News release

New Wilderness Areas for Nova Scotians to Enjoy

Environment and Labour (Oct. 2000 - March 2008)

ENVIRONMENT/LABOUR--New Wilderness Areas for Nova Scotians to Enjoy


Gully Lake and Eigg Mountain-James River in northeastern Nova Scotia will offer Nova Scotians two more wild places to explore the province's spectacular natural environment. They will be the newest additions to the province's system of wilderness areas.

"We are protecting these beautiful examples of Nova Scotia's natural landscape for our children and grandchildren, as promised in our green plan," Premier John Hamm said today, March 4. "We're proceeding with mapping the legal boundary of each area. Once that's complete, Gully Lake and Eigg Mountain-James River will be officially designated as wilderness areas."

The detailed boundary maps will take about six months to complete. They will confirm the exact legal boundaries of the new wilderness areas.

Gully Lake has 3,810 hectares in Pictou and Colchester counties. Eigg Mountain-James River has 4,150 hectares in Antigonish County. Their boundaries will be very close to those proposed in the public consultation held from June to August 2004.

Nova Scotians showed considerable support for the new wilderness areas through the consultation. The department received 123 written comments on the proposed wilderness areas. Staff also met with interest groups and recorded comments from people who visited displays in shopping malls.

Many people said they favour establishing the two new wilderness areas to protect the diversity of plants and wildlife on land and in water. They also want to maintain water quality and improve opportunities for recreation and experiencing nature.

"Establishing wilderness areas is one way that we can protect our natural environment for the enjoyment of Nova Scotians and visitors, now and in the future," said Environment and Labour Minister Kerry Morash. "We're pleased to see broad public support for designating these two new wilderness areas in northern Nova Scotia."

Wilderness areas are protected lands that Nova Scotians and visitors can use for research and recreation activities such as hiking, canoeing, kayaking, sportfishing and hunting.

Once Gully Lake and Eigg Mountain-James River are designated, Nova Scotia will have 33 wilderness areas totalling more than 294,000 hectares under the Wilderness Areas Protection Act. The province also has 11 nature reserves totalling 3,140 hectares.

The summary of public comments about Gully Lake and Eigg Mountain-James River and the socioeconomic analysis are available on the Department of Environment and Labour website at www.gov.ns.ca/enla/pareas .

A full set of the submissions received during the comment period is available for viewing at Environment and Labour offices in Halifax at 5151 Terminal Rd., in Truro at 44 Inglis Place, and in Antigonish at 219 Main St.