There is a proposal in the works to regulate a conservation reserve along the south shore of Prince Edward County.
Northumberland-Peterborough South MPP David Piccini and Bay of Quinte MPP Todd Smith are proposing to make a change to the Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves Act of 2006 to regulate the 1620 hectares.
The areas to be regulated are:
- the current Point Petre Provincial Wildlife Area, including Charwell Point
- Ostrander Point Crown Land Block
- the adjacent bed of Lake Ontario,
- generally to a distance of 30 m from the shoreline, except at Charwell Point where the distance is extended to 200 m
If designated a conservation reserve, the land would provide opportunities for the community to enjoy the area’s natural beauty, including hiking, hunting and bird watching, while strengthening the long-term protection of biodiversity.
He says creating this reserve will provide greater protection, and ecologically sustainable land uses including traditional outdoor heritage activities can continue.
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.
The following options for the conservation reserve name are also being proposed:
- South Shore Limestone Plains Conservation Reserve
- Lakeshore Alvar Conservation Reserve
- South Shore Alvar Conservation Reserve
- Point Petre and Ostrander Point Conservation Reserve
A link to the proposal, to see more information and leave your comments can be found here.
