Interim management statement

Approval statement

This Interim Management Statement will provide interim direction for the management of LaMotte Lake Provincial Park until 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 this Interim Management Statement for LaMotte Lake Provincial Park.

Signed by:
Tom Stott
Northeast Zone Manager
Ontario Parks
Date: 99/03/16

Background information

Name: LaMotte Lake
Classification: Recreation
Site region/site district: 4E/3
OMNR administrative region/district Northeast/Timmins
Total area (ha) Land: 455
Total area (ha) Water: 120
Regulation date: 1989

Targets

Earth science representation

Geological theme Feature
Matachewan Porphyritic Diabase (Early Precambrian)(Located Northeast boundary of park on Hwy 144). Diabase dikes of the north-tending Matachewan swarm are common throughout the Northeast Region, however, the coarsely porphyritic phase is not The feature is of regional significance.

Life science representation

Site type/landscape unit Species/communities
General landform character is a multiple bay lake surrounded by sandy till and moderately rolling rocklands. No good examples of Site Types. Severe disturbance by fire and logging. No natural features of high quality, diversity or significance.

Cultural resource representation

Theme Theme segment
None None

Recreation opportunities

Day use Car camping Wilderness/backcountry
18 000 48 000 None

Inventories

Level/type Reconnaissance/completion date Detailed completion date Required?
Earth science Geological Assessment 1977    
Life science Inventory Checksheet 1979    
Cultural      
Recreational      
Other      

Management guidelines

1.0 Land tenure

All of LaMotte Lake Provincial Park is Crown land except for two patents totalling 0.8 hectares. A small cottage is located on each patent. One owner lives in southern Ontario, the other in Timmins.

A 24 person Ontario Ranger camp is located on the shore of the lake. It has been closed since 1991. Various proposals to acquire the camp have been made by local organizations.

1.1 Guidelines

1.1.1

The District will either remove the Ontario Ranger camp facilities and rehabilitate the site, or dispose of the assets to some proponent. The decision will be made by December 1995.

2.0 Land acquisition/disposal

It is recommended that LaMotte Lake Provincial Park be deregulated and the land be returned to Crown property. The park contains no significant earth or life science features, cultural resources, or recreation facilities. There is no demand in this area to warrant a provincial park. LaMotte Lake Study (1985) considered the available features and resources, and analyzed options for managing the site. Options included provincial park status; and Crown land status with emphasis on cottaging, tourism or a combination of both.

3.0 Existing/proposed development

Road access to the park is provided by Highway 144 and the LaMotte Lake Road which runs in a southerly direction through the western part of the park. Two roads branch to the east from LaMotte Lake Road and lead to two cottages and an Ontario Ranger camp (See map). Hydro lines follow LaMotte Lake Road and go into the Ontario Ranger camp.

3.1 Guidelines

3.1.1

No new access roads or development will occur until the park’s status has been decided.

4.0 Recreational activities

Very little recreational activity takes place at LaMotte Lake Provincial Park. The occasional angler, hunter, hiker or cottager are the only ones who use this non-operating park.

5.0 Commercial activities

5.1 Trapping

There is one active registered trapline within park boundaries (G0-26). It has no trap cabin associated with it

5.1.1 Guidelines

5.1.1.1

Licensed commercial trapping will be phased out of the park by January 1, 2010 except for trapping by Status Indians enjoying Treaty rights or when no application for renewal of the permit is received from the current permit holder.

5.1.1.2

Transfer of the existing traplines will only be allowed between or to Status Indians. Only Status Indian trapper’s helpers are permitted to assist Indian trappers.

5.1.1.3

No new traplines will be established in the park.

5.1.1.4

The transfer of traplines must be approved by the Ministry.

5.1.1.5

If the property is withdrawn from Provincial Park status, no changes will occur to the traplines.

5.2 Mining

Limited mineral exploration has been carried out in past years in search of uranium adjacent to the park. Bedrock mineral potential within the park is given a medium rating. No direct evidence of uranium mineralization has been found.

5.2.1 Guidelines

5.2.1.1

No aggregate extraction will be permitted in the park.

5.2.1.2

No mining activities, including prospecting, staking of mining claims, or development of mines will be permitted.

5.3 Timber management

LaMotte Lake Provincial Park presently has a low timber potential and low overall capability. Timber stands are mixed wood types. The forest is largely birch with some aspen and poplar along the lake. There are also stands of jack pine located in the southwest arm of the lake, and red and white pine on the northeast and northwest shores.

5.3.1 Guidelines

5.3.1.1

No timber harvesting activities will be permitted within park boundaries.

5.3.1.2

Prescriptions for access, harvest, renewal and maintenance activities adjacent to the park will be developed during the timber management planning process for the Shining Tree Management Unit, which includes full public consultation and a multi-disciplinary planning team. In genera prescriptions will recognize parks and park-related values that may be impacted by timber management activities. Examples of values are: water quality, fish and wildlife populations and habitats, vegetation species and communities, cultural features, canoe routes, and aesthetic qualities.

Timber management activities can impact these values through unplanned access, erosion, siltation, noise, loss of habitat or significant features, and eliminating natural areas that provide linkages to other natural areas. Specific prescriptions to protect parks and park-related values will vary depending on terrain, tree species, timing of park use compared to timing of the timber management activity, noise, aesthetics, viewscape and access.

Appropriate protection measures may be provided through Area of Concern (AOC) designation, modified harvesting, daily/seasonal timing of operations, spray buffers, road planning, requirements on work permits, or existing MNR guidelines (i.e. Fisheries and Water Quality, Moose Habitat, Stream Crossings).

6.0 Native interests

The park lies within the James Bay Treaty #9 area Status Indians enjoying treaty rights may continue subsistence activities.

7.0 Natural resources

7.1 Vegetation

LaMotte Lake Provincial Park does not possess any natural vegetation features of high quality, diversity, or significance and does not contribute to the provincial parks representation objective.

7.1.1 Guidelines

7.1.1.1

Non-native species will not be introduced.

7.1.1.2

Limited personal consumption of berries and edible wild plants will be permitted.

7.1.1.3

The occurrence of vegetative insects and diseases, native to the forest region in which the park is situated, is recognized as an integral component of the park’s ecology. Insect infestations and diseases will normally be allowed to progress naturally. If such outbreaks threaten values which the park was defined to protect, they will be controlled where feasible, using biological controls wherever possible.

7.1.1.4

Insects and diseases not native to the park’s forest region will be controlled where feasible. When control is undertaken, it will be directed as narrowly as possible to the specific insect or disease, so as to have minimal effects on the balance of the park environment. Biological controls will be used whenever possible.

7.1.1.5

All wild fires will be suppressed.

7.2 Wildlife

Species composition is typical for this part of the province. Moose and black bear are the principle big game, while beaver, weasel, mink, fox, otter, lynx and wolf are the main fur bearers. Waterfowl nesting has been encouraged by the installation of duck nesting boxes.

7.2.1 Guidelines

7.2.1.1

Any wildlife management initiatives which are proposed for the park must be consistent with provincial park policies.

7.2.1.2

Animal populations may be controlled when it is essential to protect human health and safety, or the health of a species within or outside the park. When control is necessary, techniques will be used that have minimal effects on the balance of the resource base. Any hunting or trapping for management purposes will be carried out under the strict supervision of, or directly by, the Ministry of Natural Resources.

7.2.1.3

Hunting will be permitted to continue.

7.3 Fisheries

LaMotte Lake is a warm water fishery of relatively low importance to the area. The main fish species are common White Sucker and Northern Pike. Some Walleye are present; however suitable spawning sites are extremely limited. Proposals have been put forward to introduce Smallmouth Bass. Generally, fishing activity is low, despite the fact there is easy access to the lake. One bait fish license (G0-4797) occupies the western portion of Noble Township and LaMotte Lake.

7.3.1 Guidelines

7.3.1.1

Sport fishing will be encouraged.

7.3.1.2

Management of the sport fishery will be consistent with the provisions of the Gogama District (now Gogama Area Office) Fisheries Management Plan.

7.3.1.3

Commercial fishing, including commercial bait fishing, will not be permitted in the park. The existing operation will be phased out by January 1, 2010 and when the license lapses, it will not be renewed. No new license will be issued

7.4 Landforms

LaMotte Lake Provincial Park does not possess any earth science features of provincial significance, and therefore does not contribute to the provincial parks representation objective. A diabase dike of the porphyritic phase is of regional significance.

7.4.1 Guidelines

7.4.1.1

The feature is completely within the Highway 144 right-of-way and is subject to destruction by any future highway widening activities. If LaMotte Lake Provincial Park is to remain within the provincial park system, the site should be secured for protection with the Ministry of Transportation Ontario.

7.4.1.2

On-site identification/interpretation is not recommended because of the safety problems associated with parking on the narrow highway shoulders and a prominent curve near the site.

8.0 Cultural resources

There are no cultural resources in LaMotte Lake Provincial Park.

9.0 Natural heritage education

There is no Natural Heritage Education program at LaMotte Lake Provincial Park. Given the facts that LaMotte Lake is a non-operating park and has minimal and sporadic use, a Natural Heritage Education strategy is not needed.

10.0 Research

There are no current research needs for the park.

11.0 Marketing

There is no marketing strategy is required for this non-operating park.

12.0 References

Frey, Ed. (1979). Candidate Earth Science Nature Reserves. Gogama District.

Hunt, D.S. (1977). Geological Assessment of LaMotte Lake Provincial Park Reserve. Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Gogama District.

Legouffe, Ben. (1985). LaMotte Lake Study. OMNR. Gogama Area Office.

MacDonald, I.D. (1979). Life Science Inventory Checksheet. LaMotte Lake Provincial Park Reserve. OMNR. Division of Parks, Toronto.

Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. (1980). A Framework for the Conservation of Ontario’s Biological Heritage.

Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. (1978). A Topical Organization of Ontario History. Toronto, ON: Historical Sites Branch, Division of Parks.

Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. Gogama Area Office. LaMotte Lake Provincial Park Files.

Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. Gogama District Fisheries Management Plan 1989-2000.

Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources.(1983). Gogama District Land Use Guidelines.

Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. (1985). Interim Management Statements (PM 11.02.0 1).

Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. (1989). LaMotte Lake Provincial Park Interim Management Statement (draft).

Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. (1988). Ontario Provincial Parks Management Planning Reference.

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

Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. (1984). Planning Manual: Provincial Parks Management Planning.