The Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) said on April 14 it will not proceed with the establishment of a new conservation reserve in Haliburton County’s Milburn Kendrick area.
The Haliburton Highlands Land Trust had expressed interest in creating an 8,500-hectare reserve in part of the area in its Highlands Corridor.
However, this past Monday, the ministry informed interested parties “the Crown lands included in this proposal will continue to be managed by the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR).”
They added information about current uses for the area can be found on the Crown Land Use Policy Atlas.
“Stakeholder input is important to us, and we are committed to engaging with affected communities to ensure all voices are heard in conservation discussions. And future proposals for new protected areas under the Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves Act 2006 will include public and indigenous consultation on the proposed boundaries, land uses and permissible activities,” Kirsten Service of the MECP said.
John Davidson, of Wilberforce, helped create the Citizens for Crown Land Protection (CCLP) group. It quickly formed after hearing about the Land Trust proposal and held a packed open house at the Haliburton Legion March 23.
Davidson said on April 16, “I think they (the ministry) listened to the input from the public and made the right decision.”
County meeting not needed
He said he was proud of residents “who were so willing to take part and learn about it and take the action needed.”
Davidson attributed a quick decision to their efforts, saying they had been in contact with the MECP and various organizations “from the minute we started.”
The group has maintained management of public lands must remain vested in provincial and local governments, “and not be directed by any special interest group.” They opposed redesignating huge blocks of public land from general use Crown land to conservation reserve. They added the area is significant due to good stewardship by MNRF, MECP and municipalities. They felt a conservation reservation manager would have extraordinary powers under the Ontario Parks and Conservation Reserves Act, “not in the public interests of the population, the economy, and general public.”
Land Trust board chair, Todd Hall, said on April 16, “the provincial decision not to proceed with the conservation reserve designation is regrettable. In such an ecologically-sensitive area, this level of protection makes a big difference. We were not alone in a wish to ensure that generations to come could enjoy recreation in this special place. We thank the Bancroft Minden Forest Company, Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters, and the many citizens who enthusiastically supported HHLT’s conservation efforts.”
The County of Haliburton said Monday that as a result of the decision, a rescheduled public meeting by the County regarding the reserve has been cancelled.
On March 26, the County organized a public meeting to provide an opportunity for the public to present comments to County council regarding the proposal, which would then be summarized and forwarded to the MECP as feedback.
That meeting was postponed that morning due to a medical emergency, with a plan to reschedule. On April 14, the County said the meeting is no longer required.
