BY BILL BRADLEY
A scenic area beside the North Channel is under review by the Ministry of Natural Resources. The public is being asked for input tomorrow in
Whitefish Falls by Ministry staff.
The 4,004-hectare La Cloche Ridge Conservation Reserve, called C218 by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources lies south-west of Espanola and
west of Whitefish Falls.
?It?s a rugged, beautiful ridge system that is roadless and includes old growth timber and a major deer winter yard, so we are starting the process to determine how to manage it,? said Lynn Moreau, planner with MNR?s Crown land and protected Areas department.
?This Monday at the Whitefish Falls Community Centre from 3 pm to 8 pm, the public is invited to an open house to give comments on land use in the area,? she said.
Ministry staff will try to answer questions and address any concerns the public may have about the area.
Moreau has already received comments.
? Most public concerns are related to access because the area is popular for hunting and fishing.?
According to guidelines developed during the former MNR Lands For Life process, a conservation reserve like this allows sports fishing including commercial fishing, hunting, snowmobiling and all-terrain vehicles on existing trails. However, new trail development or new recreation camps, or new
commercial hunting operations like bear camps are not allowed.
Logging, aggregate or grave extraction, and mining are prohibited.
However, mining exploration is permitted. If a significant mineral deposit is commercially viable, then the boundaries of the conservation reserve can be altered to allow the development.
?The area is not known to contain any viable mineral deposits,? said Moreau.
MNR is just beginning a management plan so getting the public to participate at this stage is vital.
There will be a questionnaire at the open house to allow for public input. People can also pick up copies at the Espanola MNR office or phone 869-5166.
A draft management plan is expected to be ready by December.
