  Algonquin's Future
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| Algonquin's Future
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In April of 2005, the Minister of Natural Resources asked the Ontario Parks Board of Directors to provide advice on how to lighten the ecological footprint of logging in Algonquin Provincial Park. The Board of Directors gathered input, advice and technical support from the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Algonquin Forestry Authority. The board's combined report and recommendations were released to the public on May 2nd, 2007 and was entitled: Recommendations of the Ontario Parks Board - Lightening The Ecological Footprint of Logging in Algonquin Provincial Park. It can be downloaded in PDF format from the MNR website at www.mnr.gov.on.ca/mnr/Ebr/altf/document_en.pdf. There are four additional documents which were integral to and/or mentioned in the board's report ... Assessment of Final Algonquin Park Zoning Changes Proposed by the Ontario Parks Board of Directors: Ecological Considerations; September 25, 2006. Assessment of Final Algonquin Park Zoning Changes Proposed by the Ontario Parks Board of Directors: Wilderness Recreation, Tourism & Cultural Heritage Values; September 25, 2006. Wood Supply Analysis of Zoning Changes Proposed by Ontario Parks Board of Directors - Algonquin Park Subcommittee; October 2, 2006. Algonquin Park Forest Wood Supply Analysis Evaluation; by KBM Forestry Consultants, October 18, 2006. These are available from Dorothy Shaver (MNR District Planner) ... see mailing address, email address and phone number below. Recommendations that would have key roles in improving the wilderness-like, ecological experience of recreational users include ...
The report recommends that both the Protected Zones and the Recreation/Utilization Zone be redefined and redesignated to achieve the following ...
Effectively, the redefined and redesignated Recreation/Utilization Zone and Managed Forest would describe exactly the same 353,376 hectare area (46% of the park). The balance of Algonquin (54% of the park) would be considered Protected Zones. The majority of the area added to the Protected Zones would consist of lakes, wetlands, other non-forest landscape elements and Area of Concern reserves not subject to logging. Only a 17% reduction would be made to the actual Managed Forest area. A brief opportunity (ending June 15th, 2007) for preliminary responses to the board's recommendations has been provided. Based on responses and feedback, the Minister of Natural Resources will be deciding whether to accept none, some or all of the recommendations. Should some or all of the recommendations be accepted, the next step will be a redrafting of the Algonquin Park Management Plan, which would be preceded by a formal period of public input and consultation. As the host and operator of this website, I strongly recommend that during this preliminary period of receiving public responses, readers seriously consider supporting this report's recommendations by conveying their written comments (by June 15, 2007) to ...
District Planner Ministry of Natural Resources Parry Sound District Office 7 Bay Street Parry Sound Ontario P2A 1S4 Phone: (705) 773-4231 dorothy.shaver@ontario.ca Further details can be accessed at the Environmental Registry website at ... www.ebr.gov.on.ca. Here's a sample letter .. containing a personal introductory paragraph, one explaining those things you value about Algonquin Park and a closing paragraph emphasizing your belief that these recommendations will be of balanced benefit to the park's recreational users, etc. ---------------------------------------- Dorothy Shaver (District Planner) Full Date ... Subject: Recommendations of the Ontario Parks Board - Lightening The Ecological Footprint of Logging in Algonquin Provincial Park. EBR Registry Number: 010-0445 Dear Ms. ShaverI’m ... explain your personal history with Algonquin as a recreational user of the park .. how long, with whom, frequency of trips, etc. This gives Ms. Shaver a personal mental picture of you as an individual. My family and I have come to value Algonquin Park's ... detail those valued characteristics of the park that will be further enhanced by the report's recommendations. I ... believe/am-convinced that the Ontario Parks Board’s recommendations will enhance/improve both recreational users' wilderness experience and ecological integrity, ensuring them for future generations. If all formally adopted, I'm optimistic that these recommendations will not place undue hardship on the local logging economy. I give you my whole-hearted support/full-endorsement of these recommendations. Thank you, Name ...... Barry Bridgeford - May, 2007 |