August 30, 2024 Expanding…

August 30, 2024
Expanding Protected Areas Project
Conservation Policy Section, Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks
40 St. Clair Avenue West, 14th Floor
Toronto, Ontario
M4V 1M2

Re: Expanding Protected Areas in Ontario – Site Proposed to be Regulated Under the Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves Act, 2006 (ERO Number: 019-8618)

We are writing to express our support for the proposal to expand Ontario’s protected area system. We commend the province for this vital step in safeguarding Ontario’s habitats and biodiversity. We offer the following comments to urge the province to commit to additional expansion of protected areas, specifically to commit to working towards the permanent protection of Farabout Peninsula on Eagle Lake.

The Eagle Lake Farabout Peninsula Coalition was formed sixteen years ago in opposition to Farabout Peninsula being included in the 2011 to 2021 Forest Management Plan (FMP), developed by Dryden Forest Management Company (DFMC) and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF). After a series of meetings, both parties agreed not to include the Farabout Peninsula in the 2011/2021 FMP, and to “defer” the peninsula from the 2021/2031 FMP. In August 2014 the General Manager of Dryden Forest Management Company (DFMC) stated “it is extremely unlikely that DFMC will plan for any allocations on Farabout Peninsula in the 2021-2031 FMP”. The ultimate goal of the Coalition however is to obtain permanent protection for the Crown Land (839ha) on this 1084ha land mass located in the middle of a tourism lake. There are no roads or active mining claims or permanent structures on the peninsula. Only one structure exists, a tent on a platform and a small dock. In fact, Farabout could be more accurately called a Presque Isle – a geographical term for land that is almost an island.

In 2010 the Coalition submitted an extensive Life Sciences Inventory to MNRF of rare flora and fauna discovered by naturalists on the peninsula. Field excursions continue to this day to document significant natural heritage values found on this large, unique landmass. Many of the plant and animal species found on Farabout are either not represented or are underrepresented in the Eagle Lake Island Conservation Reserve. Examples of these are as follows: Interior wetland ecosites, healthy stands of “at risk” black ash, old growth cedar stands, large patches of white pine trees from seedlings to old growth, fifteen species of orchids, the rare Prairie Onion, five breeding pairs of “species at risk” Canada Warblers recorded on the isthmus and more Canada Warbler breeding pairs on the peninsula. The mature forest canopy of Farabout also sustains healthy populations of mammals including martin, wolves, bear, deer, beaver, otter and moose.

Local tourist lodges, professional guides and the commercial fishery were surveyed regarding the breeding and harvesting of Muskies and Whitefish in multiple weed beds surrounding Farabout. These stakeholders, in addition to Naturalists, full-time and part-time residents of Eagle Lake, Eagle Lake First Nation (Migisi Sahgaigan), all opposed road building across the environmentally sensitive isthmus to access timber on the peninsula. Aside from the economic impact on the commercial fishery and local tourist operations depending on sports fishing, other concerns were identified such as run-off from the clear-cuts on the peninsula, contamination of drinking water accessed by local residents, and silt impacting the Musky and Whitefish spawning habitat in the numerous weed-beds surrounding the peninsula.

Farabout Peninsula and its isthmus to the mainland matters to Eagle Lake First Nation, as the peninsula is part of their traditional territory. As an active member of the Coalition for over a decade, they have written letters to the MNRF endorsing the goals of the Coalition and protesting road building across the isthmus.

With the consent of Migisi Sahgaigan, between 2018 and 2020 the Coalition participated in an archeological dig on the isthmus resulting in two registered sites protected under the Ontario Heritage Act. The sites were given Ojibway names by a Migisi Sahgaigan Elder “Migisi Onigum” and “Amik Kabut Towin”. The many 2,000-year-old artifacts found at the most narrow section of the isthmus confirmed the Indigenous use of this land bridge and the peninsula over hundreds of years.

A kiosk was erected beside the portage path in 2021 documenting Indigenous history and archeological finds relating to the Laurel and Black Duck historical periods. A summary of Life Science findings are also displayed on this two-sided sign. Numerous ceremonies have been held by former Chief Arnold Gardner and Migisi Sahgaigan Elders at the meeting area and at the “Amik Kabut Towin” sites.

When the David Suzuki Foundation partnered with the National Healing Forest Initiative, Farabout Peninsula was designated as one of sixteen “Healing Forests” recognized across Canada in 2022. A Migisi Sahgaigan Elder declared all of Farabout a “Healing Forest”. Signs posted at either end of the portage path acknowledged the importance of Reconciliation as part of the purpose of the Healing Forest. Over the last two summers more than seventy people have travelled by water to the meeting place on the portage to learn about Farabout’s history and its significant natural heritage values.

Aside from the strong local support, and the importance of the peninsula both ecologically and culturally, it is important to highlight that the area was first identified as a candidate protected area during the Lands for Life planning process that resulted in Ontario’s Living Legacy. We have learned that the Farabout Peninsula was removed from the candidate list not for ecological reasons, but as part of negotiations with industry. We have conducted analyses that show that there is little mineral potential or interest on the peninsula, and in recent discussions with DFMC, the Sustainable Forestry License holder, we have heard that they are not interested in future harvesting of this area.

There is abundant, long-term support for our request for permanent protection of this land mass by Migisi Sahgaigan, local residents, tourist businesses, as well as provincial (e.g., Ontario Nature) and international environment groups (e.g., The National Resource Defence Council). Protection of the Farabout Peninsula is an easy win for the provincial government, especially given national commitments to protect 30% of lands and waters by 2030. We see no reason why it is not possible to take steps to move the peninsula towards permanent protection as long as those steps are in line with the interests and priorities of Migisi Sahgaigan.

Submitted on behalf of the Eagle Lake Farabout Peninsula Coalition