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Ministry of Natural Resources State of the Kawartha Lakes Workshop October 27-28, 2008 Eva Kennedy Manager Southern Science and Information MNR’s Core Business – What We Do MNR is responsible for the protection and management of Ontario’s natural resources to ensure sustainability for future generations. MNR works to: promote healthy, sustainable ecosystems ► conserve biodiversity ► conduct scientific research and apply the findings ► develop effective resource management policies ► manage Ontario’s crown land ► promote economic opportunities in the resource ► sector enhance opportunities for outdoor recreation ► Geographic Locations Sustainable Resource Management Crown Lands ► 87% of Ontario is crown land, with more 10,000 tenure holders (tourist camps, outfitters, marinas) Forest Management ► Ontario has 17% of Canada’s forests comprising 70 million hectares of land Water Management ► Great Lakes contain 20 % of the world’s fresh water ► Ontario has more than 250,000 lakes ► Heritage Rivers e.g. French, Grand, Rideau & Missinaibi Rivers Program Delivery On The Landscape ► ► ► ► ► ► ► ► ► ► ► Wildlife resource management and protection Fisheries management and protection Private land stewardship Crown land management Water management and planning Renewable energy initiatives Protected areas Species at risk Municipal and land use planning Aggregates licensing Enforcement Partners, partners, partners! Sustainable Resource Management Ontario Parks & Conservation Reserves ► 624 provincial parks and conservation reserves ►Niagara Escarpment World Biosphere Reserve Fish and Wildlife Management ►Biodiversity strategy ►Over 1.4 million fishing licences ► Over 500,000 hunting licences Endangered Species Protection ► New Endangered Species Act ► Of 516 federally listed endangered species, 35% are found in Ontario Forest management ►Forest Sector Strategy ►Partnerships to diversify industry ►Climate change plan Oil and Gas, Aggregates & Petroleum ► Over 9500 licensed operations MNR’s Approach • Combination of policy and regulations supported by sound science, stewardship, partnerships and youth employment programs • Ecosystem approach considering ecological, social and economic factors Emergency Management Protection of people, property and communities during natural resource emergencies including: • Forest Fires • Flood • Drought/Low Water • Erosion • Dam Failures • Soil & bedrock instability • Crude oil and natural gas exploration, production and storage emergencies Economic Opportunities Forest Industry ► Annual sales of $ 19 B ($9B in exports) with direct & indirect employment to over 200,000 people ► $60 – 100 M in stumpage revenues annually Aggregates Industry ► Supports $37 billion in infrastructure and construction sectors and provides direct employment to 7,000 people ► Critical for the implementation of Ontario’s Growth Plan Petroleum (Oil, Natural Gas, Salt) Industry ► $195 million annual production, employs over 2,300 people ► $8 M in royalties annually Water and Wind Power Sectors ► 200 water power facilities currently operating with 2000 more sites identified with raw hydraulic potential ► New opportunities for wind power including projects on crown land ► $120 M + in water power royalties annually Recreational Opportunities Tourism ► Over 1 million Ontarians with outdoors cards ► Ecotourism, lodges & outfitters – major employer in northern Ontario Fish & Wildlife ►6.7 million Ontarians spend more than $6.2 B annually on related fish & wildlife activities e.g., wildlife viewing, nature appreciation, hunting, and commercial & recreational fishing Parks ► More than 10 million visits annually ► $380 M per year GDP impact on Ontario economy ► More than 1000 youth employed annually: largest seasonal employer in Ontario Southern Region Highlights ► Natural diversity provides enormous economic and social benefits to communities through the use of natural resources for forestry, farming, fishing, recreation and other activities. ► Approximately 5 million of the province’ province’s more than 12 million people live in the area along the western end of Lake Ontario. Enormous development pressures. ► Managing/protecting wildlife on a heavily used landscape Wildlife population fluctuations – habitat, climate, nature Managing abundant wildlife populations such as deer, bear, turkey turkey and cormorants – dealing with nuisance management, consumption, and conservation expectations ► Fisheries management Impacts from invasive species, climate change, development Making changes in the face of diverse opinions ► Private land stewardship - Councils One window access to information and services relating to Forestry, Forestry, Fish and Wildlife, Species at Risk and Lake Management, Abundant wildlife/predator control workshops Community Stream stewardship: OFAH partnership - plantings, erosion control ► Crown Land Management Small amount of Crown land amplifies conflicting uses ► Municipal and Land use planning Environmental assessment obligations Wetland protection Species at risk ► Roughly 85% of total aggregate production in Ontario. Oil, natural natural gas, salt solutionsolution-mining, and underground storage resources. ► Renewable energy
