Gros Cap Bluffs Conservation Park A Proposal to the Essar Steel - - PDF document

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Gros Cap Bluffs Conservation Park

A Proposal to the Essar Steel Algoma Community Investment Fund Algoma Highlands Conservancy January 2012

• The Algoma Highlands Conservancy is a local, bi-national, non-profit group of like-

minded individuals dedicated to conserving specific areas in the Algoma Highlands region where such lands have significant ecological and cultural value and particularly those that also have substantive aesthetic, recreational or historical values.

• Our conservancy currently owns more than 3000 acres of land in the vicinity of King

Mountain/Robertson Cliffs, that we specifically manage for conservation (protection of peregrine falcon nesting site and several rare plant species), silent sport recreation ( a web of hiking, mountain biking, cross country skiing and snow shoeing trails) and environmental education (initially informal programs through linkage with Sault College and Lake Superior State University; now being rapidly expanded to provide more formal opportunities to all primary, secondary and post-secondary schools in the environs of Sault Ste. Marie.)

• This proposal to establish the Gros Cap Bluffs Conservation Park is the latest

initiative of the Algoma Highlands Conservancy . It represents a time-critical

• pportunity to realize a long-standing dream of the AHC and matches directly with all
• f the goals and objectives of the Essar Community Investment Fund.

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Gros Cap Bluffs Conservation Park

An Unparalleled Setting of Natural, Historical and Cultural Significance on the Superior Heritage Coast

Current private land ownership negates community benefits Timing-critical to ensure conservation for the greater public good

• As a potential site for establishment of a community park, the Gros Cap Bluffs area is

unparalleled in terms of sweeping scenic vistas, unique landforms, and opportunities to directly interact with nature right at our doorstep.

• The properties in question also offer more than 8 km of existing trails, including a

direct link to the broader Voyageur Trail system and thus excellent opportunities for silent sport recreation including, hiking, mountain biking, snow-shoeing and back country skiing.

• Success of a community conservation area or park is typically predicated on:
• Unique features and points of multiple interest (i.e. nature, culture, history,

scenic beauty, wildlife viewing, silent sport recreation)

• Easy accessibility
• Multi-season use potential
• The Gros Cap Bluffs area meets all of these critical requirements ….”in spades”

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Gros Cap Bluffs Conservation Park

At the Western Doorstep of Sault Ste. Marie

• The Gros Cap Bluffs site where we propose to establish the Conservation Park is

located within Prince Township, approximately 20 km west of Sault Ste. Marie and within the picturesque hamlet of Gros Cap.

• The bluffs overlook Whitefish Bay at the extreme eastern end of Lake Superior, the

largest freshwater lake in the world, and are historically significant as the local height

• f land around which essentially all voyageurs and others navigated during early

exploration of the upper Great Lakes as Canada was first being settled.

• The area is also a well known Native Heritage Cultural Site commonly referred to as

the “Metal Toad Site” for a particular artifact from the Middle and Late Woodland cultural periods, (400 BC to AD 800) when a small native village was believed to have

• ccupied a small (1 acre) portion of the site at the toe of the bluffs (Conway 1975,

1980 as referenced in Sault Naturalists report “a gem at risk” 2001). The Sault Naturalists report indicates that more than 80,000 artifacts have been excavated from the site and reside with the Royal Ontario Museum, in private collections and at other

• sites. The artifacts suggest the site was a fishing and canoe building station for first

nations peoples in the area. Others report the finding of conch shells and flint, suggesting contact and trade with other native cultures by the local native band.

• The site is directly accessible from the end of paved Highway 550 and a 0.34 acre

parking area maintained by the MTC which is located immediately adjacent to the site, greatly facilitating access.

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SSMRCA

(140 acres)

Dale

Private Prop.

(34 acres)

Gros Cap Bluffs Conservation Park

(106 acres)

Gros Cap Bluffs Conservation Park

(80 acres)

Gros Cap Bluffs Conservation Park

Strategic Land Acquisition for Conservation & Public Benefit

• The area of interest comprises two separate but adjacent land parcels that have been

privately owned for ~ 10 years (purchased on April 12, 2001) by three American residents, Dirk E. McKimmy, James G. Wyrembelski and John R. Wyrembleski (pronounced as Rembelski.)

• The land parcels (106 acres with 2800 ft. of Superior Coast shoreline) and a smaller

80 acre parcel of mixed wood forest abut directly with an existing conservation property of 140 acres owned and managed by the Sault Ste. Marie Regional Conservation Authority (area shown in green) and through which trails maintained by the Voyageur Trail Association meander.

• There are several other immediately adjacent properties that would be of high value

in terms of further strategic acquisitions as part of a larger park. One of these would definitely be the Dale property (outlined in yellow). However, the current asking price for this property ($990,000 for 34 acres) is considered exorbitant and is therefore not included in our proposal at this time.

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Gros Cap Bluffs Conservation Park

Two Land Parcels Totaling 186 acres Immediately Adjacent to An Existing Protected Area

• This map show the two land parcels of primary interest, as well as the network of

existing trails both within the property boundaries that we seek to acquire and how they link directly to trails maintained by the Voyageur Trail Association.

• Land parcels labeled 29500 and 29300 are rather obvious additional properties with

strategic value to creating a larger park and connecting the two existing protected

• areas. We are currently attempting to acquire information regarding interests of the

private property owners in selling these parcels and what the asking prices might be.

• Note that the current estimated value for the 80 acre parcel is $47,500 and is

seriously degraded owing to a historic private owner who used it essentially as a dumping ground. The AHC would plan to undertake a cleanup project under specific funding from another agency to rehabilitate this site and also look to undertake ecological restoration of the forest on this site in collaboration with Sault College as partners.

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Superior Viewscapes in All Seasons

• As mentioned, the Gros Cap Bluffs property has unsurpassed natural scenic beauty,

no matter where you look, N S E W, up/down or sideways the broad sweeping vistas have unique beauty and interesting perspectives to offer any visitor young or old, local or “from away”.

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Gros Cap Bluffs Conservation Park

Protecting Rare Species and their Habitats

• Several relatively rare species are known to frequent this area, including Bald Eagles
• The bluffs are a critical “Kettling” area for a wide variety of raptorial birds including

Broad-Winged and Red-Shouldered Hawks, the latter of which is also considered a species at risk.

• We anticipate that detailed vegetation surveys will turn up a number of rare and

endangered plants as well.

• As such, the property has significant wildlife conservation values.

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A Place to Learn About Our Natural Flora and Fauna

• The Gros Cap Bluffs Conservation Park would offer excellent opportunities for local

residents and visitors from around the globe to experience Canada’s natural wonders first hand.

• Almost all of the photos included in this presentation were taken on or immediately

adjacent to the park property, they are but a few examples of what this park will offer to the community and values that we hope to protect in perpetuity.

• Dean’s personal experiences taking many visitors to this site is consistently one of

“shock and awe”; most people, excepting a very privileged few local residents have no concept of the natural beauty available literally on our doorstep nor of the tremendous positive impact that visiting such areas can have on one’s personal psyche and feelings of well-being.

• Transition of this area from private to public lands through the creation of the Gros

Cap Bluffs Conservation Park would allow these experiences to be shared amongst a much broader array of local and regional residents as well as visitors coming to the Sault Ste. Marie/Algoma region from both near and far.

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A Spectacular Location for a Wide Variety of Silent Sport Recreational Activities

• The Gros Cap Bluffs property has huge potential to support a wide array of silent

sport, low-impact recreational activities in all seasons. Such activities include swimming in the crystal clear waters of Lake Superior (if you can stand the water temperature) and range through back-country skiing, kayaking and canoeing, mountain biking and hiking.

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Nature In All Its Beauty Through Every Season – 20 Minutes from Town

• People who appreciate nature or who might be getting their first introduction to it

through this easily accessible park setting are bound to be impressed.

• The general scenic beauty of this area is often punctuated by interactions with

amazing flora and fauna such as the mating pair of Sandhill Cranes that favour the woodlands or the Damselflies and Dragon Flies which hover around the wetland areas.

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Algoma

• ma Highlands

hlands Conservan servancy cy

• Not for profit, charitable organization established in 1992
• Governed by a volunteer board of directors (currently14)
• 3 full time staff – Exec. Director, Exec. Assistant, Environmental Education Coordinator
• Supported by a bi-national cadre of like-minded people numbering ~ 1500
• Committed to enhancing local opportunities for:
• Nature Conservation,
• Silent Sport Recreation
• Environmental Education & Research
• Sustainable Forest Management
• The Algoma Highlands Conservancy is a bi-national, charitable organization, with

charitable status in both Canada and the US that was established in 1992. We are governed by a volunteer Board of 14 hard working and dedicated members, lead by the executive: Dr. Lisa Venier (our new president as of Jan 1/12), Dr. Kristin Arend (our new vice president), Karen Streich (treasurer) and Laurie McBay (secretary.)

• Our board members, which include Doug Pitt (our past president) and Gaylen Byker

(our past vice president), offer a wide range of expertise from business and legal, to environmental research. For example, we currently have 3 forest science researchers, 2 natural science educators, 1 retired educator and writer, 4 business folks, including an accountant and a financial planner, 1 lawyer, and 3 naturalists.

• All of the executive and members of the Board share a passion and love for the
• utdoors and natural environments, and for silent sport recreation. Several have

made these aspects their life’s work.

• Our primary goal is to conserve and protect the natural environment of the broader

Algoma Highlands region via strategic land acquisition and to use these areas as a platform for conservation, silent-sport recreation, research, and environmental

• education. We are primarily a Land Trust.

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Algoma

• ma Highlands

hlands Conservan servancy cy

A Brief History of Successful Land Acquisition for Conservation and Public Benefit

Norm’s Cabin (~ 0.5 acres) a favourite ski destination Robertson Cliffs (~ 400 acres) a favourite fall colour hike a nesting site for Peregrine falcons King Mountain ( ~ 2600 acres) an unparalleled site for silent sport recreation, conservation, environmental education & research

• The AHC has had a strong history of success in similar land acquisitions aimed at

conservation, environmental protection and promotion of healthy active lifestyles.

• We started small but have recently made a major acquisition which we refer to as the

King Mountain Conservation forest property. In the latter initiative, we were successful in generating 1.2M in funding from a wide variety of philanthropic

• rganizations and “grass roots” support from more than a thousand like-minded

individuals.

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Gros Cap Bluffs Conservation Park

We Anticipate Broad “Grass roots” Community Support In Addition to Support from the Following Organizations:

Sault Naturalists Duke of Windsor SSMarie Regional Conservation Authority Algoma Bicycle Company Voyageur Trail Association Rotary Club of Sault Ste. Marie Prince Township Council Group Health Centre Sault College of Applied Arts & Technology Korah Collegiate (IB Program) Algoma University Other City High Schools Lake Superior State University Local Elementary Schools Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources Joe’s Sports & Surplus Canadian Forest Service – Great Lakes Forestry Centre Sault Cycling Club

• The organizations noted above are being approached to provide letters of support for

this initiative.

• We have excellent current working relations with most of these groups and
• rganizations and fully anticipate their support, many will benefit directly from

establishment of the conservation park.

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Gros Cap Bluffs Conservation Park

A Community Partnership Initiative – Algoma Highlands Conservancy & Essar Steel Algoma

These are current, reasonable estimates; final figures are now being obtained Land Acquisition 106 acre parcel assessed value 494,750 80 acre parcel assessed value 47,500 Estimated land transfer legal fees 10,000 Estimated survey costs for 80 acre parcel 3,000 Land Taxes (5 yr projection based on current) 106 acre parcel @ 5,935 p.a. 29,675 80 acre parcel @ 569.85 p.a. 2,849 Stewardship Costs Baseline nature survey, timber cruise 20,000 Trail improvements & interpretative signage 10,000 Park entrance signage & trailhead display 15,000 Park warden (part time @ 4K p.a. for 5 yrs) 20,000 Ecological restoration & cleanup 8,000 Grand Total 660,774

• While we are still collecting detailed financial information at this point our current

estimate for the total project would be in the range of 600-650K

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Environmental Responsibility & Conservation Healthy Living Environmental Education Strengthening our Social Fabric Community Involvement Enhancing Quality of Life

Our Shared Goals and Interests

• We believe this project is a match “made in heaven” for a partnership between the

Algoma Highlands Conservancy and Essar Steel Algoma, which share interests in the betterment of our community of Sault Ste. Marie and the broader Algoma Region.

• We would appreciate any input, suggestions or possible modifications to this pre-

proposal which might make our dream, and we hope yours as well, a reality.

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Gros Cap Bluffs Conservation Park

A Community Partnership Initiative of Essar Steel Algoma and the Algoma Highlands Conservancy

“ Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, that’s the only thing that ever has” Margaret Mead

Some tangential and future development ideas to consider:

• Potential corporate naming rights for the park
• Potential acquisition of adjacent land parcels to make the conservation park even

bigger and better

• Ecological restoration projects under subsequent proposals to other agencies
• High ecotourism attraction potential with appropriate marketing
• Potential to partner with local first nations groups to create a Cultural Heritage Centre
• n this site subsequent to land acquisition from current private ownership