Ontario Parks is responsible for preparing management plans for all provincial parks in the province. Management plans address topics such as zoning, resource management, operations, development and seasonal activities. Management planning for the Kawartha Highlands Signature Site Park began during the summer of 2005.
The Kawartha Highlands Signature Site Park Act, 2003 (KHSSP Act) provided for the establishment of a Management Advisory Board which will play a substantial role in management planning, working closely with Ontario Parks as an integral part of the planning team. As required, advice and support will be encouraged from the general public, Aboriginal communities, stakeholder groups, non-government organizations and the academic community. The roles and responsibilities for the team were outlined in the Terms of Reference document.
The management plan addresses a wide range of issues, incorporates the direction identified in the legislation and Charter and establishes broad resource management policies for the park. The management plan and the resource management policies provide management prescriptions for the traditional uses that occur within the area.
The management plan contains provisions that the protection of the ecological integrity of the park is recognized as the overriding priority in the management and administration of the park, so as to preserve, protect and enhance the natural composition and abundance of native species, biological communities and ecological processes in the park (Section 2 of the KHSSP Act).
While the management plan sets the overall direction for the management of the park, specific actions needed to implement the plan may be provided in subsequent plans and strategies. These implementation plans will provide further detailed guidance for the operation, management and protection of the parks resources, and managing traditional uses.
