| OFAH FILE: 842 | For immediate release |
Province supports traditional uses in new Signature Site
Amendment to regulation protects hunting and fishing in Kawartha Highlands Signature Site Park
The Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (O.F.A.H.) supports the regulatory change to the Fish & Wildlife Conservation Act that fulfills the province’s previous commitment to allow for traditional uses, including hunting and fishing, in the Kawartha Highlands Signature Site.
The Kawartha Highlands Signature Site Park Act, 2003 and a unique Park Charter signed by four major groups, including the Ontario government, the Partnership for Public Lands and the O.F.A.H. were created to provide upper level direction for developing the management plan for the 36,000 hectare Signature Site.
“The government should be congratulated for recognizing the unique nature of the Kawartha Highlands Signature Site, maintaining longstanding cultural traditions and heritage activities like hunting and fishing and the economic benefits these activities bring to local communities,” said Mike Reader, O.F.A.H. Executive Director. “To her credit, the Minister of Natural Resources recognized that an error was made, and through the proposed regulation change, she will strike the right balance between addressing the need to protect traditional uses without sacrificing protection of the local ecosystem.”
The revised park management plan protects the hunting and fishing traditions of the area, allows for the continuation of existing tourist and hunt camps within the Signature Site boundaries, limited use of motorboats on some lakes and provides for ATV use by cottagers and hunters under a permitting system which was originally proposed by the O.F.A.H. earlier this year.
The Park Act and Charter signed in 2003 contained guarantees that would preserve traditional uses in the area, but the Draft Park Management Plan did not reflect this commitment and mistakenly removed many existing hunting and access rights. The changes in the new EBR posting corrects the error and restores hunting and fishing as previously agreed by all parties to the Charter.
“The O.F.A.H. has worked tirelessly to protect the rights of our members and others in the outdoor community who have hunted and fished in the area for generations, the needs of private landowners, cottagers and businesses already operating in the area. The restoration of these traditional activities will be environmentally neutral, as will any anticipated social consequences, but the earlier start to the bear season and spring wild turkey season will provide local operators with additional revenue generation opportunities and bring both direct and indirect economic benefits related to hunters using hotels, buying meals and related supplies,” said Reader.
The EBR posting on the proposed changes to the hunting regulations in the park will remain open for public comment until December 8, 2008 at www.ebr.gov.on.ca, posting #010-4911.
Kawartha Highlands Signature Site Park Background:
- The Kawartha Highlands Signature Site Park Act, 2003, and the Park Charter were the result of extensive consultations with major stakeholders in the outdoors and environmental community, including the O.F.A.H.
- The unique nature of the Signature Site required the creation of a Park Charter, which explicitly provided for the continuation of traditional activities.
- A mistake in regulating the park similar to other parks in the province removed protection for these activities, which violated the spirit and letter of the Charter and prohibited hunting and ATV use in the park.
- The O.F.A.H. insisted that the government live up to the provisions in the Charter and restore the right to hunt and fish as has taken place in the area for countless generations.
- The use of ATV’s by hunters will be allowed under a monitoring and permit system proposed by the O.F.A.H.
- Hunting will be permitted from the first day of the open season or September 1, whichever comes first, to the last day of the open season or the Thursday immediately preceding the Victoria Day weekend, whichever comes first.
- Opportunities to hunt bear for an additional two weeks, to hunt fur-bearing mammals (excluding wolves and coyotes) and to hunt wild turkey are restored under the regulation.
- All other provisions of the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act continue to apply.
With 83,000 members and 655 member clubs, the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters is the leading fishing, hunting and conservation organization in Ontario. For more information, visit www.ofah.org.
-30-
Contact
