Shelburne River Wilderness Area Consultations To Be Held
Nova Scotians are invited to comment on the decision to designate more than 2,000 hectares (5,000 acres)of Crown land as Shelburne River Wilderness Area.
"Protecting the environment is a key priority of the government so I am pleased that significant natural and heritage features will be protected in the area," said Environment Minister Mark Parent. "I encourage Nova Scotians to share their views."
The proposed Shelburne River Wilderness Area is located along the Shelburne River, west of Caledonia, in northern Queens County.
The designated area will offer protection to an important river corridor linking Tobeatic Wilderness Area, Kejimkujik National Park and Lake Rossignol Wilderness Area. The designation will also improve the Shelburne River's protection as an official Canadian Heritage River.
It will also protect the rich wilderness heritage of the region, as chronicled in the popular 1908 book The Tent Dwellers. It is being reprinted this year, and a number of events this summer will mark the centenary of the canoe adventure through the Nova Scotia wilderness.
Last summer, the province announced plans to designate the new wilderness area under the Wilderness Areas Protection Act. The land was acquired for conservation purposes from AbitibiBowater in March 2007.
The Environmental Goals and Sustainable Prosperity Act commits the province to protecting 12 per cent of Nova Scotia's land.
Designated wilderness areas protect Nova Scotia's natural landscapes, biological diversity and natural features. They are needed for scientific research, education, nature tourism and activities such as hiking, canoeing, sport fishing and hunting.
A public information forum on the proposed Shelburne River Wilderness Area will be held Tuesday, June 17, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Masonic Hall in Caledonia, Queens Co.
Written comment will be accepted until Aug. 8 by mail at: Department of Environment, Protected Areas, P.O. Box 442, Halifax, N.S., B3J 2P8, and by e-mail at: protectedareas@gov.ns.ca .
A map of Shelburne River Wilderness Area proposed boundaries, a consultation newsletter and more information about protected areas are available at any Department of Environment office, online at www.gov.ns.ca/nse/protectedareas, and by calling 902-424-2117.