Amendment to Ontario Regulation 315/07 under the Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves Act, 2006 to create a conservation reserve along the south shore of Prince Edward County
Regulation Number(s):
315/07
Instrument Type:
Regulation - LGIC
Bill or Act:
Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves Act, 2006
Summary of Decision:
We have amended Ontario Regulation 315/07: Designation of Conservation Reserves under the Provincial Park and Conservation Reserves Act, 2006 to create Monarch Point Conservation Reserve. The amended regulation came into effect on June 16, 2023.
Monarch Point Conservation Reserve is a 3,971-acre (1,607-hectare) protected area located along the south shore of Prince Edward County on Lake Ontario. The name, "Monarch Point", is derived from recognition that the site is within an International Monarch Butterfly Reserve.
Monarch Point Conservation Reserve will provide opportunities for the community to enjoy the area's natural beauty, including hiking, birdwatching and hunting, while strengthening the long-term protection of local wildlife and ecosystems.
Most current permitted recreational uses will be able to continue, but changes could be made in the future if uses threaten the values of the conservation reserve. These changes would be considered through a management planning process which would include public consultation.
Analysis of Regulatory Impact:
There are no costs to regulated stakeholders. Benefits are significant, including permanent protection of sensitive habitat and the enabling of environmentally sustainable land uses to continue.
Given that there are no other ways to establish a new conservation reserve boundary, amending O. Reg 315/07 is the only option.
Further Information:
Proposal Number:
21-MECP039
Posting Date:
January 26, 2022
Summary of Proposal:
Ontario remains committed to providing families with more opportunities to get outside and enjoy more time in nature, including exploring opportunities to improve access to greenspaces throughout the province.
To support this commitment, we are proposing to create a conservation reserve along the south shore of Prince Edward County, at Point Petre Provincial Wildlife Area and Ostrander Point Crown Land Block. The area is 15 km south of Picton and 65 km southwest of Kington. If designated a conservation reserve, the land would provide opportunities for the community to enjoy the area's natural beauty, including hiking, hunting and birdwatching, while strengthening the long-term protection of biodiversity.
Ontario's conservation reserves are established and regulated under the Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves Act, 2006 (PPCRA). These spaces:
• protect sensitive and important places
• allow visitors to participate in environmentally responsible activities
• allow for research to take place
The Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks is proposing to change a regulation under the PPCRA to create the new conservation reserve.
Although most current permitted recreational uses would be able to continue, changes could be made in the future if uses threaten the values of the conservation reserve. These changes would be considered through a management planning process which would include public consultation, following regulation. Industrial and some commercial uses would be restricted in these areas.
Contact Address:
Ontario Parks - Southeast Parks Zone
300 Water Street
4th Floor North
Peterborough, ON
K9J 3C7
Canada
Effective Date:
June 16, 2023
Decision:
Approved