Attention NOTO Members
New MNRF Proposals Now Available for Comment Regarding Moose
Yesterday, (December 17, 2015) the NOTO office received correspondence from the MNRF that they have posted 3 new proposals as part of the Moose Project Phase II that they feel will help to make a positive impact on the moose populations in Ontario. The public comment period will end January 18, 2016.
NOTO will be submitting its comments in early January. We would ask that you take some time to review the proposals online and provide us with your comments and/or concerns at your earliest convenience. Your input will help to form our submission.
For more details please see the copy of the letter we received from MNRF below. I have included direct weblinks to the individual postings for your convenience.
Take good care,
Laurie MarcilExecutive Director
December 17, 2015
Ms. Laurie Marcil
Executive Director
Nature and Outdoors Tourism Ontario
386 Algonquin Avenue
North Bay ON P1B 4W3
laurie@noto.net
Re: Moose Project – Phase 2
Dear Laurie,
In fall 2014, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) launched the Moose Project to consider new moose population objectives and explore potential management actions to address or mitigate pressures on moose populations such as harvest, predation, parasites, changing habitat and climate. MNRF has taken a number of actions in recent years, including those resulting from Phase 1 of Moose Project, to address harvest pressure on moose by reducing tags and seasons. These actions are designed to help ensure a healthy and resilient moose population in Ontario.
MNRF launched Phase 2 of the Moose Project earlier this year to continue the discussion on moose population objectives and other potential management actions to address factors affecting moose. MNRF has considered the input received to date and is now seeking comments from the public, stakeholders, Aboriginal groups and communities on three proposals posted on the Environmental Registry.
- Policy proposal #012-6074 provides an opportunity to review and share your insights into new moose population objectives for Wildlife Management Units across the province. This posting also describes some other actions MNRF is taking or may consider in the future to address other factors affecting moose.
- Regulation posting #012-6073 outlines proposed changes to wolf/coyote hunting regulations in northern Ontario to address concerns about the potential impact of wolves on moose populations.
- Regulation posting #012-6075 proposes minor changes to the moose hunting season in southern Ontario to better align the season with the hunting season for calf moose in northern Ontario.
To view the Environmental Registry notices, please visit www.ontario.ca/environmentalregistry and enter the proposal numbers listed above in the search box. The comment period for these proposals is from December 17, 2015 to January 18, 2016.
We welcome discussions with you on these proposals, and in the coming weeks we will be engaging other groups in similar discussions. If you would like to meet to discuss your interests, my staff would be pleased to arrange a meeting. Please contact Patrick Hubert at patrick.hubert@ontario.ca or 705-755-1932 to arrange a mutually agreeable time.
Sincerely,
Chloe Stuart, Director
Species Conservation Policy Branch
Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry
300 Water Street, 5th Floor North
Peterborough, ON K9J 8M5
Phone: (705) 755-5341
E-mail: chloe.stuart@ontario.ca
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