Lands For Life - Living Legacy
The preliminary final document resulting from the Lands For Life/Living Legacy public participation program.
Algonquin Eco Watch actively participated in the Lands for Life process during the late 1990's, with the specific intent of achieving special protective status for those drainage systems that source outside Algonquin Park, but flow into it. The purpose of this was to ensure the long-term purity and uninterrupted flow patterns of the more than 20 minor watersheds, which together with Algonquin Park comprise the "Algonquin Ecosystem". It is this commitment to water quality and quantity throughout the Algonquin Ecosystem, which has led to the inception of the "Algonquin Eco Watch Water Testing Program".

In July, 1999, the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources released the document "Ontario's Living Legacy", outlining future land use practices within the province. While this document did recognize some Algonquin headwaters under the category "E67n - Enhanced Management Areas", many of the waters sourcing outside the Park but flowing into it have not been so designated. In addition, the category E67n allows for aggregate extraction, and mineral exploration and development, activities that can seriously affect surface and ground water flow patterns and quality.

As a result of the above concerns, Algonquin Eco Watch met with Ministry of Natural Resources personnel on January 27th, 2001, to discuss the inclusion of additional waters in, and the redefining of, "E67n - Enhanced Management Areas", respectively. Upon checking with MNR personnel one year later concerning activity in these regards, it was learned that little progress has occurred to date.

Algonquin Eco Watch will continue to actively pursue this matter.

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