its_worth_wild wrote on May 26^th, 2011 at 2:13pm:


The "magic carpet" was neat. It was harder to see coming out as the rain had brought up the water levels to where it was under water a bit.

Wed June 1st Claire will be here, I'll be in Red Lake at an open house but we may cross paths.  You may be one of the first people to walk the "magic carpet" on Johnson. Let me know how you like it and how it worked.  Wondering what I am talking about, I bet.  You'll see!

DG

I'll be up there next Wednesday, hope to see you and Claire as I check in. Going in Johnson, paddling down to Onnie and out tword Glenn and Hansen.

Thanks Doug!  I enjoyed your presentation and am planning to try WC instead of Q before long.

Oh, snap...of all the years to miss CanoeCopia! It's going to be my first trip to WCP and wanted to meet you and Harlan from Red lake Outfitters.

I am sending emissaries from my group though.

The Canoecopia website has the schedule. And I think I saw you on Friday at 5 or 5:30PM Doug. It sounded like Martin was going to be with you. I know he plans to attend the show.

Where did you find a schedule? I am part of an Ontario Parks presentation, don't knwo the day and also part of a presentation to identify Ontarios newest protected area.

Yes, I plan on being there for the full 3 days - wouldn't miss it. I am the only WCPP member there - so no Claire!

Doug -

I noticed that you'll be presenting on Friday at Canoecopia.  Is this a joint presentation with Martin?

You staying around for Saturday/Sunday?  Any of the other WCPP staff going to be there?

dd

Jimbo is right ...but with an explanation!
Campsites are generally on the small side, they are not plentiful, that is to say the shorelines are not that well developed with sites. Our approach is this: its not so bad that the current use is low (650 paddlers), our guests love the solitude, we are identifying and confirming all campsite locations and we will continually update our map and provide it to you as a planning tool. 
We are also identifying potential sites as we beleieve we will have to create some new sites to deal with the increasing use over the coming years.  When we have completed out projects some sites that you may have used in the past won't be on the map. That is because that site, for a specific reason had another value that was placed higher, eg. burial site, ceremonial site, significant archaeological site, high caribou value or sensitive natural (eg. plant) value.
Some of these small sites will continue to get larger, but we would rather that happen gently over time than carving them out now when the use doesn't demand it.
We would like to see the park increase its use but only to a point. Right now that is one of its most valuable features. We don't want to lose that.  Tell me if my use numbers are off; BWCA - > 100,000, Quetico 20,000, WCPP < 700. That alone should attract some people that are feeling claustrophobic in other spots.

Fly in lakes in 2011. In July of this year, locations to fly in to will be reduced to 4.  Lower Artery Lake, Sabourin lake, South part of Hansen Lake and Donald Lake.
This decision is identified in our 2007 approved mgt plan.  We heard loud and clear to find ways to reduce the amount of motorized use in WCPP.
On the aircraft part, the selection of lakes was based on average trip length and to place them where aircraft already land.  
We also considered the many lakes on the edge (outside) of the park where landing is permitted, such as Eagle Lake, Dowswell Lake, Carroll Lake on the Manitoba side, Obukowin Lake (MB), Gammon River (MB), Garner LAke (MB), Robert Lake, Job Lake, Mimi Lake, Valhalla Lake. Don't forget you can use those in your plans.

DG