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C.L.O.C.A.'S. ROLE IN FISH AND WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT The Authority manages several con- servation areas with a view to increasing and maintaininglocal wild- life populations. The significant and environ- mentally sensitive areas in thisswatershed have also been mapped and C.L.O.C.A. restricts the development in these areas, where pos- sible. The authority.uses its Fill, Construction and Alteration to' Water- ways Reulation to pro- tect fisheies in the Watershed. The Authority has a Wetlands Policy as a result of which Cran- berry Marsh, Lynde Shores Marsh and Bow- manville Marsh have been acquired. Specific programs are undertaken which pro- vide benefits to fish and wildlife populations. These include erosion control projects along streambanks, nest box pro grams for wood duc ks and bluebirds and the establishment of brush piles in conserva- tion areas for small mammal habitat. The watershed plan will evaluate the exist- ing fish and wildlife program in light of the ollowing objectives: "To conserve fish and wildlife resources by promoting the main- tenance of fish and wildlife habitat and the use of sound management prac- tices. "To protect wetland areas, and acquire as much wetland area as possible in order to maintain their fishery, wildlife, and aesthetic value, their importance for water storage, and their function for pollution control." "To protect environ- mentally sensitive areas through the use of environmental im- pact assessment as required by the Sensi- tive Areas Policy." Additional projects will be consi red for fish and wildlife man- agement. These include trout stream upgrading rojects such as stream- bank reforestation for shade,rand streambank fencin to prevent pol- lution from cattle enter- ing the creeks. Wildlifë ing the creeks. Wildlife shrub planting could be increased to provide food sources for deer. Proper forest manage- ment can result in good cover with readily available food sources for the over-wintering deer herds. Finally, ac- lquiring other sensitive lands for conservation areas will ensure that good fish and wild- life habitat remain in the watershed. CONSERVATION - RECREATION Floodplain lands ac quired by the Authori. ty and those acquired for other water manage- ment purposes are, where possible, de- veloped into conserva- tion areas where pas- sive recreational op- portunities are provid- ed. The acquisition pro- gram has resulted in the establishment of twelve conservation areas. They are listed below according to the muni- cipality in which they arelocated: Whitby Heber Down C.A. Lynde Shores C.A. Oshawa Waterfront C.A. Cedar Valley C.A. Purple Woods C.A. Harmony Valley C.A. Newcastle_ Long Sault C.A. Enmskillen C.A. Hampton C.A. Bowmanville Valley C.A. Bowmanville Harbour C.A. - Stephen's Gulch C.A. The types of recrea- tional facilities provided range from the camp- site at Heber Down, to the fitness trail at Harmony Valley, to the màple syrup demon- stration at Purple Woods, to autumn hunt- ing at Long Sault. Hik- ing, picnicking, and cross-country skiing opportunities 'are pro- videdat many areas- Admission is not pre- sently charged to any conservation area and the use of most facilities is also free. The major exception is the servic- ed camping area at Heber Dbwn. Master plans have been prepared for all Conservation Areas. These plans detail the types of development and recreational oppor- tunities which will oc- cur in these conserva- tion areas in the future. While these plans fo- cus on specific areas, the watershed plan will take a broader look at recreational needs throughout the area, and whether conserva- tion areas can be used to fulfill some needs which may currently be neglected. Activities which will be consider- ed are providing swimming areas, ex- panding the trails sys- tems, providing addi- tional types of demon- strations and annual events. The plan will evaluate the existing program in light of the following objective: "To manage Authori- ty holdings in a man- ner consistent with the purposes of ac- quiring such lands and their ecological characteristics, and for the provision of primari y passive recreational oppor- tunities." School group using a conservation area. Information And Education The purpose of this program is to foster publie awareness of the principles and benefits from the wise management of renewable natural resources, and the role of C.L.O.C.A. in the implementation of these principles. This is done through speaking engagements, publications, guided hikes, interpretive nature trails, slide and film presentations, demonstrations, displays, and special events. These programs are available to school and community groups through prior arrangement, and to the general public. One of the major conservation education events is the maple syrup demonstration at Purple Woods Conservation Area. In the early spring, sap is collected from the maple bush and processed into syrup, which may be purchased at the sugar shack. The entire process is explained to visitors by Authority staff. Yearly, approximately 7,000 people visit Purple Woods to observe and enjoy this event. Facilities are available within the conservation areas for outdoor educatior and conservation groups. The goal of the Authority with regard to information and education can be stated as follows: "To promote and encourage the conservation and sound management of natural resources within the Authority area, through the promotion of Authority programs, and liaison with the community concerning conserva- tion and natural resource manage- ment." The watershed plan will examine the existing program in light of this goal. Authority staff conduct guided tours of the maple syrup operation at Purple Woods Conservation Area. MmMmý