reserve is promoted through the Living Legacy web site. Intensive management activity to increase use is not required at this time.

Figure 4: View of the fen from the river

4.0 Implementation

Implementation of this Statement of Conservation Interest will primarily involve monitoring activities to ensure adherence to the management guidelines and responding to inquiries about the site.

Implementation of this statement and management of the reserve are the responsibility of the Ignace Area Supervisor. Partnerships may be pursued to address management needs.

5.0 Review and revisions

This Conservation Reserve Statement of Conservation Interest will be reviewed on an ongoing basis.

If changes in management direction are needed at any time, the significance of the changes will be evaluated and further consultation a possibility. Any major amendments will require full public consultation and the approval of the District Manager and Regional Director. Affected clients will be immediately informed of proposed changes to this Statement of Conservation Interest.

This Statement of Conservation Interest complies with all requirements of the Environmental Assessment Act and the Environmental Bill of Rights.

5.2 Public consultation

5.2.1 Results of past consultations

Consultation on the Gulliver River Conservation Reserve was conducted as part of the consultation on the Ontario’s Living Legacy Land Use Strategy, July 1999. Subsequent consultation also took place in August of 2000 to refine the boundary of the Conservation Reserve.

District Manager letters, totaling 94, were sent to the Dryden Forest Management Co., Tourist Outfitters, Advisory Committees, Trappers, Land Owners, Members of the Public, NGOs and GOs. Newspaper ads were placed in the Ignace Driftwood on August 9, 2000 and Dryden Observer on August 15 and 22, 2000.

First Nation Consultation letters were also sent to ten Native communities including the Ojibway Nation of the Saugeen Band, Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation and Aboriginal People of Wabigoon. Direct consultation with Treaty 3 First Nations is being carried out on a regional basis and is ongoing.

No responses have been received to date from any of the above mentioned organizations/groups.

5.2.2 Present and future consultation

More widespread consultation is not deemed necessary at this time.

5.2.3 Author

This Statement of Conservation Interest was prepared by Alicia H.L. Morin, OLL Intern, Information Management, Dryden District. Assistance was provided by Martin Pell (Dryden District), Jim Cameron (Thunder Bay Regional) and members of the Ignace Area Team.

6.0 References

Northern Bioscience. Earth Science Inventory for Gulliver River Conservation Reserve. 2001.

Northern Bioscience. Life Science Inventory for Gulliver River Conservation Reserve. 2001.

Ontario’s Living Legacy Land Use Strategy, 1999. p. 24. Queen’s Printer for Ontario.

Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. Gulliver River Conservation Reserve (C2292) Fact Sheet. August 2000.

Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. Gulliver River Conservation Reserve (C2292) Recreation Resource Inventory Report. 2002.

Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Lands & Natural Heritage, Lands & Waters. Conservation Reserve Policy and Procedure PL 3.03.05. February, 1997. 22 pp.

Appendix C: Life Science Reconnaissance Survey

C2292 Gulliver River

Natural Heritage Area – Life Science Checksheet

Name	C2292 Gulliver River
Map Name	Bonheur
Map Number	52G/6
UTM Reference	Zone 16 E 61400 N 545700
County	Kenora District
Latitude	49° 15' N
Longitude	91° 25" W
NAD	83
Minimum Altitude	450 m
Maximum Altitude	500 m
Locality	20 km southeast of Ignace
Township	Gummet, Dewan, Cathcart
Area	2,780 ha
Ownership	Crown
MNR Region	Northwest
Ecoregion and Ecodistrict	3W-2
Landform Unit	See Table 4
MNR District	Dryden
Aerial Photographs Year-Roll-Flight Line-Numbers	1996-5/4908B/12-18 1996-35/4910B/112-119

Map: C2292 Gulliver River

Physical and biological features

The Gulliver River Conservation Reserve encompasses 2780 ha of aeolian and outwash deposits in Site District 3W-2. The topography is generally flat to gently rolling. Upland forests with jack pine-dominated conifer and mixedwood forest (ES13,14,16) make up 45% of the Conservation Reserve (Table 1). Ground moraine and bedrock-controlled terrain make up a small proportion of the site.

Most of the upland forest originated from a large 1936 burn. Soils are relatively shallow (50–60 cm deep) medium to fine sand over bedrock. Forested dunes in the southwest corner of the site are steep-sided elliptical hills made up of windblown medium to fine sand. Vegetation on the dunes is herb-and shrub-poor jack pine forest with reindeer lichens (Cladina spp.) and feathermosses (Pleurozium schreberi) (ES13). White pine and red maple are present in small numbers.

Open wetlands, consisting of fen, bog, meadow marsh, and shore fen, make up about 40% of the Conservation Reserve (Photo 1). Fens range from open saturated conditions dominated by sedges to semi-treed conditions with tamarack, sedges, and low shrubs. Bogs are restricted to sites isolated from groundwater flow and above the flood level of the Gulliver River. Bog vegetation includes small, scattered black spruce, ericaceous shrubs, and a Sphagnum carpet (ES34). A series of patterned fens extends through the Conservation Reserve where there is significant groundwater flow (ES43). The best-developed patterned fen near the west end of the Conservation Reserve has a distinctive pattern of linear ridges and pools evident on aerial photographs. Vegetation is dominated by sedges and low shrubs with plant indicators of mineral-rich conditions, including shrubby cinquefoil, starved sedge, livid sedge and Hudsonian clubrush. Rich indicators decline farther from the main groundwater flow. Shore fen (ES45) and meadow marsh (ES46) with dense grass and sedge cover dominate the floodplain of the Gulliver River.

The Gulliver River is a well-developed meandering system, complete with channel cutting and point bar deposition, channel levees, extensive floodplain, and abandoned meanders (Photo 2,3).

About 4% of the Conservation Reserve (121 ha) was burned in 1995.

Representation

The Conservation Reserve contains representative examples of fen and bog communities on outwash sand. Similar wetland types are also represented in the Trewartha Creek Conservation Reserve. Mature jack pine dominated forest on aeolian and outwash sand is also well-represented (Table 3). (Note that Site District boundaries changed in 1999. Revised boundaries were not available for the landform vegetation summary presented in Table 3).

Condition

Approximately 7% (188 ha) of the Conservation Reserve was cutover in the early 1990's. Cutovers occur in several discrete areas along the north and east sides of the Reserve. Secondary logging roads enter the Reserve at five or six points. At least some of the roads are still passable to vehicle traffic.

There is no evidence of human disturbance in the wetlands or on the Gulliver River.

Diversity

The Gulliver River Conservation Reserve has relatively low diversity on the landscape scale, being dominated by aeolian and outwash landforms. Wetlands contribute to the diversity with a range of peatland communities.

Ecological considerations

The Conservation Reserve includes a small area of mature jack pine-dominated forest with a high degree of edge habitat. As logging proceeds around the Conservation Reserve, area-sensitive forest interior species may decline as forest fragmentation increases.

The relatively small upland area is vulnerable to being burned over completely in a large fire originating off the Conservation Reserve.

The patterned fen community depends on groundwater flow from outside the Conservation Reserve. Land practices outside the Conservation Reserve that disrupt groundwater movement could impair the function of the fen.

Special features

The rich patterned fen is globally rare community type according to Nature Conservancy rankings (G2). This ranking may underestimate the abundance of the peatlands in northwestern Ontario and in the Hudson Bay Lowlands. The fens in Gulliver River are nonetheless easily accessible, pristine examples of this boreal community type. Some plant species associated with this community, including starved sedge, livid sedge and Michaux’s sedge, are restricted to rich fen habitats and are uncommon to rare in northwestern Ontario.

Marsh rush was discovered in the rich fen. This northern species is restricted to large, rich fens and very local in northwestern Ontario. Other plants of limited distribution in northwestern Ontario include water shield, tawny cottongrass, and floating clubrush.

Several sharp-tailed grouse were seen in a cutover at the west end of the Conservation Reserve. This species is considered to be regionally rare in Site Region 3W. Sharp-tailed grouse probably nest in the Conservation Reserve. Leks (courtship dancing grounds) may occur in the open patterned fen, since they have been documented at other open peatlands in the area.

A provincially rare dragonfly, zigzag darner (Aeshna sitchensis: S1S3) is locally common in the open fen communities (Photo 4). This species is apparently found only in large peatlands in boreal areas in northern Ontario.

The dense graminoid cover of the extensive meadow marsh and shore fen on the Gulliver River floodplain may provide habitat for yellow rails (Coturnicops noveboracensis). The conservation status of yellow rail in Ontario is currently under review.

Significance level and summary of major representative values

The Gulliver River Conservation Reserve is provincially significant due to "critical" representation of a number of landform vegetation types (Table 3). The site contains regionally significant examples of patterned fen and forested dunes. The upland jack pine forest on aeolian and outwash sand is representative of Site District 3W-2.

Recommendations

1. Expand the Conservation Reserve to include the patterned peatland 600 m north of the northeast boundary (see map).
2. Adjust the south boundary to include the entirety of the open peatlands currently bisected by the boundary (see map).
3. Develop a plan to maintain or rehabilitate existing logging roads in the Conservation Reserve.
4. Ensure that any necessary silviculture is applied to regenerate forests on the cutovers within the Reserve.

Major information sources

Harris, A.G., S.C. McMurray, P.W.C. Uhlig, J.K. Jeglum, R.F.Foster and G.D. Racey. 1996. Field guide to the wetland ecosystem classification for northwestern Ontario. Ontario Ministry of Natural Resoures, Northwest Science & Technology. Thunder Bay, Ontario. Field Guide FG-01. 74 pp. + Append.

OMNR. 1999. Ontario’s Living Legacy – Land Use Strategy. Queen’s Printer, Toronto.

Proctor and Redfern Group. 1984. Peat and peatland evaluation of the Ignace area. 6 Volumes. Ontario Geological Survey. Open File Report 5487.

Racey, G.D., A.G. Harris, J.K.Jeglum, R.F.Foster and G.M.Wickware. 1996. Terrestrial and wetland ecosites of northwestern Ontario. Ontario Ministry Natural Resoures, Northwest Sci. & Technol. Thunder Bay, Ontario. Field Guide FG-02. 88 pp. + Append.

Sims, R.A., W.D. Towill, K.A. Baldwin, P. Uhlig and G.M. Wickware. 1997. Field guide to the forested ecosystem classification for northwestern Ontario. Ont. Min. Natur. Resour., Northwest Sci. & Technol. Thunder Bay, Ont. Field Guide FG-03. 176 p.

Date Compiled:
January 2002

Compilers:
Allan Harris and Robert Foster, Northern Bioscience

Figure 1: Site map with significant features

Enlarge Figure 1: Site map with significant features

Photo 1 . Open wetlands make up 40% of the Conservation Reserve.

Photo 2 . The Gulliver River channel is undergoing active erosion and deposition where it passes through aeolian sand deposits.

Photo 3 . Gulliver River floodplain.

Photo 4 . Zigzag darner, a provincially rare dragonfly, is common in open fens.

Table 1. Land cover classes of Gulliver River Conservation Reserve (derived from Landsat data).

Landcover Class	Area (ha)	% of Site
Water	111	4
Open Fen	155	6
Treed Fen	80	3
Open Bog	82	3
Treed Bog	715	26
Dense Deciduous Forest	24	1
Dense Coniferous Forest	861	31
Mixed Forest -mainly Deciduous	23	1
Mixed Forest -mainly Coniferous	308	11
Sparse Coniferous Forest	96	3
Sparse Deciduous Forest	16	1
Recent Cutovers	188	7
Recent Burns	121	4
Totals	2780	100

Table 2. Rapid assessment plot summary from Gulliver River Conservation Reserve.

Plot No.	V/W Type	ES Type	Date
74	W27	ES35	09/04/2001
75	W17	ES43	09/04/2001
76	W19	ES42	09/04/2001
77	W22	ES40	09/04/2001
79	V19	ES14	09/04/2001
71	W25	ES34	09/04/2001
78	V30	ES13	09/04/2001
73	V11	ES16	09/04/2001
72	V32	ES13	09/04/2001
70	W22	ES40	09/04/2001
69	W14	ES45	09/04/2001
68	V30	ES12	09/04/2001
67	W13	ES46	09/04/2001

Table 3. Landform – vegetation (LV) type representation for Gulliver River Conservation Reserve.

Site Region*	Landform	Surface Expression	Burn	Conifer	Conifer Mixed	Deciduous	Deciduous Mixed	Open Wetland	Spares Forest	Grand Total
3W-2	Beach and Aeolian Deposits	moderately broken	6	118R	39	14R	7R	144	22C	350
3W-2	Outwash Deposits	moderately broken	41	536	159C	10	6R	480R	89	1321
3W-2	Outwash Deposits	weakly broken	5	266R	37R	2R	0	274C	2	586
Total			52	920	235	26	13	898	113	2257

Table 4. Site type matrix for Gulliver River Conservation Reserve.

Description	Arid	Very Dry	Dry	Dry Mesic	Mesic	Wet Mesic	Wet	Very Wet	Saturdated	Open Water
Colder Rock
Colder Sand
Colder Loam
Colder Clay
Colder Organic							ES35, ES40, ES42, ES43	ES35, ES40, ES42, ES43	ES45
Normal Rock
Normal Sand	ES13, ES14, ES16	ES13, ES14, ES16
Normal Loam
Normal Clay
Normal Organic
Warmer Rock
Warmer Sand
Warmer Loam
Warmer Clay
Warmer Organic

Gulliver River Conservation Reserve species lists

The following species lists are based fieldwork conducted September 4 2001 and data provided by OMNR.

Plant list

Taxonomic order and species names generally follow Morton and Venn (1990). Introduced species are marked "I". Provincially rare species (Oldham 1999) are marked "P". Voucher specimens were collected for species marked "*".

Family Equisetaceae	Horsetail Family
Equisetum sylvaticum L	Woodland Horsetail

Family Dennstaetiaceae	Bracken Family
Pteridium aquilinum (L.) Kuhn	Bracken

Family Lycopodiaceae	Clubmoss Family
Lycopodium annotinum L	Bristly Clubmoss
Lycopodium clavatum L.	Common Clubmoss
Lycopodium obscurum L.	Flat-branched Tree Clubmoss

Family Pinaceae	Pine Family
Picea mariana (Miller) BSP	Black Spruce
Pinus banksiana Lambert	Jack Pine
Pinus strobus L.	White Pine

Family Alismataceae	Water Plantain Family
Sagittaria latifolia Willd	Broad-leaf Arrowhead

Family Cyperaceae	Sedge Family
Carex buxbaumii Wahlenb.	Buxbaum’s Sedge
Carex exilis Dewey	Starved Sedge
Carex lacustris Willd.	Lake Sedge
Carex lasiocarpa Ehrh.	Wire Sedge
Carex limosa L.	Mud Sedge
Carex livida (Wahlenb.) Willd.	Livid Sedge
Carex magellanica ssp. irrigua Lam.	Quaking Sedge
Carex michauxiana Boeckeler	Michaux’s Sedge
Carex oligosperma Michaux	Few-seeded Sedge
Carex pauciflora Light.	Few-flowered Sedge
Carex rostrata Stokes	Beaked Sedge
Carex trisperma var. trisperma Dewey	Three-fruited Sedge
Dulichium arundinaceum (L.) Britton	Three-way Sedge
Eleocharis smallii Britton	Marsh Spikerush
Eriophorum vaginatum (Fern.) Hulten	Dense Cottongrass
Eriophorum virginicum L.	Tawny Cottongrass
Rhynchospora alba (L.) M.Vahl	White Beakrush
Scirpus cespitosus L.	Tufted Club Rush
Scirpus cyperinus (L.)	Kunth Black-sheathed Bulrush
Scirpus hudsonianus (Michaux) Fern.	Hudsonian Club Rush
Scirpus subterminalis Torrey	Floating Clubrush

Family Juncaceae	Rush Family
Juncus brevicaudatus (Engelm.) Fern.	Short-tailed Rush
Juncus stygius L.	Marsh Rush

Family Liliaceae	Lily Family
Clintonia borealis (Aiton) Raf.	Blue Bead Lily
Maianthemum canadense Desf.	Wild Lily-of-the-valley
Maianthemum trifolium (L.) Sloboda	Three-leaved Solomon’s Seal
Streptopus roseus Michaux	Rose Twisted Stalk

Family Poaceae	Grass Family
Calamagrostis canadensis (Michaux) P.Beauv.	Bluejoint Grass
Calamagrostis stricta ssp. inexpansa (A. Gray) C.W. Greene	Northern Reed Grass
Cinna latifolia (Trevir. ex Goeppinger) Griseb. in Ledeb.	Drooping Woodreed
Glyceria canadensis (Michaux) Trin.	Rattlesnake Manna Grass
Muhlenbergia glomerata (Willd.) Trin.	Marsh Muhly

Family Potamogetonaceae	Pondweed Family
Potamogeton natans L.	Floating-leaved Pondweed

Family Scheuchzeriaceae	Pod-Grass Family
Scheuchzeria palustris L.	Pod-grass

Family Sparganiaceae	Bur-reed Family
Sparganium natans L.	Least Bur-reed

Family Typhaceae	Cattail Family
Typha latifolia L.	Common Cattail

Family Aceraceae	Maple Family
Acer rubrum L.	Red Maple
Acer spicatum Lam.	Mountain Maple

Family Araliaceae	Ginseng Family
Aralia hispida Vent.	Bristly Sarsaparilla

Family Asteraceae	Sunflower Family
Anaphalis margaritacea (L.) Benth. & Hook. f.ex C.B. Clarke	Pearly Everlasting
Aster borealis (Torrey & A.Gray) Prov.	Rush-leaved Aster
Aster lanceolatus Willd.	Panicled Western Aster
Aster macrophyllus L.	Large-leaved Aster
Solidago hispida Muhlenb.	Upland Goldenrod
Solidago uliginosa Nutt.	Marsh Goldenrod

Family Betulaceae	Birch Family
Alnus incana (L.) Moench	Speckled Alder
Alnus viridis (Chaix) DC.	Green Alder
Betula pumila L.	Dwarf Birch

Family Cabombaceae	Water Shield Family
Brasenia schreberi J. Gmelin	Water Shield

Family Caprifoliaceae	Honeysuckle Family
Diervilla lonicera Miller	Bush Honeysuckle
Linnaea borealis L.	Twinflower

Family Cornaceae	Dogwood Family
Cornus canadensis L.	Bunchberry

Family Ericaceae	Heath Family
Andromeda polifolia L.	Bog Rosemary
Chamaedaphne calyculata (L.) Moench	Leatherleaf
Gaultheria hispidula (L.) Muhlenb . ex Bigelow	Creeping Snowberry
Kalmia polifolia Wangenh.	Bog Laurel
Ledum groenlandicum Oeder	Labrador Tea
Vaccinium angustifolium Aiton	Low Blueberry
Vaccinium myrtilloides Michaux	Velvet-leaved Blueberry
Vaccinium vitis-idaea L.	Rock Cranberry

Family Fumariaceae	Fumitory Family
Corydalis sempervirens (L.) Pers.	Pale Corydalis

Family Guttiferae	St. John’s-wort Family
Hypericum ellipticum Hook.	Pale St. Johnswort

Family Lentibulariaceae	Bladderwort Family
Utricularia intermedia Hayne	Flat-leaved Bladderwort

Family Menyanthaceae	Bogbean Family
Menyanthes trifoliata L.	Buckbean, Bogbean

Family Myricaceae	Bayberry Family
Myrica Gale L.	Sweet Gale

Family Onagraceae	Evening-primrose
Epilobium angustifolium L.	Fireweed

Family Primulaceae	Primrose Family
Lysimachia thyrsiflora L.	Tufted Loosestrife

Family Rhamnaceae	Buckthorn Family
Rhamnus alnifolia L'Her.	Alder-leaved Buckthorn

Family Rosaceae	Rose Family
Potentilla fruticosa L.	Shrubby Cinquefoil
Potentilla palustris (L.) Scop.	Marsh Cinquefoil
Prunus pensylvanica L.f.	Pincherry
Rubus chamaemorus L.	Cloudberry, Bakeapple
Rubus idaeus L.	Common Raspberry
Spiraea alba Duroi	Narrow-leaved Meadow Sweet

Family Salicaceae	Willow Family
Salix pedicellaris	Pursh Bog Willow
Salix planifolia Pursh	Flat Leaf Willow

Family Sarraceniaceae	Pitcher Plant Family
Sarracenia purpurea L.	Pitcher Plant

Gulliver River Conservation Reserve Animal Species List

Taxonomic order and nomenclature follow AOU (1998) for birds and Banfield (1974) for mammals.

Birds

Family Phasianidae	Grouse, Turkeys and Quail
Tympanuchus phasianellus	Sharp-tailed Grouse

Family Picidae	Woodpeckers
Picoides arcticus	Black-backed Woodpecker
Colaptes auratus	Northern Flicker

Family Corvidae	Jays, Crows and Ravens
Cyanocitta cristata	Blue Jay
Corvus brachyrhynchos	American Crow

Mammals

Family Cervidae	Deer
Alces alces	Moose

Appendix B: Earth Science Reconnaissance Survey

Detailed section

Protection history

Gulliver River Conservation Reserve (C2292) was first identified for protection under the Ontario’s Living Legacy Land Use Strategy (1999). This site partly overlaps an area identified by Noble (1978).

Setting

This area contains broad, rolling hills, separated by flat-bottomed river valleys and wetlands. The Gulliver River passes through the northwest part of the site. Logging of parts of this site has taken place in the past.

Earth science features

Bedrock: This site is within a granitic terrane of the Wabigoon Subprovince of the Archean-aged Superior Province. Outcrops of foliated to gneissic tonalite were observed during field reconnaissance both as shoreline exposures along the banks of the Gulliver River, and as linear outcrop ridges (good exposure in cutover in the southwest corner of the conservation reserve) surrounding the river and wetlands. Each outcrop studied also contained mafic clots, probably related to the protolith of the tonalite, as well as undeformed granitic pegmatite dikes cross cutting the country rock and intruding coplanar with major joint sets. Faulting appears to be common within this site (generally oriented northwest/southeast and steep), and play a significant role in the shape and orientation of landscape features.

Surficial: The most prominent Pleistocene-aged deposits within this site are beach, delta, aeolian and outwash sands. Exposures of unconsolidated Pleistocene-aged material were not observed within the reserve during the survey, although landforms characteristic of aeolian dunes were encountered in the southwest part of the site. The dunes are expressed as low, elongate hills, and are densely vegetated. There is a location where a dune form has been exposed approximately 10 m outside the west site boundary, and its aeolian nature was confirmed by common frosted quartz grains within the well-sorted but relatively unstructured sand. The windblown fine-medium sand was probably derived from outwash plain material related to the ablation of the ice front that was forming the Hartman Moraine to the north. Dredge and Cowen (1989) consider glacial lake Agassiz to have extended right to the ice front during the Algonquin Stadial environment of Davidson (1981), and therefore the aeolian transport of the sand must have occurred following the withdrawal of Lake Agassiz from the area, but prior to establishment of vegetation. The waters of glacial Lake Agassiz moved from this region during its Nipigon or Ojibway phases (Dredge and Cowen, 1989).

More recently, extensive peat accumulation began in many wetland areas within this site, a process which continues today. The Gulliver River, an active meandering system (Plate 1), is exceptionally well-developed (Fluvial Land Forms Processes and Environments of Davidson, 1981). Well-defined channels with outside cutting (Plate 2) and point bar deposition, channel levees, flood plain landforms and deposits, and abandoned channel scars are easily recognizable from maps and air photos. The fact that the river is somewhat confined to its current floodplain by bedrock ridges to the south and moraine/outwash to the north probably enhances the long-term stability and development of the system.

Sensitivity

The dune areas and the Gulliver River system are particularly susceptible to disturbance. In the case of the dune forms, a striking example of this sensitivity can be found in along the forest access road (west boundary) where one such dune has been exposed by road building and harvesting, and has re-activated as an aeolian system and is currently undergoing active transport. The Gulliver River has achieved an equilibrium of sorts with both water discharge and sediment load which has led to the preservation of textbook meandering river features. Any disruption in flow or sediment load would likely lead to a deterioration of this balance.

Significance

Most of the earth science features represented in this site are found elsewhere, although the landforms associated with forested dunes and active meandering streams are regionally exceptional examples.

Recommendations

Further road development and harvesting is not recommended within or adjacent to both the Gulliver River and the dune forms in the southwest section of the site. These practices would certainly harm the integrity of these features. The dunes, while well anchored by vegetation, are particularly sensitive to disruption by both foot and motorized travel, and therefore these activities should be restricted on and around them.

References

Davidson, R.J. 1981. A framework for the conservation of Ontario’s earth science features. Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Toronto, 262 pp.

Dredge, L.A and Cowen, W.R. 1989. Quaternery geology of the Southwestern Canadian Shield. In: Fulton, R.J. (ed); Quaternery geology of Canada and Greenland, Geology of Canada, no.1, Canadian Geological Survey, Ottawa, 839 pp.

Noble, T.W. 1978. Life science report Phase II. Site Region 4W. North Central Region. Unpublished report

Plate 1: Several meanders and abandoned channels on the Gulliver River

Plate 2: Channel-cut bank on Gulliver River

Appendix B: Gulliver River Conservation Reserve (C2292) – Aerial photo image

Enlarge Aerial Photo Image

This picture is illustrative only. Do not rely on it as being a precise indicator of boundaries, routes, locations of features, nor as a guide for navigation.

Published March, 2002

Appendix A: Gulliver River Conservation Reserve map

Map: C2292 – Gulliver River Conservation Reserve

Enlarge Map: C2292 – Gulliver River Conservation Reserve

Policy Report (revised July 20, 2001)

NEWID: C2292/ IG7 District: Dryden Region: Northwest

Identification:

ID: C2292
Area Name: Gulliver River
Area (ha): 2784
Land Use: Conservation Reserve
Category: N/A

Description:

This site contains representative landform and vegetation types, including mixed forests on moderately broken beach and aeolian deposits and wetlands on moderately broken outwash.

Land use intent:

The intent is to regulate this area as a Conservation Reserve.

Management of this area is also governed by the general policies contained in Land Use Strategy (1999)

Management direction:

Those uses and management activities not listed in the following table are governed by existing Conservation Reserve policy. Over time the management direction will be elaborated in a Statement of Conservation Interest or Resource Management Plan. 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. Compatibility is normally determined through a planning process.

Commercial activities

Activity	Permitted	Guidelines
Aggregate Extraction:	No	N/A
Bait Fishing Existing:	Yes	Existing use permitted to continue, unless there are significant demonstrated conflicts.
Bait Fishing New	Maybe	New operations can be considered, subject to the "test of compatibility".
Commercial Fishing Existing:	Yes	Existing use permitted to continue, unless there are significant demonstrated conflicts.
Commercial Fishing New:	Maybe	New operations can be considered, subject to the "test of compatibility".
Commercial Fur Harvesting Existing:	Yes	Existing use permitted to continue, unless there are significant demonstrated conflicts. Existing trap cabins can continue
Commercial Fur Harvesting New:	Maybe	New cabins are not permitted. New operations can be considered, subject to the "test of compatibility".
Commercial Hydro Development:	No	N/A
Commercial Timber Harvest:	No	N/A
Commercial Tourism Existing:	Yes	Existing authorized facilities can continue, unless there are significant demonstrated conflicts.
Commercial Tourism New:	Maybe	New tourism facilities can be considered during the planning for an individual reserve.
Bear Hunting by Non-residents (guided) Existing:	Yes	Existing authorized operations permitted to continue.
Bear Hunting by Non-residents (guided) New:	No	New operations not permitted.
Outfitting Services Existing:	Yes	Existing authorized operations permitted to continue.
Outfitting Services New:	Maybe	New operations can be considered during the planning for an individual reserve.
Outpost Camps Existing:	Yes	Existing authorized operations permitted to continue.
Outpost Camps New:	Maybe	New operations can be considered during the planning for an individual reserve.
Resorts/lodges Existing:	Yes	Existing authorized facilities permitted to continue.
Resorts/lodges New:	Maybe	New facilities can be considered during the planning for an individual reserve.
Energy Transmission and Communications Corridors Existing:	Yes	These facilities should avoid conservation reserve lands wherever possible.
Energy Transmission and Communications Corridors New:	No	These facilities should avoid conservation reserve lands wherever possible.
Food Harvesting (Commercial) Existing:	Maybe	N/A
Food Harvesting (Commercial) New:	Maybe	N/A
Mineral Exploration and Development:	Maybe	Mineral exploration may occur under controlled conditions in portions of new conservation reserves that are identified through further analysis and consultation as having provincially-significant mineral potential. If a site is to be developed for a mine, it would be deregulated as part of the reserve, and a replacement area added to the reserve.
Peat Harvesting:	No
Wild Rice Harvesting: Existing:	Yes
Wild Rice Harvesting: New:	Maybe

Land and resource management activities

Activity	Permitted	Guidelines
Crown Land Disposition Private Use:	Maybe	Sale of lands is not permitted, except for minor dispositions in support of existing uses (e.g., reconstruction of a septic system). Renewals of existing leases and land use permits are permitted. Requests for transfer of tenure will be considered in the context of the Statement of Conservation Interest or Resource Management Plan. New leases or land use permits permitted for approved activities. Tourism facilities can apply to upgrade tenure from LUP to lease.
Crown Land Disposition Commercial Use:	Maybe	Sale of lands is not permitted, except for minor dispositions in support of existing uses (e.g., reconstruction of a septic system). Renewals of existing leases and land use permits are permitted. Requests for transfer of tenure will be considered in the context of the Statement of Conservation Interest or Resource Management Plan. New leases or land use permits permitted for approved activities. Tourism facilities can apply to upgrade tenure from LUP to lease.
Fire Suppression:	Yes	Fire suppression policies are similar to adjacent Crown lands, unless alternative fire policies have been developed through a planning process.
Fish Habitat Management:	Maybe
Fish Stocking Native Species:	Maybe	Conservation Reserves policy indicates that "featured species management" may be permitted.
Fish Stocking Non-native Species:	No	No explicit guidelines are included on fish stocking.
Insect/disease Suppression:	Maybe
Inventory/Monitoring:	Yes
Personal use permits for Wood Harvesting:	Maybe	Existing permits may continue on an interim basis for properties that do not have road access. The long term status will be determined through management planning.
Prescribed Burning:	Maybe
Roads (Resource Access) Existing:	Yes	Existing roads can continue to be used. Continued use will include maintenance and may include future upgrading.
Roads (Resource Access) New:	Maybe	New roads for resource extraction will not be permitted, with the exception of necessary access to existing forest reserves for mineral exploration and development, or where part of a conservation reserve has been formally identified as having provincially significant mineral potential that is open for controlled exploration.
Vegetation Management:	Maybe	Conservation Reserves policy indicates that Featured Species Management and Natural Systems Management may be permitted. Vegetation management can be considered in a planning process.
Wildlife Population Management:	Maybe

Science, education and heritage appreciation

Activity	Permitted	Guidelines
Collecting:	No
Historical Appreciation:	Yes
Nature Appreciation:	Yes
Photography and Painting:	Yes
Research:	Yes
Wildlife Viewing:	Yes

Recreation activities and facilities

Activity	Permitted	Guidelines
All Terrain Vehicle Use On Trails:	Yes	Existing use permitted to continue where it does not adversely affect the values being protected.
All Terrain Vehicle Use Off Trails:	No	ATV use off trails is not permitted, except for direct retrieval of game.
Campgrounds:	Maybe
Food Gathering:	Yes
Horseback Riding (trail):	Yes	Existing use on trails permitted.
Hunting:	Yes
Mountain Bike Use:	Yes	Existing use on trails permitted.
Motor Boat Use Commercial:	Yes
Motor Boat Use Private:	Yes
Non-motorized Recreation Travel:	Yes
Private Recreation Camps (Hunt Camps) Existing:	Yes	Existing camps permitted to continue, and may be eligible for enhanced tenure, but not purchase of land.
Private Recreation Camps (Hunt Camps) New:	No	Existing camps permitted to continue, and may be eligible for enhanced tenure, but not purchase of land.
Rock Climbing:	Maybe
Snowmobiling On Trails:	Yes	Existing use permitted to continue where it does not adversely affect the values being protected.
Snowmobiling Off Trails:	Maybe	Snowmobiling off trails is not permitted, except that snowmobiles may be used for direct retrieval of game.
Sport Fishing:	Yes
Trail Development:	Maybe	Development of trails for a variety of activities (e.g., hiking, cross-country skiing, cycling, horseback riding, snowmobiling) can be considered as part of planning for an individual reserve.

Note: The polices outlined in this table do not supersede any Aboriginal or treaty rights that may exist, or other legal obligations.

OLL Land Use Strategy, Table 4, and Conservation Reserves Policy.

Management of this conservation reserve is carried out within the context of conservation reserve policy as amended by the policies for new conservation reserves outlined in the OLL Land Use Strategy.

Source of direction:

LUS

Explanation of edits:

Potential revisions (for internal use only):