This consultation was open from:
January 26, 2022
to March 12, 2022
Decision summary
We have created Monarch Point Conservation Reserve in Prince Edward County to provide greater protection to the area. The conservation reserve was created through regulation under the Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves Act, 2006.
Decision details
We have amended Ontario Regulation 315/07: Designation of Conservation Reserves under the Provincial Park and Conservation Reserves Act, 2006 to create Monarch Point Conservation Reserve. The amended regulation came into effect on June 16, 2023.
Monarch Point Conservation Reserve is a 3,971-acre (1,607-hectare) protected area located along the south shore of Prince Edward County on Lake Ontario. The name, “Monarch Point”, is derived from recognition that the site is within an International Monarch Butterfly Reserve.
Monarch Point Conservation Reserve will provide opportunities for the community to enjoy the area’s natural beauty, including hiking, birdwatching and hunting, while strengthening the long-term protection of local wildlife and ecosystems.
Most current permitted recreational uses will be able to continue, but changes could be made in the future if uses threaten the values of the conservation reserve. These changes would be considered through a management planning process which would include public consultation.
Effects of consultation
Public consultation opportunities were provided for 45 days, from January 26, 2022 to March 12, 2022. Consultation included:
- a proposal notice posted on the Environmental Registry of Ontario,
- a notice posted on the Regulatory Registry,
- direct mailings to Indigenous communities, local residents and stakeholder groups,
- advertisements placed in local newspapers, and
- a survey to learn more about what people thought about the proposal and how they use the area.
As a result of public consultation on the proposal, the Ministry received a total of 98 written comments and one phone comment. Five comments were sent by email as well as submitted on the ERO. Duplicate comments were only counted once.
Topics raised included:
- interest in protection,
- concern with all-terrain vehicle (ATV) use or prohibition,
- concern with hunting taking place or being prohibited,
- concern with overuse of the area as a conservation reserve, and
- interest in the lands becoming an Indigenous Protected and Conserved Area (IPCA).
Online Survey
There were 549 comments submitted on the proposal via an anonymous online survey.
The survey asked for generalized information about use of the area, as well as what to name the proposed conservation reserve.
We appreciate the comments that were sent regarding this proposal to create a conservation reserve along the south shore of Prince Edward County. The survey results will also inform future management planning for Monarch Point Conservation Reserve.
How comments were considered in decision making
Overall, close to 70% of commenters were supportive or partially supportive of the proposal to create the conservation reserve.
Comments regarding permitted uses and activities were appreciated, and these topics will be considered during management planning.
If you would like to be involved in the management planning process for Monarch Point Conservation Reserve, please contact Kendra Couling, A/Senior Park Planner at kendra.couling@ontario.ca.
Interest in protection
Most of the comments received were supportive of the proposal. Some comments indicated that the proposal did not provide enough protection; that a provincial park was a more appropriate designation. Conservation reserve designation was determined as most appropriate for this area due to existing uses taking place; under the Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves Act, 2006, maintenance of ecological integrity is the first priority for the planning and management of Ontario’s system of conservation reserves and provincial parks.
Concern with all-terrain vehicle (ATV) use or prohibition
In accordance with conservation reserve policy, ATV use will be permitted to continue on trails, or off trail to retrieve game, as long as the values the conservation reserve was created to protect are not adversely impacted.
Concern with hunting taking place or being prohibited
Hunting is permitted in conservation reserves under the Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves Act, 2006. There has been no change to hunting opportunities as a result of establishment of the conservation reserve.
Concern with overuse of the area as a conservation reserve
A range of activities, such as hunting, ATV use and picnicking, are permitted in conservation reserves. Where ecological values are being affected, management planning will consider potential management options and restrictions may be implemented (e.g. timing, closure of trails).
Interest in the lands becoming an Indigenous Protected and Conserved Area (IPCA)
Indigenous engagement is an important part of creating any protected area. Although creating an IPCA along the south shore of Prince Edward County was not considered as part of this project, we look forward to working with Indigenous communities in preparing a management plan to guide the area for the long term.
Supporting materials
View materials in person
Some supporting materials may not be available online. If this is the case, you can request to view the materials in person.
Get in touch with the office listed below to find out if materials are available.
300 Water Street
4th Floor North
Peterborough,
ON
K9J 3C7
Canada
Connect with us
Contact
Kendra Couling
300 Water Street
4th Floor North
Peterborough,
ON
K9J 3C7
Canada
Original proposal
Proposal details
Ontario remains committed to providing families with more opportunities to get outside and enjoy more time in nature, including exploring opportunities to improve access to greenspaces throughout the province.
To support this commitment, we are proposing to create a conservation reserve along the south shore of Prince Edward County, at Point Petre Provincial Wildlife Area and Ostrander Point Crown Land Block. The area is 15 km south of Picton and 65 km southwest of Kington (see map in the Supporting materials section).
If designated a conservation reserve, the land would provide opportunities for the community to enjoy the area’s natural beauty, including hiking, hunting and birdwatching, while strengthening the long-term protection of biodiversity.
Ontario’s conservation reserves are established and regulated under the Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves Act, 2006 (PPCRA). These spaces:
- protect sensitive and important places
- allow visitors to participate in environmentally responsible activities
- allow for research to take place
The Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks is proposing to change a regulation under the PPCRA to create the new conservation reserve.
We are seeking feedback on the creation of this new conservation reserve along the southern shore of Prince Edward County.
Proposed regulation change to protect Point Petre and Ostrander Point
In order to create this conservation reserve, we are proposing to amend Ontario Regulation 315/07: Designation of Conservation Reserves under the PPCRA. The amendment will add a new schedule that will:
- list the conservation reserve’s name and size
- describe where it is found
The area meets the requirements to be considered for addition to Ontario’s protected area system and we want to regulate the 1620 hectares as conservation reserve. The areas to be regulated are:
- the current Point Petre Provincial Wildlife Area, including Charwell Point
- Ostrander Point Crown Land Block
- the adjacent bed of Lake Ontario, generally to a distance of 30 m from the shoreline, except at Charwell Point where the distance is extended to 200 m
Although most current permitted recreational uses would be able to continue, changes could be made in the future if uses threaten the values of the conservation reserve. These changes would be considered through a management planning process which would include public consultation, following regulation. Industrial and some commercial uses would be restricted in these areas.
We are proposing the following options for the conservation reserve name:
- South Shore Limestone Plains Conservation Reserve
- Lakeshore Alvar Conservation Reserve
- South Shore Alvar Conservation Reserve
- Point Petre and Ostrander Point Conservation Reserve
Regulatory Impact Analysis
There are no costs to regulated stakeholders. Benefits are significant, including permanent protection of sensitive habitat and the enabling of environmentally sustainable land uses to continue.
Given that there are no other ways to establish a new conservation reserve boundary, amending O. Reg. 315/07 is the only option.
Required changes to the land use policy under the Public Lands Act
As a part of this project, changes to the land use policy under the Public Lands Act are needed before a regulation is made under the PPCRA:
- the Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry (NDMNRF) is responsible for a decision on the land use amendment
- the proposed land use amendment, including a map and policy report, can be viewed on NDMNRF’s Crown Land Use Policy Atlas under Amendment #2021-001.
Other opportunities for public consultation
We have also created a survey to get your answers to specific questions about the project, including what to name the conservation reserve.
Direct notification of the project has been sent to provincial, regional and local stakeholders.
Supporting materials
View materials in person
Some supporting materials may not be available online. If this is the case, you can request to view the materials in person.
Get in touch with the office listed below to find out if materials are available.
Comment
Commenting is now closed.
This consultation was open from January 26, 2022
to March 12, 2022
Connect with us
Contact
Kendra Couling
300 Water Street
4th Floor North
Peterborough,
ON
K9J 3C7
Canada
Comments received
Through the registry
84By email
13By mail
1