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111 ." MENZEL CENTENNIAL PROVINCIAL NATURE RESERVE .Ii INTERIM MANAGEMENT STATEMENT

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In REGIONAL DIRECTOR'S APPROVAL STATEMENT •

December r 1994• Menzel Centennial Provincial Nature Reserve is the result of a successful collaboration between the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Nature Conservancy of Canada. This collaboration, combined with the financial help of the Ontario Heritage Foundation, Environment Canada, and a generous conservation-minded donor by the name of Bill Menzel, is a remarkable example of what can be accomplished together in protecting important natural resources.

This Interim Management Statement will provide direction for the management of Menzel Centennial Provincial Nature Reserve until a comprehensive Park Management Plan is prepared. It is the basis for the preparation of the Park Management Plan.

I am pleased to a pprove this Interim Management Statement for Menzel Centennial Provincial Nature Reserve.

Acting Regional Director Southern Region Aurora

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Menzel Centennial Provincial Nature Reserve Interim Management Statement

CONTENTS

Introduction .......... _ ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . , Location .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 1 First Nations ......... _ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Land Tenure and Acquisition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . • . . . . . . . . . • . .• 2 Land Use Designations .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Access. Existing and New Development . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . • .• 3 Goal, Classification and Zoning ...................................•... 4 Resource Inventories .................. _. . . . . . . . . . . . . • . . . . . . . . . . • .. 4 Significant Plants and Animals . _....................... _.......... _.. _ 5 Cultural Resources and Past Land Uses ................................. 5 Recreation Activities ...... _... _........ _... _.. _ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Commercial Activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 7 Client Services .....................................•..... _ . . . . . .. 7 Marketing and Partnerships . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 8 Research. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 9 Resource Management ............................... _. . . . . . . . • • . .• 9 Annual Report ......................................•........••. 10 Environmental Assessment Requirements ....... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . • . . . . • .. 10 References .................................................... 11

FIGURES

Figure 1 Regi onal Setting ................................ second last page Figure 2 Site Map ......... _ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. last page

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Introduction

Acquired by the Nature Conservancy of Canada (Nee) in 1993 and 1994, this property is now comprised of 627 haM The area is the largest example of an open and treed fen in its site district. It was acquired to establish a new provincial nature reserve. celebrating the Ontario Provincial Parks Centennial in 1993.

The major donor for the acquisition wished to create a living natural legacy for his late wife. Oivi Menzel. Significant contributions for the acquisition were also made by the Ontario Heritage Foundation (OHF) and Environment Canada, Environmental Conservation Branch, Ontario Region. A condition of the grant from the Ontario Heritage Foundation requires the completion of a management statement for the property.

Fens are wetlands which form peat, and are found mostly in glacial depressions. A 61 ha undisturbed lake, known as Mud Lake. is located near the centre of the property, surrounded by treed, shrub and open fens; coniferous and mixed swamp forests. Upland communities of note include a Rock Elm woodland; rock barrens with alvar species; and uncommon drumlin-like islands north and west of the lake .

A provincially significant wetland, the property is located at the headwaters of Otter Creek, which flows into the Salmon River. The significance of the nature reserve is in its location in southern Ontario and in the large extent, good condition and species richness of the natural communities present on the site. The area is in exceptionally good condition.. with little evidence of disturb.ance.

Location

A total of 627 ha make up the nature reserve property located 30 km northeast of Belleville. Straddling the line between the two counties, most of the property is located in the County of Lennox and Addington, in Concessions 9 and 10 of the Township of Richmond. The remainder. on the west side, is located in the County of Hastings in Concessions 7 and 8 of the Township of Tyendinaga.

The nature reserve is within the larger Westplain Mud Lake Fen, a provincially significant Area of Natural and Scientific Interest (ANSI), listed in the 1983 Napanee District Land Use Guidelines. The ANSI is part of Site District SE-9, which is an area of limestone plains and alvars; rough, low t stony moraines; numerous lakes and major river systems which flow south to Lake Ontario.

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.,! Menzel Centennial Provincial Nature Reserve iii Interim Management Statement

IJ] First Nations

'. i The ~J1ohawks of the Bay of Quinte is the First Nation closest to the site. Others vvith

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possible interest are the Algonquins of Golden Lake and the Mississaugas of Curve Lake.

• Guideline: The ministry will ensure that good communication is maintained with any

and all First Nations with potential interest in the nature reserve.

• land Tenure and Acquisition

The Nee has signed a 99 year agreement giving the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources

• (MNR) custodial and management responsibility for the area and enabling its regulatio'n under the Provincial Parks Act. Regulation of the nature reserve is proposed for completion in 1995. The nature reserve now comprises about half the ANSI.

Any unopened road allowances which are enclosed within the nature reserve boundary will come under provincial jurisdiction as part of the nature reserve and wifl be closed to travel. .,• Adjacent land use is rural residentiai with limited farming and cattle grazing.

Guideline: In the short term, if further property within the ANSI boundary is offered for sale, acquisition should be considered by the Nature Conservancy of Canada.Ill: Priority should be given to land which drains into the nature reserve, mainly in Tyendinaga township_

Any unopened road allowances within the Menzel Centennial Provincial Nature Reserve will be closed to travel following the procedures set out in the Provincial Parks Act (Section 3 (4)).

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See also Resource Inventories section.

land Use Designations

The draft Officiaf Plan (1994) for the Township of Richmond designates most of the site as "Environmental Constraint Areal' and shows it as both an ANSI and a provincially significant wetland. Those small parts ot the property beyond the ANSI boundary are 'loned as Rural Agricultural Priority Area.

There is no official plan for the Township of Tyendinaga.

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I]

I] The Official Plan for the County of Hastings, (1985) designates the west part of the Nature Reserve as "Environmentally Sensitive Area" (E12. Mud Lak.e Bog).

I] Municipal policies for these designations prohibit development or limit it to that compatible with environmental conditions.

k] Guideline: The ministry will seek to maintain the understanding by the municipal

governments of the significance of the nature reserve and to foster awareness of potential impacts from adjacent land uses.

.1 Municipal governments will be encouraged to enlist support of their staff# such as road crews. inspectors, etc. in supporting the protection of the site by reporting any violations or problems observed to the ministry.

I] Access, Existing and New Development

A single lane gravel road leads to Mud Lake from the Richmond Township 9th ConcessionWJ t

Road at the south edge of the property. A new gate is in place near its intersection with the township road. barring vehicular access to the site. This access to the site is the most commonly used although trail access from the north via the Richmond Township 10th~ Concession Road is also possible.

.J The road to Mud Lake is a minor path over upland sections but is built from rocky fill where it crosses the southern sections of the wetland. In spring and early summer, tower sections of this road are flooded with up to 25 cm of water from the adjacent swamp forests.

Since much of the site is wetland it is difficult to travel especially when the ground is not

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Guideline:

~ Motori2ed vehicles will be prohibited in the nature reserve except for those authorized by the Ministry of Natural Resources or required by MNR for the efficient management of the site. Personal communication, gates, fencing and signs will be used as needed to ensure compliance.

Parking for the limited number of visitors expected can be accommodated along the shoulder of the township road. If parking on site is found to be necessary in future. it will be accommodated near the start of the 'road to Mud Lake.

See also Recreational Activities section.

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•Ii.1 • Menzel Centennial ProvinciaJ Nature Reserve

Interim Management Statement

Goal .. Classification and Zoning

The property was acquired by NeC with the intent of preserving its natural values byIII establishing a nature reserve. It has since been leased to MNR on the understanding that it be regulated under the Provincial Parks Act.

II 11 A condition of the lease ,serves as the goal of the nature reserve in the provincial parks

system, namely that the property shall be maintained in a natural state and its biological diversity shall be preserved and any recreational use shall be subject to such maintenance and preservation.

II The sensitive and highly significant fen area requires the full protection of provincial park policies for nature reserves.

II Guideline: On the basis of the information available now, and until a final management

11 plan is prepared, the entire land area owned by the Nature Conservancy of Canada and leased to the Ministry of Natural Resources will be designated as nature reserve zone, with the exception of one hectare at the southeast corner of the site. This one hectare area will be designated as access zone, allowing for future development of a small parking area near the intersection of the township road and the road which leads to Mud Lake. II] Any new lands acquired will also be managed as nature reserve lanes until a final management plan is prepared. .

IJ Resource Inventories

Information gathering. mostly at a reconnaissance level to date, has concentrated on the life science values of the site. The most recent work provides a more detailed evaluation IifrI for the acquired lands. The natural resources have not been examined or evaluated in .il detail for the remainder of the ANSI. Comparable, detailed resource information on the ., entire wetland is needed to confirm priorities for any further land acquisition. It is also needed to support future planning and management decisions . .., Geological and geomorphological study of the ANSI is needed to understand the meaning

1(1 of these elements for the site. .at Guideline: A detailed life science inventory of the Westpfain Mud Lake Fen ANSI will be

-rt",ii done before a final management plan for the nature reserve is approved. ~

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IE Menzel Centennial Provincial Nature Reserve Interim Management Statement

• Geological and geomorphological inventory work on the Westplain Mud lake Fen ANSI is recommended before com pletion of a final management pran is approved.

. I Significant Plants and Animals

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• One provincially and nationally rare plant, one provincially rare plant and 16 regionally rare plants are recorded for the site.. These are listed in the appendix.

• A small colony of the provincially and nationally rare plant, the Prairie Fringed Orchid (Platantnera leucophaea) was discovered in the nature reserve~ These plants were discovered in wet field habitat and this represents a new location for this species in Ontario. A small stand of Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) was found very close to the very rare Prairie Fringed Orchid colony.

l. The provincially rare Handsome Sedge (Carex formosa) was discovered in various locations in damp, old field habitat. The geographic range of this species is restricted to the lower

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Great Lakes.Il• II In addition, 16 species found at the nature reserve are regionally rare.

II While little is known about its full range of insect species. an adult of the provincially rare Olive Hairstreak Butterfly (Mitoura gryneus) was reported for the site. It is probable that good numbers of this species exist at 'the site. More thorough inventory is required to determine if this is so.

Other important fauna recorded for the nature reserve are the provincially rare Cooper's111 Hawk and the regionally rare Double-crested cormorant.

CI Guideline: The stands of Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum sa/icaria) should be removed before further seeding and spreading occurs.

m Also see above section on Resource Inventories.

Cultural Resources and Past Land Uses1[1 A small quarry, a small gravel pit, along with remnant farm buildings and foundations of

~ unknown significance are located on the property south of the lake, mostlv near theUtA township road and along the road which leads to Mud Lake. A small wooden structure

with steel roof. likely used in local logging operations, remains in the upland area west of

W~' t, the lake. t

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Menzel Centennial Provincial Nature Reserve • Interim Management Statement

Gravel from the pit was likely used to upgrade the road leading to Mud Lake. The quarry• likely supplied foundation material for buildings on the property and in the vicinity.liIPIi... •

;, Little is known about aboriginal use of the property nor about early settlement .

• Guideline: Research on the history of the structures' and land uses on the nature

reserve will be encouraged in association with universities, colleges and . interested qualified individuals.

See also Research section.

.'• Recreation Activities

The area has been used for limited fishing and low intensity hunting for ducks and deer. and for snowmobiling during the winter'months. All terrain vehic1es (ATVs) have also

• been used on the property. t:imrted hiking, cross-country skiing and canoeing also occurs .

Guideline: The Ontario Provincial Parks Planning and Management Policies for recreation activities and facilities in provincial nature reserves will apply. Low intensity day use activities which enhance appreciation of the nature reserve will be encouraged.

Specific activities which will be encouraged include hiking, canoeing • photography, skating, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, and self-guided nature appreciation. Sport fishing may be permitted although not encouraged.

.. •III A short, unobtrusive boardwalk with supporting natural heritage interpretive

displays or brochures, could be constructed in the small shrub fen just off the main access road, just south of Mud Lake. This would give people a better understanding of this special wetland environment without trampling the wetland vegetation .

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If now existing, the following activities are not compatible with the objectives of the nature reserve and will be phased out: hunting,

IIIhl snowmobiling, all terrain vehicle travel, mour.tain biking, horseback riding, -..j and motorized boating. Overnight camping will not be permitted in the nature reserve. "'1 Where necessary, particularly at known access points, signs marking the"i

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•Menzel Centennial Provincial Nature Reserve Interim Management Statement

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nature reserve will be used. They will advise users particularly about the sensitivity of the site and about restrictions on hunting, motorized vehiclesIll] and other activities as required.

Commercial Activities

The only probabte commercial activity which may be affected by the establishment of the nature reserve is trapping. The extent of this activity, if it occurs. is unknown, but is likeJyII

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minimal.

• Guideline: Commercial trapping wilt be phased out but trapping for management

purposes may still occur if appropriate.

There is no evidence of recent farming although neighbouring properties are used to

• pasture canle. Cattle from neighbouring fands have been anowed to graze parts of the nature reserve property and use the la ke for water.

Guideline: Neighbours will be advised about the sensitivity of the site to grazing and asked to keep fences in good repair and cattle out of the nature reserve.•• There is no active mineral exploration or extraction, aggregate or peat extraction,

commercial hydro development, commercial fogging, bait fishing, or fish stocking in the '"

nature reserve. ....

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Guideline: Mineral exploration or extraction, aggregate extraction, commercial hydro development, commercial logging and bait fishing will not be permitted in the

• D1 nature reserve.

No commercial use or development of resources will be permitted in the nature reserve, including timber harvesting, peat mining, quarrying, aggregate extraction.

IIIrI ~ Easements for utility corridors such as hydro, telephone, and natural gas will

not be permitted in the natur~ reserve . .. ...~

Crient Services -Various information is on file for the site including a recent reconnaissance life scienceIII.

• survey, and as part of the Keep It Wild cam paign, an area report and information sheet have been prepared.

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1iIr1""..u" Guideline: Land owners and others in the vicinity of the nature reserve will be

contacted as part of designating the property under the Provincial Parks Act. This will provide an awareness of the new status for the area and invite support in protection of the area.

For general enquiries, the Keep It Wild information sheet will be used to provide information to the public. If more detailed information is requested, other sources will be used at the discretion of ministry staff.••

.If found to be appropriate, MNR may conduct guided tours of the site for interested persons in order to raise some awareness of the site and to foster appropriate use and stewardship of the nature reserve.

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As appropriate clientele increases, natural heritage education materials will be developed in response to specific needs.

• Marketing and Partnerships

In order to encourage the most appropriate use t the nature reserve will be given a low profile in MNR communications. Local naturalists clubs and simi1ar groups may have some interest in learning about and participating in monitoring of the site. Involvement of

I - such groups may evolve to include interpretation, facility development and research.

In the short term, key messages to convey are the role of nature reserves in the provincial parks system, the value ot partners in establishing and subsequent monitoring of new protected areas, the protection objective, the heritage appreciation objective, and the need01, to ensure control of access and limits on use of the area. People who may have used the property informally in the past will be made aware of the objectives for the nature reserve .

•• Guideline: The Menzel Centennial Provincial Nature Reserve may'be listed in general parks publications but will not be shown on detailed maps, including the Official Road Map for Ontario.

• .:;

... If appropriate contacts can be made, local naturalists clubs or individuals could be engaged in a partnership with the ministry to provide regular observation of the site. As experience is gained and partnerships advance consideration will be given to involvement in interpretation, facility development and research, subject to clear understandings being in place between all partners..;Ill]

• The Nature Conservancy of Canada, Environment Canada, the Ontario Heritage Foundation, the Ministry of Natural Resources and others as

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Menzel CentenniaJ Provincial Nature Reserve III] Interim Management Statement .., ., ...,

appropriate, will be mentioned and given credit for participation in the establishment of this site in any publicity and publications concerning the nature reserve .

Research

Very little. if any, research has been conducted on the site. While research by qualified individuals is desirable l its impacts include plant collecting and trampling of vegetation.

I This could become a problem if not carefully controlled.

Guideline: In keeping with ministry policy for provincial parks. all research will be strictly controlled through approval of applications by the Zone Manager for Provincial Parks. Approval will be given only if the project meets the guidelines of the policy and research wilt be subject to any conditions set outIll. in the approval.

111m' Research win be directed to gaining better information on the ANSI life..; •

science values, its geology, geomorphology. and the cultural history of the property.

See also Marketing and Partnership section above.

Resource Management

With the exception of removing the invasive Purple Loosestrife, there is insufficient information available to support any other resource management activities.

•III ..-rI Guideline: Management will be directed to maintaining an evolving natural succession,

with the exception of the removal of Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria). . • Management wiJI give particular consideration to the preservation of any

regional. provincial or national species which is rare, threatened or endangered.

Resource management. incJuding among others, activities directed at fish (including fish stocking), wildlife. vegetation, and drainage will not be

dI undertaken unless supported by detailed research and specifically approved in a management plan for the nature reserve .

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Menzel Centennial Provincial Nature ReserveIf! .u Interim Management Statement

ID Annual Report

11 The M~nistry of Natural Resources will provide to the Nature Conservancy of Canada an annual report on the Menzel Centennial Provincia) Nature Reserve. The report will provide information about its condition 4 its activities and any revenue in excess of expenses .

I• Environmental Assessment Requirements

The conditions of exemption order MNR-61 which covers designating areas as provincial parks and conservation reserves, require notification of adjacent land owners, prior to regulation of the property as a provincial nature reserve under the Provincial Parks Act.

Once regulated as a provincial nature reserve. the official name for the property under

If regulation will be Menzel Centennial Provincial Nature Reserve. Following regulation under the Provincial Parks Act, Exemption Order MNR·59/2, filed as Ontario Regulation Number 83/94 and its successors, will apply to the property .

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• References

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• MAPS

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lindsay, K. M. Life Science Areas of Natural and Scientific Interest in Site District 6-9. Aurora: Ministry of Natural Resources. 1986.

McDermott & Associates limited. Draft Official Plan Township of Richmond. Draft,. unpublished report. Selby: Township of Richmond. 1994.

Norris, Todd. A Reconnaissance Ufe Science Inventorv and Evaluation of the Menzel Nature Reserve. Draft, unpublished report. Tweed: Ministry of Natural Resources. 1994.

Official Plan of Hastings County. Approved by the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. Belteville: County of Hastings. 1985.

Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. Menzel Centennial Provincial Nature Reserve (Westpfain Mud Lake Fen). Draft, unpublished Keep It Wild Area Report and Information Sheet. Aurora. 1994.

Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. Naoanee District Land Use Guidelines. Publication Number 5884. Napanee. 1983.

Riley, J. Site District Data Record. (Peatland Inventory). Aurora: Ministry of Natural Resources. 1983.

NTS map 31 C I 6

OBM sheets: 10 18 3300 49100 10 18 3300 49150 10 18 3250 49100

1978 aerial photographs

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Appendix: Significant Flora and Fauna at Menzel Centennial Provincial Nature Reserve

Following is a list of significant flora and fauna recorded tor the nature reserve.

Provincially Rare Fauna

Olive Hairstreak .Cooper's Hawk

Regionally Rare Fauna Double-crested Cormorant

Nationally and Provincially Rare Prairie Fringed Orchid (Platanthe·ra leucophaea)

Provincially Rare Handsome Sedge (Carex formosa)

Regionally Rare Stout Woodreed (Cinna arundinaceae) Drooping Woodreed (Cinna latifolia) Wood Millet (Millium effusum) Sedge (Carex chordorrhiza) . Cotton-grass (Eriophorum viridi-carinatuml Little Club-spur Orchid (Platanthera clavellata) Tall White Bog-orchid (Platanthera dilatata) Cuckoo Flower (Cardamine pratensis) One-flowered Wintergreen (Moneses uniflora) Round-leaved Pyrola (Pyrola rotundifoHa) Greenish-flowered Pyrola (pyrola virens) High-Bush Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum) Early Forget-me-not (Myosotis verna)

. Bog Bedtsraw (Galium labradoricum) Plumeless Thistle (Carduus acanthoides) Marsh Dandelion (Taraxacum turfosum)

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f Figure 1 Regional Settting

Menzel Centennial Provincial Nature Reserve

I Scale: 1 : 250,000

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Figure 2

Menzel Nature Reserve

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