Addition to Coral Rapids Wetland Conservation Reserve (C1712) in Cochrane District

This notice was originally posted in the old Environmental Registry under number 011-8196.

Description of Policy

Under the Ontario's Living Legacy Land Use Strategy (1999), forest reserves were created where protected areas overlapped with pre-existing mining tenure. Forest reserves allow pre-existing mining rights for mineral exploration and mining development, but other industrial uses are not permitted. The intent was that forest reserves would eventually become, or become part of, provincial parks or conservation reserves, if a mining claim or lease was forfeited through normal processes. However, the forest reserve designation would remain as long as the mining claim or lease was in good standing.

In 2002, after discussions with a range of stakeholders, the provincial government initiated a process with the mineral exploration community, represented by the Ontario Prospectors Association (OPA), and environmental groups, represented by the Partnership for Public Lands (PPL), to "disentangle" the forest reserves. The disentanglement initiative responded to concerns that forest reserves potentially discouraged investment in mineral exploration and development, and created uncertainty about the timing for the regulation of these lands as provincial parks or conservation reserves. The OPA and PPL were asked to make recommendations that were mutually agreeable to the extent possible, with government staff acting in a support role. These discussions lead to the 'Government Proposed Disentanglement Strategies' posted May 2005 on the Environmental Registry (XB05E4002).

This disentanglement strategy identified several forest reserves where the proposed strategy is to "Remove all or part of the forest reserve designation, and re-designate to general use area or enhanced management area (as appropriate) and seek replacement protected areas". Consistent with this strategy, Amendment # 2006-11 removed the forest reserves associated with Coral Rapids Wetland Conservation Reserve (C1712) in the Cochrane District.

The Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) is currently proposing an addition to Coral Rapids Wetland Conservation Reserve (C1712) as replacement for the forest reserves that were removed subsequent to Amendment #2006-11. This requires portions of three general use areas; the Northern Resource and Commercial Area (G1754), the Abitibi, Frederickhouse and Onakawana Rivers Area (G1762) and the Southern Resource Area (G1745) be re-designated as conservation reserve (C1712).

Land-use intent and permitted uses in the conservation reserve addition will be consistent with the associated conservation reserve (C1712). The management direction for this addition will be guided by the existing Conservation Reserve’s Statement of Conservation Interest. Upon regulation of the conservation reserve addition, the statement of conservation interest will be amended to reflect the addition.

If the proposed amendment proceeds then subsequent regulation changes will be made for the following protected areas: Coral Rapids Wetland Conservation Reserve (C1712).

Purpose of Policy

To solicit public comments on the proposed addition to one conservation reserve in MNR’s Northeast Region.

Other Information

Amendment 2010-001 will be posted on the Crown Land Use Policy Atlas outlining the specific changes to boundaries and policy reports for the conservation reserve and three general uses areas implicated by this process.

The following web-links provide additional information.

http://www.ontario.ca/crownlandatlas- Proposed land use amendment #2010-001 in the Crown Land Use Policy Atlas – access to maps and policy report revisions for Coral Rapids Wetland Conservation Reserve (C1712), the Northern Resource and Commercial Area (G1754), the Abitibi, Frederickhouse & Onakawana Rivers Area (G1762) and the Southern Resource Area (G1745).

http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/html/statutes/english/elaws_statutes_06p12_e.htm- Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves Act, 2006

Public Consultation

This proposal was posted for a 45 day public review and comment period starting February 25, 2013. Comments were to be received by April 11, 2013.

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

Direct notification will be given by mail to all known stakeholders, resource users, persons with other rights or tenure (e.g. land use permit, Mining Act Rights), municipalities, First Nations and others who may have any interest in the site.

Comments and opinions will be kept on file, and may be included in study documentation that will be available for public review. However, personal information will be treated in accordance with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA). The ministry may also use this information to contact you to obtain public input on other resource management surveys and projects.