Amendment to Ontario Regulation 316/07 under the Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves Act, 2006 to add land to Stoco Fen Provincial Park

Description of regulation

Ontario’s provincial parks are established by regulation under the Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves Act, 2006. Parks protect significant natural, cultural and recreational environments, while providing opportunities for visitors to participate in recreational activities.

Stoco Fen Provincial Park is a 203 ha nature reserve class park that was established in 1985. The park protects most of the open fen component of the provincially significant Stoco Fen wetland and Area of Natural and Scientific Interest.

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) is proposing to regulate three parcels of land (totalling approximately 150 ha) that were donated by Quinte Conservation for addition to the park, as well as two small areas of unopened road allowance. Adding these lands to the park will further protect sensitive wetland habitat and headwater areas.

Amending the boundary of Stoco Fen Provincial Park requires amending Ontario Regulation (O. Reg.) 316/07 under the Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves Act, 2006.

Purpose of regulation

To further protect park values under the Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves Act, 2006 by adding acquired lands to Stoco Fen Provincial Park.

Other information

Amending a park boundary by regulation is also subject to A Class Environmental Assessment for Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves (Class EA-PPCR). Concurrently with this proposal, Ontario Parks (MNRF) is carrying out consultation requirements under the Class EA-PPCR.

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

• Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves Act, 2006
• Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves Act, 2006, O. Reg. 316/07
• 2016 Stoco Fen Park Management Statement

Public consultation

This proposal was posted for a 45 day public review and comment period starting June 07, 2017. Comments were to be received by July 22, 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

The intent to amend the provincial park boundary to incorporate this addition was consulted on in 2013 as part of the Stoco Fen Park Management Statement planning process. No concerns were identified. Direct written notice will be provided to potentially affected parties through the Class EA-PPCR process. Consultation on this proposal is also being carried out on Ontario’s Regulatory Registry. No additional opportunity to comment on this proposal will be provided.

Regulatory impact statement

The anticipated environmental consequences of the proposal are positive. By regulating this addition to the park boundary an additional portion of the provincially significant Stoco Fen wetland and its headwater area will be permanently protected as a provincial park.

The anticipated social consequences are neutral. The regulation change will increase the area of the park by approximately 150 ha. Public use of the park is not encouraged in an effort to protect wetland flora and fauna sensitive to trampling.

The anticipated economic consequences are neutral. There were no industrial or commercial uses of the land prior to being acquired.