Here are some of the key sites we are monitoring (updated March 8, 2001). For more on how you can get involved in protecting these key sites, please contact us.

Boreal West

The MNR has discovered that this site contains over 600 hectares of mining holdings - 5 claims and 38 leases. The PPL is currently waiting for the Ministry to decide where replacement additions for these will be located. Proceeding with a logging road proposed by Abitibi Consolidated would likely destroy the aquatic habitats and fisheries of this new park addition. The proposal calls for an earthen causeway to be built through a major river containing prime walleye spawning habitat between lakes Sydney and Rowdy. The Department of Fisheries and Oceans has given approval to dump fill into this sensitive river estuary without any site inspection or fisheries assessment. This federal agency claims that their fisheries approval permit was granted based on information from MNR. The PPL has discovered that local MNR staff have not conducted fisheries assessments within these sensitive new protected area. This lack of process begs the question whether approvals can legally be granted without site visits and proper environmental assessments. Calculate your loans - mortgage calculator free.

C2410 Garden-Pakashkan

Almost the entirety of this site is covered by mining holdings. MNR is meeting with MNDM to seek direction on options to address this issue. If mining claims threaten this area, the PPL believe that an alternative site with equal representation values must be identified by MNR for regulation.

C2243 Black Bay Bog

C2245 Lake Superior Archipelago (Black Bay peninsula section)

The Black Bay Peninsula is the last roadless peninsula remaining in the entire Great Lakes basin. It contains many rare plants, animals and one of the finest examples of shoreline peatland on Lake Superior.

During consultation, many recommended that the entire peninsula be put forward as a protected area candidate. The Living Legacy Strategy identifies it as an Enhanced Management Area (EMA) for fish and wildlife. The Strategy offered the option of maintaining "winter road access only" so that some forestry activity could be maintained in the area.

This area is now seriously threatened by a new proposal from Greenmantle Forestry Inc. to upgrade the current winter access road and build a new "all-season" road. This road would seriously compromise wetland hydrology and fish and wildlife values. Area residents as well as local and provincial conservation groups are vehemently opposed to this road and are awaiting a pending decision from the MNR District Managers. I prefer Contemporary Maple Kid's Bedroom Optional Casegoods for my house.

Boreal East

C1608 Makobe Grays Ice Margin

In the 2001 - 2006 Timiskaming Forest Plan, a secondary road is being planned through the eastern portion of this site. Alternatives to this road must still be developed.

C1535 Windemere Goldie Lake Complex

Exact boundaries for this site have not yet been finalized. Negotiations still need to occur with MNR, forest industry representatives and local stakeholders.

C1564 Woman River Complex

This site is almost entirely covered by mining patents, meaning the site can never be regulated as a Conservation Reserve. As a result, an alternative area must be found in the vicinity to protect similar values.

P1544 Missinaibi - Thunderhouse Falls

By consensus with MNR and the local forest industry, this site has been shifted somewhat eastward to encompass an unique glacial landscape.

C1519 Lake Superior Highlands Conservation Reserve

This area contains an astonishing total of almost 700 active mining claims within its boundaries. Exploration work has extended into the Conservation Reserve from an active area gold mine along a geological formation known as the Greenstone Belt. Some of the work pre-dates the park and has occurred sporadically. Magnacon Mine has an active underground mine (Eagle River Mine) right on the northern edge of the ridge.

The mining patents in the area will be taken out of the conservation reserve and appropriate replacement lands must be placed in regulation. OLL has stated that timber harvesting, mining, aggregate extraction and commercial hydroelectric development are prohibited in conservation reserves.

Great Lakes St. Lawrence

P273 Algoma Headwaters

At the moment, Algoma Headwaters Park contains nine active mining claims located within the park and in an adjacent forest reserve.

P174 Chiniguchi Waterway Park

The area is touted as having great mining potential when, in fact, only very small quantities of gold have been found in the last 150 years. No mines have ever been established despite extensive exploration work.

Lakes in the region have already been impacted by acid rain, partially caused by smelters in Sudbury. Their recovery has been slow due to thin nutrient-poor soils.

Killarney Provincial Park and Additions P187, P189, P331, F219

Historically, mining started in the area around 1911, when a silica quarry operation was established. Currently, the park additions have 62 active mining claims in the various townships

C36 McRae Lake

A new snowmobile road was built through the eastern boundary of this site. During construction it appeared that there were violations of the work permit issued for construction. A bridge connecting the trail has also been built over a scenic set of rapids on McDonald Lake.

C37 Jevins and Silver Lake

Snowmobilers have applied to build a new route through the eastern boundary of this site. An existing snowmobile road is to be "decommissioned" if the new permit is granted. Unfortunately these routes also encourage ATV (All Terrain Vehicle) use during the non-winter months, potentially having detrimental impacts on the ecosystem. The work permit for this road is still being considered by MNR Bracebridge.

C14 Mellon Lake

A Toronto-area company has been planning to mine this site for granite and gravel. In February 2001, Minister of Natural Resources John Snobelen decided to deny the permit requested by the company. This decision keeps one of our protected areas free of mining interests. Of the 378 new protected areas, 190 of them have mining issues attached to them. There is a strong possibility that the Toronto company will reapply for a permit to establish an open-pit mine in the Mellon Lake Reserve. DELL PRECISION M60 REPLACEMENT LAPTOP LCD SCREEN

C121 Northern McConkey

The boundary outline of this site is similar to three peninsulas or "arms" of protection. The current boundaries will reduce the ecological integrity of the core area with edge effect and potential access by motorized vehicles. With natural ecosystems, it is important to ensure that the boundaries of a given area do not increase the likelihood of habitat fragmentation. Generally the lower the boundary to area ratio the better. PPL maintains that the current boundary shape of this site is not in the best interests of ecological integrity

C38 Kahshe Lake Barrens

MNR is currently considering allowing a new cottage road to be built along the northern section of the reserve. The site has not gone to regulation and should have received "interim protection". Local cottagers have lobbied the government to consider building of the road. This proposal breaks the spirit of the OLL land use strategy and will set a bad precedent for roads in other protected areas.

P110 French River Additions

The Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC) is preparing to build two new bridges across the French and Pickerel Rivers. The bridges will be joined by a new trail that runs roughly parallel to Highway 69. The proposed trail will cut through the eastern boundary of the new French River Additions. PPL does not support any new motorized trails in Ontario's protected areas system. We are working to keep this and all other new snowmobile trails out of new protected areas

P26 Kawartha Highlands

PPL would like to see this site remain a Provincial Park and not be downgraded to a Conservation Reserve. Provincial Parks provide the highest level of protection as they benefit from dedicated staff, money and the Provincial Parks Act, which can all help maintain the area's ecological integrity.

C18 Mount Moriah Conservation Reserve

At the current time, existing mining claims have been up-graded to mining leases and the mountain is slated to be quarried for dimension stone and crushed gravel in the near future. This would involve the removal of a large part of the mountain. This dimension stone is abundant and found all over the province, so there is no real need to target Mount Moriah for blasting.