HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Expositor, 1975-03-13, Page 13
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The Master Planning Process is a sequence of
steps that' we Set down to, plot the course to be
followed in order to prepdre a ma ter plan.
• A Master Plan is a written d
establishes detailed police.•guideline
development and management of a recr
It is a comprehensive, logically reasoned attempt to
look at all known issues pertinent to future
development and operation of the unit, aimed at
managementinstituting a sound resource manageent
programme for the long term benefit of the people of
Ontario. ►
The ,H.W.M.A. Master Plan has a number of
objectives. It ; examines the market area within •
which the wildlife area is 'situated to ascertain the,
existing supply of recreation opportunities, the type
and extent of acilities offered, the transportation
linkages .and population projections in relationship
to the characteristics of ',the potential user and
' "resultant demand for the wildlife area site. ,
- Analyses all ecological, cultural' eand physical
aspects of the wildlife area, thereby ensuring diat
provincially significant and sensitive environments
' are not disturbed. -
assess the environmental limitations of the site
. A and ensures that these limitations are not exceeded
• ,when developMent occurs. .‘ •
- outlines the nature and intensity of facilities and
variety of recreational opportunities to lie offered..
• formulates the goal for the wildlife area 'and
defines the objectives by which this goal may be
• attained.
- outlines alternative 'development proposals
permissible within the limitations identified in the
environmental impact assessment, selects the
optimum, optimum, alternative and devises a ,concept plan
based on this selection.
-defines a visitor services programme from 'Which
a process evolves -to enable the visitor to enjoy the
features and attributes of the environment which he
visits.
• -establishes 'management and site planning
guidelines. to ensure that the goal and Objectives are
attained when development of the wildlife area
current which
for Jong e
o area,
THE ,HURON EXPOSITOR, TH6R WAY, MARCH 13, 1975 SECTION SECTIOV PAGES IA 4A
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Pork:inNekrt.a.s.
Vos..0.r: StrveZes
pondingarained to the NW -following t
the• ice lobe. The Hullett area has been u
direct glaeial. action for the !ask 13,800
yeats. •
Geomorphology.
Three areas of gedmorphic significanc6 can 'be
identified at Hullett:
(1) The SEaforth . Moraine lies in the western and
southern portions of, the area and is a zone of
outwash gravels and sorted tills. Sonic gravel
deposits and disused gravel -pits exist. The relief .
across the area averages 50' to 75' above the loWer
lying flood plain. The terrain • is rolling and well
'drained.
(2) The flood plain of the S. Maidand,Including all
„, land adjoining the river below 975' in• elevatign. is
flat bottomland. Tbe soils of the area are underlain
by light coloured clays of, fine texture which, as a
result of their Poorly drained natural state, appear to
be h ighly impermeable. The area was the site of a
post-glacial lake, postulated to have exceeded 77' in
depth at times, ‘•hich.drained through a steep sided
_• water gap *cut into the moraine of the northwest.The
gradient of the S. Maitland River as it crosses the
H.W.M.A. is less than 5' per mile. Thus, silting
caused by depositioh of the fine suspended lOad is
occurs.
" At all stages, he progress of the 'master plan is
continualy reviewed by all levels of the Ministry
organization. •
A major component of any master plan process is
public involvement and 'partieipation—A,t all stages
throughout the process, the viewpoints. comments,
suggestions, criticisms and assessments of
interested`, citizens are vital . to . ensure the
formulation of the best plan.'
The Goal of 'the 'Hullett Wildlife Management
Area is: .
-to provide an opportunity ftir high quality wildlife
based recreational experiences for hunters and other
visitors on.a day use basis while emphasizing habitat
management, and waterfowi---,, production in
accordance with sound ecological .Principles.
The objectives associated With the goal of the
H.W.M.A. are; • •
1) to increase the supply of wetlands and provide
additional access to waterfowl hunting;
2) to demonstrate land use practicesnuist productive
to wildlife;
3) to provide an area where the eancational
experience is based upon wildlife resources.: •
4. 4) to interpret wildlife values and appreciation of the
sank;
. 5) to provide other outdoor recreational experipeces
related to wildlife. ,.
Market Area Analysis Summary
The 'H.W,M.A. will operate as a day-use
recreation area, No camping' facilities will be
provided at the site. The 1 1/2 hour travel time F.ene,,is
identified as delimiting the market area front which
visitors will come to Hullett to take Part in wildlife.
oriented. programmes. .1n 1971, approximately
75Q,000 people lived within this market area. By
1981 this figure is projeeted to have increased to
840,000 And by 1991 it will be '950,000.
.. This population of 750,000 is calculated to '
generate 26,250 user-days of hunting participation.
on provincial lands each` year. Much of this demand
will be directed to the H.W.M.A.-for it is the only
provincial hunting area within the defined market
area, ,although 3 altei:natives hunting areas exist
close to the boundary of the zone.
Avery tentative figitre of 70,000 '-'interpretation
use per yearlias been suggested as the
user-demand for interpretive activities within the'
• Hullett market area, it is impossible to calculate the
percentage of this demand that will focus on the
H.W.M.A. 6000 "educatiart-student user days of •
demand per year ere anticipated for the wildlife
• area. •
Topography
The two 'major topographic eleMents are the
• relatively level flood plain lands extending on either
4 side -of the river to approximately the 975' contour
• line and -the peripheral' higher, more rolling lands.
The highest, most broken terrain occurs in the -
southwest with several isolated knolls bet% 1025'
a,s.l.
Geology
(see end map)
The area is entirely underlain by Middle Devonian
age lifriestone of the Dundee Formation which is
covered by a deep layer (50' 150') of drift material
laid down by previous glacial action.
Glacial History ,
During t'he Pleistoncene the area was covered by
numerous • glacial advances, including several
fluctuations during late Wisconsin _times (about
25,000 to 11,000 years ago); only, the sediments 'of
the most recent of these fluctuations remain.
Following several late Wisconsin glacial advances
across'the area from the north and northwest, the ice
retreated from the area about 14,500 years ago. An
easterly advance from the Lake H uron Basin then
took place as far as Mitchell, (14 miles SE' of
Hullett), where the Mitchell Moraine marks its outer
limit. A silt to clay silt till was, laid down. The ice .
lobe then retreated in an oscillatory manner leaving
several recessional moraines. includirrg the Seaforth
moraine,, part of which is present in the S & W
sections of the fl.W.M.A.
The ice then retreated westwards- about 14,000
years ago. While this ice stood at the, Seaforth
Moraine, a glacial lake was ponded in the area
adjacent to the S. Maitland River as evidenced by
*the existing glaciolacustrine sediments. This
common. Meanders and meander cut-offs have been
formed in the floodplain -surface. , .
(3) The third geomorphic area occurs in the NE of
the site. It consists of glacial till deposits surfically
covered in one section • near Kinburn by a small
section of windblown loess.
History
I The historyo. f the European in the H.W..M.A. has
two thematic parts, the history of the agricultural
settlemenf of the area aed the history of the
-economic uses of the natbral resources of the
property.
The landbase first belonged to the Canada
Company with' the first seater purchasing, land in
1848 within the higher, better drained areas of the
property. It was a• long time before the IOW land in
the Willett "swamp' attracted buyers. in general,
the farm settlements established were typical of
those found throughout Huron County in the late
1800's.
Trapping has occurred over a long period of time
at Hullett with muskrat being the main animal
caught. The timber of the area was used
commercially, by John and Richard Ransford at the
turn of the century. The Ransford's owned a salt
well and sawmill in a nearby village and used Hullett
timber in order to stoke tie evaporation plant at the
salt well and for lumber in the sawmill. After the'
• land was cleared of its best lumber, it was sold for
pasture.
Summary of Preliminary mpster Plan Concept
• Introduction
The .oPtimum development solution for the
HtW.M.A. involves the construction of a dam and
dike system such that the lowland area can be
flooded to form a major water impoundment and
several shallow sub-impoundments. A marsh-like
enviraninent will develop offering good feeding,
nesting and loafing areas for waterfowl. This will
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considerably diversify the wildlife resource at-
Hullett and increase population sizes over those
existing under piesentcondition at the site.This, in
turn, will provide greater scope for a wider variety fo
quality, recreation experien(ceS.
The construction of the/Tram will ensure the
retention of a water surface'at Hullett throughout,
the year. The creation of dikes will cause many acres
of water -habitat of 2' depth or' less to exist, 'thus
attracting puddle duck populations. TheVstem of
impoundments invisaged allows for flex-Mility in
management of the waterfowl habitat. Draining of
sub-impoundments is benefi etal for rejuvenation of
the impoundment _floarg, for the planting of feed
crops arid' for the control of emergent aquatic
vegeta;ion. Mudflat areas will attract migrating
shorebirds. .
Thus, the H.W.M.is, will possess two' distinctive
yet mutually interdependent, physiographic
elements for the production of wildlife. The water
impoundment areas will be the focus for waterfowl
production. hunting and viewing the surrounding
upland areas will produce Oland fauna species and
will be the site of habitat management practises
• Conceptual Plan •
4i. (a) Development 'Zone One: Situated in the north
west corner, this will be the dominant focus for
administrative control and visitor services within the
I-I.W.M.A. The main dam will be situated here, as
will be an attractive visitor services - interpretive
building incorporating an observation lounge for
viewing of the main nearby water impoundment.
Forty picnic sites having parking facilities nearby
will be proVided in natural bush areas close to this
building. Walking/nature trails will lead out from
the picnic area both to the north and south. By using
these trails and walk-ways on top of the dikes, it will
,be possible 'to view and explore all parts of the
management area.
The main centre for visitor services programming
will be the visitor services - interpretive building.
Here displays, information, AV programnies and
intertil'etive staff will be available to all visitors.
The main entrance to the wildlife area will be
located, on the western perimeter road. At this
The plan will be discusses at a
seminar-workshop, scheduled
for 2:d0 P.M. March 20, 1975,
at the Hullett Maintenance
Building, Lot 8, Concession 3,
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Hallett Township
station, control of, hunters and direction of 'other
. dig-use visitors can be accomplished. Boat launch
facilities for Use hy administrative personnel,
hunterg and naturalists will be provided near the
visitor services building.
Support •rnaintenance facilities for the dam will be
locate,d at the north end of the dam. Access will be
viii7a service road leading to the dam site from the
northern peripheral roadway. -
A walk-in picnic area of 20 sites will be situated to
the north east of, the dam. It will have a panoramic
view of the main impoundment. A walking trail Will .
lead front here to the major archaeological site
nearby: Other' trails will lead off northeastwards to
facilitate exploration of the northern shores of the
impoundment,
(b) Development Zone Two - This zone will
contain the maintenance complex. Developrnent will
,be oriented towards providing suppgrt maintenance
facilities principally for Hullett but also for, sonie
aspects of management associated with other MNR
District programmes.
(c5 Pre-historie Zone - The major pre-historic site
the north of the be protected from
development. Excavation at a later, date may
indicate that the site has value ay...an interpretive
feature.•
(d) Main Water Impoundment Area - The water
body will be divided into a number of pools by the.
construction of dikes:T.hey will be managed
priniarily for waterfowl by providing adequate food
and cover resources to increase production and offer
an attractive • stop-over area - for ' migrants„
Developmetitssociated with visitor facilities and
activities will Lie permitted at a level that does not
adversely affect the goal of wildlife production.
The pools will be utilized for a variety of,
management practises. The eastern most pool will
serve as a de-silting basin.
Water within the shallow impoundments will be
too warm for most species of game fish to survive,
. with the, possible exception of large mouth bass.
The entire diking system will be 'used as a sytem
of trails for interpretive work. Access of this type
will allow hikers and naturalists to easily view the
marsh, its flora and fauna and the results of,
positive management. ,-
Much timber on the floodplain floor will become
flooded and will eventually die as a result of this
ilevelopment concept. Some of this timber should be
rernevedprior to flooding, but the retention of some
dead timber within the impoundment, will be
desitaple as cover and nesting areas for
ducks. Attempts will be made to irtiplement a '
flooded green timber policy at Hullett. The stand of
trees in which the heronry is presently situated
should be retained if at all possible.
Potential nesting territory will be enhanced by
planting and the creation'of some artificial" islands
prior to flooding.
An area where wildlife will be completely
unmolested will be designated as a refuge within the
impoundment. However, the location of this refuge
can only be deterrNned once wildlife activity,
patternebecome naturally ,stabilized.The location of
-the' refuge area may vary from time to time in
response to changes in wildlife activity patterns.
- A prime use of the water area at Hullett will be for
waterfowl .hunting. Two types of shooting zone
should exist on'a managed marsh; (a) a controlled
shooting zone, where the nuinber of hunters is
restricted and their shooting locations are firmly
-decided; (b) a free hunting, zone, located 'on' on' the
perphery of the marsh, where,,tke number of hunters
is not restricted and their locations are not
pre-determined. Such zones should be identified at
Hullett as part,gf the management plan for the area.
Limited canoeing and the use of row boats will be
permitted within Pool I where the deepest water in ,.
the impoundment occurs.
(e) Peripheral Water. Impoundments - Pool la 'will
be developed 'as a site for -training hunting dogs and
for Voiding field trials for dogs. The pool will also be
developed as a put-and-take fishery due to its cool
spring N,Nater. •-
Pool 2a will serve to increase the total amount of
available water area for wildlife production. •If ,
completely drained, it can be used as an area for
planting feed crops which will be reflooded in fall to
attract waterfowl. It will also act as a minor siltation
basin.
A goose pond and enclosure will be maintained in
the sopth of the property. A. viewing platform
Presently ex ists outside the enclosure. Nearby , a
small pond will be used for fishing.
(f) Upland Areas Peripheral to Main Wat or •
Impoundment - in these areas,, management will
„emphasize the creation' of a diversity of habitats
through minor plantings. A variety of wildlife
management practises Will be demonstrated at
specific locations.
In the north west, the land area will be primarily
developed for use by visitors. Planting Will be for
aesthetic, display and interpretation purposes.
Existing bush areas will be retained and good timber
management practises will be demonstrated.
In the north and east, the p eripheial lands,will be
used primarily for the production of cereal grains.
The present large fields will be "broken up" into
smaller units of 25-30 acres by fence rows and some
plantings of shrubs and trees..
On the central southern areas, similar practises
will be adopted with more planting of trees and
shrubs in 5 - 10 acre plots, occurring in selected
areas.
The land in the south west will be managed to
obtain a mix of shrubs, evergreens and hardwoods
with 25-30 acre clearings between the tree clump
plantings.
Of specific interest, Lot 21, Concession IV will.be
developed as a demonstration area of wildlife cover
and food plants. Lot 13, Concession II is to be used
as an outdoor education "Wassroom" by the Huron
County Board of Education. In addition to this
25 acres of land will be developed as a nectar
orchard to , stimulate honey production. Ain"
arboretum will also be developed.
HULLVT WILDLIFE MASTER PLAN
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