Endangered Spaces

[Wildlands League]

Ontario Wild Forests Update

Produced by:
The Wildlands League
a chapter of the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society
wildland at web.apc.org
401 Richmond St., 380
Toronto, Ontario
M5V 3A8

November 19, 1995

NEWS

These items are briefs of emerging conservation issues in
Ontario.
Each is covered in more depth in Wildland News, our newsletter
available to members.

TEMAGAMI MOVES CLOSER TO THE EDGE

The land caution in Temagami, in place since being filed by the
Bear Island First Nation in 1973, has been lifted by the Ontario
courts. This means that the 133 townships to which the cautions
apply are now potentially available for mineral staking and
exploration. Great concern exists that a rush of staking would
preclude the development of a land-use plan for the area, due to
be completed in January of 1996. The final decision as to when
and where mineral staking will occur is now up to Northern
Development and Mines Minister Chris Hodgson. If the land-use
plan is derailed now millions of dollars of public funds and
years of
consultation will be washed away. Derailment of the land-use plan
will also result in the loss of a last chance to protect
wilderness
and old growth forests throughout the Temagami region.

Please write to the Minister and let him know that wilderness and
old growth forests in Temagami should be protected before
logging and mining start.

Hon. Chris Hodgson
Minister of Northern Development and Mines
11th Floor
77 Grenville St.
Toronto, Ontario
M5S 1B3

PLANNING ACT TO BE DRASTICALLY ALTERED

The new Planning Act, barely six months old, will be changed to
allow municipalities to permit development in environmentally
sensitive forests, ravines and wetlands, and reduce the amount of
public notice for zoning changes. The changes to the Act were
introduced into the Ontario Legislature on Friday the 17th. The
proposed changes to the Act in conjunction with promised
weakening of the polices that accompany the act are part of
Municipal Affairs Minister Al Leach's plan to "dismantle" the
Ontario planning system and "have less environment and more
economy". The Coalition for Better Planning, of which the League
is a member, will be working to stop weakening of environmental
protection standards in your neighbourhood. Stay tuned for press
conference on November 21st. Please call Shannon Thompson at
416 923 4283 for more information and a package of materials.

ALGOMA HIGHLANDS COORDINATOR HIRED

The wild forests of the Algoma Highlands are one step closer to
being protected with the hiring of Robin McIntyre in Sault Ste.
Marie. Robin will work with local community volunteers to develop
a strategy to do outreach work in the Sault region. Activities
include field inventories, trips, media work, High school and
college educational programs and more.


NEW PUBLICATIONS

ENDANGERED SPACES BOOK AND MAP PUBLISHED

A new book entitled Protecting Canada's Endangered Spaces: An
Owner' s Manual and a full-colour map showing candidate
protected areas throughout Ontario are now available. The book
contains an action plan outlining the efforts needed to complete
a
protected areas system in Ontario. Written by Wildlands League
staff and board, it shows that the job can be done by the year
2000. Three years in development, the map clearly depicts the
areas where protection needs to occur to meet the goals of the
Endangered Spaces Campaign while also highlighting areas
where immediate efforts are required. The new book was
personally given to all of Ontario's MPPs on the 18th of October
and the map will soon follow.
The book is softcover and includes colour photographs. It is
available from the Wildlands League for $29.95 or through most
major bookstores. The Endangered Spaces Map is available only
from the Wildlands League and is free of charge. Please enclose
$2 postage and handling for the first copy and $0.50 for each
additional copy.


NEW FACT SHEET ON THE IMPACTS OF CLEARCUTTING IN
THE BOREAL FOREST RELEASED

The fourth in the Wildlands League's Forest Diversity/Community
Survival Fact Sheets is now available. Entitled Undermining Our
Natural Capital, the fact sheet examines the economic and
ecological changes that current logging practises are having on
our forests. The fact sheet also includes a fully illustrated
comparison between a burned and logged area and highlights
findings from recent ecological investigations into the issue.
Contact the League office for free copies.

REVIEW OF LOGGING IN THE UPPER SPANISH FOREST
COMPLETED

If you are interested in seeing how our boreal forests are being
managed you may want to read the Wildlands League's recent
review of the draft Forest Management Plan for the Upper
Spanish Forest.  It provides a detailed analysis of the future of
this
forest area in the Mississaugi and Spanish River areas. Have a
look to see how our government plans for the future of a public
resource. Free copies are available. Please enclose $1.50 for
postage and handling.

ONTARIO'S WHITE PINE: FIRST FOREST ECOLOGY FACT
SHEET RELEASED

This comprehensive overview of the history, ecology and politics
of Ontario's provincial tree has just been finished. It also
outlines
what you can do to help ensure that white pine stays part of our
future forests. 81/2 X 11, 8 pages. $1 per copy from the League

WILDLANDS LEAGUE NEW HOME PAGE

Starting Dec. 15th the Wildlands League will have a hone page on
World Wide Web. It will allow you to check up on urgent issues.
Have a look at some of our publications and shop for our T-shirts
etc. Our address will be:  http://web.idirect.com/~wildland