The Environmental Impacts of Snowmobiles in Haliburton Forest
Author
Palmer, Peter
Host Organization
Haliburton Forest and Wildlife Reserve Ltd. Host contact: Heaven, Irene
Supervising Faculty
Whillans, Tom Department: Environmental and Resource Science/Studies
Reference Number
TP-179
Date
2000
Location of Document
U-Links Office and online
Area
Haliburton County
Subject
Environmental impact of snowmobiling
Abstract
Many people argue that all recreation activities influence the environment whether they are mechanized or not. At Haliburton Forest, more than one leisure group frequently uses all trails within the forest. This makes it exceedingly difficult to assess the impacts created by each activity. The activities of off-road vehicles, especially the snowmobile purists, are now generating much publicity, most of it adverse.This report looks at the environmental impact of snowmobiling specifically with respect to noise levels and engine emissions. It also looks at the many cases of recreational conflict arising from clashes between recreations involving mechanized transport and those who practice the traditional non-mechanized pursuits.
The Economic Impact of Outdoor Recreation Activities in Haliburton County
Author
Kirkpatrick, Michael; McLaren, Thomas
Host Organization
County of Haliburton Host contact: Brohm, Amy
Supervising Faculty
Nicol, Heather; Skinner, Mark Department: Geography
Reference Number
TP-600
Date
2009
Location of Document
U-Links Office and online
Area
Haliburton County
Subject
Economic impact of outdoor activities Geography Recreation & Tourism
Abstract
Haliburton County is a destination area for many types of outdoor recreation activities and residents and tourists engaging in these activities have an economic impact on the area. The purpose of this project is to gain an understanding of the relative economic impact of a number of different activities including; snowmobiling, cross-country skiing and downhill skiing. The project includes secondary research on economic impact studies done in other areas and an overview of methods used to collect data. Students then developed a survey tool and conducted a pilot study focusing on winter activities. Finally the students refined a survey tool and developed a long-term implementation plan (to be initiated in the spring of 2009) for the collection of economic data on people participating in the outdoor activities listed above.
Snowmobile noise disturbance within Haliburton Forest
Author
Henry, Julie
Host Organization
Haliburton Forest and Wildlife Preserve Ltd Host contact: Heaven, Irene
Supervising Faculty
Schaefer, Jim Department: Environmental and Resource Science/Studies
Reference Number
TP-397
Date
2003
Location of Document
U-Links Office and online
Area
Haliburton County
Subject
Impacts of snowmobile noise pollution on deer
Abstract
This paper looks at the use of snowmobile trails and the resulting noise pollution within Haliburton Forest from the perspective of the effect on white tailed deer.
Beginning with a literature review of the effects of noise on ungulates, the paper moves to present a preliminary field study investigating techniques and feasibility of a study that would explore the effect of snowmobile noise on ungulates within the forest. The final section presents a proposal for a 2003-2004 study of snowmobile noise pollution on white tailed deer disturbance and movement within Haliburton Forest, describing methods, equipment and sampling notes.
Predicting the effects of snowmobile produced poly aromatic hydrocarbons on aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems
Author
Johnston, Jeremy
Host Organization
Haliburton Forest and Wildlife Reserve Ltd Host contact: Heaven, Irene
Supervising Faculty
Dillon, Peter Department: Environmental and Resource Science/Studies
Reference Number
TP-394
Date
2003
Location of Document
U-Links Office and online
Area
Haliburton County
Subject
Polycylic aromatic hydrocarbons and snowmobile pollution
Abstract
The study was created in an attempt to discover if polycylic aromatic hydrocarbons, (PAHs), can or do have an effect on the natural ecosystems of the Haliburton Forest. Also, an attempt is made to determine what the possible effects of the levels of PAHs created in the Forest could have on the natural ecosystems of the area both aquatic and terrestrial. The study concentrates on the snowmobile as a major source of pollution.
The paper outlines the problem, describes the study methodology, presents tabular results, and concludes with a discussion and recommendations for options within the Forest to reduce emissions produced.
Monitoring the Effects of Acid Pulse During Spring Thaw on the Water Systems of Haliburton Forest
Author
Sharkey, Charlotte
Host Organization
Haliburton Forest and Wildlife Preserve Ltd Host contactL Schliefenbaum, Peter
Supervising Faculty
Hutchinson, Tom Department: Environmental and Resource Science/Studies
Reference Number
TP-310
Date
2001
Location of Document
U-Links Office
Subject
Effects of acid pulse on water systems
Abstract
This report follows up on an environmental impact report completed in the previous year by Colleen Sweet, entitled Environmental Impact Assessment of Snowmobiling on Haliburton Forest: Acid Pulses During Spring Thaw: Causes, Effects and Monitoring.
When unburned fuel from snowmobiles accumulates in the snow, it is released into the ecosystem, primarily during spring thaw. The purpose of this study is primarily to measure the extent of acid and pollution pulses during spring thaw in four differently impacted lakes in the Haliburton Forest. Using the collected and analyzed data, predictions of the effects of acid pulse on aquatic life and habitat in the Haliburton Forest can be made. Recommendations are proposed for future monitoring.
The effects of snowmobiling on terrestrial vegetation have indirect consequences on associated wildlife within an ecosystem. Impacts on primary producers are made manifest in cascading effects throughout the food web. These effects are implied on wildlife through changes in habitat or home range of wildlife. Various plant communities support a diverse range of different animals. Rapid alterations in composition or density of these communities could result in indeterminate upsets in wildlife populations. Snowmobiling has four main effects on terrestrial vegetation depicted through direct effects, resulting from mechanical damage and pollutants incurred from the snowmobile, and indirect effects, caused by snow compaction and alterations in soil.
Result highlight: less recognized within the variety of organisms that occupy an ecosystem are subnivean mammals. These are small mammals such as rodents, shrews, squirrels and voles that inhabit the sub layer of snow during cold months through underground tunneling and nesting. Concern arises as alterations to the habitat occur when passage of a snowmobile causes the snow to compact sufficiently to impose stress.
The purpose of this literary review is to examine the air and water pollution issues associated with snowmobiles in order to mitigate for as many of the impacts as feasibly possible. Central themes that emerge in the literature pertaining to the environmental impacts of snowmobiling include pollution associated with two-stroke engines primarily from the exhaust, noise pollution, water pollution, and air pollution specifically in the form of carbon monoxide.
With over fifty lakes and many ponds, streams and creeks, fishing adventures are an important aspect of Haliburton Forest and Wildlife Reserve. As part of its multi-use management strategy, it is important to consider the impact of snowmobiling on the aquatic ecosystems found in Haliburton Forest. Specifically, the seasonal phenomenon of spring thaw acid pulse has been examined. Snowmobiling has been shown to have various impacts on water quality. The causes and effects of acid pulse have been examined as well as possible monitoring and mitigation techniques have been proposed. Although acute increases in acidity cause a variety of effects on various aquatic organisms, this report focused mainly on fish, as they are an important aspect of the revenue generated in Haliburton Forest.
Determining the Relative Contribution from Snowmobiles to an Acid Pulse Effect in the Watershed of the Haliburton Forest
Author
Crowe, Erin
Host Organization
Haliburton Forest and Wildlife Preserve Ltd Host contact: Bisset, Jody
Supervising Faculty
Sager, Eric Department: Environmental and Resource Science/Studies
Reference Number
TP-536
Date
2004
Location of Document
U-Links Office and online
Area
Haliburton County
Subject
Environmental impacts of snowmobiling
Description
Report addresses concerns of staff at Haliburton Forest regarding the environmental impacts of snowmobiling.
Abstract
Episodic acidification events have been found to occur in fresh water lakes throughout North-eastern Cananda and the United States. In Ontario specifically, these events occur north of the Precambrian Shields southern boundary in a region that contains the Haliburton Forest and Wildlife Reserve Ltd. The determination of timing of specific events is difficult because of the ubiquitous nature of the event itself. Modelling of hydrographs and the acid neutralizing capacity (ANC) of the surface water, is suggested by some researchers as a method of predicting timing and duration of these events.
The majority of policy created to deal with these episodic acidification events has been based on research concerning the deposition of anthropogenic sulfates and nitrates. However, this study suggests that point source emissions from snowmobiles can also contribute to sulfate concentrations in the snow pack that may elevate the intensity of the acidification events during the spring thaw. Critical loads were calculated for the study lakes in the Haliburton Forests and Wildlife Reserve Ltd. using the Steady-State Water Chemistry Model. From these calculations and the analysis of snow samples it was determined that current inputs of acidifying compounds have concentrations just below the critical limits for biota in the lakes. It is therefore suggested that the number of snowmobile trail passes sold per day remain at 100 and trails across lakes be limited where possible. It is also recommended that further study take place on an increased number of lakes to determine differences in acid sensitivity and critical loads, while monitoring of both deposition and point source emissions continue.
Analysis of the ethical issues according to frequent snowmobile users of the Haliburton Forest and Wildlife Trails
Author
Mishalkowsky, Jennifer
Host Organization
Haliburton Forest and Wildlife Reserve Ltd Host contact: Bisset, Jody
Supervising Faculty
Brunger, Alan Department: Geography
Reference Number
TP-469
Date
2004
Location of Document
U-Links Office and online
Area
Haliburton County
Subject
Snowmobiling code of ethics Environmental Studies
Abstract
This research was conducted at the Haliburton Forest and Wildlife Reserve property with the intention of creating a suitable code of ethics for the property based on issues raised by snowmobile use in the Forest.
The author begins with a literature review of trails, trail use, snowmobiling, legislation regulating snow machine use, and codes of ethics around trail use. Research methodology, employing interviews and questionnaires with snowmobile users and groomers, is outlined and results analyzed. There is a discussion of the results, and recommendations are put forward regarding the establishment of a code of ethics. The author's proposed code of ethics is included in the report.
Haliburton Forest & Wildlife Reserve has a long history of snowmobiling and relies heavily on the income that this activity brings in during the winter months. Because of this, it is probably not feasible to immediately end snowmobiling within Haliburton Forest if in fact the machine's impact is significant. For this reason, recommendations made in literary papers have been collected to help lessen the potential impact of snowmobiling on wildlife within Haliburton Forest. The effects of noise on ungulates, subnivean mammals, predators, fish, and wildlife in general has been collected from various sources and summarized in this research paper. Recommendations have also been made for measuring noise emissions in Haliburton Forest.