The proposal to make these…

The proposal to make these two sections of crown land, as well as areas offshore an established conservation reserve is welcomed. This area has exceptional biodiversity with naturalists and biologists discovering more each year. Ostrander point in particular is perhaps the most exceptional site along the south shore of Prince Edward County, and deserves to be well protected.

My main comments to improve the area are (1) to tackle invasive species and (2) to enforce a no motorized vehicle policy. these are the two biggest threats to the recreational use of the area and the ecological integrity of the reserve.

First, many areas of the reserve, especially in the Charwell point area are overrun with dog strangling vine. this invasive plant is choking out the meadows and alvar areas along much of the south shore. There are sections with entire fields of DSV as far as can be seen. Controlling this invasive would go a long way to protecting biodiversity on the south shore.

Secondly, ATV use has severely damaged sections of the area, especially the marsh on charwell point and around point petre. Some of the most exceptional areas of biodiversity in the wildlife area are the limestone woodlands at point petre, which are home to regionally significant plants such as twinleaf, purplecress and cut leaved toothwort. These areas are being whittled away by reckless and destructive ATV use. This also makes the recreational experience much more dangerous and less pleasant for hikers and naturalists. Furthermore, historical features are being degraded, such as the "Orenda ring" which has significant historical connecting to the Avro Arrow program. It is imperative that ATV use be prohibited in the conservation reserve and that this prohibition be enforced by wardens.

Finally, I like the name "South Shore Limestone Plains Conservation Reserve" since there is very little true alvar, but lots of limestone plain grasslands, forests and wetland habitats which are influenced by the limestone plain.

In short I fully support the establishment of the proposed conservation reserve, prefer the name "South Shore Limestone Plains Conservation Reserve", and would like to see the two biggest ecological threats (ATV's and invasive species) managed appropriately.