Ecological Costs Associated…

Ecological Costs Associated with Cottage Tenure in Rondeau Provincial Park

Included are two sources that identify several ecological opportunity costs associated with allowing private cottage leases to continue in Rondeau Provincial Park, particularly the effects on various species and habitats. The most prominent issues highlighted are:

• Invasive species: Cottage lots and the activities of cottagers can contribute to the spread of invasive plant species, impacting natural ecosystems. The report suggests that the introduction of non-native species may occur through garden escape, planting, and disturbance associated with cottage activities.

• Water quality: Septic systems from cottages can negatively affect natural nutrient cycles, potentially leading to increased costs for the Crown to manage nitrogen and phosphorus leaching into ground and surface water.

• Erosion and Habitat Fragmentation: The sources note that footpaths created by cottagers accessing the beach, along with the presence of roads and cottage lots, contribute to erosion and habitat fragmentation. These disturbances can lead to blowouts, disrupt natural habitat connections, and limit the park's ability to implement restoration programs like prescribed burning.

• Impacts on Species at Risk: Cottage lots and associated access roads negatively impact various species at risk in the park. Road mortality is a significant concern, particularly for species like the Eastern Hognose Snake, Eastern Foxsnake, Five-lined Skink, and Fowler's Toad. The report also notes that activities like dragging recreational equipment on the beach pose a risk to the endangered Fowler’s Toad. Additionally, the report observes that the presence of bird boxes on cottage lots may be subsidizing House Wren populations, potentially leading to competition with the endangered Prothonotary Warbler for nest cavities.

The report emphasizes that the cottage lots occupy land within provincially rare ecosystems, including beach/dune, tallgrass, and savannah communities. Restoring these areas to their natural state is presented as a way to quantify the ecological opportunity costs. The report suggests that removing the cottages would enhance the protection of endangered species and their habitats, improve the provision of ecosystem services, and allow for more natural ecological processes.

One study found that the area of dune habitat disturbed by human activity in Rondeau decreased by almost 50% between 1955 and 2006, primarily due to the cessation of bulldozing activities in the dunes. However, despite this recovery, the study concluded that the largest source of disturbance to sand dunes in the park remains the private cottages. In 2006, disturbance attributed to cottage leaseholder access accounted for 82% of the total disturbed area in the dunes, a significantly disproportionate amount compared to the disturbance caused by the much larger number of campers and other park visitors.

The report suggests that while it's difficult to quantify the full extent of the ecological damage caused by the cottages, the costs of restoring and naturalizing the cottage areas could be used as an approximate measure of the ecological opportunity cost. However, it also acknowledges the challenge of accurately valuing the non-market benefits of a healthier ecosystem, which are borne by society rather than the Crown.

The sources highlight the ecological trade-offs inherent in allowing private cottage leases to continue in Rondeau Provincial Park. They suggest that while there have been improvements in managing the impact of the cottages, their presence continues to pose a significant challenge to the park's ecological integrity.

In summary due to habitat disturbance, invasive species introduction and ongoing mortality of species at risk, Society is bearing the cost of these losses for the benefit of a few cottagers.
In good conscience this practice cannot continue and plans must be made to end the occupation of Rondeau Provincial Park.

Sources:
1) Value of current cottage leases in Algonquin and Rondeau provincial parks.

Prepared by Eric Miller and Jeff Wilson at Green Analytics
April 5, 2013

2) Coastal Vegetation and Dune Disturbance Change Analysis for Rondeau Provincial Park, 1955-2006

Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry

Parks and Protected Areas Policy Section
S. Brinker
July 2012