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October 26, 2016

Algonquin Park Cottage Lot Policy Decision (2018-2038) and Proposed Algonquin Park Management Plan Amendment

Algonquin Park Cottage Lease on Cache Lake in Algonquin Park

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Summary

On October 21, 2016, the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) posted the following decision notices on the Environmental Registry:

On October 26, 2016, the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) posted the following notices for consultation on the Environmental Registry:


Details

Policy Decision Notice

On October 21, 2016, the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) posted two decision notices on the Environmental Registry that will enable cottagers to continue to occupy their cottage lots up to December 31, 2038. The first was a notice outlining changes to Ontario Regulation 347/07 (PPCRA) to change the end date for cottages in Algonquin Provincial Park to 2038. The second decision notice announced the final policy document Algonquin Provincial Park Cottage Lot Policy (2018-2038) which provides policy level direction for the terms and conditions that will apply to cottages beyond December 31, 2017. You can view these notices on the Environmental Registry at with search numbers 012-8561 and 011-7289 respectively.

Policy Proposal Notice

On October 26, 2016, the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) posted two notices for consultation on the Environmental Registry. The first is to seek public input on a proposed amendment to the Algonquin Provincial Park Management Plan. Ontario Parks is proposing to amend the park management plan to reflect the new end date (2038) and to revise and amend Appendix A (Construction and Development Standards). The second notice is to consult on a proposed regulation to allow the ministry to issue land use permits that would allow docks, boathouses and other minor structures that are not directly located on the cottage lot to continue. You can view these notices on the Environmental Registry with search numbers 012-8560 and 012-8567 respectively. Comment period is until December 12, 2016.

This offer is subject to cottagers meeting a number of eligibility requirements, and complying with terms in the cottage lot policy, the cottage lot occupational authority and applicable laws. The eligibility requirements and terms aim to reduce pressures from cottage lot structures and activities on park values while accommodating cottage lots to 2038. The new occupational authority will also ensure rents and service fees reflect a fair and reasonable rate of return to the people of Ontario and fully recover the costs of providing services to cottagers.

The offer for cottagers to remain beyond 2017 is being offered in two stages:

  • Step 1: Occupational authority for the period of January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2022
  • Step 2: Occupational authority to December 31, 2038

The first step will provide sufficient time for cottagers to meet all eligibility requirements, including those intended to reduce existing pressures related to cottage lot occupation over the short term, and for MNRF to audit the lots to ensure eligibility requirements have been met. Cottagers who do not meet all eligibility requirements will have their occupational authority terminate on December 31, 2022.

Ontario Parks has created a webpage for cottagers (referred to as the Cottagers Toolkit) where copies of the policy, the proposed park plan amendment, a link to the ER notices etc. Ontario Parks will be adding a number of other documents to the webpage to help explain the policy and the overall process that cottagers will use to apply for and obtain occupational authority beyond December 2017.


Related Information

 

Reserve your developed or backcountry campsite for your next visit.

Share your passion for Algonquin Park by becoming a member or donor.

Special regulations for Algonquin's special fishery.