Management Plans for Wabakimi, Kopka River and Whitesand Provincial Parks

Description of policy

Wabakimi Provincial Park was originally (1983) classified as a wilderness class park with the main objective to protect large areas where the forces of nature can exist freely and visitors travel by non-mechanized means, except as may be permitted by regulation, while engaging in low-impact recreation to experience solitude, challenge and integration with nature. In 1997, the park boundaries were greatly expanded to represent additional earth and life sciences values and protect woodland caribou habitat. The expansion area remains unclassified. The expanded Wabakimi Park, at 892,061 hectares, provides protection and representation of a wide range of natural and cultural heritage resources, as well as opportunities for wilderness recreation. Wabakimi incorporates a substantial area of prime woodland caribou habitat, representative landforms from the days of glacial Lake Agassiz, several pictograph sites, opportunities for remote tourism including excellent fly-in hunting and fishing, and an enticing variety of scenic canoe routes.

The Kopka River is an attractive canoe route adjacent to the southern limits of Wabakimi Provincial Park. Kopka River Provincial Park (waterway class) stretches approximately 160 kilometres east from Brightsand River Provincial Park, along Wabakimi Provincial Park, crosses Highway 527 and extends to Lake Nipigon with a total area of 31,205 hectares. In addition to providing high quality recreational canoeing opportunities, Kopka River Provincial Park includes historical sites, dramatic topography, caribou habitat and remote tourism operations.

Whitesand Provincial Park was recommended as part of the 1999 Ontario’s Living Legacy Land Use Strategy in recognition of its representative natural features and recreational water route and subsequently regulated in May 2003 as a waterway class park of 11,337 hectares. The park is located 15 kilometres northeast of the community of Armstrong and the Whitesand First Nation and stretches in a northeasterly direction for 45 kilometres along a system of rivers and lakes. The park serves as an important travel corridor and winter habitat for woodland caribou along the Whitesand and Pikitigushi River systems, linking Wabakimi Provincial Park, Windigo Bay Provincial Park and Lake Nipigon. Recreation values include opportunities for remote tourism, backcountry canoeing, wildlife viewing, sport angling and hunting. Its main feature is the Gooseneck Rapid and scenic terrain at Bad Medicine Lake.

In accordance with Ontario Provincial Parks Planning and Management Policies (1992), and with commitments made under the Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves Act, 2006, a management plan(s) is required for Wabakimi, Kopka River and Whitesand Provincial Parks. The management plan(s) will define the protected areas’ goal and objectives.

Purpose of policy

To protect the significant natural heritage features of Wabakimi, Kopka River and Whitesand Provincial Parks, to provide high quality opportunities for natural heritage appreciation for residents of Ontario and visitors to the province, and to guide recreation, development, management and operation policies for a 20-year period.

Other public consultation opportunities

Paid advertisements will be placed in regional print media and public notices will be mailed to agencies, groups 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 (February 22, 2013 - April 23, 2013)

Stage Two – Opportunity to review background information (2013)

Stage Three – Opportunity to review the management options (2013)

Stage Four – Opportunity to review preliminary park management plan (2014)

Stage Five – Release of approved park management plan (2014)