Institutional Vacuity and the Management of Great Lakes Coastal Zones in Ontario, Canada

4th International Lake Tourism ConferenceThunder Bay, Ontario, Canada

June 21st – June 25th 2009

R.J. PayneCentre for Tourism and Community Development Research

Lakehead University

Institutional Vacuity

'Institutional Vacuity' Methods

New Institutional Analysis Case Study Research

Michipicoten Bay, Lake Superior Huron County coast, Lake Huron

Conclusion

Institutional Vacuity

'Institutional Vacuity' Two dimensions

'emptiness' Here, emptiness in terms of legislation that

addresses the coastal zone and related issues Here, emptiness in terms of public organizations

that apply appropriate legislation Ontario has no legislation for coastal zone management

and no agency with that responsibility

Institutional Vacuity

Institutional Vacuity

New Institutional AnalysisLegislation, policy and administration as focal areas

Performance and effectiveness

Science and decision making

Integrated coastal zone management?

Institutional Vacuity

Methods: Case Studies Michipicoten Bay, Lake

Superior Rugged, near-natural conditions Low population density Resource extraction, plus nature-

based tourism

Huron County Coast, Lake Huron

Rural, agricultural but also lake-oriented tourism

Higher population density

Institutional Vacuity

Case Study: Michipicoten Bay, Lake Superior

ISSUE: gravel extraction and shipping versus nature-based tourism

Management reponsibilities:

Land-based: Ontario MNR: gravel extraction, limited tourism

Water-based: federal DOT; DFO (water column); MNR: fish

Coast: no public agency; citizens' groups vs. Superior Aggregates

No structure within which to weigh pro's/con's and make a decision

Institutional Vacuity

Case Study: Huron County Coast, Lake Huron

ISSUE: intensive livestock operations (hogs) vs. tourism (beach use, cottaging, boating)

Management responsibilities

Land-based: planning, drinking water, agriculture (Ontario); planning (municipalities - devolved from province)

Water-based: federal DOT; water column DFO; fish Ontario MNR

Coast: no public agency; citizens' organizations

No structure within which to weigh pro's/con's and to mediate

Institutional Vacuity

ConclusionsQuestions that concern both land and water are not considered

Tourism is NOT a high priority for involved agencies

As an activity As an activity that requires high quality environmental

conditions

Hope?Healthy Great Lakes, Strong Ontario (February, 2009)

Talking to Ontarians about protecting, restoring, using and enjoying the Great Lakes