The stage was set yesterday for different - and sometimes opposing - Northumberland County Forest users to respond to recommendations about the 5,300-acre forest on both sides of County Road 45 north of Baltimore.
There hasn't been a management plan for the forest since 2001, when responsibility for it was taken away from the Ministry of Natural Resources, those attending the public forum at the Alderville First Nation Community Centre learned during the event.
So, as part of the county process to complete a Forest Master Plan either later this year or by 2009 at the latest, various aspects of the forest have gone under a microscope. These range from fire protection and road allowances through Northumberland Forest, to use of forest trails. A forest advisory committee has been working on some of this since last March.
Along with the pressures on the county-owned forest from increased use (including motorized vehicles), water erosion has affected parts of this reforestated area and its sandy soils. In addition, a forest plan must comply with the Oak Ridges Moraine legislation to protect key natural heritage areas. The forest also contains unique habitat like savannahs and tallgrass prairies, with at-risk species of vegetation, insects and even endangered species such as the eastern hog-nosed snake.
The new Forest Master Plan must juggle and balance all of this - and ongoing timber harvesting as well - according to the displays and representatives of various recreational and conservation groups that were set up in the community centre.
The focus of the evening session, though, was on trails, and the draft report by the county-hired consultants, John Marsh and Al MacPherson of Trent University, was front and centre. Public delegations were scheduled for the evening, followed by a public discussion.
Among the consultant's key recommendations is that, even when trails are developed, people should not be asked to pay to use them.
That's for three good reasons, Dr. Marsh said in an interview: a paid permit system can't be put in place without proper administration and enforcement; often even with these in place, it's not cost-effective if there isn't enough traffic; and people will have increased expectations that could affect liability in the county-owned forest.
Another significant recommendation is that the Beagle Club trail area (bounded by Beagle Club, Bowmanton and Morris roads) not be used by motorized vehicles or for hunting, except for an east-west motorized route, to also be used for emergencies and fire management. Motorized trails currently go in several directions, crossing cross-country ski routes, for example.
Because groups like Northumberland and District ATV Riders Club, snowmobilers and motorcycle riders want to be able to traverse the forest, Dr. Marsh says he wants to sit down with them to come up with a solution.
Other zones he recommends be designated "non-motorized" would be ponds in the forest (for fire protection and currently used by animals as watering holes) and the area known as Look Out Mountain, a high point off Dunbar Road, east of County Road 45 and west of Peter's Woods.
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At least three interpretive trails should be developed, one of which should be accessible by physically disabled people, Dr. Marsh also suggests. Barriers should be erected and maintained to stop degeneration of areas within the forest and there should be comprehensive signage, together with three parking areas from which people can access trails, he said.
There is also a recommendation to establish a forest centre in the former ski hill area on the east side of County Road 45 (near the Scout club). A risk management plan should be developed related to assessing trails and hunting areas in the forest, he suggests.
Dr. Marsh is also recommending a full-time professional forest manager be hired.
Cobourg Mayor Peter Delanty is chairing the forest advisory committee which will bring its finalized recommendations back to county council.
See Monday's Cobourg Daily Star for the public's reaction to the consultants' report.
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1 comment:
Not only is the Northumberland County Forest almost entirely located within the Natural Core Area of the Oak Ridges Moraine, but it also is more than 75% designated ANSI (LS) area!
Those of us fighting to protect this precious natural heritage feature are much frustrated by the specious legal opinion obtained by the County which purports that motorized recreational vehicles are nowhere prohibited in Natural Core Areas/ANSIs under the ORMA/CP! This ridiculous interpretation of the Act/Plan puts the ENTIRE Moraine at risk from motorized recreational vehicle usage, not just the Northumberland County Forest!
Regardless of the academic parsing of the language, the fact remains that the spirit and intent of the ORMA/CP is to protect these sensitive areas.
If you would like to join us to assist in the protection of the ANSI in the Northumberland County Forest, please contact "gharris at eagle dot ca"
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