Approved Land Use Strategy >
Resource-Based Tourism
3.0 RECOGNIZING THE LAND USE NEEDS OF RESOURCE-BASED TOURISM
3.1 Introduction
Resource-based tourism is an important part of Ontario's tourism industry, particularly in northern and central Ontario. It includes segments of the tourism industry that depend on traditional resource-based activities such as hunting and fishing, as well as newer segments which provide opportunities for ecotourism and adventure travel.
In 1997, the Ontario government approved the Resource-based Tourism Policy, to address the resource-based tourism industry's needs for security and stability, the preservation of a quality experience for guests, and the sustainability of natural resources for future generations. The goal of the policy is to promote the development of the resource-based tourism industry in both an ecologically and economically sustainable manner. The policy recognizes that one of the ways to do this is through land use planning.
The Strategy identifies a number of actions that will support tourism, including:
The Ministry will also support discussions between the forest industry and tourism industry to establish a framework for the resolution of land use issues that may arise at the local level. This includes defining the mechanisms to construct resource stewardship agreements.
3.2 Land Use Policies
Many of the recommended parks and Conservation Reserves contain existing tourism operations, or have significant tourism potential, especially ecotourism potential. Existing operations will be permitted to continue, and new operations may be permitted where consistent with policies and management plans. Management planning for protected areas will give careful consideration to tourism values and potential.
The Strategy defines a new land use category -- Enhanced Management Areas (EMAs). Some EMAs will contribute to the protection of tourism values and will also permit the continuation of existing tourism operations. EMAs will provide the basis for improved integration of tourism and forest activities through road access planning and management, focused on maintaining the relatively roadless nature of the areas over the long term.
The Strategy also defines an additional land use category -- Enhanced Management Area for Resource-based Tourism -- that will be applied in subsequent planning where Resource Stewardship Agreements have been negotiated.
3.3 Guidelines for the Protection of Tourism Values
The existing Timber Management Guidelines for the Protection of Tourism Values were approved in 1987. These guidelines will be reviewed and updated in 1999, with the involvement of the affected sectors. One objective of the review will be to improve the protection of tourism values. The revised guidelines will be applied in conjunction with the proposed Resource Stewardship Agreement process.
3.4 Resource Stewardship Agreements
In the past, tourism and forestry interests have often been at odds over how to use the land. Current approaches and the application of guidelines are adequate to address straightforward situations. However, as forest access roads and harvesting continue to affect remote and semi-remote areas, additional effort is required to ensure issues are identified early and resolved. A new Resource Stewardship Agreement (RSA) process will formalize the relationship between the resource-based tourism and resource industries, and will encourage the sharing of information and mutual problem solving. In the short term, the forest industry will likely be the principal resource industry participant, but the concept could also be applied to the mining industry. The scope of the agreements, and the process for their preparation, will be developed through further consultation with key sectors, in particular the tourism and forestry industries. RSAs will initially focus on issues related to the tourism-forestry interface, in particular the extent, method and timing of forest management (including harvest, renewal and maintenance), and the location, construction, management and possible retirement of forest access roads.
Proposed guidelines for the agreements are:
Where the parties have determined that an RSA is desirable, the agreement would usually be developed by the forest industry and the tourism industry in advance of forest management planning. As a result, the establishment of RSAs will primarily be phased in as Forest Management Plans come up for renewal, but in some cases amendment of FMPs may be necessary. The RSAs must be consistent with the land use intent of the land use areas that are established in the Land Use Strategy. The Ministry of Natural Resources will ensure that other parties have opportunities to be involved in any proposals that have broader implications. In conjunction with the completion of an RSA and its incorporation into the Forest Management Plan, the Strategy may be amended to identify new EMAs.
Protection for tourism operations which is beyond that provided in the updated Guidelines for the Protection of Tourism Values will normally occur on a "beneficiary pay" basis.
3.5 Dispute Resolution Process
MNR is developing a dispute resolution mechanism to facilitate the resolution of resource-related issues, including those related to resource-based tourism. This approach will assist parties in seeking ways of resolving disputes through interest-based negotiations. These negotiations would encourage the parties to focus on their underlying needs, wants and concerns, rather than on predetermined positions.
Modified: January 31, 2007