Egan Chutes and Egan Chutes Addition Provincial Park Management Planning

Description of policy

Egan Chutes Provincial Nature Reserve and Egan Chutes Provincial Park Addition (Waterway Class) are both located along the York River in Hastings County, 10 km to the north and east of Bancroft. Both parks are within the 1999 Land Use Strategy (LUS) area. Egan Chutes Provincial Nature Reserve is a non-operating park, and was regulated under the Provincial Parks Act in 1989. Egan Chutes Addition is a result of direction from the 1999 Land Use Strategy, and was regulated as a waterway class provincial park in May 2005.

The parks are within a picturesque area stretching approximately 30 km along the northwesterly flowing York River from Highway 28 to Conroys Marsh Conservation Reserve. The parks contain three waterfalls, or chutes, along the York River and the area is well known for its complex geological features; the areas also contain outstanding life science values, such as provincially significant riparian wetland complexes.

The management planning process is intended to addresses such topics as park classification, goal and objectives, boundary, zoning, resource management, operation and development policies.

Purpose of policy

To protect Egan Chutes' and Egan Chutes Addition's natural, recreational and cultural heritage, and to guide the park's management, use, development, and operation for a 20- year period.

Other information

Management planning will be done in three stages, with each stage providing an opportunity for public and First Nations review. The first stage is the opportunity to review the background information file and inspect the new Terms of Reference. This stage will also serve as a second Invitation to Participate. The second stage in this planning process will be the preparation and public review of the Preliminary Park Management Plan. The final stage will be the preparation and public inspection of the final plan.

Since few management options have been identified to warrant a separate document and planning stage (required by original Terms of Reference), management direction will be identified by the planning team and submitted for public review at the preliminary plan stage. Opportunities for public involvement will occur at the preliminary plan stage and inspection of the final plan. This change will permit more cost-effective use of public consultation opportunities and will ensure that management direction is in place in a more timely manner.

The background information file is available at the Bancroft Public Library and at Silent Lake Provincial Park. In addition to the government offices and web links listed below, information on this proposal can be viewed at:

Ontario Parks, South Eastern Zone

51 Heakes Lane

Kingston, Ontario, K7M 9B1

PHONE: (613) 545-4016 FAX: (613) 545-4033

The web links listed below lead to additional information relating to Egan Chutes and Egan Chutes Addition and the management planning process:

• Ontario Parks - Egan Chutes Provincial Nature Reserve information
• Ontario Parks - documents produced for the management planning process, including the approved Terms of Reference
• Crown Land Use Atlas - Egan Chutes Addition information

Other public consultation opportunities

Comments will be used to update the mailing list of individuals, groups and businesses who wish to be involved in the management planning process. All those interested are encouraged to offer comments on any aspect of this management planning project.

Direct mailing to a mandatory contact list will ensure that provincial stakeholders and government organizations will be advised of the process. Paid notices will be placed in local newspapers.

The following are the opportunities for the public to participate in the planning process (dates beyond Stage 1 are tentative):

Stage 1 - Terms of Reference, Invitation to Participate and Opportunity to Inspect the Background Information File: November 21, 2006 to January 5, 2007
Stage 2 - Preliminary Park Management Plan: Spring 2007
Stage 3 - Inspection of the Approved Management Plan: Fall 2007