The Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) has ruled against the proposed expansion of Skycroft Campground on Opinicon Lake, largely due to insufficient research behind the proposal. As written in the official decision, “…the Appellant proposed to almost triple their number of guests without completing the basic requirement of a properly scoped environment impact study [EIS] – one that includes the entire Subject Property”.

By contrast, research supported by our project with Protect Opinicon showed that the proposed development area contains critical habitat for several species at risk, including the Cerulean Warbler and Gray Ratsnake. The development would have reduced the forest canopy in the area to only 60% of its current cover and cleared the understory, negatively impacting both species at risk and the area’s biodiversity.

This is a major win for this sensitive ecosystem which is part of the Frontenac Arch Biosphere – identified by UNESCO as the most biodiverse region in Canada. It is also a significant victory for environmental protection. “Tribunal hearings don’t go the way of citizens’ groups very often, even in cases where there is serious risk to sensitive environments and species at risk,” explains Reade Davis, Environmental Anthropologist and a Director of Protect Opinicon. “Our group had the benefit of decades of biological research from the nearby Queen’s University Biological Station at our disposal, meaning that we were one of the few groups with the capacity to meaningfully challenge the flawed EIS.” 

Another wealth of data came from the public in the form of geotagged submissions to the Ontario Natural Heritage Information Centre, as well as citizen science sites like iNaturalist and e-Bird. Davis notes this data is admissible in land-use planning decisions.

With virtually universal opposition to expanding the campground in this sensitive area, the victory is sweet for many. “Small Change Fund was the effective vehicle that allowed the residents to properly obtain representation and fund the studies and research,” says Robert Faguy, a Director of Protect Opinicon. “If you need to protect another lake, we’ve got a protocol and we hope our experience can help others fight against developments.”