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DESCRIPTION:

This area is relatively undeveloped and has limited access with excellent potential for future eco-tourism and backcountry recreation. The area consists of three parcels, located between White Otter and Sandford lakes; between White Otter and Halfmoon lakes; and between White Otter and Nora lakes.

This area contains lake(s) designated for lake trout management. For a current list of designated lakes associated with this area, refer to the Lake Trout Lake Search Index accessible via the ‘Source of Direction’ portion of this policy report.

LAND USE INTENT:

The primary role of the EMA area is a hinterland for the adjacent Turtle River - White Otter Lake Provincial Waterway Park and Campus Lake Conservation Reserve. It plays a role in managing the impacts of resource extraction activities, particularly associated access and aesthetices on tourism values in the area overall. Forest access roads will be kept to a minimum, planned to the lowest class possible, closed to public travel and physically abandoned when no longer required for forestry purposes. Forestry operations should be carried out in a manner that minimizes the number of areas under active operation at any one time. Areas of Concern will be identified to ensure the protection of the lake trout fishery and associated tourism opportunities.

Management of this area is governed by the Resource Management Guideline for the White Otter Enhanced Management Area (2005) and the general policies contained in Atikokan District Land Use Guidelines (1983).

MANAGEMENT DIRECTION:

Remote access enhanced management areas are intended to maintain the remote character of selected access. Typically, these are relatively large areas which provide the public and tourism operators with high-quality remote recreational experiences including hunting, fishing, canoeing, and camping. Given the large size, remoteness, and relative absence of roads, these areas will play a significant role in protecting wilderness values outside the parks and protected areas system.

In addition to provincial and regional policies, the following local policies will apply to the management of Natural lake trout lakes:

- lakes shall have a 120 metre Area of Concern
- Timber harvesting will not be permitted within 120 metres

Commercial Activities

Activity	Permitted	Guidelines
Aggregate Extraction	Yes	Aggregate extraction may be permitted for the purpose of forest access road construction in accordance with the Aggregates Resources Act.
Bait Fishing	Yes	The entire area will continue to be licenced.
Commercial Fishing	No
Commercial Fur Harvesting	Yes
Commercial Hydro Development	No	No opportunities exist.
Commercial Power Generation Development	Yes
Commercial Timber Harvest	Yes	Management, operating and annual plans will contain specific forest management guidelines.
Mineral Exploration and Development	Yes	Exploration and extraction activities are permitted subject to operating guidelines.
Peat Extraction	Yes
Wild Rice Harvesting	Yes	Commercial wild rice harvesting is a permitted use within the EMA.

Land and Resource Management Activities

Activity	Permitted	Guidelines
Crown Land Disposition	Maybe	Crown land disposition can occur for permitted activities, but only where it is consistent with the retention of the remote character. There are significant restrictions on land disposition on designated lake trout lakes. See specific direction in Crown land disposition policy (PL 4.02.01 Appendix A).
Crown Land Disposition, Agriculture	No	No suitable agricultural lands exist.
Crown Land Disposition, Cottaging	No	No cottaging opportunities have been identified.
Crown Land Disposition, Rural Residential	No
Crown Land Disposition, Urban Development	No
Fish Habitat Management	Yes	The lake survey program will continue.
Road Development and Maintenance, Existing	Yes	Roads for industrial and commercial use are permitted, however, their standards should be lower that those governing primary access roads.
Road Development and Maintenance, New	Yes	New roads must be planned through comprehensive long-term access planning that considers the values of the area. Some guidelines are: - roads should be constructed to the lowest standard possible; - new roads/trails should be directed to existing corridors where possible; - layout should consider aesthetics; and, - design and construction should facilitate access controls and closure/rehabilitation.

Recreation Activities and Facilities

Activity	Permitted	Guidelines
Crown Land Recreation	Yes	New public access points will not be developed. Camping will be encouraged at commercial tourist facilities rather than on Crown land.
Hunting	Yes	Hunting is permitted in accordance with the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act and regulations. For more information, visit https://www.ontario.ca/hunting. Some municipalities have by-laws that apply to hunting including restricting the discharge of firearms. Check with the local municipal office for details.
Road Use (public), Existing	No	Existing authorized access will continue.
Road Use (public), New	No	New roads will be restricted from public use.
Sport Fishing	Yes	Recreational fishing is permitted in accordance with the Ontario Fishery Regulations. For more information, visit https://www.ontario.ca/fishing and review the Ontario Recreational Fishing Regulations Summary or Fish ON-Line to determine the seasons, catch limits and other restrictions that apply in this area including the location of fish sanctuaries.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

In addition to provincial and regional policies, the NWR Policy on Shoreline Development on Lake Trout Lakes (June 1995) will apply to the management of the following Lake Trout Lakes: Walt, Herb and Jackfish.

SOURCE OF DIRECTION:
Amendment to Area-specific Crown Land Use Policy #2005-025 (2005)
Amendment to Area specific Crown Land Use Policy #2007-025 (2009)
Atikokan District Land Use Guidelines (1983)
Atikokan District Fisheries Management Plan (1988)
Sapawe Forest Management Plan (2000)
Ontario's Living Legacy Land Use Strategy (1999)

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