Clean Up of Hurricane Juan Damage at McNabs and Lawlor Islands Provincial Park

Among Nova Scotia provincial parks, McNabs and Lawlor Islands Park sustained the greatest amount of damaged trees from hurricane Juan.

(Click image for enlargement)

As a result of the damage, public access to the islands is restricted due to unsafe conditions and impassable trails and roadways.

Clean Up

Some progress has been made cleaning up after Juan, however, the effort to provide public access continues to move forward.

A tender has been issued to remove debris and hazards along the 14 kilometres of trails. Upon completion of this tendered work it is expected that the public will be permitted on the island. Ongoing clean up efforts may restrict access in some areas and on trails through the next year.

Planning is currently underway for the clean up of the larger areas of blowdown. The situation is further compounded by the presence of the Brown Spruce Long Horn Beetle, an introduced pest to Nova Scotia. The beetle has been found in the spruce trees on McNabs Island, which is creating challenges for removal of damaged trees.

Removal of the large areas of blowdown is not expected to begin until later this fall and will be completed by March 2005.

McNabs and Lawlor Islands Provincial Park will continue to be managed as a natural environment park. Unfortunately hurricane Juan has changed the landscape of the park. However, the many historical resources on the island have survived with minimal damage.