Sturgeon Bay Provincial Park Management Planning

This notice was originally posted in the old Environmental Registry under number 011-0971

Description of Policy

Sturgeon Bay Provincial Park is a 14 hectare recreation class park. The park is situated among the 30,000 islands of eastern Georgian Bay at the eastern end of Sturgeon Bay. The park is located in the Township of the Archipelago, in the District of Parry Sound. The closest population centre is Point au Baril Station, 7 km southeast of the park. Sturgeon Bay Provincial Park is 130 km south of Sudbury, 270 km north of Toronto, and 5 km west of Highway 69 on Highway 529.

Sturgeon Bay Provincial Park contains 80 developed campsites, 31 of which are electrical. Additionally, the park has four cottages available for visitors to rent. In 2008, the park had a total of approximately 17,000 visitors. The park provides access to Georgian Bay and maintains a boat launch, boat beaching area, docks and a trailer parking area. There is also a sandy beach, providing swimming opportunities for campers and day-use visitors. Despite its small size, Sturgeon Bay Provincial Park encompasses the habitat of some notable provincially rare species, including several species at risk.

Sturgeon Bay was regulated as a provincial park in 1960. An amendment to the Crown Land Use Policy Atlas is required to address a small addition of land, purchased in 2001, to the park. This park planning process, including consultation, will satisfy the procedures required to amend the Crown Land Use Policy Atlas. Following the completion of this amendment it is intended that the property will be regulated as part of the provincial park with recreation classification. No further consultation opportunity will be provided outside of this planning process.

The management of the park is currently directed by a management plan approved in 1986. Ontario’s Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves Act requires that management direction be prepared for all provincial parks. Park management plans are intended to provide a 20-year horizon for management activities, and to set the context for routine park activities.

This planning process is intended to review and update the 1986 Sturgeon Bay Provincial Park Management Plan. The final management plan developed through this process will define and describe the long term direction for the park, including: classification, purpose, vision and objectives, zoning, permitted activities, development and operations, monitoring and implementation priorities. Various reports, supporting documents, data and other relevant information will be made available for public review at various stages of the planning process.

Purpose of Policy

To protect the natural, recreational and cultural heritage values of Sturgeon Bay Provincial Park and to guide the management, use, development, and operation of the park.

Other Information

The new management plan will guide recreation, development, management and operation policies for a 20 year period.

An alternate to the contact listed in this notice is:

Park Superintendent

Grundy Lake and Sturgeon Bay Provincial Park

RR#1 Hwy 522

Britt, ON P0G 1A0

Phone: (705) 383-2369

Fax (705) 383-2437

The web links listed at the lower right of this notice provide additional information about the Ontario provincial parks system and about park planning in general.

Public Consultation

This proposal was posted for a 45 day public review and comment period starting November 02, 2010. Comments were to be received by December 17, 2010.

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

Public notices will be mailed to First Nations, interest groups, agencies or individuals on the project mailing list.

The following are the opportunities for the public and Aboriginal communities to participate in the planning process (dates beyond stage one are tentative):

Stage one - invitation to participate and opportunity to review background information (November 2, 2010 – December 17, 2010)

During this stage, an alternative viewing location is:

Parry Sound Public Library

29 Mary Street

Parry Sound, ON

P2A 1E3

Phone: (705) 746-9601

Stage two - opportunity to review preliminary management plan (spring/summer 2011)

A staffed open house, to provide interested parties with an opportunity to comment on the preliminary management plan and/or the management planning process, will be scheduled.

Stage three – public release of approved management plan (fall/winter 2011)