Prince Edward County is looking to receive provincial support when it comes to designating Ostrander Point and Point Petre Provincial Wildlife Area as conservation reserves.
Council at Shire Hall on Tuesday night approved a motion to send letters of support to the Minister of the Environment, Conservation, and Parks, and to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry to request the designation from the South Shore Joint Initiative.
Councillor Jamie Forrester wanted to make sure that current uses of the lands by ATV and snowmobile riders would continue if the designation from the province was approved.
An amendment to the letter stating existing or proposed uses be discussed during a public consultation.
The letter states a “designation would strongly contribute to the future protection of what has been described as the last undeveloped shoreline on the north shore of Lake Ontario.”
The letter also reinforces the importance of the lands to the municipality.
“Successive Councils of Prince Edward County have given special regard for Ostrander Point and Point Petre as valued environmental features. Each have been designated in the County’s Official Plan as Environmentally Sensitive Areas together with associated protective policies.”
A Canadian Wildlife Service study has shown the south shore of the county to be one of the most biologically diverse regions in the country.
Thousands of migratory birds fly over the area every year on routes north and south.
Cheryl Anderson spoke on behalf of the South Shore Joint Initiative to protect the South Shore last month.
Anderson said the South Shore is the last undeveloped shore along the north shore of Lake Ontario and it not only allows for ecotourism, but it provides a significant contribution to diversity protection, allows for opportunities for natural education and engagement of the public in nature related activities and it also addresses the County’s climate emergency declaration.
Council also voted in favour of sending a letter to the Minister Heritage, Sport, Tourism & Culture Industries to stop the demolition of two historical homes within Sandbanks Park.
Councillors approved the request from the Prince Edward County Heritage Advisory Committee to see the proposed amendment to the Management Plan for Sandbanks Provincial Park postponed until further study, public consultation and alternate options to demolition have been evaluated.
A posting on the Environmental Registry of Ontario was made by the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation, and Parks on December 6, 2019 that summarized the proposal as follows:
We are changing the Sandbanks Provincial Park Management Plan to allow for the demolition of two buildings (former residential homes) at the park. Removing the buildings will help to ensure the health and safety of park visitors.
The Management Plan states: However, due to costs and competing priorities, Gray House and MacDonald House, buildings that date back to the late 1870s, are now in an advanced state of disrepair.
On December 12, 2019, the Prince Edward County Heritage Advisory Committee met and discussed the posting. Significant concerns were raised regarding the timing of the posting over the course of a typical holiday season. The Committee also questioned the inability to access the Heritage Impact Assessment report that was alluded to in the posting.
Council is requesting the homes not be subject to demolition and to allow for improvements and re-purposing of the homes, including consideration of public private/non-profit partnership arrangement.
That motion also passed.
