Member Association Page - Twelve Mile Bay

The Twelve Mile Bay Community Association :

Twelve Mile Bay is a narrow natural inlet on the eastern shore of Georgian Bay. The topography of the area features many distinctive elements, including undulating, wind-swept rocks near the mouth and numerous islands and sandy coves. The O’Donnell Point Nature Reserve is located on the south shore of the bay, forming an 875 – hectare peninsula. The reserve has been identified as an IUCN # 1 protected area and is home to over 235 plant species and 83 species of birds. Many of the plant, bird, amphibians, and reptiles located on the Bay are considered to be provincially significant and to be vulnerable, threatened, or at risk.

Local Issues and Projects

The Twelve Mile Bay Community Association shares in the concerns of other GBA members in areas including low water levels, water quality, preservation of wildlife, and boating issues.

The main focus of the 12 MBCA and its members is on the impending transfer of 1,000 acres of protected nature reserve and crown land, including sensitive shoreline, to the Moose Deer Point First Nation’s reserve.

The loss of this magnitude of environmentally sensitive lands to further shoreline and inland development could spell environmental disaster for the area. The long narrow Bay is home to many endangered wildlife species. The prospect of additional development on what environmentalists call already excessive shoreline development on a narrow body of water with little natural water circulation is of significant concern.

The deteriorating water quality, as documented by ongoing water studies, should be an alarming wake-up call to all of those who share concern for the future of Georgian Bay, and the Great Lakes in general. Further environmental impact studies must be done before any transfer of land could even be considered.

The Preliminary Park Plan Review, undertaken by the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR), represents the next stage for public consultation on the future of O’Donnell Point.

The Twelve Mile Bay Community Association

Executive

President: Scott Gourley
Vice President: Rudy Hochrein
Treasurer: Silvia Hermann
Secretary: Alan Bowers
Past President: Donna Larush

Location

12 Mile Bay is located on the eastern shore of Georgian Bay near the town of MacTier. The Bay is 50 kms south of Parry Sound and 27 kms north of Port Severn.

Access to the Bay from Hwy 69 is via12 Mile Bay Road, which exits west off the highway just south of the Moon River Bridge. Driving time from Toronto is approximately two hours (200 kms).

A marina, situated on the Moose Deer Point First Nation (MDPFN) reserve, is located on the south side of the Bay approximately 20kms from Hwy 69 along 12 Mile Bay Road.

Twelve Mile Bay Links

For status updates on the land transfer process involving the O’Donnell Point Nature Reserve, contact: Maggie Bowman, Assistant Park Planner, Ontario Parks at 705-789-7136 or by email: maggie.bowman@mnr.gov.on.ca

Also see more on this subject on this site on the O'Donnell Point Park page