The Algonquin POSTAGE LABEL HERE Eco Watcher TOLL FREE 1-888-894-TREE • FAX (705) 377-5200 Website www.algonquin-eco-watch.com Volume 7 Number 1 Spring-Summer 2006 Email: [email protected] RR#1 Spring Bay, ON P0P 2B0 OUR 10TH ANNIVERSARY ! A CELEBRATION OF WATER 2006 marks the beginning of our 11th year. minimizing additives, especially those resulting water. Such activities as road building, aggregate Algonquin Eco Watch has always considered from man’s activities. Examples of impurities extraction and the manipulation of swamps and the protection of pure constant water in the range from atmospheric sulphur dioxide, marshes may all lead to diminished flow from Algonquin Ecosystem to be our primary through road salt spread along the Highway 60 ground water and surface water sources. concern. corridor, to the soaps, shampoos, deodorants We hope as you read through this year’s A drop of completely pure water consists and perfumes left behind by people bathing “Algonquin Eco Watcher”, that you will of molecules, each of which is made up of in Algonquin waters. In a way, Algonquin is appreciate the many ways in which we are one atom of oxygen and 2 atoms of hydrogen. the water custodian for downstream towns dealing with water-related issues. In addition When pure water has anything else added and villages, which depend upon one of the of course, there are many other issues that all to it, it ceases to be pure water and becomes eight rivers that source within the Algonquin deal with the future well-being of this most a dilute solution of whatever has been added. Ecosystem for their fresh water. significant south central Ontario ecosystem. Atmospheric additives as well as those picked Another of our goals is to protect water up during downstream flow all contribute to quantity by ensuring that activities within the We invite you to join us as we enter our more complex, less pure, water molecules. ecosystem do not interfere in any way with second decade. One of our goals is to protect water quality by the flow, magnitude and patterns of Algonquin H2O The 8 Algonquin Rivers ••••••••••••• Magnetawan South Amable du Fond Petawawa Ground water freezes as it encounters sub-zero Headwater sphagnum swamp. temperatures in this Highway 60 rock-cut. Bonnechere Madawaska York Muskoka PAGE #2 goals of Algonquin Park as: Why is Algonquin Eco Watch Concerned? The Algonquin -maintenance of water supply in eight major water systems Algonquin Eco Watch (AEW) is not Eco Watch - preservation of a primeval forest opposed to logging in the Park. We respect - protection of birds and animals its long tradition and the community support Board of Directors - a field for experiments in forestry logging provides. Furthermore, if logging is - a place of health resort, and conducted with respect for the ecosystems and Chair: Mike Wilton - beneficial effects on climate. the fish and wildlife these ecosystems support, Vice-Chair: Dave Euler it can be a positive activity. AEW is concerned, Sec-Treas: Marj Wilton Logging has a long tradition in the Park however, about the intensity of harvest and what Directors: seems to us a loss of wildlife habitat diversity Heather Campbell Ironically, even though commercial timber during the course of logging in that part of the Lela Gamble harvest was not part of the purpose for which Park where forest management is occurring. Erin Hogg the Park was established, timber harvest Linda Leckie continued to be a tradition in the Park and over Terry Spratt the decades following Park establishment, Individual profiles may be an active logging industry continued. For the found on our website: first half of the 20th century, there was little www.algonquin-eco-watch.com controversy about logging in Algonquin. In the late 1960s and early 1970s, however, considerable controversy developed about logging in the Park. The controversy centred on the principle of logging in a provincial park, the purpose of the Park and how the logging was being done. Considerable public debate and study of the issues resulted in the 1974 Master Plan for Algonquin Provincial Park. This plan changed the purpose of the Park from the original purpose, and provided for zoning of the Park intoCD# several categories, some of which allowed logging, and others which did not. The Master Plan also set out specific strategies for the conduct of forest management activities. The The transition from hemlock-hardwood to poplar-pine methods of harvest were specified (primarily forest across the Algonquin Dome is depicted in this shelter wood and selection) and a variety of north-westerly view up the Bonnechere River Valley. conditions pertaining to timing, location, and Abundant species diversity, typical of the Great Lakes standards were established. - St. Lawrence forest type can be preserved for the future by proper forest management throughout the Algonquin To manage and supervise commercial Ecosystem. forestry, the Algonquin Forestry Authority (AFA) was established in 1974 and is classified as an “Operational Enterprise” Crown Agency. Forest Management: The Authority is a commercially-oriented, operational agency and is self-financing. The The Single Most AFA was established by Bill 155 “An Act to Important Factor Incorporate the AFA, 1974”. The timber licences previously held by 20 companies were cancelled Affecting the and the timber rights were assigned to the AFA. In 1983, the Ministry of Natural Resources Algonquin Ecosystem (MNR)/ Ontario Parks (Ont. Pks.) and the AFA (By Dave Euler) concluded a Forest Management Undertaking, which transferred the responsibility for forest Algonquin Park: Established 1893 management, silviculture, wood measurement, and maintenance of public access roads from Circa 1870, the entire area between what the MNR to the AFA. This agreement continues is now Barrie to the French River had been today but is now called the Algonquin Park stripped of much of its original forest cover. Forestry Agreement. The MNR retains an audit The great white pine trees that supplied role on all activities of the AFA. square timbers for homes and industry were no longer abundant, and it was clear that the Excellent source of pine and hardwoods Logging methods have changed significantly over the harvest of the remaining forest would have years. to be carefully controlled. The government, The forest industry supplied by Algonquin looking to establish permanent settlements Park timber is comprised of sawmills, hardwood Loss of excessive overstory (canopy) in such and to manage the forests, sent James Dickson veneer mills, a pole plant and pulp mills, which areas as marshes and swamps, in addition to out from Ottawa to survey the land that is now are wholly or partly dependent on this source aggregate removal for road building can lead Algonquin Park. The purpose of his work was of raw material. This wood supply supports to temperature and flow alteration in ground to divide the land into settlements for future mills in communities such as Huntsville, and surface source water areas. As well, one of farms and to control the unrestricted harvest of South River, Sundridge, Whitney, Madawaska, the original purposes of establishing the Park trees. However Mr. Dickson was so moved by Killaloe, Pembroke, Palmer Rapids, and was to conduct experiments in forestry, and this the beauty of Algonquin’s lakes and rivers that Mattawa. There are 12 mills receiving part or purpose seems to have become virtually non- he began to lobby for a park to be established in most of their wood supply from the Park on a existent. the area. As a result of his survey and advocacy, regular basis while another 5 - 10 mills receive The “Recreation Utilization Zone” of the a Royal Commission was established, and the periodic supplies. There are over 420 people Park covers about 60% of the over 700,000 “Algonquin National Park” Act was passed employed in Algonquin woods activities and hectares of the current Park. Harvesting is only in May of 1893. In later years the word over 2,800 people employed in the mills. In permitted within the recreation-utilization zone “National” was changed to “Provincial”, since 2002-2003, the value of forest product sold by (479,768 ha). An extensive area within the Park other national parks in the Dominion were the Algonquin Forestry Authority was $25.4 (225,929 hectares) is zoned for wilderness, under federal control. million. recreation, research and historical purposes The original Commission established the PAGE #3 where timber harvesting is not allowed, they need in the logged areas of the Park, Forest Management Planning Algonquin Eco Watch has taken field although they will have some old-growth in trips to logging operations nearly every year the wilderness zones and “Areas of Concern” The next Forest Management Plan for since our beginning in 1996. These trips have (AOC’s), such as aquatic habitats. Only about Algonquin Park will need to be prepared involved inspecting harvesting operations, 5% of the managed area is in old-growth at for implementation in 2010. However, the reviewing the plans for future logging, and this time. Because logging can occur on some planning process takes from 2 to 3 years to discussing the impact of logging on surface 60% of the Park area, it would seem prudent to complete and will actually begin in early waters, ground water, fisheries and wildlife in allow for a greater component of dispersed old- 2007. Goals and objectives are developed first the Park. Our trips have included technicians, growth pine stands to occur in this part of the and then more specific plans are made and foresters and biologists from the AFA, MNR/ managed forest as well. finally a complicated approval process must be Ont. Pks. and Industry.