Comments

The areas within the Wabikimi and Kopka River Provincial parks hold fragile birthing islands for the woodland caribou and moose and aboriginal historic sites.

As a student member of the OPFA, an aspiring professional forester, and avid wilderness traveler, I wish to express my support for the expansion of wilderness parks in Ontario.

While the remoteness of Wabakimi, Kopka and Whitesand are integral to the wilderness nature of these parks, I feel there is an opportunity to provide three established campgrounds in these parks to enhance their appeal and accessibility.

My top priority is to ensure that the woodland caribou range is preserved, improved and extended. The caribou herd needs millions of hectares of undisturbed forest - so Wabakimi alone is not big enough. But it's a start.

I wish to support strongly keeping Wabakimi Park as a true wilderness park without fly- in fishing camps and without other motorized transport such as motor boats and snow machines or ATVs.

Michèle Proulx, Park Planner Ministry of Natural Resources Provincial Services Division, Ontario Parks Northwest Zone Office 435 James Street South Thunder Bay Ontario P7E 6S8 Re: EBR # 011-8197 According to http://www.ontarioparks.com/english/bldg.html, this is the definition of Wilderness Class

As a Director of the Thunder Bay Field Naturalists (TBFN) I am responding to the invitation to participate for the park management planning process. Our Board is interested in being apprised of the planning process and any development options which are proposed.

I am a longtime Wabakimi canoe tripper and I do value and use the tourism opportunities in Amstrong ON and spend a bit of money there.. With the 1997 expansion of the Park, I found more canoeing opportunities. At least logging and road building were held to Park boundaries.

I am writing to express my support for designating all of the Wabakimi expansion area, Kopka River and Whitesand provincial park lands as 'wilderness-class' park areas. I look forward to spending time in these parks as a canoeist and would like to see their wilderness integrity maintained.

Re: Terms of Reference (revised) for Wabakimi, Kopka River and Whitesand River Provincial Parks I would like to comment on the Terms of Reference (revised) for Wabakimi, Kopka River and Whitesands Provincial Park, as issued by Ontario Parks on Feb. 22, 2013 (MNR document # 52720).

I wish to express my concerns and desire to maintain Wabakimi, Kopka and Whitesand as TRUE WILDERNESS PARKS.

The EBR Notice states: Public Consultation: This proposal has been posted for a 60 day public review and comment period starting February 22, 2013. If you have any questions, or would like to submit your comments, please do so by April 23, 2013 to the individual listed under "Contact".