Brightsand River Provincial Park
Management Plan
March 1993
Prepared by Anthony Usher Planning Consultant in consultation with the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources
Ministry of CW)~ Natural Resources Ontario © 1993,Queen's Printer for Ontario Printed in Ontario, Canada
Additional copies of this publication are available only from:
Ministryof Natural Resources Box448 Ignace, Ontario POT 1TO (807) 934-2233 or
Ministryof Natural Resources Box 5000 435 James Street South Thunder Bay, Ontario P7C5G6 (807) 475-1471 APPROVAL STATEMENT
We are pleased to approve the Brightsand River Provincial Park Management Plan, as official policy for the management and development of this park. The plan reflects this Ministry's intent to protect the natural and cultural features of Brightsand River Park, and maintain and develop high quality opportunities for outdoor recreation and heritage appreciation for both residents of Ontario and visitors to the Province. ~~C~~ nston ~__~~~~~~ional Director Director Northwest Region Provincial Parks and Natural Heritage Policy Branch
TABLE OF CONTENTS
RESUME i 6.1 Natural Heritage 14 Management VPPa.· LIST OF MAPS 1. Regional Setting 2 2. Park Boundary and Zoning 7 - i PARC PROVINCIAL BRIGHTSAND RIVER REsUME DU PLAN DE GESTION Introduction Le parc provincial Brightsand River a ete cree en mai 1989. II longe la riviere Brightsand et les lacs environnants sur une distance de 130 km, a partir de 11endroit ou Le chemin Graham traverse la rivi.ere, au nord de la route 17, jusqu1a Allan Water Bridge, sur la ligne ferroviaire nord du Canadien National. Le parc couvre une superficie d'environ 41 250 ha. La riviere Brightsand est un cours d I eau d I un interet exceptionnel pour les adeptes du plein air. II traverse une partie representative du Bouclier canadien et une foret boreale typique. II relie en outre les voies navigables par canot traversant les terres de la Couronne de la region et les parcs provinciaux Kopka River et Wabikimi. En 1988, Ie ministere a distribue un document d'information puis, en 1990, un document Irrt.Lt.ul.e Plans alternatifs.· Enfin, en 1992, Le Plan de gestion preliminaire etait pub l Le, Le present plan de gestion officiel constitue 11 et.ape finale du processus d'elaboration du plan de gestion final du parc provincial Brightsand River. II decrit les mesures que prendra Ie ministere des Richesses naturelles pour amenager , ge rer et exploiter Le parc au cours des vingt prochaines annees. Politiques regissant Ie parc Le parc provincial Brightsand River fait partie de la cat.egorLe des parcs aquatiques. Le plan de gestion a pour but de proteger les voies navigables exceptionnelles utilisees a des fins recreatives, de preserver les caracteristiques naturelles representatives du parc ainsi que ses ressources historiques et d'offrir aux utilisateurs des activites recreatives et educatives de qualite. Les responsables du parc provincial Brightsand River se sont fixes les objectifs suivants : Protection prot.eger les caracteristiques naturelles et culturelles d I interet provincial. Loisirs permettre des activites de jour, amenager des terrains de camping et des sentiers de randonnee en regions sauvages et offrir des activites aquatiques. Appreciation du patrimoine permettre des activites d'exploration et d'appreciation du patrimoine naturel et culturel du parco - ii - Tourisme permettre aux residents ontariens ainsi qu'aux visiteurs de l'exterieur de la province de decouvrir la region de la riviere Brightsand. Limites et zonage du pare Le ministere des Richesses naturelles propose d'acheter a Abitibi-Price Inc. une partie du secteur 6, qui traverse Ie lac Moberley. Les terres qui seraient integrees au parc, selon que leur acquisition se realise, comptent 80 ha situes a moins de 200 m de la rive et environ 30 ha de lit du lac. Le parc est divise en diverses zones, notamment six reserves naturelles (4 070 ha), cinq zones naturelles (37 020 ha) et trois zones d'acces (160 ha). Toutes les voies navigables de la riviere Brightsand et toutes les zones de portage font partie des zones naturelles. Prineipales politiques de planifieation Le document intitule Plans alternatifs identifiait sept grandes questions de planification devant etre resolues par Ie plan de gestion du parc. On trouvera ci-dessous la liste de ces questions et une description de la fa~on dont Ie plan de gestion y repond. Aee~s On ne pourra se rendre dans Ie parc que par les trois zones d'acces prevues . Deux d ' entre elles existent deja et sont dot.ees de terrains de camping. La premiere est situee a l'endroit OU Ie chemin Graham traverse la r ivLere Brightsand, a I' est du lac Aylsworth, et la seconde est s i t.uee a l'endroit ou ce chemin traverse la riviere Kashishibog. La troisieme zone doit etre un point d'acces situe sur Ie lac Harmon, qui ne servira qu'a la mise a l'eau des embarcations. Traverses de rivi~re Deux routes d'acces aux ressources pourront traverser Ie pare. II s'agit du chemin Brightsand et du futur chemin du lac Antler, ce dernier, conformement au plan de gestion du bois de la foret Brightsand. Aucune autre traverse ne sera permise, sauf celles repondant a des cri t.eres t.res stricts et qui sont approuvees suite a une modification importante du plan ayant fait l'objet d'une vaste consultation publique. Ces deux routes seront interdites au public. Les autres routes donnant acces aux reserves et aux zones naturelles seront barrees. Exploitants touristiques Les cinq camps e Loi gnes accessibles par avion - un sur les rives du lac Moberley, deux sur les rives du lac Metionga et deux sur les rives du lac Wapikaimaski - pourront continuer d'accueillir des visiteurs. Les proprietaires des camps actuels pourront les demenager ou les agrandir s'ils Ie souhaitent et pourront amenager de nouveaux camps et des cabanes dans les zones naturelles NEZ et NE4, mais seulement a la suite d'une modification importante du plan ayant fait l'objet d'une vaste consultation publique. L'exploitation de tous les camps sera soumise a des regles strictes. De plus, on ne pourra exploiter des pourvoiries conunerciales offrant des services aux personnes voyageant dans les regions sauvages que dans les zones d'acces et ce, uniquement s'il s'agit de concessions. - iii Caches pour embarcations commerciales Les etablissements touristiques situes dans Le parc et dans Le secteur d ' Allan Water Bridge pourront garer leurs embarcations dans les zones naturelles, pourvu qu'ils respectent de strictes conditions. lIs ne pourront garer leurs embarcations dans les zones d'acces que s'ils ont obtenu une concession a cet effete Le nombre total d'embarcations garees dans Ie parc par des exploitants touristiques ne doit pas depasser Ie nombre actuel, qui est de douze, sauf dans des cas exceptionnels reconnus a la suite d I une modification importante du plan ayant fait I'objet d ' une vaste consultation publique. Peche commerciale au poisson d'appat La peche commerciale au poisson d'appat sera permise dans les zones naturelles. Chasse sportive La chasse sportive sera permise dans les zones naturelles. Vehicules motorises Les visiteurs du parc pourront utiliser une embarcation a moteur, une motoneige ou un aeronef dans Le parc, sauf dans les reserves naturelles. Les utilisateurs locaux des ressources pourront se servir d'une embarcation a moteur, d ' une motoneige ou d ' un aaronef partout dans Le parc , L' usage des motoneiges sera limite aux sentiers amenages a cet effet. Les visiteurs et les utilisateurs des ressources pourront se servir d'un vehicule tout terrain autre qu ' une motoneige sur les emplacements de camping et les routes designees des zones d'acces. Par utilisateurs locaux des ressources, on entend les Indiens inscrits, trappeurs, pecheurs commerciaux de poisson dappat; et residents permanents d'Allan Water Bridge. Politiques de gestion des ressources Le plan etablit des politiques de gestion du patrimoine nature1 et culturel, de la vegetation, des peches, de la faune, des terres et des eaux du parco Politiques regissant les activites du parc Le plan etablit des politiques regissant les services offerts aux visiteurs, la gestion des activit.es recreatives, les services touristiques, les camps de jeunes, la commercialisation et la recherche. Politiques d'amenagement Le mi.nLst.ere des Richesses naturelles effectuera les travaux d ' amenagemerrt suivants dans Ie parc, selon les fonds disponibles : amelioration des terrains de camping dans les zones d'acces Al et A2 amelioration des voies d'acces aux etendues d'eau dans la zone d'acces A3 amelioration des zones de portage et des emplacements de camping dans les zones sauvages du parc amenagement de sentiers de randonnee pedestre, la ou la demande Ie justifie Les travaux d'amenagement effectues sur des terres faisant l'objet de permis d'utilisation et d'occupation seront soumis a de strictes conditions et sujets a l'approbation du ministere. - iv 6-<1'\.,<1-<16" -0-<]" (A I>PLI>O'" £1 ~d0"'6Q. b· 9·lle-· l·b 19 88 b Pll~rbe-· ftfjJ' ba. -v-nu-, * rb~ ·va.rbU" b.., r~r bel. · ~cr .D·flJ'rft·~ .., * C bl1J' «r~cr' ~PL~o- CL CL ~L ~a..r9·/1Cl. CL bP~J'A/1bUpCL Lr'Cl./1bo-" P/1J' PPa..· CL CL CL bl1J'r' 1\'<1" b~r CL CL 'bc.ot'C\I\rc\·l1brd" bCa...DbUP". ~CI,.Cl.··9Ar9·/1brd /1L /\r",o/1o-" b~r/1~o-· J'o/1er° ·b.... ·ctArct·f1 rLa.... b Pd"'1,Jct·f1'" b ~"'ncr9·11a.'" bl1a.dO"'bUP'" [>·iJ [>o..r9·11 Q. llJ'crbU [>o..elcr9·1l0.. a. [>·iJ [>o..r9·1la. p C. [>..o·iJcr FOREWORD features and 10 known rock art sites. This approved Management Plan The Brightsand is an outstanding represents the fifth and final stage recreational waterway. It also in the preparation of a management provides an important link with other plan for Brightsand River Provincial recreational resources. Canoe routes Park. In the first stage (1987-88), radiate from the Brightsand to the the Ministry of Natural Resources east and the west. Kopka River started its planning program. In the Provincial Park, a waterway class second stage (1988), a Background park, begins where the Kashishibog Information document was produced and River flows into the Brightsand, and distributed, and the park's boundary continues eastward to Highway 527 was finalized in consultation with just west of Lake Nipigon. From the the public. In the third stage downstream (north) end of the (1989-90), a Planning Alternatives Brightsand, the Allan Water flows document was produced and distributed from Allan Water Bridge about 30 km for public review and comment. In north to Wabakimi Provincial Park, a the fourth stage (1990-92), a wilderness class park. These and Preliminary Management Plan was other nearby parks are shown on produced and distributed for public Map 2. . review and comment. Existing public facilities consist of 1 INTRODUCTION two access points where the Graham Road approaches the Brightsand River, Brightsand River Provincial Park was one near Aylsworth Lake and one near formally established as a provincial the Kashishibog River. There are park in May 1989, by Ontario also five commercial fly-in outpost Regulation 290/89. It extends for camps and one youth camp outpost in about 130 km along the Brightsand the park. The access points and River and associated lakes, from outposts predate the park's where the Graham Road crosses the establishment. river about 55 road km north of Highway 17, to where the river flows Detailed information on the park's into the Allan Water at Allan Water resource characteristics and uses is Bridge on Canadian National's provided in Brightsand River northern rail line. The upstream Provincial Waterway Park: Background (south) end of the park is about 150 Information (1988), available from air km northwest of Thunder Bay. The the Ministry of Natural Resources. park is about 41,250 ha in area. Map 1 shows the park's location, and This Management Plan will guide the Map 2 shows the park in greater development, management, and detail. operation of Brightsand River Provincial Park over the next 20 The Brightsand waterway is an years. The plan will be reviewed excellent representative cross after 10 years. As well, the plan section of a glaciated Precambrian will be reviewed whenever necessary landscape. Vegetation, wildlife, and to address new issues or changing cultural resources are typical of the conditions. Boreal forest region. Of particular significance along the waterway are a variety of interesting glacial Regional Setting Map 1 --I Matawin River ~ Peninsula Divide Ridge ~ Fraleigh llilill~~~~~~A r rOW h e ad ~Lake ~ ~c C.\ ARROW-... LAKE A as tl eC ree k ! ~~~- .. ~-"':~DevonRoad Superio LA VERENDRYE U. S. A. ~-.;2~~- Legend o 20 60km ~ 1'N I-.! I ~ A Provincial Park SCALE 1: 1,500,000 ~ Provincial Nature Reserve - 3 2 PUBLIC CONSULTATION AND individuals and nine from SIGNIFICANT ISSUES organizations. 2.1 Background Information The Planning Alternatives document identified seven significant issues In March 1988, Brightsand River needing resolution in the park Provincial Waterway Park: Background management plan. In that document, Information, along with proposed some of these issues (access, changes to the recommended park's commercial tourist operations, and boundary, was distributed to a mechanized recreational travel) were mailing list of potentially addressed through four alternative interested or affected persons. concepts for the park: minimum Information centres were advertised development, moderate development, in area newspapers, and held in commercial tourism priority, and road Ignace and Thunder Bay and at access priority. The document also Canadian Pacific Forest Products outlined alternative management Limited's Camp 603 in March 1988. policies for each of the remaining The Ministry of Natural Resources issues. received 11 written responses to the boundary changes proposal. The The basis for this plan is the proposed boundary changes were commercial tourism priority concept generally supported, and were outlined in the Planning Alternatives incorporated in the May 1989 document, with some modest changes. regulation establishing the park. This concept was most preferred by respondents to Planning Alternatives. 2.2 Planning Alternatives It was the closest of the four concepts to the park's present Brightsand River Provincial Park: situation, and would allow existing Planning Alternatives was mailed to fly-in tourist operations to continue 315 agencies, interest groups, and without drastically curtailing individuals in April 1990. Included existing road access and drive-in use with the document was a four page patterns. The management policies of questionnaire; respondents were also this plan are in most cases the invited to submit comments in alternative management policies addition to or in place of the preferred by respondents to Planning questionnaire if they so wished. The Alternatives. management planning process was also publicized through advertisements in A summary of the issues and area newspapers in April and May alternatives presented in Planning 1990, and additional documents and Alternatives, a summary of public questionnaires were distributed in response to those alternatives, and a response to inquiries resulting from more detailed outline of how that these advertisements. Documents and response influenced the policies in questionnaires were also available to this plan, are provided in the those attending the Planning Preliminary Management Plan. A Alternatives information centres held summary of the individual responses in Thunder Bay and Ignace in and the responses themselves may be May 1990. The Ministry of Natural viewed at the Ignace area office of Resources received 84 questionnaires the Ministry of Natural Resources. and other written responses to Planning Alternatives, 70 from - 4 2.3 Preliminary Management Plan until 2010). These permitted uses were not open to review as part of Brightsand River Provincial Park: the management planning process. The Preliminary Management Plan was only resource uses in nature reserve mailed to 395 agencies, interest zones that this plan permits, but groups, and individuals in February could have prohibited, are 1992. The management planning motorboating, snowmobiling on process was also publicized through designated trails, and aircraft advertisements in area newspapers in takeoff/landing by local resource February 1992, and additional users. Because the only waters in documents were distributed in nature reserve zones are small ponds response to inquiries resulting from isolated from the Brightsand River these advertisements. The Ministry water route, snowmobiling on of Natural Resources received 21 designated trails is the only written responses to the Preliminary significant form of mechanized travel Plan, 12 from individuals and nine permitted to local resource users in from organizations. A summary of nature reserve zones. It is not public response has been prepared, reasonable or practical to require and is available on request from the status Indians and trappers who have Ignace area office. A summary of the harvesting rights in nature reserve individual responses and the zones to snowshoe in those zones when responses themselves may be viewed at they can snowmobile in the park's the Ignace office. other zones. Nor is it fair to differentiate among members of the Only four changes to the Preliminary small and mainly native community of Plan were suggested by more than two Allan Water Bridge, permitting some respondents. These changes, and the residents to snowmobile in nature final positions of the Ministry of reserve zones and prohibiting others Natural Resources as reflected in from so doing. this approved plan, are as follows. Suggested change: There should be no Suggested change: The park should sport hunting in the park. not be established. Ministry position: Three alternative Ministry position: The 1983 Ignace sport hunting policies were put and Thunder Bay District Land Use forward in the Planning Alternatives Guidelines recommended that the park document. Two of the alternatives be established. This decision has provided for sport hunting in natural been reaffirmed through public environment zones wherever mechanized consultation in 1988, 1990, and 1992. recreational travel was also permitted. Taken together, these Suggested change: Resource uses in alternatives were supported by 91% of nature reserve zones should be respondents. further restricted or eliminated. Suggested change: Car and canoe Ministry position: Provincial policy camping in access zones Al and/or A2 requires that some resource uses be should be permitted for more than one permitted in nature reserve zones night. (traditional resource harvesting and trapping by status Indians, trapping Ministry position: The plan now by persons other than status Indians permits the continued use of these - 5 zones for destination camping until visitor enjoyment and education. such time as commercial tourist accommodation is developed on Crown 3.2 Goal land adjacent to access zone A2. The goal of Brightsand River Several other minor changes have been Provincial Park is to protect the made to the Preliminary Plan. Some Park's outstanding recreational water incorporate respondents' suggestions, route and representative natural while others reflect changed features and historical resources, conditions since 1991, or ensure and to provide to Park users high conformity with Ministry of Natural quality recreational and educational Resources requirements for approved experiences. Management Plans. 3.3 Objectives 3 PARK POLICIES The Ontario provincial parks system 3.1 Classification has four objectives: protection, recreation, heritage appreciation, Brightsand River Provincial Park is and tourism. As a waterway park, classed as a waterway park, one of Brightsand River Park will contribute the six classes of parks in the to all four of these objectives. Ontario provincial parks system. The objectives for Brightsand River Waterway parks incorporate Provincial Park are as follows. outstanding recreational water routes with representative natural features Protection: and historical resources to provide to protect provincially high quality recreational and significant elements of the educational experiences. They offer Park's natural and cultural to their users a chance to experience landscape. the power and continuity of Ontario's great rivers, and to appreciate the For park system planning purposes, central place of those rivers in the Ontario is divided into 65 site natural and cultural heritage of the districts based on landforms and province. biological productivity. Brightsand River Provincial Park is in site Brightsand River Provincial Park is districts 3W-l and 3W-2, and will most appropriately classed as a help protect representative natural waterway park because: environments of these site districts. as indicated in Section 1, it is The specific natural and cultural an outstanding recreational features protected in the park's waterway which passes through a nature reserve and natural representative cross-section of environment zones are described in Northwestern Ontario natural and Section 5. Protection of these cultural environments; features will contribute to the as described in the Background achievement of provincial park earth Information document, it includes science feature representation significant earth and life targets identified in the Ignace and science features and Thunder Bay District Land Use archaeological sites that have Guidelines. the potential to contribute to - 6 Protection will be the priority protecting the park's natural and objective for the park. because recreational environment; protection of the park's environment improving park recreational is a prerequisite for achieving the facilities in access and natural other objectives. environment zones; permitting existing fly-in Recreation: outpost camps to remain, subject to provide day use. and back to resource and recreational country travel and camping. capacity; waterway recreation permitting the establishment of opportunities. new camp and cabin operations in the natural environment zones The park is identified in the Ignace where the existing camps are and Thunder Bay District Land Use located, subject to resource and Guidelines as contributing 9.000 non recreational capacity and wilderness recreational opportunities specific amendments to this plan. per year to the achievement of provincial park back-country 4 BOUNDARY AND LAND TENUIm recreation targets. Canoeing, motorboating, angling, and camping 4. 1 Boundary are expected to continue to be the principal activities of visitors. The boundary of Brightsand River Park users are expected to continue Provincial Park is shown on Map 2. to be based almost exclusively at All lands within 200 m of the canoe campsites, access zone waterway shoreline are included in campgrounds, and in-park tourist the park, with two exceptions: operations. Day use visitation is lands in Allan Water Bridge expected to be minimal. community, lands in Block 6. Heritage Appreciation: to provide opportunities for Abitibi-Price Inc. owns Block 6, a exploration and appreciation of tract of about 28,000 ha whose the Park's natural and cultural northeastern corner crosses Moberley heritage. Lake. This private ownership includes the bed of about 1.5 krn of Heritage appreciation opportunities waterway, as well as the shoreline on will be primarily unstructured ones. both sides and an island. There is a Formal interpretation and education rock art site on the waterway shore. will be kept at a minimum. Visitor Block 6 is the only privately owned services planned for the park are land within or bordering on the park. described in Section 7. The Ministry of Natural Resources Tourism: will seek to acquire Block 6 lands to provide Ontario's residents within 200 m of the shoreline of and out of province visitors with Moberley Lake, an area of about opportunities to discover and 80 ha, as well as the approximately experience the Brightsand River 30 ha of privately owned lakebed (see area. Map 2) . If and when these lands are acquired, the park's boundary will be Tourism opportunities will be amended to include them. Pending maintained and enhanced by: acquisition, the Ministry will seek C) e .-e o N e "CO ...~ «J . " e ~ o m ~... «J C. ~ ...,, "",, _ ...... _ . t": " ~ ~ ~ " ~ . -_ . . ,;.. ;_ . ':7 (-' .:» 'v'\ <. '1 \..') . i ~ ~ , r '''\,./(\..r· ...\.. ",", . .-"' ~.~..; A 2 ( 2 I .~ . _ . / !":v· . ("j,NE 21 ,\::..";- •••• I~. f ·Jf~ ·~ 1 r-: r. ,...,...//) e:', ...,;. NR3 ,/,....AI' .-:) ~...... ·.r, Park Boundary · ~r }. ..-...... ". ••••••••••••••••• NE Zone Boundary --'--'-'-'-'-'-'-'- NR/A Zone Boundary NR2 m NR1 A1 Zone Designation @ Commercial Outpost ~ Youth Camp Outpost .. Private Recreational NR1 Camp/Cottage (To be phased out) SCALE 1: 250,000 o Km 5 10 15 CD bd bdbd ! ! NOTE : All of the Brightsand River water route and all waterway portages are in natural environment zones . A1 - 9 an interim agreement with Abitibi occupations earlier. Price not to cut timber or build roads within 200 m of the shoreline 5 PARK ZONING of Moberley Lake, and not to build roads within 380 m of the shoreline 5.1 Zoning Policy without Ministry agreement. Lands within Brightsand River 4.2 Land Tenure Provincial Park will be zoned so that they will be allocated to their most Although there are no privately owned appropriate uses within the park. lands within park boundaries, some There are six types of zones in the park lands are subject to land use provincial parks system: wilderness, permits or licences of occupation. nature reserve, natural environment, Policies for these forms of tenure, historical, access, and development. and for regularizing one existing In Brightsand River Park, there will non-tenured occupation, will be as be six nature reserve, five natural follows. environment, and three access zones, as shown on Map 2. The five existing commercial outpost camps and the one The zone boundaries are shown in more existing youth camp outpost will detail on 1:50,000 maps on file with be permitted to remain at the the Ministry of Natural Resources. locations shown on Map 2, subject It may be necessary to delineate some to the policies in Sections 7.3 boundaries more precisely on the and 7.4. Occupation of these ground, and this will be done as locations, and any increases in required. capacity or changes in locations or any new operations permitted Not all significant resources in the by specific plan amendments, will park require special zones. Nature be authorized by land use permits reserve and historical zones are for periods of up to five years. established only where the resources in them require recognition and A land use permit will be granted management distinct from that in to the Canada Department of the adjacent zones. Brightsand River Environment for its water gauging Park's known archaeological and rock station on Moberley Lake. art sites, and some of its earth and life science features, will be Private recreational camps and conserved effectively by being cottages as shown on Map 2, on protected in natural environment land use permits (one on McEwen zones. Lake) and licences of occupation (one on Kawaweogama Lake) will be There are no wilderness landscapes in permitted to remain until the park of the size and integrity January 1, 2010, as long as the necessary to qualify as wilderness improvements remain in their zones. present ownership. Transfers to other private occupiers will not The following sections briefly be permitted. The Ministry of describe each zone, and list the Natural Resources may enter into resource uses, recreational uses, and agreements with the present types of development permitted in occupiers to end their each type of zone. All resource and - 10 recreational uses and facility - permanent residents of Allan development will be subject to the Water Bridge (many of whom fall standard legislation and policies within one or more of the governing provincial parks and public preceding categories), while lands and resources, as well as the engaged in noncommercial policies in Sections 6, 7, and 8 of activities. this plan. The zoning, development, and For simplicity, only those management policies in this plan are recreational uses of interest to the without prejudice to any aboriginal largest numbers of people are listed or treaty rights of native people below. Other uses will be permitted which are now recognized or may be or prohibited by analogy to the lists recognized in the future. provided here, or in accordance with the planning and management policies 5.2 Nature Reserve Zones for waterway parks. For example, kayaking will be treated in the same Nature reserve zones include any way as canoeing; snowshoeing, in the significant earth and life science same way as cross-country skiing. features in the waterway corridor that require management distinct from For the purposes of this plan, the that in adjacent zones. following definitions apply. The only waters included in the Trappers licensed to trap in the park's nature reserve zones are small park and who are not status ponds and streams that do not form Indians: part of the Brightsand River water • - are limited to those persons route. licensed as of January I, 1989; - will continue to be licensed Zone NRl - Little Metionga Lake until they retire, die, or (570 ha) transfer their traplines to status Indians, or until This zone protects a braided esker January I, 2010, whichever is complex unusual for its large sooner. concentration of well preserved esker ridges and associated landforms. It Local resource users fall in one also includes one of the park's more or more of the following important prehistoric occupation categories: sites. - status Indians with treaty rights; Zone NR2 - Sioux Lookout Moraine - trappers licensed to trap in 0,150 ha) the park, or on traplines to which the Brightsand waterway This zone protects the best developed provides the most convenient section of the Sioux Lookout Moraine, access, while engaged in one of Northwestern Ontario's major trapping (including trappers' glacial features, where it crosses helpers); the Brightsand River. The moraine's - commercial bait fishers vegetation is a good quality example licensed to bait fish in the of upland coniferous and deciduous park, while engaged in bait forest. fishing; - 11 Zone NR3 - Brightsand Lake (30 ha) Recreational uses permitted in nature reserve zones: This zone protects a good example of canoeing a kame-kettle complex. This hiking concentration of glacial features cross-country skiing includes an unusual cone-shaped kame. sport fishing There is also an open bog vegetation heritage appreciation. community in one of the kettle depressions. Developlllellt permitted in nature reserve zones: Zone NR4 - McEwen Lake (550 ha) hiking/ski trails necessary signs This zone protects an excellent minimal interpretive facilities example of DeGeer moraines, a series temporary facilities for park of small, closely spaced moraines. research and management. Zone NR5 - Kawaweogama Lake (30 ha) 5.3 Natural Environment Zones This zone consists of a chain of Natural environment zones include islands and peninsulas formed by a aesthetic sections of the waterway beaded esker that has been flooded by corridor in which there is minimum Kawaweogama Lake. The islands development required to support low support white pine stands which are intensity recreational water travel unusual this far north, and which activities, and associated aesthetic also provide good bald eagle nesting landscapes. habitat. All of the Brightsand River water Zone NR6 - Sunray Lake (1,740 ha) route and all waterway portages are included in the park's natural This zone protects a large, good environment zones. quality grouping of diverse types of wetlands, including open bogs, wet Zone NEl - Aylsworth-Twining shore meadows, and closed lowland (1,710 ha) forest. This zone includes Aylsworth and Resource uses permitted in nature Twining lakes, and is readily reserve zones: accessible from access zone AI. Zone traditional natural resource NE1 will be oriented primarily to harvesting activities by status waterway travellers and zone Al Indians in accordance with the users. The zone also includes two of terms of their treaties the park's more important prehistoric trapping by status Indians occupation sites. trapping by persons licensed to trap in the park who are not Zone NE2 - Moberley-Brightsand status Indians (until January 1, (8,390 ha, plus 30 ha water surface 2010) rights only) local resource user motorboating, snowmobiling (designated trails This zone includes Moberley, Little only), and aircraft Metionga, Metionga, and Brightsand takeoff/landing. lakes, and the Brightsand River north to the Brightsand Road, and is - 12 separated by portages from access Water Bridge. McEwen, Kawaweogama, zones Al and A2. There are three and Sunray lakes are readily fly-in outpost camps in this zone. accessible from the community, where Zone NE2 will be oriented primarily a lodge is located. There is a youth to waterway travellers and tourist camp outpost in this zone. Zone NE5 accommodation guests. The zone also will be primarily oriented to includes one of the park's more waterway travellers, Allan Water important prehistoric occupation Bridge residents, and guests of sites, and eight rock art sites. If tourist accommodation outside the and when the adjacent portion of park. The zone also includes an Block 6 is acquired, it will be extensive land base south and east of included in this zone. Kawaweogama Lake, including a scenic highland with excellent views over Zone HE3 - Kashishibog-Harmon the lake and good hiking potential. (8,190 ha) Resource uses permitted in natural This zone includes the Brightsand environment zones: River north of the Brightsand Road, traditional natural resource and Harmon Lake. The river south of harvesting activities by status Harmon Lake is readily accessible Indians in accordance with the from access zone A2, while access terms of their treaties zone A3 will provide direct access to commercial bait fishing Harmon Lake. Zone NE3 will be trapping by status Indians oriented primarily to waterway trapping by persons licensed to travellers and zone A2 and A3 users. trap in the park who are not The zone also includes one rock art status Indians (until January 1, • site. 2010) local resource user motorboating, Zone NE4 - Wapikaimaski (8,310 ha) snowmobiling (designated trails only), and aircraft . This zone includes Wapikaimaski Lake, takeoff/landing. and is separated by portages from access zone A3 and Allan Water Recreational uses permitted in Bridge. There are two fly-in outpost natural environment zones: camps in this zone. Zone NE4 will be canoeing primarily oriented to waterway motorboating travellers and tourist accommodation hiking guests. The zone also includes one cross-country skiing of the park's more important snowmobiling (designated trails prehistoric occupation and stone only) workshop sites, and one rock art aircraft takeoff/landing site. sport fishing sport hunting Zone NH5 - Antler-Sunray (10,390 ha) back-country camping heritage appreciation. This zone includes Antler and McEwen lakes, most of Kawaweogama Lake, the Development permitted in natural waters of Sunray Lake, and connecting environment zones: waterways. Antler Lake and the portages Brightsand River south of McEwen Lake hiking/ski trails are separated by portages from Allan necessary signs - 13 back-country campsites Provincial Park, which begins on the commercial outpost camp and east side of the Graham Road. The commercial boat-in cabin zone will continue to be used for car operations specifically approved and canoe camping and boat launching. by this plan (Zones NE2 and NE4 only) This zone's location midway along the youth camp outpost operations Brightsand and at the head of Kopka specifically approved by this River Park offers an opportunity for plan development of facilities more minimal interpretive facilities intensive than those normally found temporary facilities for park in an access zone, such as commercial research and management tourist accommodation catering resource access road crossings primarily to users of the two specifically approved by this waterway parks. However, the zone is plan. not physically capable of supporting more intensive development. 5.4 Access Zones Consideration will be given to providing the opportunity to develop Access zones serve as staging areas more intensive facilities on Crown where minimum facilities support use land adjacent to the park. of less developed portions of the water route. Zone A3 - Barmon Lake (60 ha) There is no water surface in the This zone will include the existing park's access zones. access to the north end of Harmon Lake. Use of this access point Zone Al - Aylsworth Lake (70 ha) currently requires a short carry from the Graham Road to water. The This zone includes the existing Ministry of Natural Resources will access point and campground where the construct a spur road to improve Graham Road crosses the Brightsand access. This zone will be used for River east of Aylsworth Lake. boat launching only. Canadian Pacific Forest Products plans to relocate this stretch of the Resource uses permitted in access Graham Road to the east side of the zones: river, and move the river crossing traditional natural resource about 2 km south. The Ministry of harvesting activities by status Natural Resources will maintain a Indians in accordance with the portion of the old road to provide terms of their treaties continued access to Zone Al from the trapping by status Indians new road. The zone will continue to trapping by persons licensed to be used for car and canoe camping and trap in the park who are not boat launching. status Indians (until January 1, 2010) Zone A2 - Kashishibog River (30 ha) local resource user snowmobiling (designated roads and trails This zone includes the existing only) access point and campground where the local resource user use of other Graham Road crosses the Kashishibog all-terrain vehicles (campsites River. The zone will also serve the and designated roads only). access requirements of Kopka River - 14 Recreational uses permitted in access Where desirable and practical, zones: significant natural features on park hiking lands will be managed so as to cross-country skiing perpetuate the values from which snowmobiling (designated roads their significance arises. For and trails only) example, a particular habitat use of other all-terrain vehicles condition or stage of natural (campsites and designated roads succession may be maintained, or non only) native plant species threatening car and canoe camping (Zones Al significant values may be eradicated. and A2 only) Fertilizers and herbicides will not heritage appreciation. be used in any such management. Any such management will be undertaken in Development permitted in access accordance with a natural features zones: management plan which has been hiking/ski trails approved and made available for necessary signs public inspection in advance. access roads and parking boat docking and launching All significant natural features not facilities subject to an approved management basic day use facilities plan will be permitted to evolve basic car campgrounds (Zones Al naturally and without human and A2 only) interference. basic commercial outfitting services catering to back-country 6.2 Cultural Heritage Management travellers • visitor information facilities Significant cultural features will be interpretive facilities protected from incompatible facilities for park research and development wherever they occur in management. the park. Incompatible resource uses and recreational activities will be 6 RESOURCE MANAGEMENT POLICIES restricted or prohibited where necessary to protect significant Brightsand River Provincial Park will cultural heritage values. be managed in accordance with the planning and management policies for Management strategies for individual provincial waterway parks, as well as archaeological sites may range from the specific policies in this section allowing features to evolve without of the plan. human interference, to researching, excavating, and rehabilitating 6.1 Natural Heritage Management occupation sites, to managing rock art sites so as to stabilize their Significant natural features will be present conditions. Any active protected from incompatible management will be undertaken in development wherever they occur in accordance with a cultural features the park. Incompatible resource uses management plan which has been and recreational activities will be approved by the Ministry of Culture, restricted or prohibited where Tourism and Recreation as well as the necessary to protect significant Ministry of Natural Resources, and natural heritage values. made available for public inspection, in advance. Priority will be given - 15 to the development of a management capability, resource availability, plan for the Moberley Lake rock art and resource management objectives. sites. The objectives of fire management in Some of the park's more important the park are to: archaeological sites are also used as prevent injury, death, and social back-country campsites. Pending the disruption resulting from fire; development of a cultural features minimize negative impacts of fire management plan, these sites may be on public and private property closed to camping. and on park values; contribute to park natural 6.3 Vegetation Management heritage management where appropriate. Additional non-native plant species will not be introduced to the park. Fire suppression techniques used will If biologically feasible and have the least possible effect on the acceptable, missing native plant park's environment. Techniques such species may be reintroduced so as to as bulldozing will be used only in rehabilitate the quality of areas critical situations. Construction of suffering past or present resource or facilities such as camps and helipads recreational use impacts. Chemical will be minimized. fertilizers and herbicides may not be used for this purpose. Programs may be developed to control forest insects and diseases in the Trees may be cut in the park only to park where these threaten significant enable facility development and heritage or aesthetic values, or • resource management specifically economic values outside the park. authorized by this plan or by an Where control is desirable, it will approved resource management, site, be directed as narrowly as possible or development plan, or to ensure to the specific insect or disease so public safety. Trees may not be cut as to have minimal effects on other for the purpose of providing components of the park's environment. fuelwood, although trees cut for Biological control will be used other purposes may be used as fuel. wherever feasible. Control programs Trees cut for resource access road will be instituted in nature reserve crossings may be removed from the zones in extreme cases only. Any park and used as the proponent sees control programs will be undertaken fit. All other trees cut in the park in accordance with a forest will remain and be used in the park. protection plan which has been approved and made available for The park lies within Ontario's public inspection in advance. intensive fire management zone. All fires in this zone will be actively 6.4 Fisheries Management suppressed to minimize negative impacts. Management actions such as Sport fishing in the park will be hazard reduction, prevention managed in accordance with the programs, and detection will be policies and regulations prevailing emphasized. In the event of an in the sports fishing divisions in escaped fire, aggressive suppression which the park is located, except will generally be automatic, in where special management is required accordance with suppression as determined through a fisheries - 16 management plan. Animal populations may be controlled when essential to protect human Fisheries management plans will be health and safety or the health of prepared for the following waters, in animal species outside the park. order of priority. Where control is desirable, 1. Little Metionga, Metionga, and techniques will be used which have Brightsand lakes. minimal effects on other components 2. Wapikaimaski Lake. of the park's environment. Any 3. Moberley Lake. hunting or trapping to control 4. Kawaweogama Lake (including populations will be carried out waters outside the park). directly by, or under the strict 5. Harmon Lake. supervision of, the Ministry of Plans may be developed for other Natural Resources. waters if the need arises. Any wildlife reintroduction' or These plans will determine: control will be undertaken in the supply, catch, and harvest of accordance with a wildlife management prime angling species; plan which has been approved and made the biological health of the available for public inspection in prime species; advance. whether the fisheries resource has the capacity to accommodate A Woodland Caribou Habitat Management additional use; Plan is currently being developed for whether additional restrictions the Brightsand Forest, and will, on harvests and/or reductions in subject to the policies of this plan, existing tourist accommodation guide caribou management in the park. capacity are warranted. • These plans will be subject to public 6.6 Land and Water Management review and comment before approval. Two all-weather resource access roads 6.5 Wildlife Management will be permitted to cross the park (see Map 2): As indicated in Section 5, sport the existing Brightsand Road; hunting will be permitted in natural the proposed Antler Lake Road, in environment zones, and persons accordance with the Brightsand licensed to trap in the park who are Forest Timber Management Plan. not status Indians will be permitted to trap until January 1, 2010. These No other all-weather or seasonal activities will be managed in river crossings will be permitted, accordance with the policies and and no new roads will be built except regulations prevailing in the in access zones, without a major wildlife management units in which amendment to this plan. No road will the park is located. be permitted in a nature reserve zone. Any proposal for a new Additional non-native animal species crossing or road will be subject to will not be introduced to the park. the following criteria: Missing native animal species may be demonstration of need through a reintroduced, and eXisting Ministry of Natural Resources populations replenished, if land use or resource planning biologically feasible and acceptable. process; protection of the park's natural, - 17 cultural, recreational, and Forest surrounding the park. These tourism values; include: minimization of environmental areas within 180 m of the park impacts; boundary - no roads may be built adherence to the planning and without Ministry of Natural management policies for Resources permission; provincial waterway parks and the areas within 120 m of the policies of this plan. perimeters of access points reserved from cutting; The Brightsand Road is expected to areas within 60 m of portages remain in use for the life of this reserved from cutting. plan. When the Antler Lake Road will Although areas within 120 m of access be built, and for how long it will point perimeters and 60 m of portages remain in use, are at present would usually fall within park unknown. Both roads will be posted boundaries, there may be some at their intersections with the locations where they extend into the Graham Road to prohibit public use, Brightsand Forest. and these closures will be strictly enforced. No clearings or landings Commercial tourist operations based will be developed at either crossing in the park, and on waters in the that would facilitate public access Allan Water Bridge area with direct to the waterway. After the Antler motorboat access to park waters, will Lake Road is no longer needed to be permitted to cache boats in provide access to timber harvesting natural environment zones under the and regeneration operations west of following conditions. the park, the river crossing will be Caches may not be within 500 m of removed, the crossing area will be any road accessible to the public rehabilitated, and the road will be or the forest industry. blocked east of the park boundary. Caches must be at locations authorized by the park All existing roads other than the superintendent. Brightsand Road in natural Seasonal permits and fees will be environment and nature reserve zones instituted when the park becomes will be allowed to deteriorate operational. naturally, and will be blocked at or Boats may be used only by guests beyond the park boundary. The making staying at in-park and Allan of roads or trails by persons other Water Bridge area commercial than the Ministry of Natural accommodation. Resources or the proponents of roads approved by this plan will not be Commercial tourist operations permitted. licensed in Ontario may be permitted to cache boats in access zones under Areas of Concern in which timber the authority, terms, and conditions management operations are restricted of concession agreements. or prohibited on the basis of values identified in this plan will be At present, in-park and Allan Water incorporated into the Brightsand Bridge area tourist operations have Forest Timber Management Plan, which 12 boats cached in the park, all in governs the activities of Canadian natural environment zones and more Pacific Forest Products and other than 500 m from roads. The cached forest companies in the Brightsand boats are distributed as follows: - 18 Little Metionga Lake - 8 authorized by the park Harmon Lake - 3 superintendent. unnamed lake immediately south of McEwen Lake - 1. All solid waste from access zones and authorized occupations of park lands The total number of commercial will be disposed of outside the park. tourist operation boats cached in the park will not be permitted to exceed The park's waters will not be the present total of 12 without a controlled. No dams or other water major amendment to this plan. Within control structures will be built in the approved maximum. and subject to the park. the findings and recommendations of approved fisheries management plans. 7 PARK OPERATIONS POLICIES the park superintendent may at any time allow or require changes in the At such time as the park becomes locations of boats cached in natural operational. a park operations plan environment zones. including location will be prepared to provide Ministry of boats on lakes with none at of Natural Resources staff with the present. and may enter into information needed to operate the concession agreements to permit park on a day-to-day basis. In caching of boats in access zones. addition to the topics below. the operations plan will deal with Local resource users will be budgets. staffing. administration. permitted to cache boats in the park maintenance. enforcement. and under the following conditions. emergency services. The operations Caches may not be within 500 m of plan will be consistent with the any road accessible to the public approved operating standards for or the forest industry. prOVincial parks. as well as the Caches must be at locations specific policies in this section of authorized by the park the management plan. and will be superintendent. available for public inspection. It is the intent of the Ministry of Natural Resources that the total Ministry of Natural Resources staff number of local resource user boats may use motorboats. snowmobiles. cached in the park not increase. aircraft. motor vehicles. and all terrain vehicles i n the park to the Except for commercial tourist extent necessary for efficient park operations and local resource users management and operations. Any other under the conditions described above. public agency may use any craft or no person will be permitted to cache vehicle for search and rescue boats anywhere in the park other than emergencies in the park. subject to on lands he or she occupies by virtue the approval of the park of a land use permit or licence of superintendent at the earliest occupation. Any cached boat not possible opportunity. authorized by the policies of this plan and not at a location authorized 7.1 Visitor Services by the park superintendent will be removed from the park. Interpretation Trappers licensed to trap within the The following interpretive park may maintain cabins at sites initiatives may be undertaken in the - 19 park as warranted by demand: waterway experience. publications to acquaint visitors with the park's heritage values 7.2 Recreation Management and resources; development of interpretive Only nonresidents of Canada are now trails; required to pay fees for camping in outdoor display panels at the park. Once the park becomes heritage sites of particular operational, campers in access zones interest. Al and A2 will be required to obtain interior camping permits, and Information following upgrading of the campgrounds, campsite and vehicle A park brochure will be prepared. permits will be required. The brochure will include an up-to-date map showing portages and At present, the camping areas in campsites along the waterway, and access zones Al and A2 are used will inform back-country users about primarily by longer term visitors as interior use regulations and do's and main destinations. In future, don'ts while travelling the waterway. commercial tourism accommodation may The possibility will be explored of be developed on Crown land adjacent developing the brochure as a joint to zoneA2 (see Section 5.4). Should effort of the Ministry of Natural such facilities be developed, zones Resources and park area tourist Al and A2 will be managed to provide operators. waterway travellers with one night's camping when they start or end their The brochure and general information trips, or during their trips if they on the park will be available from are passing by, rather than for Ministry of Natural Resources offices destination camping. in Dryden, Ignace, Thunder Bay, and Toronto. Information will also be A back-country recreation management provided at the visitor booth built plan will be developed for the park, in 1992 on the Graham Road 1.8 km and will be made available for public north of Highway 17, as a partnership inspection in advance of approval. between the Ministry, Canadian The program will be implemented Pacific Forest Products, and Buchanan gradually as the following elements Forest Products Ltd. In addition, are needed and can be funded. provincial and local tourist information centres in Northwestern Users will be required to obtain Ontario and park area tourist interior camping permits and to operators will be encouraged to carry out nonburnable garbage. display and distribute the park brochure. Interior camping permit data will allow use levels on various All information provided to back sections of the waterway to be country users will emphasize: more accurately determined. a "leave no trace" approach that will minimize human impacts on Using and refining information the park environment; already collected on campsite the importance of adequate skill locations, the amount of back levels and safety precautions as country use that various sections part of a safe and enjoyable of the waterway can accoEDodate - 20 will be more accurately Section 5.4 also notes that there is determined. an opportunity for development of commercial accommodation and related Portages and existing campsites facilities on Crown land outside the will be improvedt and new sites park and adjacent to access zone A2t developed as required. that would complement the facilities offered in that zone. Litter accumulations will be cleaned up. The use of cans and As indicated in Section 5.3 t this bottles may be prohibited if plan will permit commercial tourist necessary. accommodation operations to continue to operate in natural environment If necessary to restrict uset zones NE2 and NE4. The existing camping will be limited to outpost camps widen the variety of designated sites on part or all opportunities available for users to of the waterway. Party size and discover and experience the parkt are length of stay at campsites may compatible with other uses of the also be limited if necessary. lakes on which they are situatedt appear to have minimal adverse A program of regular maintenance impacts on the parkt and contribute and enforcement will be to the local economy. introduced. As indicated in Section 4.2t the five Public involvement in efforts to existing fly-in outpost camps are clean up and improve back-country permitted to remain at the locations recreation facilities will be shown on Map 2. These camps will be encouraged through Ministry of permitted to operate at bed Natural Resources support of capacities that ensure that uses of volunteer efforts and maximum use of the lakes affected by the camps do special employment programs for this not exceed the resource and purpose. The Ministry will also seek recreational capacities of those to involve in-park commercial tourist lakes t as demonstrated through the operations in managing lunch sitest appropriate approved resource campsitest and portages used by their management plans. The existing camps guests. may be permitted to increase their bed capacities or to relocate within 7.3 Tourism Services zones NE2 and NE4 t subject to a major amendment to this plan. As indicated in Section 5.4t basic commercial outfitting services Proposals for new commercial tourist catering to back-country travellers accommodation operations in zones NE2 may be permitted in access zones. and NE4 that would further expand the Proposals that offer the potential to variety of opportunities availablet improve access to and promote in particular by catering to users waterway travelt and· are otherwise other than anglers and hunters t will compatible with the park's resource be favourably consideredt provided and recreational potentials and the that they conform with the policies policies of this plant will be of this plan and the limits of the favourably considered. Any such park's resource and recreational services will be enabled through capacity. Establishment of any such concession agreements. new operations will require a major - 21 amendment to this plan. to the Brightsand. The outpost is compatible with other uses of Review and approval of proposals for Kawaweogama Lake, appears to have increases in capacity and changes in minimal adverse impacts on the park, location of existing operations, and and contributes to the local economy. for any new operations, in zones NE2 The outpost may be permitted to and NE4 will be undertaken jointly by increase its bed capacity or to the ministries of Natural Resources relocate within natural environment and Culture, Tourism and Recreation. zones, subject to a major amendment to this plan. The operation of existing and new commercial accommodation in the park Subject to the policies of this plan will be subject to the following and the limits of the park's resource conditions. and recreational capacity, proposals Operations will be limited to for other youth camp outposts in fly-in or boat-in outpost camps natural environment zones will be and boat-in cabins. considered. Any youth camp facility Operations may continue to cater in the park must be an outpost of a to anglers and hunters, but will camp with its main base elsewhere in also be encouraged to cater to Ontario. Establishment of any such other waterway users as well. new operations will require a major Boats based at operations may be amendment to this plan. used only by guests staying at in-park commercial accommodation. The operation of any youth camp The park superintendent may outpost in the park will be subject impose specific operating to the following conditions. requirements on camps, in Operations will be limited to accordance with the findings and those providing short term base recommendations of approved facilities for groups canoeing in fisheries management plans and the park and area. other resource and recreational Operations may offer angling as management considerations. an ancillary activity. Any transfer of ownership of Operations may not offer hunting. improvements will be subject to The park superintendent's the approval of the park authority over operations and superintendent. transfers of ownership of improvements will be the same as 7.4 Youth Camping Services for commercial accommodation (see Section 7.3). As indicated in Section 4.2, this plan permits an existing youth camp 7.5 Marketing outpost to remain at the location on Kawaweogama Lake shown on Map 2. The A marketing plan will be developed capacity of the outpost will be for the park, and will be available limited to 20 beds. This outpost for public inspection. widens the variety of opportunities available for users to discover and 7.6 Research experience Brightsand River Provincial Park and the other Research by qualified individuals provincial park and Crown land back that contributes to knowledge of country recreational resources linked natural and cultural history and to - 22 environmental and recreational access zones will also take into management will be encouraged in the account potential locations for park. All research programs will commercial outfitting concessions, require Ministry of Natural Resources and the potential location of approval, will conform to research commercial facilities on Crown land policies for provincial parks, and adjacent to Zone A2. will also meet all other applicable provincial and federal requirements. Park Interior 8 DEVELOPKKNT POLICIES Where necessary, existing portages and back-country campsites will be 8.1 Ministry of Natural Resources improved to an appropriate standard for provincial park interior All development undertaken by the recreation, and new portages and Ministry of Natural Resources or by sites may be developed. Priorities concessionaires on its behalf will be will be identified and development carried out in accordance with standards established as part of the approved site and development plans park's back-country recreation that meet development standards for management plan (see Section 7.2). provincial parks and satisfy Ontario environmental assessment Hiking trails will be developed to requirements. The location, design, appropriate standards as warranted by and materials of all facilities will demand. Priority will be given to: as much as possible reflect the a hiking trail from Kawaweogama natural environment character of the Lake to the uplands south and park. east of the lake; interpretive trails in nature The following developments will be reserve zones, as warranted by undertaken by the Ministry of Natural demand. Resources. Park Operations Access Zones Facilities may be developed in access The camping areas in Zones Al and A2 zones for fee collection and permit will be redeveloped and improved to issuance, maintenance and operations, an appropriate standard for short equipment storage, and staff term car camping for waterway users. accommodation. Road access to water will be developed in Zone A3. In all three 8.2 Land Use Permits and Licences zones, boat docks and launch ramps, of Occupation car and trailer parking, picnic sites, drinking water, privies, and On lands subject to land use permits garbage disposal will be provided. and licences of occupation, all exterior work of any kind and all The location and extent of interior structural alterations will development within each access zone be subject to review and approval of will be subject to detailed site and site and development plans and development planning. It is not issuance of a work permit by the park anticipated that there will be more superintendent. This policy will than 25 campsites in either Zone Al apply to the commercial tourist and or Zone A2. Site planning for the youth camp operations permitted in - 23 • natural environment zones, as well as Commencement of back-country to private recreational camps and recreation management plan. • cottages as long as they remain in the park. The superintendent will Development of park brochure. ensure that developments and improvements reflect as much as Preparation of marketing plan. possible the natural environment character of the park. Development of Kawaweogama Lake hiking trail. 9 IMPLEMENTATION PRIORITIES 10 PLAN REVIEW AND AKENDHKNT Priority will be given to completing the following initiatives, as funds As indicated in Section 1, this plan permit. These initiatives are listed will be reviewed 10 years after its in order of priority at the time of approval, and whenever necessary to plan approval, but the order may be address new issues or changing varied without a plan amendment. conditions. The extent of change to the plan that the review suggests is Enforcement of closure to public warranted will determine how much of Brightsand and (when built) public consultation is required. Antler Lake roads. A minor amendment would involve Blocking of all other existing housekeeping corrections to the plan, roads in nature reserve and or changes that do not alter the natural environment zones. plan's intent, affect the park's • objectives or its ability to meet Acquisition of Block 6 lands near those objectives, or have any and lakebed under Moberley Lake. significant impacts on the park's environment or use. Minor amendments Commencement of fisheries will be incorporated in the file management plans, in the order copies of this plan and will be listed in Section 6.4. available for public inspection. The Ministry of Natural Resources will Closing of important determine whether any public archaeological sites to camping. consultation is needed prior to approval. Development of access zone A3. A major amendment would involve any Preparation of Moberley Lake rock change that would represent a art sites management plan. significant departure from the plan's original intent and direction. Major Redevelopment of access zone A1. amendments will require full public consultation. This plan specifies Redevelopment of access zone A2 several specific types of amendments (priority may be raised depending that would be considered major. on private sector interest in development of adjacent Crown 11 REFERENCES lands) . All documents except the Brightsand Preparation of park operations Forest Timber Management Plan were plan. published by the Ministry of Natural - 24 Resources. Copies of the asterisked documents are available from the Ministry; all other documents are available for inspection at the • Ministry's Thunder Bay and Ignace offices. Ignace District Land Use Guidelines, 1983, as amended. Thunder Bay District Land Use Guidelines, 1983, as amended. Brightsand River Provincial Park Interim Management Statement, 1984. Geology and Geomorphology of the Brightsand River Proposed Waterway Park, by Andis Zilans, 1986. Life Science Inventory of Brightsand River Recommended Provincial Park, by Bruce Thacker, 1986. The Brightsand River System Archaeological Survey, 1986, by Peter • W.G. Nieuwhof, 1986. • Recreation Inventory of Brightsand River Recommended Waterway Park, by Chris Christie and Rick Rollins, 1986. Brightsand River Provincial Waterway Park: Background Information, 1988*. Canadian Pacific Forest Products Limited, Brightsand Forest Timber Management Plan, 1989. Brightsand River Provincial Park: Planning Alternatives, 1990*. Brightsand River Provincial Park: Preliminary Management Plan, 1991*. A•