Amendments to management direction for Nimoosh, Pukaskwa River, Gravel River, Kama Hills, Ruby Lake, Black Sturgeon River and Ouimet Canyon provincial parks

Description of policy

A new 230-kilovolt (kV) transmission line is proposed from Thunder Bay to Wawa to ensure the long-term reliability of the electricity supply in northwestern Ontario. This project, was declared a priority by the Province of Ontario, both in Ontario’s Long-term Energy Plan (2010) and in a March 2016 Order in Council.

The proponent, NextBridge, is currently carrying out an Environmental Assessment to determine the most appropriate route for the line and minimize environmental impacts. Where possible, the proposed route avoids provincial parks. However, the preferred route identified in the Draft Environmental Assessment Report (which is available for review on NextBridge’s website) passes through Nimoosh, Pukaskwa River, Gravel River, Kama Hills, Ruby Lake, Black Sturgeon River and Ouimet Canyon provincial parks. All of these parks have existing utility and/or transportation corridors.

The Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves Act, 2006 (PPCRA), states that utility corridors are permitted in provincial parks, subject to the policies of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF), and the approval of the Minister. Tenure is required for this type of use.

Ontario Parks is proposing to amend the management direction for these provincial parks to allow tenure to be issued for utility corridors associated with the new East-West Tie transmission line.

Ontario Parks proposes to add the following direction to the management direction for Nimoosh, Pukaskwa River, Gravel River, Kama Hills, Ruby Lake, Black Sturgeon River and Ouimet Canyon provincial parks:

"MNRF may provide tenure for a utility corridor to accommodate the development of the new East-West Tie electrical transmission line, subject to completion of an Environmental Assessment, approval by the Minister, and any conditions necessary to protect park values."

New land disposition for commercial use may be considered in the form of land use permit or lease, provided that the proposed commercial use is consistent with conditions of the PPCRA and the project has been approved through an Environmental Assessment process.

The following direction from the interim management statement for Kama Hills Provincial Park will be removed:

"As per Nipigon District Land Use Guidelines, no land disposition will take place within the Nature Reserve."

The following direction from the interim management statement for Gravel River Provincial Park will be removed:

"No new land disposition for commercial, public, or private use will be permitted."

The following direction from the interim management statement for Pukaskwa River Provincial Park will be removed:

"No new LUPs or licences of occupation will be established within this park."

The following direction from the management plan for Ouimet Canyon Provincial Park will be amended to read:

"There will be no major park developments outside the access zone unless human safety, park facilities or resources are endangered."

Purpose of policy

To amend management direction for six provincial parks to provide direction regarding the issuance of tenure for utility corridors associated with the East-West Tie transmission line from Thunder Bay to Wawa.

Other information

The following web links provide additional (or supporting) information.

• Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves Act, 2006
• Provincial park management direction
• NextBridge East-West Tie project information

Public consultation

This proposal was posted for a 45 day public review and comment period starting February 07, 2017. Comments were to be received by March 24, 2017.

All comments received during the comment period are being considered as part of the decision-making process by the Ministry.

Please Note: All comments and submissions received have become part of the public record.

Other public consultation opportunities

Direct notices will be mailed to local stakeholder and mandatory contact mailing lists.