Representatives from COPA and the Canadian Seaplane Pilots Association, led by COPA member and lawyer Dan Cornell, met with officials from the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources Kawartha Highlands Project Office on Aug. 25, 2001.
The Kawartha Highlands is a unique wilderness recreation area located 50 miles north of Peterborough, Ont. The Ontario government is making the Kawartha Highlands into the largest protected area in southern Ontario, one of nine signature site projects to be launched under the Living Legacy banner. Living Legacy was announced by Premier Mike Harris in March 1999. It is creating 378 new parks and protected areas covering 2.4 million hectares. The government formed a 12-member Kawartha Highlands Local Stakeholders Committee to lead the public consultation process, recommend the most appropriate designation for the area, its final boundary and future management policies. The committee did not include any aviation users.
A draft report from the committee seeks to limit seaplane and skiplane access out of proportion with proposed restrictions on other activities such as boating, hiking and snowmobiling. At the end of the meeting, the committee agreed to further consultations with COPA and CSPA to set the record straight regarding the traditional role of aircraft for wilderness access and their minimal impact compared to other users. A subsequent meeting was held and the prospects for continued access by aircraft have improved. The final report is expected in the next few months. Contact Kevin Psutka.