Nova Township Clay Plain Peatlands Conservation Reserve Management Statement
This document provides policy direction for the protection, development and management of the Nova Township Clay Plain Peatlands Conservation Reserve and its resources.
Statement of Conservation Interest
January, 2005
Approval statement
I am pleased to approve this Statement of Conservation Interest (SCI) for the Nova Township Clay Plain Peatlands Conservation Reserve (C1566).
Direction for establishing, planning and managing conservation reserves is defined under the Public Lands Act and the Crown Land Use Policy Atlas. "Ontario’s network of natural heritage areas has been established to protect and conserve areas representative of the diversity of the natural regions of the province, including species, habitats, features and ecological systems which comprise that natural diversity." (Policy 3.03.05 for Conservation Reserves, OMNR 1997).
This basic SCI will provide guidance for the management of the conservation reserve and the basis for the ongoing monitoring of activities. More detailed direction at this time is not anticipated. Should significant facility development be considered or complex issues arise requiring additional studies, more defined management direction, such as a conservation reserve Resource Management Plan (RMP), may be developed.
This SCI was been reviewed by staff specialists at both the district and regional level of the Ministry of Natural Resources. The public was consulted prior to the regulation of Nova Township Clay Plain Peatlands Conservation Reserve and prior to the approval of this SCI. Comments and concerns registered then are reflected in this Statement of Conservation Interest.
The Nova Township Clay Plain Peatlands Conservation Reserve will be managed under the jurisdiction of the Area West Supervisor of the Ministry of Natural Resources, Chapleau District.
Submitted by:
Plan Author
Toni Armonas
Original signed on Thursday February 17th, 2005
Recommended for
Approval by:
District Manager
Bob Johnston
Original signed on Tuesday February 22nd, 2005
Approved by:
Regional Director
Northeast Region
Original signed on Tuesday April 5th, 2005
1.0 Introduction
The Province of Ontario is home to a broad range of climate types, geography, and plant and animal species, all of which contribute to the variety and abundance of natural resources found here. The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (OMNR) is the lead conservation and resource management agency in the province and is therefore responsible for the management of these resources, in particular, forests, fisheries, wildlife, mineral aggregates and petroleum resources, Crown lands and waters, and provincial parks and protected areas (OMNR Beyond 2000).
The Ministry of Natural Resources is committed to the protection of natural and cultural heritage values and, as such, has developed strategies that will maintain the integrity and sustainability of the parks and protected areas system.
Recently, the Government of Ontario conducted a major land use planning exercise which resulted in the release of the Ontario’s Living Legacy Land Use Strategy (1999). The Land Use Strategy focuses on four specific objectives that were established to guide the planning process. These are:
- to complete Ontario’s system of parks and protected areas
- to recognize the land use needs of the resource-based tourism industry
- to provide forestry, mining, and other resource industries with greater land and resource use certainty; and
- to enhance hunting, angling and other Crown land recreation opportunities
Ontario’s network of natural heritage areas has been established to protect and conserve areas that represent the diversity of the natural regions of the province, including the species, habitats, special features and ecological systems which comprise that natural diversity. Protecting these natural heritage areas is essential to the sustainable management of natural resources. It ensures that representative sites are retained in their natural state and can continue to contribute to Ontario’s natural environment.
In order to preserve these sensitive areas, they require protection from incompatible uses to ensure their values will endure over time. The creation of conservation reserves has been identified as a way of providing necessary protection from incompatible uses while still permitting many of the traditional uses that allow the people of Ontario to enjoy our special heritage.
Conservation reserves complement provincial parks in protecting representative natural areas and special landscapes. Most recreational (e.g. hiking, skiing, tourism related uses and nature appreciation) activities that have traditionally been enjoyed in the area will continue, provided that these uses do not impact on the natural features needing protection. The management and administration of a conservation reserve is guided by an approved 'Statement of Conservation Interest' (SCI) or a 'Resource Management Plan' (RMP) if the conservation reserve has many complex issues.
An approved Statement of Conservation Interest is the minimum level of management direction established for a conservation reserve. The Statement of Conservation Interest defines the area that is being planned and the purpose for which the conservation reserve has been established. In addition, it provides management direction that will protect its natural and cultural heritage values and demonstrate its compatibility within the larger landscape. In addition, to ensure OMNR protection objectives are being fully met within the conservation reserve the surrounding landscape and related activities must consider the site’s objectives and heritage values. Finally, it is the intent of this SCI to create a public awareness that will promote responsible stewardship of the protected area and surrounding lands.
The Nova Township Clay Plain Peatlands Conservation Reserve is composed entirely of Crown lands and waters. This 3,281 hectare conservation reserve is in the final stages of regulation and is located northeast of Foleyet, Ontario along the Nova Forest Access Road. The guidelines for the management of this conservation reserve are found in this document.
2.0 Goal and objectives
2.1 Goal of the SCI
The goal of the Nova Township Clay Plain Peatlands Conservation Reserve as stated in Policy PL 3.03.05 for Conservation Reserves, (OMNR, 1997) is to protect natural and cultural heritage values on public lands while permitting compatible land use activities. The goal of this Statement of Conservation Interest is to provide the framework and direction to guide management decisions to ensure that the conservation reserve will meet this goal through both short and long term objectives.
2.2 Objectives of the SCI
2.2.1 Short term objectives
In order to ensure that the goal of this conservation reserve is met, the following short term objectives for this SCI have been identified:
- Identify the state of the resource with respect to natural heritage values and current land use activities for the conservation reserve
- Manage the conservation reserve to protect the integrity of its natural values via specific guidelines, strategies and prescriptions detailed in this plan
This Statement of Conservation Interest meets the planning requirement for conservation reserves as determined in Procedure PL 3.03.05 for Conservation Reserves which states that management plans must be written within three years of the regulation date (OMNR, 1997).
2.2.2 Long term objectives
In addition to the short term objectives mentioned above, long term objectives will assist in ensuring the goal of this conservation is met. The long-term objectives for this SCI are:
- To establish representative targets and validate the site as a potential scientific benchmark
- To identify research/client services and marketing strategies
- To provide direction to evaluate future uses or economic ventures
3.0 Management planning
3.1 Planning context
3.1.1 Planning area
The planning area will consist of the regulated boundary for the Nova Township Clay Plain Peatlands Conservation Reserve as defined in section 4.1.3 Administrative Description, and illustrated in map 8.1. This landbase will form the area directly influenced by this Statement of Conservation Interest. The plan will recognize the protection of values within the planning area, however, to fully protect values within the conservation reserve additional consideration within larger land use or resource management plans may be required. Any strategies noted within this plan related to the site’s boundary or beyond will need to be presented for consideration within a larger planning context. The Ministry of Natural Resources in conjunction with other partners will work to ensure that the values are protected during planning and implementation of activities on the surrounding landbase.
3.1.2 Management planning context
The need to complete the parks and protected areas system has long been recognized as an important component of ecological sustainability. This was reaffirmed in 1997 when the Lands for Life planning process was announced. Previous gap analysis studies were used to determine proposed candidate areas that would protect additional representative features and other significant values. The Nova Township Clay Plain Peatlands Conservation Reserve was chosen as one of the candidate areas and subsequently appeared in the 1999 Ontario’s Living Legacy Land Use Strategy as C1566. Following consultations with the public, local aboriginal communities and affected industries during the summer of 2003, the boundary was finalized and approved by the Ministry of Natural Resources.
Conservation reserves cannot be used for mining, commercial forest harvest, hydro-electric power development, the extraction of aggregates and peat or other industrial purposes. Most recreational and non-industrial resource uses that have traditionally been enjoyed will be permitted to continue provided that they pose no threat to the natural ecosystems and identified values of the conservation reserve.
Permitted uses in conservation reserves will generally follow the direction expressed in the Land Use Strategy as well as any prior commitments that have been made by the Ministry of Natural Resources, Chapleau District office. For specific permitted uses pertaining to this conservation reserve, please see Appendix 9.2. Future uses or developments that are proposed for this conservation reserve will be subjected to the 'Class Environmental Assessment (EA) for Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves (PPCR)' (http://www.ontarioparks.com/english/plan_ea.html) (Link no longer active). Considerations for proposals pertaining to cultural resources may be screened through direction provided in the Draft 'Interim Cultural Heritage Guidelines for the RSFD Class EA and the PPCR Class EA' (OMNR July 19, 2004).
3.2 Planning process
Management of the conservation reserve includes, as a minimum, the regulation, provision of public information, stewardship, and security. It also includes authorization and setting conditions on permitted uses and ongoing monitoring of compliance with the approved management plan. Management of conservation reserves is the responsibility of the Ministry of Natural Resources at the district level, and will be done in accordance with Policy PL 3.03.05 for conservation reserves, and an approved SCI.
Once a conservation reserve has been established, a planning exercise is undertaken to determine the future management of the site. The appropriate plan must be completed within three years of the regulation date.
There are two policy documents that may be prepared: a Statement of Conservation Interest or a Resource Management Plan.
A Statement of Conservation Interest is the minimum level of planning required for a conservation reserve and may take the form of either a Basic Stewardship SCI or an Enhanced SCI. A Basic Stewardship SCI is used for sites where no decisions beyond the Land Use Strategy are required. The Enhanced SCI is used for sites that have one or more issues that need to be addressed.
The highest level of planning for a conservation reserve is a Resource Management Plan and would be written if the conservation reserve was deemed to have numerous complex issues.
Based on the criteria, which can be found in Planning Process for Conservation Reserves: Statements of Conservation Interest and Resource Management Plans, Northeastern Region Guidelines (Schilf and Thompson, 2001), a Basic Stewardship Statement of Conservation Interest was determined to be the appropriate form of management plan for this conservation reserve. No significant issues have been identified in the Nova Township Clay Plain Peatlands Conservation Reserve that would require decisions to be made beyond what has been previously determined in the Land Use Strategy.
As of February 2005, the Nova Township Clay Plain Peatlands Conservation Reserve was in the final stages of regulation. Local First Nation communities and the public were notified that the management planning for the conservation reserve was underway. This notification occurred via mail-out to the First Nation communities and stakeholders and an advertisement appeared in three local newspapers during the weeks of January 2nd and January 9th 2005. The Ministry of Natural Resources is exempt from providing notification of this planning process on the Environmental Bill of Rights Electronic Registry, under Section 30 of the Environmental Bill of Rights.
A draft version of this Statement of Conservation Interest has been reviewed by staff from the Ministry of Natural Resources as well as by members of the public and local First Nation communities. Comments provided to the ministry during the comment period have been considered in the preparation of this document. Upon approval of this Statement of Conservation Interest, public notification will occur via mail-out to interested stakeholders and a notice will appear in the local newspapers.
This SCI is a working document and therefore may require revisions from time to time. For further information on reviews and revisions please see section 6.5 Implementation and Plan Review Strategies.
4.0 Background information
4.1 Location and site description
4.1.1 Location
Nova Township Clay Plain Peatlands Conservation Reserve totals 3,281 (ha) in size and is located approximately 25 kilometers north of the village of Foleyet in the Chapleau OMNR District in the Northeast Region, within the territorial district of Sudbury. Table 1 provides administrative details of the site:
Table 1: Location and Administrative Details for the Nova Township Clay Plain
| Name | Nova Township Clay Plain Peatlands Conservation Reserve |
|---|---|
| Site Region - Site District (Hills) | Foleyet Ecodistrict 3E-5 in the Lake Abitibi Ecoregion 3E (Hills 1959, Crins and Uhlig, 2000) |
| OMNR Administrative Region/District/Area | |
| Total Area | |
| Regulation Date | |
| First Nations | communities affiliated with this treaty in the district of Chapleau include Brunswick House First Nation, Chapleau Ojibwe First Nation, Chapleau Cree First Nation, Missanabie Cree, and Flying Post First Nation) |
| OBM map sheets | 42 B/9 and 42 B/8 |
| UTM Reference | 403537 |
| Municipality | None |
| Township | Nova |
| Status | 100% Crown lands |
| Watershed | 4LC |
| Wildlife Management Unit | WMU 30 |
| Forest Unit | Gordon Cosens |
| Nearest Towns(s) | Foleyet |
4.1.2 Physical description
The Nova Township Clay Plain Peatlands Conservation Reserve is found in the Foleyet Ecodistrict 3E-5 (Hills, 1959; Crins and Uhlig, 2000) which lies within the larger Lake Abitibi Ecoregion 3E. A general description of this area with respect to earth and life sciences can be found in Appendix 9.1.
The conservation reserve falls within the Boreal Forest Region (Rowe, J.S. 1972), and is typical of the Northern Clay section in that jack pine is found on the drier glaciolacustrine deposits, esker systems and bedrock drift-complex (Burkhardt, B. 2004). Black spruce, cedar, and tamarack are found in lowlands or wetter conditions. Deciduous communities were located on uplands or improved drainage areas.
The site contains 19 different forest communities. The dominant forest communities are black spruce, dominant conifer, and pure black spruce, which are found in the northern, western and southeastern areas of the conservation reserve. Other communities within the site include: jack pine, which is located centrally throughout the site and along the western boundary; cedar, which is mainly in the center of conservation reserve, with smaller portions in eastern and southern areas of the site; poplar, which is located in the eastern and western portions of the site; larch, which is located in the northwestern corner; and balsam fir, which is located centrally on the eastern side of the site (Burkhardt, B. 2004 & Northeast Region Planning Unit April 2004).
The ages of the forest communities range from 51 to 179 years. The older communities (150-179), were mostly found in the northwestern portion of the conservation reserve and communities 19-119 in age were found in the southern half and northeastern portion. The conservation reserve is dominated by old growth, in that every forest community with the exception of some spruce bog areas contains old growth (Burkhardt, B. 2004).
The conservation area falls within the Ivanhoe River watershed (4LC-6), in the Moose River Basin (Department of Lands & Forests, 1974). Wetlands are a dominant feature in the conservation reserve and make up at least 15% of the total area. These include treed bog, treed fen, poor fen, shore fen and conifer swamp. There is a large wetland in the center of the site which is composed of treed fen around its perimeter and treed bog in the centre. Most of the rivers have alder choked shore fens with some poor fen. As a result of previous beaver activity along the eastern boundary of the site, areas of thicket swamp have been created with remaining evidence of old beaver ponds (Burkhardt, B. 2004). There are two main creeks in the conservation reserve. One creek makes up a good portion of the northern boundary and the other traverses through the centre of the conservation reserve. There is one unnamed lake which is located in the south central portion of the site. The creeks within the site flow north into the Ivanhoe River. Coldwater fisheries, which contain brook trout, exist in the site (Burkhardt, B. 2004).
The dominant landform in this site is glaciolacustrine deposits, consisting of sandy silt and very fine sands. Sand dunes can also been found west of the unnamed lake in the center of the site. Organic deposits are found extensively in the lowland areas and as local veneers over glaciolacustrine deposits. Ice-contact stratified drift deposits are part of an esker-kame complex system found along the east and west borders. Ice-contact stratified drift deposits are found in the form of small, subaquatic outwash fans, which are located both centrally and in the southeast region of the site. The landforms within the conservation reserve have local significance (Noordhof, J. 2004).
4.2 Administrative description
The Nova Township Clay Plain Peatlands Conservation Reserve is currently in the final stages of the regulation process and once completed, will be formally protected under the Public Lands Act.
A copy of the site regulation description from the Ontario Gazette will be inserted in this document when it is published.
The Nova Township Clay Plain Peatlands Conservation Reserve is located completely within the Gorden Cosens forest management unit. Tembec Inc. currently holds the Gorden Cosens Sustainable Forest License.
4.3 History of the site
There has been a European presence in the area since the mid 1700's when competition in the fur trade became intense. Late in 19th century, fur trade began decreasing as logging became the primary industry. The arrival of the railway through Foleyet and other areas of northern Ontario created further demand for lumber (railway ties) and increased logging activity, with the first sawmills appearing in the early 1900's. As a result of this change in industry, the town of Foleyet, which is located south of the conservation reserve, was established. The completion of the railway and Highway 101 further increased activity in this area. Given the proximity to the town of Foleyet and the Groundhog River, the area within and surrounding the conservation reserve was most likely harvested during this period and during the years to follow (Lindquist, S. 2004).
First Nations of the region may have additionally utilized the lands of the Nova Township Clay Plain Peatlands Conservation Reserve in the past. There are no known registered archaeological sites found within the site (Von Bitter, R. 2004).
4.4 Inventories
The following table indicates what survey work has been done and what is required: Table 2: Inventory and Survey Information for Nova Township Clay Plain Peatlands
| Survey Level | Earth Science | Life Science | Cultural | Recreational |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reconnaissance Survey (RS) | Completed Sept. 22nd, 2001 | Completed Sept. 22nd, 2001 | Completed Sept. 1st, 2004, no registered archeological sites found | Completed Sept. 22nd, 2001 |
| Detailed | Not available at this time, contained within the Life Science Report | Draft Life Science Report November 1, 2004 | None planned at this time | Completed Recreational Report, August 2004 |
| Requirement | A complete inventory of earth science features needs to be completed as time and funding permits | Vectored boundaries should be marked. | Ground survey of the roads and trails should be completed as time and funding permits to further assess current access and use |
5.0 State of the resource
The natural heritage of Ontario contributes to the economic, social and environmental well being of the province and its people. Protecting areas of natural heritage is important for many reasons, such as maintaining ecosystem health and providing habitat for species in order to maintain diversity and genetic variability. Protected areas also provide scientific and educational benefits, recreational and tourism opportunities, which bolster local and regional economies, and they provide places where people can enjoy Ontario’s natural diversity while enhancing their own health and well-being. In order to protect this vital natural heritage, a protected areas system which represents the entire range of the province’s natural features and ecosystems is needed (Natures Best, 1997).
Completing the system of parks and protected areas is based on the concept of representation – capturing the full range of natural and cultural values by protecting areas that contain the best examples of our history, natural features, species and ecosystems. The complete system must therefore protect a range of natural heritage values based on the geological, biological and cultural diversity of the province. The best examples of representative features are often considered to be provincially significant and may even be nationally or internationally significant. In addition, locally and regionally significant areas also contribute natural heritage values to the protected area system and have therefore been identified in some areas to meet the representation targets in each of the 'Ecodistricts'.
The primary value of this site is weakly broken deep lacustrine organic clay plain and weakly broken peat plains which dominate the landforms of the site. Within the clay plain portion of the site, black spruce in all three age classes dominate the landscape, with old growth jack pine, poplar/aspen and white cedar dominated stands complementing the spruce forests. Peat plains contain the same vegetative types, however, 31 to 100 year old black spruce is found on less than 10 ha on this landform (OMNR, 1999).
The site contributes to life science values by its black spruce, jack pine and poplar forest communities, which are all strongly represented. Wetlands contribute locally to the system of protected areas as the site contains treed bog, treed fen, alder shore fens, and poor fens (Campbell, J. 2004).
Additionally the site contributes to earth science features. The Nova Township Clay Plain Peatlands Conservation Reserve contains glaciolacustrine deposits, dunes, organic deposits, ice-contact stratified drift deposits, which are part of an esker-kame system and also found as subaquatic outwash fans. Though these landforms are commonly encountered throughout Ontario, they contribute to the system of protected areas on a local scale (Campbell, J. 2004).
Quality of present representation:
The quality of the representation or the current characteristics of the natural features found within the conservation reserve are as important as the overall representative features that are being protected. A number of factors are considered in evaluating a site and they include the following criteria: diversity, condition, ecological factors, special features and current land use activities.
a) Diversity
Diversity is evaluated in terms of the number and range (i.e. amount of richness and evenness) of vegetative communities currently present within the conservation reserve. Natural landscapes and known generalized vegetative communities will be the scale used for this SCI. Future aerial or ground reconnaissance surveys will enhance the OMNR's knowledge of these features and possibly allow verification at a lower scale (e.g. species assemblages). Diversity is rated as high if the site contains more than 35 landform vegetation combinations, medium if is contains between 25 and 35 and low if it contains less than 25 landform vegetation combinations (Burkhardt, B. 2004).
Overall, diversity for the Nova Township Clay Plain Peatlands Conservation Reserve is considered to be low given the variety of forest communities (19) and the 23 different landform vegetation units. The wetlands represented within this site add to the diversity. They account for more than 15% of the area excluding the forest communities that are classified as wetlands. Another contribution to the sites diversity is the age structure or stage development of the forest communities. All forest communities but one exhibited old growth and there is a good mixture of mature and immature forest communities (Burkhardt, B. 2004).
Evenness refers to the proportion of each cover type and the amount of area it covers. A site that has many cover types of roughly the same size is more diverse than a site with a lower amount of cover types. Within the Nova Township Clay Plain Peatlands Conservation Reserve the forest communities are strongly skewed towards black spruce lowland, lowland conifer and jack pine which in combination make up 64% of the total area. The black spruce lowland and lowland conifer communities prefer the more moist conditions throughout the site while the jack pine is associated more centrally with the sand dunes and drier conditions (Burkhardt, B. 2004).
b) Ecological factors
Ecological factors refer to the current design of the conservation reserve, as noted by its size, shape, and buffering capacity to adjacent land use activities. Generally, larger sites with more diversity are better than small, non-diverse areas; sites with a more rounded or naturally delineated shape are better than long, linear sites; and sites that are linked to or near other protected areas are better than isolated protected areas. In addition, the site’s linkage to undisturbed landscapes also contributes to the conservation reserve’s ecological integrity.
The Nova Township Clay Plain Peatlands Conservation Reserve is bound by vectored, natural feature and cultural boundaries. The site’s only cultural boundary follows the Nova Forest Access Road on the southern edge of the site. The remaining boundaries are comprised of natural features and vectors, with the west and northeast boundaries being primarily vectors. The natural feature boundaries include the shoreline of an unnamed lake and unnamed creeks, including the northwestern boundary which follows Elf Lake stream (Campbell, J. 2004).
The Nova Township Clay Plain Peatlands Conservation Reserve is well protected by its boundaries; however, the vectored border on the west side of the site severs some forest communities and wetlands. The site is over 3,000 hectares in size and is relatively round which provides more protection for an intact core area versus a site that is linear in shape (Burkhardt, B. 2004).
c) Condition
Condition is the degree of past human and natural disturbances observed or recorded for the site. Major natural disturbances in the Northeast Region are caused by fires, wind damage, floods, or insect and disease infestation. Human disturbances are wide ranging and could include forestry, mining, railways, roads, trails, dams, cottages or other development. Condition is rated as high if the area is more than 20% disturbed, medium if 10-20%, low less than 10%, pristine is less than 1% (Burkhardt, B. 2004).
Fire is the leading disturbance in this ecoregion (3E). Other natural disturbances in this ecoregion have been caused by severe birch dieback and a massive spruce budworm infestation which took place during the years of 1968 to 1995. The resulting effect on the landscape has been vast areas of open, snag filled forests in which a variety of shrubs slow the regeneration of valuable softwood species and balsam fir in the understory of many areas. Forest tent caterpillar and wind damage also contribute greatly to the disturbance of the ecoregion (Cudmore, W. 2004).
The disturbance of this site is low (less than 10% currently disturbed). Harvesting has occurred along the western boundary and into a jack pine and black spruce stand north of the southern boundary. These blocks (areas) were artificially regenerated with jack pine and chemically tended as indicated by remaining dead white birch. The Nova Forest Access Road (which makes up the southern boundary of the site) and a tertiary road that branches off of the Nova Forest Access Road are the only other man made disturbances in the site. These access roads are most likely used primarily by hunters and anglers. The only natural disturbance was beaver activity found on the creek along the east boundary (Burkhardt, B. 2004).
d) Special features
Special features are those features that, in addition to the primary value of the site, add to the distinctiveness of a site. Examples of these features include interesting landscapes, habitats or vistas, Species at Risk (SAR) and other earth and life science features, including broader landscape elements that contribute to the natural heritage richness of Ontario.
The primary value of this site is weakly broken deep lacustrine organic clay plain and weakly broken peat plains, which dominate the landforms of the site. Within the clay plain portion of the site, black spruce in all three age classes dominate the landscape with old growth jack pine, poplar/aspen and white cedar dominated stands complementing the spruce forests. Peat plains contain the same vegetative types, however, 31 to 100 year old black spruce is found on less than 10 ha on this landform (OMNR, 1999).
The Nova Township Clay Plain Peatlands Conservation Reserve is considered to be in a healthy condition from an ecological perspective. This site exhibits excellent biological/geological diversity and is characterized by relatively low natural and human disturbances (Burkhardt, B. 2004).
e) Current land use activities
As previously mentioned, the quality of the representation or the current characteristics of the natural features found within the conservation reserve are as important as the overall representative features that are being protected. Land use activities can have a substantial impact on the quality of representation within the conservation reserve.
Currently, portions of three bear management areas (BMA), one trapline and one commercial baitfish harvest areas (BHA) overlap the Nova Township Clay Plain Peatlands Conservation Reserve. There are only two known trails/roads associated with this site. The Nova Forest Access Road makes up the southern boundary of the site and also provides the primary route of access to the southern portion of the site. The northern portion of the conservation reserve is not accessible by road. Additionally, there is a tertiary road that branches off of the Nova Forest Access Road and heads north into the site, roughly one kilometer from the eastern boundary of the site (Campbell, J. 2004).
5.1 Social interest in area
5.1.1 Linkage to local community
The Nova Township Clay Plain Peatlands Conservation Reserve is completely within the township of Nova. Foleyet is the nearest community, which is located approximately 30 km to the south. In addition, the conservation reserve is roughly 85 km west of Timmins (the closest major urban center) and roughly 120 km south of Kapuskasing. The residents and visitors of these three communities are considered to the primary uses of this site (Mutter, T. 2004).
From Foleyet the Nova Township Clay Plain Peatlands can be accessed via Hwy 101 and the Oswald Road, which eventually connects to the Nova Forest Access Road (Lindquist, S. 2004). From Kapuskasing, the conservation reserve is accessed via the Translimit Road. This road is gated by Tembec Inc. at the bridge over the Paypecshek River when it is not in use for forestry operations. Finally, the site is accessed from Timmins via the Malette Road, which is accessed off of Hwy 101 adjacent to the Tembec Inc. sawmill. This road heads north from Hwy 101 and then curves west eventually connecting to the Nova Forest Access Road (Sullivan, J. 2004).
This site provides the surrounding communities a protected area to enjoy activities which may include camping, hunting, fishing, nature appreciation, hiking, snow shoeing, snowmobiling, and ATV use. The area may also be used by people who have interest in visiting the neighboring Northern Clay Forest Complex Conservation Reserve. In addition to this, economic benefits to the region stem from trapping, hunting, angling, and other tourism and recreational opportunities in the area.
5.1.2 Aboriginal interests
The conservation reserve falls in the area of the James Bay Treaty No. 9. First Nations of the area may have utilized the lands of the Nova Township Clay Plain Peatlands Conservation Reserve (Campbell, J. 2004). There is no known registered archaeological evidence found within the site (Von Bitter, R. 2004). The designation of this area as conservation reserve and the subsequent planning, including this SCI, does not affect the treaty or aboriginal rights.
5.1.3 Other government agencies, departments or crown corporations
Other agencies or departments that may have an interest in this conservation reserve include the Ministry of Tourism and Recreation, the Ministry of Culture, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada, the Ministry of the Environment, the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines, and the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing. At this time, no other government agency has shown a specific interest with respect to this particular protected area.
5.1.4 Non government organizations and other industry interest
Industrial sectors that may have an interest in the Nova Township Clay Plain Peatlands Conservation Reserve could include the forestry industry, the mining industry and the tourism industry. Non-government organizations that may have an interest in the Nova Township Clay Plain Peatlands Conservation Reserve could include numerous groups such as the Partnership for Public Lands, the Federation of Ontario Naturalists, Northwatch, the Northern Ontario Tourist Outfitters, the Baitfish Association of Ontario, the Chapleau Regional Development Corporation, as well as local snowmobile clubs, ATV clubs, trapper councils, and hunting and angling organizations.
5.2 Natural Heritage Stewardship
The Nova Township Clay Plain Peatlands Conservation Reserve contributes to Ontario’s parks and protected areas system. Through formal protection under the Public Lands Act and long-term management direction, the site’s natural heritage values and representative features will be protected and/or enhanced.
By allocating these lands to the parks and protected areas system the Province has ensured a certain level of permanence by distinguishing this site and its values from the surrounding landscape. Each protected area contributes to Ontario’s natural and cultural heritage in its own unique way – whether it is a contribution to the preservation of an earth science value, a life science value, a recreational or economic opportunity or through protection afforded to cultural and historical values. The site’s earth and life science features, as described in section 4.1.2, make a number of contributions to the provinces natural heritage values (Burkhardt, B. 2004 & OMNR, 1999).
This site is also available for scientists and educators who wish to study various aspects of the site’s features, while continuing to provide various recreational opportunities for communities in the area.
5.3 Fisheries and wildlife
The wildlife found within the site is consistent with typical wildlife found in Ecodistrict 3E-5, including the various types of birds and ungulates. In addition to this, there are numerous furbearing animals including beaver, marten, otter, black bear, fox, wolf and lynx (Landriault 2004). Based on trapping records, mammals such as snowshoe hare, weasel, mink, fisher, red fox, and muskrat are also found within the conservation reserve (Burkhardt, B. 2004).
There is only one unnamed lake completely within the conservation reserve and the shoreline of another unnamed lake makes up a portion of the southeastern boundary. Cold water fisheries exist in the conservation reserve, that contain brook trout. The conservation reserve is easily accessible by hunters and anglers and as a result, the fish and wildlife population can be potentially over-exploited (Burkhardt, B. 2004). The site currently has low intense recreational activities (few roads/trails, no cottages, no tourism establishments), resulting in minimal negative impact on the sites features.
Aerial surveys which assess various wildlife and their habitat are completed in OMNR's Chapleau District on a periodic basis. Based on recent wildlife surveys and other resource information, it has been found that parts of this site provide good late winter habitat for moose. As snow depths increase, moose require conifer stands with greater than approximately 70% stocking and trees greater than approximately 6 meters in height to moderate snow conditions and to provide a wind break. Stands consisting of cedar and balsam fir are preferred over black spruce or jack pine. Several of the cedar dominated stands fit this criteria (Map 8.4), particularly west of the large treed bog/treed fen complex. There are moose aquatic feeding areas in some of the creeks at the south end of the conservation reserve, which can be seen on the values map 8.3 (Burkardt, B. 2004). To date, however, no detailed wildlife studies have taken place specifically within the conservation reserve and so the importance of the site to wildlife species has yet to be determined.
5.4 Cultural Heritage Stewardship
There are no known registered archaeological sites within the Nova Township Clay Plain Peatlands Conservation Reserve (Von Bitter, R. 2004). This was confirmed by a check for sites registered with the Ministry of Culture in the conservation reserve.
If archaeological or cultural resources are discovered within the conservation reserve, management of these values will be consistent with 'Conserving a Future for Our Past: Archaeology, Land Use Planning & Development In Ontario' (Ministry of Citizenship, Culture and Recreation, 1997). If MNR receives proposals for activities that have the potential to disturb unidentified cultural heritage resources, the proposal will be screened against the 'Interim Cultural Heritage Guidelines for the RSFD class EA and the PPCR class EA' (OMNR July 19, 2004).
5.5 Existing development and land use
This conservation reserve does not contain any land use permits (LUP), patents, licenses of occupation, leases, mining tenure or any other form of land tenure.
At present, there are no structures within the conservation reserve. As previously mentioned there is one main access road to this site which is the Nova Forest Access Road and a tertiary road that branches off this and heads north into the site (Campbell, J. 2004).
5.6 Commercial and industrial use
One trapline (CP 9) overlaps the conservation reserve. In addition, three bear management areas (CP 30-023, CP 30-025 & CP 30-027) and one commercial baitfish harvest area (CH0013) are also partially contained within the site.
This conservation reserve has no mining tenure within it. Mining and surface rights have been withdrawn from staking within the conservation reserve boundaries under the Mining Act (RSO 1990 Chapter M.14).
Prior to the identification of this site as a recommended provincial conservation reserve, portions of the area were harvested for timber. These areas have since been left to regenerate through a combination of natural and artificial techniques (Lindquist, S. 2004).
5.7 Recreational use
Current recreational uses include hunting, angling, hiking, nature appreciation, ATV use, and snowmobiling. The Nova Forest Access Road and tertiary road within the site, which resulted from previous forest harvesting, are the only form of existing infrastructure within conservation reserve (Campbell, J. 2004). Currently there are no proposals for new recreational uses or tourism facilities within this site.
5.8 Client services
Visitor services will primarily involve responding to inquiries about basic information such as natural heritage representation, permitted uses, access and boundaries. In addition to the provision of public information regarding the protected area, concerns with respect to public safety and area security will be addressed.
6.0 Management
6.1 Management planning strategies
Earth and life science features will be protected from adverse impacts by defining permitted uses, enforcing regulations (Ont. Reg. 805/94 PLA), monitoring site use and mitigating any identified concerns. The land use intent outlined in the Ontario’s Living Legacy Land Use Strategy and more specifically, Conservation Reserve Policy 3.03.05 will form the basis for the management planning strategies presented within this SCI. In addition, the management of this conservation reserve will take into consideration the land use activities on lands which border on the site to ensure that the values of the site are not compromised. For additional information on permitted uses refer to Appendix 9.2. For general policy information on provincial conservation reserves, please refer to the Ministry of Natural Resources Crown Land Use Atlas (/page/crown-land-use-policy-atlas).
New land use activities and proposed development will be reviewed on a case by case basis. A review under the 'Class EA for PPCR' must be completed before any uses or developments are approved. The emphasis will be on ensuring that the natural values of the conservation reserve are not negatively affected by current or future activities.
Permitted uses in conservation reserves generally follow the direction expressed in the 1999 Land Use Strategy as well as any prior commitments that have been made by the Ministry of Natural Resources Chapleau District office.
The development of this SCI and the long-term management and protection of the Nova Township Clay Plain Peatlands Conservation Reserve will be under the direction of the OMNR's Chapleau District, Area West Supervisor.
6.2 State of the resource management strategies
The following sections outline some of the management strategies that have been developed to maintain and protect the identified values of the site. A detailed list of permitted uses within this conservation reserve can be found in Appendix 9.2 of this SCI.
6.2.1 Aboriginal interests
Traditional activities and Aboriginal rights as defined by the James Bay Treaty No. 9 will not be affected within the boundaries of this conservation reserve. All Aboriginal and treaty rights will continue to be recognized and will not be impacted by the designation of the area as a provincial conservation reserve.
6.2.2 Natural Heritage Stewardship
The management intent of this conservation reserve will be to protect natural ecosystems, processes and features, while continuing to allow compatible, low-impact land use activities.
The OMNR recognizes fire as an essential process fundamental to the ecological integrity of conservation reserves. In accordance with existing Conservation Reserve Policy and the current Forest Fire Management Strategy for Ontario, forest fire protection will be carried out as on surrounding lands. Whenever feasible, the OMNR fire program will endeavor to use "light on the land" techniques, which do not unduly disturb the landscape in this conservation reserve.
Examples of light on the land techniques may include limiting the use of heavy equipment or limiting the number of trees felled during fire response efforts. Opportunities for prescribed burning to achieve ecological or resource management objectives may be considered. These management objectives will be developed with public consultation prior to any prescribed burning, and will be reflected in the document that provides management direction for this conservation reserve. Plans for any prescribed burning will be developed in accordance with the OMNR Prescribed Burn Planning Manual, and the Class Environmental Assessment for Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves.
OMNR will provide leadership and direction for maintaining the integrity of this site as a natural heritage estate. Research, protection, education and understanding and interpretation of the natural heritage features of the site will be encouraged and fostered through local and regional natural heritage programs and initiatives.
The introduction of exotic and/or invasive species will not be permitted. Programs may be developed to control forest insects and diseases in the conservation reserve where these threaten significant heritage, aesthetic, or economic values. Where control is desirable and possible, it will be directed as narrowly as possible to the specific insect or disease. Biological control will be used wherever possible.
In addition, the collection and/or removal of vegetation and parts thereof will not be permitted unless otherwise stated in the conservation reserve policy/permitted uses table. However, subject to the 'Class EA for PPCR', the West Area Supervisor may authorize the collection of plants and/or parts of plants for the purposes site rehabilitation if required and for research or scientific study.
Exceptions based on the 'Class EA for PPCR' may be made for minor structures for monitoring and research for scientific purposes (see section 6.4).
6.2.3 Fish and wildlife
Fish and wildlife resources will continue to be managed in accordance with applicable policies and regulations prevailing in the area and under the direction of the Area West Supervisor.
Existing trapping, hunting and sport fishing will be permitted to continue, provided there are no significant demonstrated conflicts. (OMNR, 1999)
6.2.4 Cultural heritage
No registered archaeological sites have been identified in the Nova Township Clay Plain Peatlands Conservation Reserve. If archaeological or cultural heritage resources are discovered within the conservation reserve, proposals pertaining to the development or use of these cultural resources will be subject to direction provided in 'Conserving a Future for Our Past: Archaeology, Land Use Planning & Development In Ontario' (Ministry of Citizenship, Culture and Recreation, 1997). If MNR receives proposals for activities that have the potential to disturb unidentified cultural heritage resources, the proposal will be screened against the 'Interim Cultural Heritage Guidelines for the RSFD class EA and the Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserve class EA'
6.2.5 Existing development and land use
Authorized roads and trails currently existing can continue to be used. No new roads will be permitted within the conservation reserve, however, new trails may be considered subject to the 'Class EA for PPCR'. Should a new trail be proposed, special consideration will be given to the values found within the site and how the proposed trail may impact those values. In general, new trails should avoid low-lying areas and wetlands.
The sale of lands within this conservation reserve is not permitted as per direction outlined in the 1999 Land Use Strategy. Road realignment, energy transmission, communication and transportation corridors, resource roads, or construction of facilities are discouraged. It is recognized that in some circumstances there may be no viable alternatives in which case options to minimize potential impacts to the values of the site will be determined through applicable planning processes (OMNR, 1999).
Future development proposals will be reviewed on a case by case basis, subject to all relevant conservation reserve policies and the 'Class EA for PPCR'. Consideration will also be given to the potential impacts that future development and/or additional access may have on the values of the adjacent Northern Claybelt Forest Complex Conservation Reserve.
6.2.6 Commercial and industrial use
Existing authorized commercial hunting and trapping activities will be permitted to continue. New trapping operations may be considered subject to the 'Class EA for PPCR'.
Existing authorized commercial bear management operations are permitted to continue. The issuance of new licenses for existing commercial bear hunting operations will be permitted where areas have been licensed or authorized for the activity at any time since January 1, 1992, provided that the activity does not create or aggravate resource sustainability issues. New licenses will not be permitted in areas where a license for commercial bear management has not been issued since January 1, 1992 (OMNR, 2003).
New commercial tourism operations, including applications for commercial tourism outpost camps, main base lodges or associated facilities, may be considered in the context of this management document and will be subject to the 'Class EA for PPCR'.
Industrial activities such as timber harvesting, mining, peat extraction and new hydro generation will not be permitted within the boundaries of the conservation reserve as per Conservation Reserve Policy 3.03.05. Existing authorized access roads within the conservation reserve will be permitted to remain in use; however, no new access roads will be permitted.
6.2.7 Recreation / access
Recreation activities that have traditionally been enjoyed in this area are permitted to continue provided they do not significantly impact the values of the site (OMNR, 1999). Current recreational activities include bird watching, wildlife viewing, hiking, hunting, ATV use and snowmobiling.
Access to the conservation reserve by motorized vehicles (e.g. snowmobiles and ATV's) will continue to be permitted on existing authorized roads and trails providing it is compatible with the conservation reserve protected values and does not disturb sensitive wetland areas. The construction and or use of new roads will not be permitted. New recreational trails may be considered subject to the 'Class EA for PPCR'. Use of motorized vehicles off trail is not permitted except for the sole purpose of retrieving game (Cudmore, W. 2004).
New recreational development or new recreation facilities may be considered subject to the 'Class EA for PPCR'.
No new private recreation camps will be permitted in the conservation reserve.
6.2.8 Client services
Under the direction of the Area West Supervisor, Chapleau District staff will respond to requests for information on the site pertaining to regulated boundaries, natural heritage values, current access and infrastructure, permitted uses or any other additional information that is required.
A general fact sheet regarding the values of this site will be prepared and made available to the public at the Chapleau District Office.
6.3 Specific feature/area/zone
The primary value of this site is weakly broken deep lacustrine organic clay plain and weakly broken peat plains which dominate the landforms of the site. Within the clay plain portion black spruce in all three age classes dominate the landscape with old growth jack pine, poplar/aspen and white cedar dominated stands complementing the spruce forests. Peat plains contain the same vegetative types; however, 31 to 100 year old black spruce contributes to less than 10 ha on this landform.
All attempts will be made to disturb this community as little as possible. In the event that a portion of the community has to be disturbed to allow for inventory, research, or any other proposed activity, a screening through the 'Class EA for PPCR' will be completed to determine if such an activity is acceptable.
In the future, if the representative features of the site are threatened by increased use or development, it may be necessary to regulate access or permitted uses in certain areas. In such a case, special management areas may be developed. These areas would facilitate permitted/restricted activities for the protection of specific values. The creation of these areas would require additional planning beyond this SCI including public consultation and eventual plan amendment if approved.
6.4 Promote monitoring and research
Scientific research by qualified individuals, which contributes to the knowledge of natural and cultural heritage and to environmental and recreational management, will be encouraged. Research related to the study of natural processes will also be encouraged provided it does not harm the identified values of the conservation reserve.
This site may be considered as a potential monitoring and/or research site. The natural state of Nova Township Clay Plain Peatlands Conservation Reserve especially in regards to the geological landforms, the many peatland areas and the biological processes that occur in this landscape, qualify the site as a possible ecological benchmark. The relative remoteness and the presence of undisturbed forest communities within the conservation reserve could provide both OMNR and associated partners potential sampling or monitoring areas. All research programs will require the approval of the Ministry of Natural Resources and will be subject to ministry policy and other legislation. Those interested in pursuing research within the conservation reserve must apply to the Area West Supervisor for approval. Applications to complete the research will follow guidelines as outlined in Procedural Guidelines C – Research Activities in Conservation Reserves (Conservation Reserve Procedure PL 3.03.05) or equivalent direction formulated by the OMNR Chapleau District Office. Approvals will meet all terms and conditions established by the OMNR Chapleau District Office.
The ministry may approve, on a case by case basis, the removal of any natural or cultural specimen by a qualified researcher. All such materials removed remain the property of the Ministry of Natural Resources.
Additional life and earth science requirements, as previously outlined in section 4.4, will refine the values of this site and assist with further development of management guidelines. As time and funding permits, the completion of more detailed life and earth science inventories will further help define the role of this conservation reserve within the system of provincially protected areas.
6.5 Implementation and plan review strategies
Implementation of this SCI will primarily involve monitoring activities to ensure adherence to the management guidelines. Other activities will include funding future life and earth science inventories, preparing a fact sheet highlighting the important natural heritage values of the conservation reserve, and responding to public inquiries about the site.
Implementation of this SCI and management of the conservation reserve are the responsibility of the West Area Supervisor. Partnerships may be pursued to address management needs. The Nova Township Clay Plain Peatlands Conservation Reserve SCI 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. Minor changes, which do not alter the overall protection objectives, may be considered and approved by the Area West Supervisor without further public consultation and the plan will be amended accordingly. In assessing major changes, the need for a more detailed Resource Management Plan (RMP) will first be considered. Where a management plan is not considered necessary or feasible, a major amendment may be considered with public and First Nation consultation. Notification will additionally occur on the Environmental Bill of Rights Registry. The OMNR Regional Director will approve any major amendments.
This SCI and the Crown Land Use Policy Atlas will be amended to reflect any changes in management direction for this conservation reserve.
6.6 Marketing strategies
The Nova Township Clay Plain Peatlands Conservation Reserve will be promoted as a distinctive natural area having significant life science values. As mentioned above, a fact sheet will be prepared to inform the public about the values of this site.
7.0 References
Burkhardt, B. 2004. Nova Township Clay Plain Peatlands Conservation Reserve (C1566) Life Science Checksheet – Step 4, OMNR.
Campbell, J. 2004. Recreation Inventory Report – Nova Township Clay Plain Peatlands (C1566), OMNR.
Chapman, L.J. and M.K. Thomas. 1968. The Climate of Northern Ontario. Canadian Department of Transport, Meteorological Branch, Toronto. Climatological Studies Number 6. 58 pp.
Crins, W.J. 1996. Life Science Gap Analysis for Site District 4E-3. OMNR.
Crins, W.J. and Peter W.C. Uhlig. 2000. Ecoregions of Ontario: Modifications to Angus Hills' Site Regions and Districts. Revisions and Rationale. 7pp and map.
Cudmore, W. 2004. Vimy Lake Uplands Conservation Reserve (C1565) Life Science Checksheet – Step 4, OMNR
Department of Lands & Forests. 1974. Watershed Divisions – Algoma, Sudbury and Timiskaming. Map 22 WD. OMNR.
Hills, G.A. 1959. A ready reference to the description of the land of Ontario and its productivity: Division of Research Ontario Department of Lands and Forests. Maple, Ont. A-4.
Landriault, L. 2004. Personal Communication
Lindquist, S. 2004. Personal Communication
Mutter, T. 2004. Personal Communication
Noordhof, J. 2004. Conservation Reserve Earth and Life Science Information Memo-C1566 Nova Township Clay Plain Peatlands, OMNR.
Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. 1983. Chapleau District Land Use Guidelines.
Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (OMNR). 1997. Nature’s Best: Ontario’s Parks and Protected Areas, A Framework and Action Plan. Lands and Natural Heritage Branch, The Natural Heritage Section, Peterborough, Ontario.
Ontario. Ministry of Natural Resources. 1997. Conservation Reserve Policy and Procedure PL3.03.05. OMNR. 30pp.
Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. 1999. Ontario’s Living Legacy Land Use Strategy. Queen’s Print for Ontario.
Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. 2000. Beyond 2000 – Ministry of Natural Resources Strategic Directions (2000). OMNR
Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. September 2000. Policy Clarification for Conservation Reserves.
Ontario Ministry of Natural Resource. June 25, 2003. Memo: Direction for Commercial Use Activities in Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves.
Ontario Ministry on Natural Resources. July 2, 2003. Nova Township Clay Plain Peatlands Conservation Reserve (C1566) Fact Sheet.
Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. July 19, 2004. Draft 'Interim Cultural Heritage Guidelines for the RSFD Class EA and the PPCR Class EA'.
Northeast Region Planning Unit. April 2004. C1566 Nova Clay Plain Peatlands CR – Forest Communities, OMNR.
Poser, Scott. 1992. Report on the Status of Provincial Parks in the Site Regions and Districts of Ontario – Draft Report.
Rowe, J.S. 1972. Forest Regions of Canada. 20 pp.
Schilf, Johanna and John E. Thompson. 2001. Planning Process for Conservation Reserves: Statement of Conservation Interest and Resource Management Plans, Northeastern Region Guidelines. OMNR.
Sullivan, J. 2004. Personal Communication
Von Bitter, R. 2004. Personal Communication
8.0 Maps
Map 8.1: Nova Township Clay Plain Peatlands Conservation Reserve
Enlarge Map 8.1: Nova Township Clay Plain Peatlands Conservation Reserve
Map 8.2: Nova Township Clay Plain Peatlands Conservation Reserve Boundary Map
Enlarge Map 8.2: Nova Township Clay Plain Peatlands Conservation Reserve Boundary Map
Map 8.3: Nova Township Clay Plain Peatlands Conservation Reserve Values Map
Enlarge Map 8.3: Nova Township Clay Plain Peatlands Conservation Reserve Values Map
Map 8.4: Nova Township Clay Plain Peatlands Conservation Reserve Vegetation Map
Enlarge Map 8.4: Nova Township Clay Plain Peatlands Conservation Reserve Vegetation Map
Map 8.5: Nova Township Clay Plain Peatlands Conservation Reserve Earth Science Map
Enlarge Map 8.5: Nova Township Clay Plain Peatlands Conservation Reserve Earth Science Map
9.0 Appendices
Appendix 9.1: General description of the region
Climate
Chapleau District is situated entirely within the Height-of-Land climatic region of Northern Ontario (Chapman and Thomas, 1968). The climate can be classified as continental, but is somewhat modified by elevation, and particularly in the southwestern part of the District, by the influence of Lake Superior. Most of the District’s precipitation comes in the summer and fall. The frost-free period for the town of Chapleau extends from mid June to early September, while temperatures range from a January mean of – 15.6° C to a July mean of 16.7° C.
Characteristics of the ecoregion and ecodistrict – Found in the Natural Heritage site district report
The Nova Township Clay Plain Peatlands Conservation Reserve is located in the Foleyet Ecodistrict (3E-5) which is found in the Lake Abitibi Ecoregion (3E). This region is found to contain moderately to gentle rolling bedrock, generally covered by deep deposits of clay, silt, and sand. The Ecodistrict is generally described as having rolling plains with thinly covered rock knobs, sandy outwash and silty depressions.
The Foleyet ecodistrict is characterized by gently rolling plains of thinly covered rock knobs, sandy outwash and silty depressions. Material is generally acidic (granitic), locally overlain by low-base and low lime materials. Deep deposits cover one-quarter of the area with the remaining areas being very shallow to moderately deep. At the site level the underlying granitic, volcanic and sedimentary rocks are of the Precambrian age and from them the shallow till overburden has inherited varying degrees. In the central and western portions the till overburden is richest and rocks such as greenstone occur (Cudmore, W. 2004).
Forest region - Found in the conservation reserves binder
The Nova Township Clay Plain Peatlands Conservation Reserve is found within the western section of the Northern Clay Section of Rowe’s (1972) Boreal Forest Region. The Northern Clay Section contains forests that have been conditioned by the surface deposits of water worked tills and lacustrine material and by a nearly level topography. As a result, the 'Clay Belt' had endless stretches of black spruce in uplands and in lowlands, usually associated with sedge fens and sphagnum bogs. Tamarack and eastern white cedar may also be present. Improved drainage areas contain fine hardwood or mixedwood stands of trembling aspen, balsam poplar, balsam fir, white spruce and black spruce. Jack pine can be found in drier sites such as outwash deposits, old beaches and eskers while white birch is also prominent on sandy soils.
Appendix 9.2: Permitted uses
Commercial uses
| Issue and Activity | Permitted | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial fishing - new | Maybe | New operations can be considered subject to the 'Class E for PPCR' |
| Commercial fishing - existing | Yes | Existing uses permitted to continue unless there are significant demonstrated conflicts |
| Commercial fishing - transfer | Maybe | Transfers will be considered within the context of the SCI, subject to the 'Class EA for PPCR' |
| Bait-fish harvesting - new | Maybe | New operations can be considered subject to the 'Class EA for PPCR' |
| Bait-fish harvesting - existing | Yes | Existing uses permitted to continue unless there are significant demonstrated conflicts |
| Bait-fish harvesting - transfer | Maybe | Requests for transfer will be dealt with on an on-going basis subject to the 'Class EA for PPCR' |
| Commercial bear hunting - New | No | New operations will not be permitted. New operations are defined as an activity that has not licensed or authorized since January 1, 1992. |
| Commercial bear hunting - existing | Yes | Existing operations will be permitted to continue indefinitely. Existing operations are defined as an activity that has been has been licensed or authorized at any time between January 1, 1992 and June 25, 2003. |
| Commercial bear hunting - transfer | Maybe | Requests for transfer will be dealt with on an on-going basis and not deferred until the completion of a SCI or RMP |
| Commercial fur trapping - New | Maybe | New operations may be considered subject the 'Class EA for PPCR', including consideration for the associated trails that may be required |
| Commercial fur trapping - existing | Yes | Existing uses permitted to continue unless there are significant demonstrated conflicts |
| Commercial fur trapping - transfer | Yes | Requests for transfer will be dealt with on an on-going basis subject to the 'Class EA for PPCR' |
| Trapping cabins - New | No | Not permitted |
| Issue and Activity | Permitted | Explanation |
| Trapping cabins - Existing | Yes | Existing use are permitted to continue, including repair and replacement, as long as the scale and function are not significantly altered. Relocation may be permitted if consisted with protection of natural heritage values. |
| Trapping cabins - transfer | Yes | Trapping cabins are included in the transfer of a commercial fur trapping licence |
| Outpost camps/tourism facilities - New | Maybe | New tourism facilities can be considered during planning |
| Outpost camps/tourism facilities - Existing | Yes | Existing authorized tourism facilities can continue unless there are significant demonstrated conflicts. Tourism facilities can apply to upgrade tenure from LUP to lease. Applications will be subject to the 'Class EA for PPCR' |
| Outpost camps/tourism facilities - transfer | Maybe | Requests for transfer will be dealt with on an on-going basis subject to the 'Class EA for PPCR' |
| Wild rice harvesting - existing | Yes | Existing uses permitted to continue unless there are significant demonstrated conflicts |
| Wild rice harvesting - transfer | Maybe | Requests for transfer will be dealt with on an on-going basis subject to the 'Class EA for PPCR' |
| Food harvesting - new | Maybe | New operations can be considered subject the 'Class EA for PPCR' |
| Food harvesting - existing | Yes | Existing uses permitted to continue |
| Food harvesting - transfer | Maybe | Requests for transfer will be dealt with on an on-going basis subject to the 'Class EA for PPCR' |
Industrial activities
| Issue and Activity | Permitted | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Energy transmission corridors and communication corridors - existing | Yes | Permitted to continue |
| Energy transmission corridors and communication corridors - new | No | New corridors should be discouraged through planning however it is recognized that in some circumstances there will be no alternatives. |
| Commercial hydro power generation | No | Not permitted |
| Commercial timber harvest | No | Not permitted |
| Cutting of trees by leaseholders, cottagers, for fuel wood and other small-scale uses | No | The cutting of trees for non-commercial purposed is not permitted. Exceptions may be authorized by permit, subject to a review and determination of the impact that such cutting would have on natural heritage values. This flexibility is intended only for leaseholders, cottagers and other property owners who do not have road access to their property. |
| Timber salvage | Maybe | If provided for in an SCI or RMP, standing, fallen or sunken trees may be removed for resource management purposed. Such trees may be marketed if economical |
| Forest renewal in recently harvested areas | Yes | Renewal can be conducted where it will be of net benefit to the protected area. Review and approval of the proposals must be completed by appropriate silvicultural and program staff responsible for the management of the protected area in order to determine what actions would best support the long- term ecological integrity of the area. |
| Extraction of peat, soil, and aggregate | No | Not permitted |
| Mining and Mineral Exploration | No | No new exploration on untenured land is permitted. All existing mining land tenure within the conservation reserve including mining claims, leases, licenses of occupation and patents, will remain protected under the Mining Act and will be treated as any other in the Province |
| Roads - existing | Yes | Existing authorized roads can continue to be used. With regards to resource access roads, where alternative access does not exist or road relocation is not feasible, road will continue to be available for access. Continued use includes maintenance and may include upgrading. |
| Roads - new | No | New roads for resources extraction will not be permitted except for those identified in Forest Management Plans before March 31, 1999 and for which no viable alternative exists. |
| Private access roads - existing | Yes | The maintenance of existing roads will be permitted, however upgrading will not be permitted |
| Private access roads - new | No | Where there is no prior commitment, new private access roads will not be permitted. Where OMNR made a commitment prior to March 29, 1999, to permit a private access road within a recommended protected area, the road proposal will be subject to completion of a public planning process. |
Recreational activities
| Issue and Activity | Permitted | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Sport fishing | Yes | Existing and new uses permitted to continue |
| Sport Hunting | Yes | Existing and new uses permitted to continue |
| Motorized boating | Yes | Existing and new uses permitted to continue |
| Canoeing/Kayaking | Yes | Existing and new uses permitted to continue |
| Non-trail ATV use | No | Non-trail ATV use may be permitted for direct retrieval of game only |
| Recreation Trail - existing (motorized and non- motorized) | Yes | Existing authorized trails can continue unless there significant demonstrated conflicts |
| Recreation Trail - new (motorized and non- motorized) | Maybe | New trails can be considered subject to the 'Class EA for PPCR' |
| Private recreation camps - new | No | Not permitted |
| Private recreation camps - existing | Yes | Existing authorized recreation camps permitted to continue and may be eligible for enhanced tenure but not for purchase of land (enhanced tenure being defined as anything beyond the term and form of current tenure). Enhanced tenure is not guaranteed and will be addressed through a screening process, such as the 'Class EA for PPCR' |
| Private recreation camps - transfer | Maybe | Requests for transfer will be dealt with on an on-going basis subject to the 'Class EA for PPCR' |
| Issue and Activity | Permitted | Explanation |
Science, education and nature appreciation
| Issue and Activity | Permitted | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Research | Yes | Any proposed research activity must be approved by the Area Supervisor. |
| General Walking | Yes | Existing and new uses permitted to continue |
| Photography and Painting | Yes | Existing and new uses permitted to continue |
| Wildlife Viewing | Yes | Existing and new uses permitted to continue |
| Outdoor Education/ Interpretation | Yes | Existing and new uses permitted to continue |
| Collecting | No | Collecting may only be permitted as part of an authorized research project. The issuance of permits will be considered on a per-site basis. |
Other
| Issue and Activity | Permitted | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Land Disposition - sale | Yes | Sale of land is not permitted with some types of minor exception (road allowances, installation of septic system, etc.) where it does not detrimentally affect the values an area is intended to protect |