THUNDER BAY — The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry wants to establish enhanced protection around a group of brook trout lakes northeast of Thunder Bay.
The MNRF is proposing an amendment to the crown land use policy that would create the Amethyst Highlands Enhanced Management Area.
The 9200-hectare zone is located about 50 kilometres northeast of the city, and takes in parts of the Municipality of Shuniah, the Township of Dorion and unorganized territory.
It contains 16 naturally reproducing brook trout lakes which currently have limited or no road access.
"Protection has been specifically requested by the public through past forest management plan processes," states a notice on the provincial Environmental Registry.
Portions of the existing Greenwich Wind Farm which lie within the EMA boundaries would be allowed to remain.
The notice also states that the public's ability to access the area through existing roads and trails will not change.
"Traditional uses can and are expected to continue and be relatively unaffected, thereby keeping angling pressure low," however access to the area for any purpose would only be permitted through the existing routes.
"The primary intent is to provide for the sustainability of the brook trout resource and to maintain the remoteness of the area. Other land uses and activities may occur in a manner that is consistent with the primary intent and where permitted by the specific land use policies for this area," the notice adds.
The MNRF's management plan includes measures to reduce the risk of the introduction of non-native species and overfishing by:
- prohibiting new roads or trails including winter trails within 1,000 metres of 13 "focal" brook trout lakes
- prohibiting new roads or trails within 120 metres of three "secondary" lakes
- applying road use restrictions to all new permitted roads within the EMA
The ministry also proposes to exclude activities within 600 metres of the 13 focal lakes and within 120 metres of the three other lakes which have "the potential to negatively impact the water quality and aesthetic of these lakes," and to exclude activities within the groundwater recharge areas that eventually discharge into the lakes.
An MNRF representative told Tbnewswatch no changes to Ontario fishing regulations are included in the proposed amendment.
- April 9 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the MacGregor Recreation Centre
- April 11 from 5:00 p.m. in the Centennial Room, 180 Dorion Loop Road
- April 17 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Oliver Road Community Centre
Comments on the plan will be accepted by the MNRF until May 6, 2019.
