The signing of the Ontario Forest Accord in 1999 created 378 new parks and conservation reserves and established a process for completing the protected areas system within the central-northern portion of the province. The Partnership for Public Lands (CPAWS-Wildlands League, Federation of Ontario Naturalists and World Wildlife Fund Canada) was proud to be a signatory to the Forest Accord, and we have worked hard since 1999 to ensure that it lives up to its promise. bestiality story dog

One of the key outstanding issues, and one that threatened to undermine the Accord itself, was the potential for continued mining exploration, claim staking and mine development within parks and conservation reserves. The Partnership for Public Lands did not support this policy and frequently expressed our concern that it violated the commitments contained in the Forest Accord. женские рубашки блузки

We are now pleased to inform our supporters, fellow conservationists and members of the Ontario public that the provincial government has taken action on this issue. In a jointly signed letter dated March 15, 2002, the Ministers of Natural Resources (MNR) and Northern Development and Mines (MNDM) have indicated that: sunbeam humidifier

• No further mineral exploration will be permitted within parks and conservation reserves.
  
  
• A process to address issues related to mineral tenures that pre-date the establishment of the OLL parks and conservation reserves will be established (in which PPL will participate).
  
  
• MNDM and the mining industry will participate in future land-use planning through the identification of significant mineral potential areas using a new framework.

This means that our new parks and conservation reserves will continue to be protected into the future. It also means that the provincial government is committed to resolving outstanding mining tenure issues so that these sites can proceed to be regulated as full-status protected areas. Lastly, and also significantly, land-use planning processes will be able to use a new tool to identify important mineral areas when considering appropriate land designations.

We are pleased that this issue has now been addressed and that it is clear that our parks and conservation reserves will be free of further conflicts with mining. A letter of support has been sent to Ministers Snobelen and Newman who worked with the Partnership to bring this good news about.