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RAINMAKER LAKE CONSERVATION RESERVE(C2341)STATEMENT OF CONSERVATION INTERESTMARCH 2002DRYDEN DISTRICTMINISTRY OF NATURAL RESOURCES

Approval StatementWe are pleased to approve this Statement of Conservation Interest for Rainmaker LakeConservation Reserve (C2341).This Statement of Conservation Interest will provide guidance for the management of theConservation Reserve and form the basis for ongoing monitoring of activities. Moredetailed direction is not anticipated at this time. Should significant facility developmentbe considered or complex issues arise requiring additional studies, more definedmanagement direction, or special protection measures, a more detailed ConservationReserve Management Plan will be prepared with full public consultation.The Rainmaker Lake Conservation Reserve will be managed under the jurisdiction of theWabigoon Area supervisor, Dryden District, Ministry of Natural Resources.Charlie LauerRegional DirectorNorthwest RegionMinistry of Natural ResourcesR.G. McColmDryden District ManagerMinistry of Natural ResourcesDateDateRainmaker Lake Conservation Reserve (C2341) Statement of Conservation Interesti

Table of ContentspageApproval Statement iList of Figures and Appendices . iii1.0 Background Information . . .Table 1.1: Background Information .Table 1.2: Representation Targets .Table 1.3: Survey Information .11222.0 Values to be Protected . . .Table 2.1: Values Identified on Site .2.2 Values to be Protected .2.2.1 Forest Values 2.2.2 Landform Values .2.2.3 Recreational Values .2.2.4 Tourism Values .23344443.0 Management Guidelines 43.1 Land Tenure . 43.2 Existing and Proposed Development 53.3 Recreational Activities . . 53.4 Commercial Activities . 53.5 Aboriginal Interests . . 53.6 Natural Resources Stewardship . . 63.6.1 Vegetation Management . . 63.6.2 Fish and Wildlife Management . . 63.6.3 Landforms . 63.7 Cultural Resources Stewardship . . 73.8 Client Services . . 73.9 Research . . 73.10 Marketing 7Table 3.11: Summary of Permitted Uses . 84.0 Implementation . . . 95.0 Review and Revisions . 5.1 Public Consultation .5.1.1 Results of Past Consultation .5.1.2 Present and Future Consultation 5.1.3 Author 9999106.0 References . 10Rainmaker Lake Conservation Reserve (C2341) Statement of Conservation Interestii

Figures:Figure 1: General location of Rainmaker Lake Conservation Reserve . 1Figure 2: Old hunt camp located approximately 1 km from the reserve .Figure 3: Aerial view of old growth red and white pine .Figure 4: Aerial view of the lake bordering the south side of the reserve Figure 5: A moose (centre) seen in a wetland area on the reserve .3467Appendices:A: Map of Rainmaker Lake Conservation ReserveB: Rainmaker Lake Conservation Reserve – C2341 Aerial Photo ImageC: FRI for Rainmaker Lake Conservation ReserveD: Earth Science InventoryE: Life Science InventoryF: Recreational Inventory ChecklistG: Policy ReportRainmaker Lake Conservation Reserve (C2341) Statement of Conservation Interestiii

1.0 Background InformationThe purpose of this document is to identify and document the natural heritage values ofthe Rainmaker Lake Conservation Reserve, the activities that occur there and, through aset of management guidelines, lay out the activities that will and will not be permitted.For more information regarding this Statement of Conservation Interest (SCI) please referto the "Conservation Reserve Policy and Procedure PL3.03.05".Table 1.1: Background information for Rainmaker Lake Conservation Reserve.NameSite Region / Site DistrictOMNR AdministrativeRegion / District / AreaTotal Area (ha)Regulation DateFirst NationsOBMLat. / Long.BasemapGeneral LocationDescriptionAccessRainmaker Lake Conservation Reserve(C2341)4S-5Northwestern Region / Dryden District /Wabigoon Area58Anticipated in 2002Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation, Aboriginal People ofWabigoon, Eagle Lake First Nation,Naotkamegwanning First Nation (Whitefish Bay)20 15 4600 5470049 23', 93 26'494932Located approximately 70 km southwest of the City ofDryden, 40 km southwest of the Town of VermillionBay, northeast of Rainmaker Lake.Access can be gained via a forest access road off ofBarren Brook Road (CP #61 Rd.).Figure 1: General location of Rainmaker Lake Conservation Reserve.For a more detailed map of site location see Appendix A.Rainmaker Lake Conservation Reserve (C2341) Statement of Conservation Interest1

Table 1.2: Representation Targets: Summary of earth science, life science, culturalresource values and present or possible recreational opportunities.Life Science RepresentationUpland ForestConifer mixed forest – Jack pineConifer mixed forest – Red Pine, White Pine, Trembling Aspen,White Birch, Mountain MapleConifer mixed forest – Red Pine, White Pine, Black Spruce,Balsam FirWetlandShoreline vegetation: sweet gale, Labrador teaSwamp (thicket) Alder growing on organic depositsMeadow marshOpen water marshAnimal SpeciesEvidence of moose, bear, beaver and forest tent caterpillarEarth Science RepresentationUnderlain with granitic rockEvidence of two fault lines presentThin covering of till ground moraineCultural ValueRepresentationNo documented cultural valuesRecreational OpportunitiesOpportunities exist for canoeing, exploring, hunting (largemammals and waterfowl), snowmobiling, fishing, bird watchingand general nature activities.Table 1.3: Survey Information: Overview of the inventories completed, their level ofdetail and inventories that are needed.Survey LevelLife ScienceEarth ScienceCulturalRecreationalReconnaissance -checklist 2001- Life ScienceInventory, 2001- checklist 2001- Earth ScienceInventory, 2001- not requiredDetailed- not required- not required-checklist 2001-RecreationResourceInventory, 2002- not required- not required1.0 Values to be ProtectedThis section provides a description of the key natural heritage values on the site, theircondition relative to past resource and management activities, and their sensitivity tofuture land use and management activities.Rainmaker Lake Conservation Reserve (C2341) Statement of Conservation Interest2

Table 2.1: Values Identified on Rainmaker Lake Conservation Reserve.Life Science- old growth red and white pine; New England violet, Viola novaeangliae, and tiger beetle, Cicindela denikei (provincially rarespecies)Earth Science- none of the earth science features identified were of significanceCultural- none determinedAboriginal- none determinedTourism- possibility for bear hunt exists; see Bear Management Area belowRecreational Fishing- permitted; not indicated as a recreation use in the ResourceInventoryRecreational Hunting- WMU #8; evidence of moose, deer and bear as well as a huntingcamp foundTrapping- DR04N00101Bear Management Area- DR-08-010Bait Harvesting- 494932Commercial Fishing- N/AFigure 2: Old hunt camp located approximately 1 km from the reserve.2.2 Values to be Protectedof past disturbance and the nature of theexisting features.The intent of this SCI is to protect thefollowing values by establishingmanagement guidelines for existing andpotential uses in this area given the levelRainmaker Lake Conservation Reserve (C2341) Statement of Conservation Interest3

Figure 3: Aerial view of old growth red and white pine.2.2.1 Forest Values2.2.4 Recreational ValuesOld growth red and white pine can befound throughout this site. None of thesignificant forest values found requireadditional protection other than thatalready provided by this Statement ofConservation Interest. (See Section 3.0Management Guidelines)Several tiger beetles (Cicindela denikei)were seen along the forest access road atthe boundary of the reserve. As well, theNew England violet(Viola novae-angliae House) was foundin the red pine mixed wood forest alonga moist swale. Both are consideredprovincially rare species.The Recreation Resource Inventoryregarded the forest, rolling landscape,terrestrial and aquatic wildlife, and cliffsas recreation features. Present andpotential recreation activities includedhunting, trapping, hiking and large treeobservation. The significance of thesefeatures was rated as moderate. It wasdetermined that none of theaforementioned features would besensitive to recreational use. (RecreationResource Inventory Report, 2002)Resource development, however, wouldresult in the harvesting of significanttrees (red and white pine) and loss ofhabitat for key species (i.e. moose, deer,bear). (Life Science Inventory, 2001)2.2.3 Landform Values2.2.5 Tourism ValuesNone of the bedrock or surficialgeological features determined duringthe Earth and Life Science Inventorywere deemed significant.This area is currently not being used fortourism purposes.2.2.2 Biological ValuesRainmaker Lake Conservation Reserve (C2341) Statement of Conservation Interest4

3.0 Management Guidelines3.1 Land TenureThe Rainmaker Lake ConservationReserve consists entirely of Crown landwithin the unorganized area southeast ofDryden and Vermillion Bay. Thisreserve is also completely surrounded byCrown land.The conservation reserve will remainCrown land and no dispositions(including Land Use Permits or Licensesof Occupation) will be issued for thesite.The disposition of adjacent Crown Landwill be dealt with on a case-by-casebasis.Unauthorized occupations of landswithin the conservation reserve will behandled in accordance with approvedpolicy, and any required structuralremoval will be at the owner's expense.3.2 Existing and ProposedDevelopmentThere is an inactive forest access roadleading off of Barren Brook Road (Camp#61 Rd.) that runs along the northboundary of the reserve. The RecreationResource Inventory stated that evidenceexists of ATV use to access the reservefrom this road. Approximately 32% ofthe Conservation Reserve area has beenharvested, in the north and east regions.Some of the areas in the east also containlandings and skid trails. Hardwoodcomponents make up the primaryregeneration. As well, there are 5 gravelpits within 750 to 1300 m of the reserve.Facility infrastructure and developmentfor recreational and/or educationalpurposes may be considered in the futureif there is a demonstrated demand forsuch facilities. All provincial policiesthat guide development on Crown Landare applicable in Conservation Reserves.A more detailed management planwould be required prior to anydevelopment occurring. Themanagement plan would have to ensurethere would be no negative impacts toany habitat or ecosystem pertinent to thevalues protected in this reserve. Inparticular, the old growth red and whitepine as well as the species described bySection 2.2.2.3.3 Recreational ActivitiesMost recreational activities that havetraditionally been enjoyed in this areacan continue provided they pose nothreat to the natural ecosystems andfeatures protected by the ConservationReserve. Those uses that are regulatedinclude hunting, fishing and trapping.Most other permitted activities are nonregulated (i.e. canoeing, exploring,hiking). See Section 2.2.4 for therecreational uses for this ConservationReserve as determined by the RecreationResource Inventory.Mechanical travel is permitted only onthe existing roads and trails. Off trailmechanized travel is permitted forretrieval of game only.3.4 Commercial ActivitiesNo new activities, such as commerciallogging, hydroelectric powerdevelopment, new transmission lines(e.g. power or communications),pipelines, highways or roads and theRainmaker Lake Conservation Reserve (C2341) Statement of Conservation Interest5