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Alt:xma AGRICULTURE, FOOD AND
RURAL DEVELOPMENT Public Lands
471 A3 t·1665 1997 D1aft c.l
Alberta E · t I p nvrronmcr: a rotection ~:.... Library
MINISTIK LAKE GAME BIRD SANCTUARY
WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT PLAN
. . . . .. .-':.;. ·o:.:::~
Draft Implementation Strategy
April, 1997
AIWra ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
Natural Resources Service
Alt:Dra ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
Library
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .................................................... ii
1.0 BACKGROUND ...................................................... 1
2.0 WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT PLAN-
MINISTIK LAKE GAME BIRD SANCTUARY .............................. 1
3.0 PURPOSE OF THE IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY ....................... 2
4.0 IMPLEMENTATIONSTRATEGYFORPRIORITYTASKS ................... 3
4.1 Designation as a Habitat Development Area .............................. 3 4.2 Wildlife Enhancement by Ducks Unlimited Canada ......................... 3 4.3 Upland Habitat Management Strategy ................................... 4 4.4 Trapping System ................................................... 4 4.5 Access Management ................................................ 4 4.6 Information Exchange with the Public .................................. 10 4.7 Acquisition ofPrivateLands ......................................... 10 4.8 Development of a Fire Management Strategy ............................ 12
5.0 FUTURE ACTIONS .................................................... 12 5.1 Implementation ................................................... 12 5.2 Plan Monitoring and Plan Review ..................................... 13
APPENDIX 1 ............................................................. 14 APPENDIX 2 ............................................................. 15
· Ministik Lake Game Bird Sanctuary- Draft Implementation Strategy; April, 1997
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
In 1989 a Wildlife Management Plan for Ministik Lake Game Bird sanctuary received approval by
the former Alberta Forestry, Lands, and Wildlife Department. This Plan was developed in
response to a 1985 request by Ducks Unlimited Canada for a formal arrangement to ensure the
security of the land base.
The Wildlife Management Plan remains the key document for managing the sanctuary as it
provides the overall objectives, direction for managing land use within the sanctuary through
general guidelines, and reviews the history and policies that have been developed for Ministik.
While the plan identifies numerous long term or ongoing management activities, it highlights
several priority tasks to be completed. These tasks include:
I.
2.
3.
4.
Designation as a Habitat Development Area;
Continued wildlife habitat enhancement by Ducks Unlimited Canada;
Development of an upland habitat management strategy;
Establishment of a trapping system;
5. Development of a strategy to manage access;
6. Annual information exchange meetings with the public;
7. Acquisition of privately-held lands (on a willing seller basis); and,
8. Development of a fire management strategy.
The proposed future action or current status for each of these priority tasks forms the basis
of this Implementation Strategy. Implementation of the Wildlife Management Plan, and
provisions contained in this document, will ultimately be the joint responsibility of the Public
Lands Branch of Alberta Agriculture, Food and Rural Development and the Natural Resources
Service (Park}and Region) of Alberta Environmental Protection, under the direction of the
Parkland Region Environmental Resources Committee. Implementation will require the
continued involvement of stakeholder groups and the Public Advisory Committee, especially in
areas such as monitoring of human use of the sanctuary, marking and maintenance of trails, and
development and maintenance of primitive facilities at designated staging areas. The structure and
function of the Public Advisory Committee as outlined in its Terms of Reference will be retained
during the future management of the sanctuary.
The success of the plan and our efforts to conserve the area for its wildlife resources, ecological
values and for the benefit of future Albertans will depend on our actions today.
Ministik Lake Game Bird Sanctuary -Draft Implementation Strategy; April, 1997 · 11
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MINISTIK LAKE GAME BIRD SANCTUARY
WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT PLAN
IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY
1.0 BACKGROUND
The Ministik Lake Game Bird Sanctuary is a large (7349 ha) area of public land some 24 km
southeast ofEdmonton. It is part of the Cooking Lake moraine, an area of knob and kettle
topography which stretches from Miquelon Lake in the south to Elk Island National Park in the
north. The sanctuary is one of three major areas of crown land on the moraine, the others being
the Cooking Lake-Blackfoot Area and Elk Island National Park. Ministik has been left relatively
undisturbed, and is an island of native vegetation surrounded by agricultural lands. It is recognized
for its significance for waterfowl production and has been a bird sanctuary since 1911. It supports
populations of white-tailed deer, moose, and mule deer, as well as a variety of other upland and
wetland wildlife. It is also important as one of the largest relatively undisturbed areas of native
habitat remaining in the Edmonton area.
2.0 WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT PLAN-MINISTIK LAKE GAME BIRD
SANCTUARY
In 1985 Ducks Unlimited Canada asked for a more formal arrangement to ensure the security of
the land base. In response, Alberta Environmental Protection (formerly Alberta Forestry, Lands
and Wildlife) developed a co-operative management plan for the area. The Wildlife Management
Plan-Ministik Lake Game Bird Sanctuary received Departmental approval in 1989. This plan
remains the key document for managing the sanctuary as it provides the overall objectives,
direction for managing land use within the sanctuary through general guidelines, and reviews the
history and policies that have been developed for Ministik. The Wildlife Management Plan has
four objectives:
1) to sustain continued waterfowl production, particularly through positive initiatives,
such as habitat enhancement~
2) to provide positive management of other wildlife through habitat enhancement and
regulations~
Ministik I...ake Game Bird Sanctuary -Draft Implementation Strategy; April, 1997 1
3)
4)
to encourage human enjoyment of the wildlife resource and natural environment
through recreational activities, where these are compatible with the wildlife
objectives; and,
to accommodate other land uses where these are compatible with the wildlife
objectives.
In addition to establishing the main objectives for Ministik, the Wildlife Management Plan
provides direction for managing land use within the sanctuary. The table in Appendix 1
summarizes the status of activities which occurred in the past and their current status under the
Wildlife Management Plan. The Wildlife Management Plan includes some specific management
actions or implementation measures required to support or accomplish the objectives of the plan.
While some of these actions involve long term or ongoing activities, the 1989 Wildlife
Management Plan highlighted eight priority tasks:
1) Designation of the MLGBS as a Habitat Development Area;
2) Continued wildlife habitat enhancement by Ducks Unlimited Canada;
3) Development of an upland habitat management strategy;
4) Establishment of a trapping system;
5) Development of a str~tegy to manage access;
6) · Annual information exchange meetings with the public;
7) Acquisition of privately-held lands (on a willing seller basis); and,
8) Development of a fire management strategy.
The plan is being implemented under the direction of the Environmental Resources Committee
(ERC). Public Lands (with responsibility for land administration) and Natural Resources Service
are the agencies directly responsible for implementation. Other stakeholders (e.g., Ducks
Unlimited Canada, local municipalities, special interest groups) are consulted as necessary.
3.0 PURPOSE OF THE IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY
As noted above, the 1989 Wildlife Management Plan remains the key document for managing the
sanctuary. However, further direction was required to outline how the eight priority tasks would
be accomplished. As a way to involve stakeholders in this process, the ERC established the
Ministik Lake Game Bird Sanctuary Public Advisory Committee (PAC} in 1990. The PAC
serves as a communications link between Public Lands, Natural Resources Service and the various
interest groups. The role of the PAC is to serve as a forum through which participants can review
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policy and management issues, and to act in an advisory capacity to the ERC. The stakeholder
groups who are represented on the PAC are listed in Appendix 2. The PAC, which first met in
November 1990, worked with the planning team to prepare a strategy to complete these priority
tasks. This implementation strategy outlines the proposed future action or current status
for each of these priority tasks. For direction on other land uses not discussed in this
implementation strategy (e.g., agriculture, industrial uses, etc.), refer to the 1989 Wildlife
Management Plan.
4.0 IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY FOR PRIORITY TASKS
4.1 Designation as a Habitat Development Area
The Wildlife Management Plan recommends that the sanctuary be designated as a Habitat
Development Area (HDA) under the Wildlife Act. This designation is consistent with the primary
intent of the area (as a place for wildlife), would provide additional security for the land base and
would permit management of the area through appropriate regulations.
PAC member support for the designation is split and some members of the public are also
opposed to the designation. Therefore, the ERC have decided not to pursue the HDA designation
at this time. The requirement for this designation will be reviewed after the strategy is
implemented and operational. This will give stakeholders and Department staff the opportunity to
monitor how well the plan is working and to fine-tune management actions, if necessary.
The HDA will be implemented through an Order-in-Council, with the Minister of Environmental
Protection making regulations regarding specific uses or activities in the sanctuary as described in
the Wildlife Management Plan and Implementation Strategy only if voluntary compliance is
unsuccessful.
4.2 Wildlife Enhancement by Ducks Unlimited Canada
The Wildlife Management Plan recognizes that Ministik will continue to serve its primary function
as a waterfowl production area and encourages activities which will enhance the area as
waterfowl breeding, moulting and staging habitat. Ducks Unlimited Canada will continue to
manage the area for duck production. There are no plans for major new projects in the area.
Existing habitat improvement projects will be maintained.
Minislik lAke Game Bird Sanctuary· Draft Implementation Strategy; April, 1997 3
4.3 Upland Habitat Management Strategy
The value ofMinistik to wildlife other than migratory birds has grown over the years as the
surrounding landscape has been altered by man. Ministik is an island of boreal forest surrounded
by developed agricultural land. Ministik provides year round or seasonal habitat for moose,
white-tailed deer, mule deer, furbearers, small mammals and many species of birds. The diversity
of wildlife which inhabit the area is a function of the available habitat. Because of this, the
primary goal will be to maintain the area in its natural state. The active management of upland
habitat is considered low priority at the present time.
4.4 Trapping System
Trapping of furbearing animals has been a long-standing land use within Ministik. The Wildlife
Management Plan recognizes that this activity is required as a way to manage furbearing animals,
to help meet other wildlife objectives for the area and to help control potential property damage
caused by some species (e.g., beaver) in surrounding areas.
A trapping system has been implemented for the area as recommended iii the Wtldlife
Management Plan. Ministik is divided into three exclusive trapping areas of sufficient size to be
viable as a business, but be small enough to be trapped by a single individual. The system is
operating well and appears to meet the needs both of the trappers and the wildlife managers.
4.5 Access Management
The Wildlife Management Plan recognizes that Ministik offers a variety of opportunities for
outdoor recreation activities, including activities based on the wildlife resource. These activities
are encouraged to the extent that they are compatible with wildlife management objectives. Non
motorized activities are especially encouraged. To reduce conflicts with wildlife management
objectives and non-motorized recreation, motorized recreational activities will be restricted to the
winter period as outlined in the proposal for motorized recreation use. Motor vehicle (e.g., car
and truck) use of trails within the sanctuary is not compatible with wildlife management and other
recreational use of the area and will not be allowed except for the exceptions contained in this
proposal.
The access management strategy for Ministik includes a proposal for motorized recreation use in
the winter. The PAC developed an original package of recommendations concerning off-highway
Ministik lAke Game Bird Sanctuary -Draft Implementation Strategy; April, 1997 4
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vehicle use in the winter, equestrian use and other restrictions that were submitted to the ERC.
After this package of recommendations and restrictions was endorsed by ERC, requests were
made by some PAC members to review certain aspects of the proposal. Some members of the
public also expressed concerns with the proposal. PAC as a whole was unable to resolve this
request so referred the matter to ERC for resolution. After reviewing public input obtained in
1995 and the results of consultations with the Counties of Beaver, Camrose, Leduc and
Strathcona (their borders include the sanctuary), the ERC made decisions on the unresolved
issues, namely for OHV access on the east side of the sanctuary and to open access site #33 for
OHVuse.
The recommendations for ofT-highway vehicle use in the winter, equestrian use and other
restrictions for the sanctuary, including the direction from the PAC's original motorized
recreation use proposal and the ERC, are outlined below. Development of these
recommendations was guided by the Wildlife Management Plan which contains provisions for
motorized recreation (snowmobiling) during the period of snow cover provided this can be done
in a manner which is compatible with wildlife objectives and non-motorized recreational activities.
Motor vehicles
• Motorized recreation will be restricted to OHV s on designated routes during the winter only
(1 December -1 March). It may be necessary to close access earlier in some years for the
protection of resident wildlife. No access is allowed between 11 :00 p.m. and 4:00 a.m. Only
vehicles meeting the definition of an OHV in the Off-Highway Vehicles Act will be permitted
(this includes snowmobiles and low-pressure tire vehicles such as quads and trikes).
• Access will be permitted within the times outlined above when there is 15 em (6") of snow
cover on the ground, the ground is frozen and there is adequate depth of ice on the designated
lakes.
• OHVs will be limited to the estimated 26 km of designated routes (mainly in the western part
of the sanctuary) and to the surfaces of certain water bodies. A staging area at Access #2
(NW comer ofSW30-50-21-W4) will be developed as the access for OHV use.
• An additional access site for OHVs is identified on the east side of the sanctuary. The
location of the site is shown on Figure 1. This site should meet the needs of local residents in
the County of Beaver who have traditionally been able to access sanctuary lands from the east
side for motorized recreational use in the winter.
• East side access will be connected to the remainder of the designated route system by a trail
from the east side access to Larry Lake, then northwest to Mandy Lake and west to Oliver
Lake. The approximate location of this trail is shown on Figure 1. A portion of the
Minisnk Lake Game Bird Sanctuary -Draft Implementation Strategy; April, 1997 · 5
R.21
MINISTIK LAKE BIRD SANCTUARY Staging Areas and Designated Routes
For Winter Off Highway Vehicle Use SCALE 1 : 75 000
: I 9 .... - - 6 - - ·-- - -- -· - s- -· -· - - -- ..• - - - . - 3
·36
Acceu No.2
. -- ... -24
- -· ... ·13
... -· ·25
-
I
-·- -· ·18
- .... -- ·30 ..... -· ·29
Sanctuary Boundary
Roads (Developed)
Designated Routes (Winter OHV Use)
Private Land Inside Sanctuary
Crown Land Adjacent To Sanctuary
I)
D ! ! Cl -- ·- ·+- -- -is I ,
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Lake Surfaces Designated For Winter OHV Use
IV
I ... J_-
I I
R. 20
----a·--··-
. - - 6 .. ·-· -- -· . .•. ... 5 .. ·- ·- -
36 -- ·- -31 "=:.•
-· -24 --- •
0
- ----- ·18
West Of The Fourth Meridian
Universal Transverse lotercator Projection
Pr<Joar-,o Cly: CorDOI'Ite Management Ser ... .ct. Nartl'leu.t &or .. l ~eglon. Oeeemcer 1996
Figure 1 Staging Areas and Designated Winter OHV Routes
Ministik Lake Game Bird Sanctuary -Draft Implementation Strategy; April, 1997 6
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designated route from the proposed east side access site to Lany Lake is on the W askahegan
Trail. Special use conditions for OHVs will need to be developed to accommodate this
additional activity on the trail. OHV use of this access site and the additional designated trail
will need to be monitored to ensure that it is compatible with continued use of the area by
local wildlife. Restrictions on OHV use of this site and trail, or closure, may be necessary if
the activity is not compatible with wildlife use of the area.
• Access for motorized recreational use in the winter and on-foot recreational use year round
will be permitted at access site #33 (Figure 1 ). A trail across the hay meadow will be
identified to permit OHV access from a designated parking area directly to the frozen surface
of Ministik Lake. Concerns about safety issues associated with parking along the county road
can be addressed by providing a small designated parking area at the edge of the hay meadow.
Concerns about effects on wildlife habitat can be mitigated by restricting parking to a
designated site and by ensuring that a single, direct route to the lake is followed by all OHV
traffic. Only minimal facilities will be allowed at this site. The site will need to be monitored
to ensure that disturbance to the hay meadow is kept to an absolute minimum.
• MLGBS is not to be used as a site for organized rides or special events.
• The issue oflevel or intensity of use (e.g. number of machines) will be subject to on-going
assessment to ensure the level of use does not compromise plan objectives. An annual
assessment of areas used by OHV s shall be conducted in the spring following snowmelt. The
assessment will be undertaken by members of the PAC and government staff. The purpose of
the assessment will be to provide some evaluation of motorized winter recreation in relation to
overall objectives of the sanctuary. The initial assessment will also permit fine tuning of the
designated route system if necessary.
• Adherence to these restrictions will be by voluntary compliance. Public awareness of these
restrictions and management actions will be important in determining the success of this
implementation strategy. All stakeholders will have a role to play in ensuring that provisions
of the management plan and implementation strategy are followed. There may also be a role
for local volunteer groups such as Rural Crime Watch and Range PatroL All users of the
sanctuary and local landowners would be able to report violators to the proper authority.
Restrictions on motor vehicle use would not apply to service or management vehicles, trappers
and farmers as required for their operations, or to emergency vehicles.
If followed, these voluntary restrictions on motor vehicle and motorized recreation use will reduce
harassment of wildlife, limit damage to trails and vegetation, and reduce conflicts with non
motorized recreation.
Ministik Lake Game Bird Sanctuary -Draft Implementation Strategy; April, 1997 7
Equestrian use
Horses will be pennitted from 15 July to 1 March (i.e., no spring use) on designated trails.
Originally access for equestrian use was to be provided at access sites #9 and #2. In addition, the
Alberta Trail Riders Association requested that consideration be given to allowing equestrian use
at access site #33. Access sites #9 and #33 were eliminated as possible sites after additional field
inspections. There is inadequate space for parking at access site #9 and suitable trails could not
be located in this area. The area accessible through access #3 3 is a complex of hay meadows,
numerous wetlands and uplands and not well suited for equestrian use. A loop system of
equestrian trails originating at access site #2 has been tentatively identified and is shown on Figure
2. As part of this trail system is on the Waskahegan Trail, the acceptability of this dual use will
need to be confirmed with the Waskahegan Trail Association. Special conditions for equestrian
use may need to be developed if dual use of this section of the trail is to be accommodated in the
future. Equestrian use will be monitored and assessed to ensure it is compatible with other uses.
Other restrictions
Several other restrictions were recommended by the PAC. These restrictions have been
subsequently endorsed by ERC (October 25, 1995). These were:
• No overnight camping unless authorized by pennit;
• No open fires;
• No discharge of firearms except during open seasons for big game or coyotes
and by trappers as part of their trapping operation;
• Dogs must be kept on a leash; and
• No commercial recreational activity.
To summarize, management of access is needed to achieve the wildlife management and
recreational use objectives for Ministik. Access to the area will be managed by a combination of
closure of vehicle access and voluntary restrictions as outlined in this proposal. Generally,
motorized access will be prohibited except for OHV use in the winter on designated trails.
Equestrian access will be limited to the summer, fall and winter period on designated trails. Foot
access will be pennitted year round. A system of gates, post barricades and other controls may be
used to prevent unauthorized vehicle access to existing trails.
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MINISTIK LAKE BIRD SANCTUARY Proposed Equestrian Trails
SCALE 1 : 7S COO
. - - -· - e - -- -- - - -- -- - 15 - - -- - - -- -- •• ' ·· -· - - - -- -· - 3 - - - -· ·- -- - - 2 - -- -- ·
. -- -· ·36
Access No.2
- - -- -- ··24
li"
--·-·13 ···-----·-·18
·- ·- -25 -· -·· -· ·30 - -· -· ·29
- Sanctuary Boundary
Proposed Equestrian Trail
-===- Roads !Developed)
Cl
··- ·- -28.--
--. ··-· ·-· 315
I : -·- -· .. r -.. - ·2t --- -· .. t- ·-·--West 01 The Faurlh Meridian
R.20
. --··-31 C:O•
. ----30
0
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(?22ZI Private Land Inside Sanctuary UnlverSII Tnnaverise Mercator Prajecttan
Preet•red Dy: Cor"ortre Nanagement S•'vlee, Norman~ Boreal Regaon. Oecemoer 1998.
Figure 2 Proposed Equestrian Trails
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TP. 51
TP. 50
TP. 49
4.6 Information Exchange with the Public
The Wildlife Management Plan directed that there should be ongoing public involvement and
consultation, possibly through annual meetings. To date, public involvement has been through the
Public Advisory Committee and by way of an information package (the Ministik Lake-Draft
Habitat Development Area Management Plan) which was distributed in April1995. This
package, now referred to as the lmplementatiQn Strategy, received wide distribution through
members of the PAC, and mailings to landowners adjacent to the sanctuary. The availability of the
draft plan was also advertised in local papers. The public and organized groups were encouraged
to provide input on the various issues under consideration. In addition to this formal request for
input, PAC members are expected to communicate the decisions of the PAC to their respective
interest groups and to represent the interests of these groups in the discussions and decisions
made by the PAC. In early 1996, meetings were held with the four counties that include Ministik
in their borders. The draft implementation strategy was presented to the counties and they were
requested to provide their input on the strategy and the unresolved issues. Following public
review and approval of this implementation strategy, the PAC will continue to provide an
opportunity for ongoing public participation and consultation regarding the management of the
sanctuary.
4. 7 Acquisition of Private Lands
There are a number of parcels of private land within and adjacent to Ministik which have long
been recognized as affecting comprehensive management of the sanctuary, are potential threats to
its long term security and complicate the clear delineation of the sanctuary boundary (Figure 3).
The Wildlife Management Plan recommends that acquisition of these lands (on a willing-seller
basis) be a central priority for long term management ofMinistik.
Some of the lands identified for acquisition have been purchased by the Department over the past
several years. These lands are next to the sanctuary, have significant wildlife value and help to
consolidate the sanctuary boundary. These lands will be added to the sanctuary and be managed
as outlined in the Wildlife Management Plan and Implementation Strategy.
Acquisition of other private land identified in the Wildlife Management Plan is proposed on a
willing-seller basis as opportunity and budgets allow. Until these lands are acquired, provisions of
the Wildlife Management Plan and Implementation Strategy do not apply to these private lands.
The Wildlife Management Plan and Implementation Strategy only apply to public land in Ministik.
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MINISTIK LAKE BIRD SANCTUARY Land Recommended For ConsoHdation
With The Ministik Sanctuary $C.Iol.E 1 : 75 000
R.20
;
-·-·8·-· .. - _ ..... 5 -- •. 4 • -· ,. - - - -· . ~ .. -· --- -· -·- 2 • -- - ·-. s-- ·-.
• -- ... ·35 ·- ...
- -· ·- -24
--13
--- ·25
' -- - -18
' ' •. - ... ·30 -· ... - -· - ... ·29
Sanctuary Boundary
Lac 745 Held by Ducks Unlimited
Roads !Developed}
Private Land To Be Considered For Consolidation With Sanctuary
-· ... - ·- ·- -· ··27
Crown Land With Sanctuary Status Pending
Figure 3 Land Recommended For Consolidation
. - -- -30 - ·- -·
0
-· -- ---.... -18
I
- .. -1-- ...
West 01 The Fourth Nerldlan
Universal Transverse tolerC4tor ProJecUon
Pregared b)': Corl)otete Management Service. NorU'least Boro• Region. Oecember 1998.
Ministik Lake Game Bird Sanctuary -Draft Implementation Strategy; April, 1997 11
TP. 51
TP. 50
TP. 49
4.8 Development of a Fire Management Strategy
The Wildlife Management Plan recognizes that a fire management strategy is needed to address
concerns for safety of life and property within the context of the basic plan objectives. Open fires
will not be permitted in Ministik and existing fire control policies will be maintained.
There was some discussion at the PAC about the use of fire as a vegetation or habitat
management tool. There are currently no plans to use fire as an active management tool nor will
it be considered as an option until such time as an upland habitat management plan is required for
Ministik.
5.0 FUTURE ACTIONS
5.1 Implementation
Implementation of the Wildlife Management Plan and this strategy will be the joint responsibility
of the Public Lands Branch of Alberta Agriculture, Food and Rural Development and the Natural
Resources Service (Parkland Region) of Alberta Environmental Protection. Implementation will
be directed by the Parkland Region Environmental Resources Committee.
All users of the sanctuary are encouraged to follow the guidelines and restrictions contained in
the Wildlife Management Plan and the Implementation Strategy. For some activities (e.g.,
camping, use of campfires, equestrian activities, firearm discharge, motor vehicle and OHV
activities), this will mean voluntary compliance. For other activities (e.g., agricultural activities J
and big game hunting), u~rs will be required to follow existing legislation and regulations.
Implementation may eventually include designation as a Habitat Development Area and the
application of regulations as indicated in this plan. However, this designation will not occur
unless voluntary compliance is unsuccessful by the user groups.
Implementation of some of these priority tasks (e.g., OHV winter use proposal, equestrian use
proposal) will require the necessary funds being obtained. An estimate of the total amount of
funding is not known at this time. The major expense will be associated with the development of
the staging areas for motorized use. Funding may have to be obtained from a variety of sources
including federal, provincial and municipal governments, user groups, grants, etc.
Implementation will require the continued involvement of the PAC and stakeholder groups,
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especially in areas such as management and monitoring of human use of the sanctuary, marking
and maintenance of trails, and development and maintenance of primitive facilities at designated
staging areas. The structure and function of the Public Advisory Committee as outlined in its
Terms ofReference will be retained during the future management of the sanctuary. The success
of the plan and our efforts to conserve the area for its wildlife resources, ecological values and
for the benefit of future Albertans will depend on our actions today.
5.2 Plan Monitoring and Plan Review
Monitoring of the effectiveness of the plan will be an on-going process. This will require the
efforts of staff from Public Lands Branch and Natural Resources Service, the Public Advisory
Committee and people who use the area. The PAC should meet annually to review the success of
the Implementation Strategy. A formal review·ofthe plan will occur when the need arises.
Ministik Lake Game Bird Sanctuary -Draft Implementation Strategy; April, 1997 13
APPENDIX 1
COMPARISON OF ACTIVITIES PERMITIED BEFORE AND AFfER
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE MLGBS WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT PLAN
Before After
Habitat enhancement permitted permitted
Waterfowl hunting not permitted not permitted
Upland bird hunting not permitted not permitted
Big game hunting permitted permitted
Trapping permitted permitted
Environmental research/education permitted permitted
Non-motorized recreation permitted permitted
Motorized recreation-winter permitted restricted
Motorized recreation-summer permitted not permitted
Utility/transportation corridors restricted restricted
Oil/gas exploration/development restricted restricted
Haying permitted permitted
Grazing non-conforming restricted
Definitions:
Permitted: activity permitted subject to appropriate conditions. Restricted: activities permitted only if they can be made compatible with primary uses. Not permitted: activities that will be prohibited once the plan is fully implemented. Non-conforming: activities that will be phased out over time.
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APPENPIX2
MINISTIK LAKE GAME BIRD SANCTUARY PUBLIC ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Alberta Off-Highway Vehicle Association Alberta Snowmobile Association Alberta Trail Riders Association County ofBeaver County of Camrose County ofLeduc County of Strathcona Ducks Unlimited Canada Haying and Grazing Permittees Landowners Member-at Large Ministik Lake Bird Sanctuary Society Sherwood Park Fish and Game Association Trappers University of Alberta - Department of Animal Science (Ministik Wildlife Research Station) Waskahegan Trail Association
Ministik Lake Game Bird Sanctuary -Draft Implementation Strategy; April, 1997 15
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