The Black Bay Peninsula (BBP…

The Black Bay Peninsula (BBP) on Lake Superior has been designated as a Enhanced Management Area (EMA) for fish and wildlife with moose as the featured species.

Feb 17 2005 The Ministry Of The Environment ordered (ENV1283MC-2003) six terms and conditions related to the completion of the BBPEMA Strategy.

Prior to 1986 the BBP supported the second highest moose density in the Province of Ontario.( 800 animals respectively on the BBP).Late 1980's and early in the 90's there was evidence that the moose where declining with a crash of the population in 1999 2000.

The BBP EMA Strategy document was completed in February of 2005 with an emphasis and direction supported by stakeholder consultations that the goal of the BBPEMA Strategy, was to try and establish the previous high moose population density on the BBP.

The BBPEMA is part of WMU 14. The total portion of Unit 14 is now supporting the highest density of moose in the province of Ontario. However this is mainly due the significant increase of moose on the islands( St Ignace, Wilson, Copper,Vert etc) that are east of the BBPEMA.

The BBPEMA portion of the unit has supported an increase of approximatley 100 more moose which brings the total to 300 moose on the BBPEMA. A shortfall of 500 moose from the previous 800 animal density on the site specific BBPEMA.

It has taken close to 30 years gain a mere 100 more moose to be recruited into BBP Moose Population.

Moose habitat and Caribou habitat contradict each other, furthermore the BBPEMA is lacking the critical and necessary Late Winter Habitat to sustain the existing moose population.

Previous 1985 relocation Caribou attempts for the BBP failed with no Caribou Success.

I am opposed to any attempt that would include the BBPEMA for Caribou introduction and habitat change that could negatively impact our goals for moose restoration on the BBPEMA.

We have not come close enough to moose recovery goals and I do not support Caribou introduction for the BBPEMA and WMU 14.