Hope Bay Forest Provincial Park Management Statement: Amendment

Examination and adjustment of management direction

Amendment approval statement

Dear Sir or Madam:

I am pleased to approve this amendment to the management plan for Hope Bay Forest Provincial Park. The amendment provides revised direction in the plan to restore or naturalize disturbed lands, including lands previously used for agriculture, in order to enhance ecological integrity.

I would like to express my appreciation to all those who participated in the planning process.

Sincerely,

Signed by Bruce Bateman
Director, Ontario Parks
Date, May 2, 2017

Approval statement

November 3, 1995

This Interim Management Statement will provide interim direction for the management of Hope Bay Forest Provincial Nature Reserve until such time as a comprehensive Park Management Plan is prepared.

This statement will provide the basis for the subsequent preparation of the Park Management Plan.

I am pleased to approve the Hope Bay Forest Provincial Nature Reserve Interim Management Statement.

Signed by Norm Richards
Managing Director
Parks Ontario

Background information

Name: Hope Bay Forest Provincial Nature Reserve

Total Area: 353 ha. (Regulated)

Ecodistrict: 6E-4^{footnote i[i]}

Regulation: Ont. Reg. 45/85

Class: Nature Reserve

MNRF Region: Southern

MNRF Parks Zone: Southwest

Targets

1. Life science representation (provincial significance)

2. Earth science representation (provincial significance)

3. Cultural resources representation

4. Recreational opportunities

Inventories

Figure 1: Regional setting map

Enlarge figure 1: Regional setting map

Figure 2: Park boundary and existing development map

Enlarge figure 2: Park boundary and existing development map

Context

1. Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves Act

The Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves Act, 2006 (PPCRA) requires that a Management Direction is approved for each protected area in Ontario. This document fulfils this requirement, and provides direction for managing the provincial park.

The PPCRA has two principles that guide all aspects of planning and management of Ontario’s system of provincial parks and conservation reserves:

• Maintenance of ecological integrity shall be the first priority and the restoration of ecological integrity shall be considered.
• Opportunities for consultation shall be provided. 2006, c. 12, s. 3.

The PPCRA also outlines four objectives for establishing and managing provincial parks:

1. To permanently protect representative ecosystems, biodiversity and provincially significant elements of Ontario’s natural and cultural heritage and to manage these areas to ensure that ecological integrity is maintained.
2. To provide opportunities for ecologically sustainable recreation opportunities and encourage associated economic benefits.
3. To provide opportunities for residents of Ontario and visitors to increase their knowledge and appreciation of Ontario’s natural and cultural heritage.
4. To facilitate scientific research and to provide points of reference to support monitoring of ecological change on the broader landscape. 2006, c. 12, s. 2 (1).

2. Management context

Management of this park will be consistent with all relevant legislation and provincial policies, including the four provincial park objectives and guiding principles of the PPCRA. Management of the park will also be consistent with the Endangered Species Act, 2007 (ESA), including the protection of Species at Risk.^{footnote ii[ii]}

The implementation of projects in this provincial park will comply with the requirements of A Class Environmental Assessment for Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves (Class EA-PPCR). This may include further opportunities for consultation, as required.

Hope Bay Forest Provincial Nature Reserve encompasses a portion of the Niagara Escarpment and is therefore within the Niagara Escarpment Plan Area. The park contributes to the Niagara Escarpment Parks and Open Space System (NEPOSS)^{footnote iii[iii]}. The park is governed by the Park Planning and Open Space policies (Part 3) of the Niagara Escarpment Planning and Development Act in addition to Ontario Provincial Parks Planning and Management policies. The park is located within the area of the Niagara Escarpment Plan and has been allocated among three land use designations: Escarpment Protection Area, Escarpment Natural Area and Escarpment Rural Area. The park is classified as a Nature Reserve in the NEPOSS. The Niagara Escarpment, including portions of Hope Bay Forest Provincial Nature Reserve, was designated a Biosphere Reserve^{footnote iv[iv]} by the bureau of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Man and Biosphere (MAB) program in 1990.

Management guidelines

1. Land tenure

A total of 353 hectares (872 acres) of land have been regulated under the Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves Act, 2006 as part of Hope Bay Forest Provincial Nature Reserve (Figure 1). As shown in Figure 2, the park boundary includes part of Lot 2, Concession 9, part or all of Lots 2 to 6, Concession 10, part or all of Lots 3 to 6, Concession 11, and part of Lots 5 and 6, Concession 12, East of Bury Road (EBR), Township of Eastnor, County of Bruce. Acquired Crown lands adjacent to Hope Bay (Georgian Bay) are located within the proposed nature reserve boundary, but are not regulated.

Guideline:

Conditions permitting (see section X), acquired Crown lands located within the proposed nature reserve boundary may be regulated.

Agricultural land use permits have been phased out in accordance with park policy.

2. Land acquisition and disposal

Certain lands and road allowances within the proposed park boundary (see Figure 2) have yet to be acquired. Acquisition of these lands and road allowances would facilitate park management and protection of significant natural values.

Acquired Crown lands located outside the proposed nature reserve boundary presently include part of Lot 7, Concession 10, and Lots 7 and 8, Concession 11.

Guidelines:

Ontario Parks will support, in principle, the acquisition of property for addition to Hope Bay Provincial Nature Reserve, if the acquisition will enhance the values or management of the park. Acquisition or securement will be subject to funding and willingness of the owners to sell or lease their properties or enter into a conservation easement. Land securement priorities for Hope Bay Provincial Nature Reserve are focused on lands adjacent and with similar natural and cultural values.

Subject to Niagara Escarpment Plan policy and other factors permitting (see section X.), provincial lands adjacent to the provincial nature reserve which are declared surplus may be exchanged for private lands with a higher acquisition priority, or disposed of.

3. Existing and proposed development

The Bruce Trail travels along the edge of the Niagara Escarpment through the Hope Bay Forest Provincial Nature Reserve. Existing facilities consist of signs identifying the property as a provincial nature reserve. A parking lot maintained by the local Bruce Trail Club exists outside of the nature reserve between Lots 1 and 2, Concession 10, within the community of Hope Bay. Aside from the Bruce Trail, there is no development within the nature reserve.

Guidelines:

The Bruce Trail will continue to be maintained by the Peninsula Bruce Trail Club.

Aside from the erection of signs (including interpretive panels), gates and fencing as required, no other development is proposed.

Construction of additional parking area and related facilities will be reviewed during the preparation of a park management plan.

Development will be kept to a minimum to protect and preserve the provincially and nationally threatened species found at Hope Bay Forest.

4. Ecologically sustainable recreation activities

Hiking, photography, and nature appreciation are the only recreational activities permitted in the nature reserve.

Guidelines:

Rock climbing, mountain biking and motorized vehicles will not be permitted.

Spelunking (caving) will not be encouraged.

Recreation programs will not be promoted.

5. Commercial activities

Guideline:

No commercial activity (including trapping or logging) will be permitted in the nature reserve.

6. Natural resources

Life Science - A Biological Inventory and Evaluation of Hope Bay Forest Area of Natural and Scientific Interest (A.N.S.I.) (Jalava, 1994) indicates a Life Science A.N.S.I. that encompasses a 1340 hectare (3311 acre) area. The A.N.S.I. contains three provincially rare species of ferns, 532 vascular plant species (including six nationally and provincially rare), 20 regionally rare and 29 locally rare species. The cliffs, talus slope escarpment complex, flat lying wet bedrock plain below and above the escarpment and the inactive shingle beach are home to many rare and sensitive plant species, including species at risk

Earth Science - Hope Bay Forest has been identified as an Earth Science A.N.S.I. covering 339 hectares (837 acres) of land. An Earth Science Inventory and Evaluation for Hope Bay Forest (Kor, 1992) identified the following features:

• One of the most extensive and best developed ancient shore cave/undercut notch systems in Ontario;
• Shoal Cove, created by a recurved cuspate foreland shingle spit, is a rare present day shoreline feature identified as provincially significant;
• The excellent development and preservation of Amabel reefs is also provincially significant.
• Sculpted bedforms (s-forms) and remnants of subglacial fluvial processes which occurred during glaciation are some of the other significant features present.

Guidelines:

Hiking should be restricted to designated trails. Access to significant and sensitive earth and life science features beyond trail boundaries should not be encouraged.

The location of a solution cave will not be publicized and caving will not be encouraged.

Disturbed lands including those currently or formerly in agricultural use will be restored or naturalized. The primary goal of restoration and naturalization will be to enhance the park’s ecological integrity by accelerating succession from disturbed areas such as agriculture or old field to locally representative vegetation types, while minimizing colonization of noxious weeds or alien invasive species. Restoration and naturalization approaches could include passive or indirect restoration, seeding and planting, wetland improvement, progressive retirement and invasive species control. Site specific restoration and naturalization activities will be determined based on current site conditions, available resources, funding and partnership opportunities, and will be subject to evaluation under the Class EA-PPCR.

7. Cultural heritage appreciation

1. Pre-history: While very little information exists pertaining to the pre-history of the park area, archaeological evidence dates the earliest human occupation back to the arrival of the Amerindians nearly 2,500 years ago. The Bruce Peninsula was originally settled by the Odawa of Algonquin background. Rock fish weirs are present in the Manitoulin bedrock platform at Shoal Cove. A date of origin has not yet been determined, but the weirs are of native origin. Recent studies of the Hunter’s Point site, near Jackson’s Cove, indicate it is likely Algonquian in origin (perhaps older than 2,000 years) and apparently served as a ceremonial and burial ground as well as a fishing and hunting camp or village (Fitzgerald et al., 1995).
2. History: In 1616, Samuel de Champlain visited the Bruce Peninsula. Logging and fishing became the predominant activities in this area in the late 1800's.

Guideline:

Both pre-history and historical surveys should be completed prior to preparation of a park management plan.

Cultural heritage resources that may be impacted by any park projects and activities shall be identified and managed (i.e., protected, maintained, used and disposed of) in accordance with the Standards and Guidelines for Conservation of Provincial Heritage Properties (Ontario Heritage Act). Staff will also consult MNRF's Technical Guideline for Cultural Heritage Resources for Projects Planned Under the Class Environmental Assessment for Resource Stewardship and Facility Development and the Class Environmental Assessment for Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves (2006).

8. Natural heritage education

A self-use, interpretive program may be set up to provide opportunities for exploration and appreciation of the significant Earth and Life Science features at Hope Bay Forest while informing visitors of the management of the area.

Guideline:

No interpretative or recreation programming will be provided. Self-guided nature study will be permitted.

9. Aboriginal interests

Guideline:

Subject to the status of Aboriginal land claim negotiations and/or government policy, the status of provincially owned lands will not be changed.

10. Marketing

Guideline:

This nature reserve will not be promoted aside from general information provided in the fact sheet and as identified in information presented to the public in the Niagara Escarpment Plan and the Bruce Trail Reference. A marketing plan will not be required.

Marketing for Hope Bay Forest Provincial Nature Reserve will occur through Ontario Parks' corporate marketing strategies and activities.

11. Research

Both earth and life science inventories have been completed.

Research activities require authorization issued under the PPCRA, consistent with research authorization policies for Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves. Research is subject to development and management policies associated with the park’s classification, unless special permission is given. Research must meet all requirements under applicable provincial and federal legislation, and may require additional permits or approval (e.g., MNRF Wildlife Scientific Collector authorization or ESA permits).

Guideline:

Other scientific research and inventory projects will be encouraged, particularly in subject areas required to assist in preparation of a park management plan and to assist in identifying and protecting sensitive natural features or cultural resources in the park.

The MNRF will encourage scientific research by qualified individuals contributing to the knowledge of natural and cultural history and to environmental management. Ontario Parks will review proposed research to ensure adequate consideration of potential impacts on protected area resources, features, staff and visitors.

References

Bruce Trail Association. Bruce Trail Reference, 19^th Edition. Hamilton, 1994.

Fitzgerald, W.R., Johnston, D., and Romanowski, R.E. "no-che-mo-wena-ing: Place of Healing, Place of Hope." Expanded version of presentation at Leading Edge '95 (Niagara Escarpment conference), Collingwood, 1995.

Jalava, J.V., B. Larson, C.A. Schaefer and S. Varga. Biological Inventory and Evaluation of the Hope Bay Forest Provincial Nature Reserve and Area of Natural and Scientific Interest. Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, 1994.

Jalava, J.V., S. Varga and J.L. Riley. Ecological Survey of the Niagara Escarpment Biosphere Reserve (Preliminary). Ontario Heritage Foundation and Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, 1995.

Kor, P.S.G. An Earth Science Inventory and Evaluation of the Hope Bay Forest Provincial Nature Reserve and Area of Natural and Scientific Interest. Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, 1992.

Niagara Escarpment Commission. The Niagara Escarpment Plan. Ontario Ministry of Environment and Energy, Toronto, 1994.

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

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

Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. 2006. A Technical Guideline for Cultural Heritage Resources for Projects Planned Under the Class Environmental Assessment for MNR Resource Stewardship and Facility Development Projects and the Class Environmental Assessment for Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves.

Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. 2010. Species at Risk in Ontario List.

Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. 2011. Ontario’s Crown Land Use Policy Atlas.

Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. 2011. Our Sustainable Future: A Renewed Call to Action – Ministry of Natural Resources Strategic Directions. Peterborough.

Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. 2012. Biodiversity: It’s In Our Nature. Ontario

Government Plan to Conserve Biodiversity, 2012-2020. Queen’s Printer for Ontario. Toronto, ON. 42 pp.

Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. 2014. Ontario Protected Areas Planning Manual: 2014 Edition. Peterborough. Queens Printer for Ontario. 33 pp.

Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. Hope Bay Forest Provincial Nature Reserve Interim Management Statement (draft), Owen Sound, 1986.

Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. Hope Bay Forest Earth and Life Science Area of Natural and Scientific Interest (Fact Sheet), Owen Sound. 1994.

Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. Ontario Provincial Parks: Planning and Management Policies, Staff Reference. 1992.

Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. Owen Sound District Land Use Guidelines. Owen Sound, 1983.

Tovell, W.M. Guide to the Geology of the Niagara Escarpment, with Field Trips. The Niagara Escarpment Commission with the Assistance of the Ontario Heritage Foundation. Concord, 1992.