In June, 2003 the provincial government announced its intention to establish two new Wilderness Areas within the Crown land blocks at Gully Lake and Eigg Mountain-James River, in northern Nova Scotia.

Between June 28th and August 13th , 2004, Environment and Labour conducted a public consultation process on the two new candidate wilderness areas. Public information displays were provided in malls and libraries in Antigonish, New Glasgow, and Truro. Background materials were distributed through these regional displays, and at department offices in Antigonish, New Glasgow, Truro, and Halifax. Many materials were also available on-line (see below), or by calling a toll-free request line. The consultation process also included opportunities for direct discussion between staff and stakeholders or interest groups.

On March 4, 2005 government announced the designation of Crown lands at Gully Lake and Eigg Mountain-James River under the Wilderness Areas Protection Act. More information, including a summary of public comment is available here and at Environment and Labour offices in Halifax, Truro and Antigonish. A full set of the submissions received during the comment period and the final version of the socioeconomic analysis are also available for viewing at these offices.

For more information please contact Protected Areas Branch, Nova Scotia Environment and Labour at (902) 424-2117, or send an email to protectedareas@gov.ns.ca

Key Documents

• Press Release - March 4, 2005
• Public Comment Summary (PDF:127k)
• Press Release - June 28, 2004
• Socioeconomic Analysis Study Summary (PDF:26k)
• Gully Lake Wilderness Area
  • Information Sheet (PDF:113k)
  • Boundary Map (PDF:2.4mb)
• Eigg Mountain-James River
  • Information Sheet (PDF:116k)
  • Boundary Map (PDF:915k)
• Gully Lake / Eigg Mountain-James River Regional Context Map (PDF:2.6mb)

Additional Background Documents

• Socioeconomic Analysis Study - Full Consultant Report
  • Full Report: Text, Figures, Appendices, and Cover (PDF:5.8mb)
  • Full Report: Text only (PDF:748k)
  • Figure 2-1 Gully Lake Wilderness Area Map (PDF:536k)
  • Figure 2-2 Gully Lake Encumbrances and Holdings Map (PDF:800k)
  • Figure 2-3 Eigg Mountain-James River Wilderness Area Map (PDF:1016k)
  • Figure 2-4 Eigg Mountain-James River Encumbrances and Holdings Map (PDF:494k)
  • Appendix A - Nova Scotia Wilderness Areas Q & A (PDF:651k)
  • Appendix B - Study Methodology (PDF:24k)
  • Appendix C - Organizations and Individuals Contacted (PDF:25k)
  • Report Cover (PDF:1.8mb)

Gully Lake

• Ownership and Land Use Map (PDF:2.2mb)
• Natural Values Map (PDF:2.1mb)
• Preliminary Assessment of Natural Values: Gully Lake Study Area - Report (PDF:469k)
  • Map 1 - Gully Lake Study Area - location map (PDF:1.2mb)
  • Map 2 - Fragmentation Analysis: areas of land >600m from roads and utility corridors (PDF:621k)
  • Map 3 - Fragmentation Analysis: areas of land >200m from roads and utility corridors (PDF:618k)
  • Map 4 - Forest Age Classes for Selected Landscapes in North-central Nova Scotia (PDF:587k)
  • Map 5 - Forest Age Classes in the Gully Lake Crown Land Area (PDF:404k)
  • Map 6 - Gully Lake Study Area: landscape ecosystems (PDF:824k)
  • Map 7 - Gully Lake Study Area: watersheds (PDF:647k)
  • Map 8 - Gully Lake Study Area: outstanding values and recreational opportunities (PDF:303k)

Eigg Mountain-James River

• Ownership and Land Use Map (PDF:2.9mb)
• Natural Values Map (PDF:2.8mb)
• Preliminary Assessment of Natural Values: Eigg Mountain-James River Study Area - Report (PDF:406k)
  • Map 1 - Eigg Mountain-James River Study Area - location map (PDF:980k)
  • Map 2 - Fragmentation Analysis areas of land > 600m from roads and utility corridors (PDF:510k)
  • Map 3 - Fragmentation Analysis: areas of Land > 200m from roads and utility corridors (PDF:676k)
  • Map 4 - Forest Age Classes for Selected Landscapes in North-eastern mainland Nova Scotia (PDF:1.2mb)
  • Map 5 - Forest Age Classes in the Eigg Mountain-James River Crown Land Area (PDF:483k)
  • Map 6 - Eigg Mountain-James River Area: landscape ecosystems (PDF:721k)
  • Map 7 - Eigg Mountain-James River Area: watersheds (PDF:766k)
  • Map 8 - Eigg Mountain-James River Area: significant eco-sites and recreational opportunities (PDF:569k)
  • Appendix A - Regulations Respecting the James River Protected Water Area

Wilderness Areas - general info

• Frequently Asked Questions about Wilderness Areas
• Wilderness Areas in Nova Scotia - map
• Summary of the Wilderness Areas Protection Act (PDF:1.9mb)
• Keep It Wild - A Guide For Low Impact Recreation In Nova Scotia's Wilderness Areas (PDF:4mb)
• Keep It Wild - Wilderness Area Standards (PDF:749k)
• Wilderness Areas Protection Act