TREPA

Several weeks ago we put out a request to members for information on sites that are being suggested for inclusion in Nova Scotia’s protected areas. (See posts of August 8, 2011) We were interested in personal knowledge of proposed sites and personal preferences for inclusion in a final list. This is the list we have received updated to August 26, 2011.

We will probably need to narrow this list for our final report and would like your input to the process. Do you have personal experience with any of these sites? Can you add photos or justification for their inclusion? Do you see some as more important than others. Do you have sites in mind that we have not listed? Please let us know your thoughts.

You may reply to Dan Earle (danearle@eastlink.ca)

#1:  Abrams River: large salt marsh (too many have been drained)

#53:  Bowers Meadow South: endangered Atlantic Coastal Plains Flora

#85: Barrington Lake: threatened Tubercled Spikerush, Eleocharis tuberculosa

#102 and #465: Both are adjacent to Crow Neck Beach which has recently been protected by the NS Nature Trust. The trust is still in the process of possibly adding more land to the protected area. Having adjacent protected areas is a bonus.

#114:  Dunraven Bog:  an important headwater area on the Queens-Shelburne county line

# 173: Gridiron Falls. was canoeing there a few days ago and found what I think are either Plymouth Gentians or pink choreopsis on the slice that’s in mid-stream between the run and the other shore. Old growth forest around it. Historic forestry area.

#235:  The Lower Tusket:  will help mitigate impacts from  elsewhere in the catchment

#261:  Blackadar Brook: should protect a good chunk of Clare, including parts of the Carleton, from further polluting development

#322: Porcupine Lakes:  should protect a good chunk of Clare, including parts of the Carleton, from further polluting development

#347:  Roseway River: important catchment area.

#348:  Round Bay:  relatively remote shore; piping plover habitat.  Protection from ATV’s? A splendid beach and estuary.

#378:  Silver River/ Carrying Road Lakes: important catchment area headwater. Includes New France, an historic site.  Intuitively, my first priority.

#379: Sissiboo River:  important catchment area

#381 Sloanes Lake: coastal zone flora present; backup water supply for Yarmouth

#402:  Swaines Road and Port LaTour Bogs: (endangered Thread-leaved sundew)  Drosera filiformis

#417: Tidney River NE: important catchment area headwater

#418:  Tidney River NW: important catchment area headwater #421:  Indian Fields: important catchment area, for the Roseway

#422:  East Branch Tusket River: important catchment area; minimize impact from nearby past and possible future mining activities

#425:  Jordan River: important catchment area

#428:  Napier River: important catchment area

#441:  Tusket Islands: important area for migratory birds; extremely productive marine area, crucial to many fisheries.  Several members support this area choice.

#455:  Lower Silver River: important catchment area

#465: West Baccaro Bog: (endangered Thread-leaved sundew) Drosera filiformis

#462: Wentworth Lake

#509: Makes an extended wildlife corridor to the protected lands on Purgatory Point.

As you are now aware, the Nova Scotia Government has passed legislation that commits to protecting 12 percent of Nova Scotia’s landmass by 2015. The purpose is to preserve important remaining natural areas and habitat for species. To meet this target, an additional 3.4 percent (188,961 hectares) of the province will need to be protected.

As a result of the Colin Stewart Forest Forum, a collaborative, science-based process by major environmental groups, forestry companies and the Nova Scotia government, a preliminary map has been produced which identifies lands with high ecological value that are to be considered for inclusion in the province’s protected areas network. The map is available online at: https://www.gov.ns.ca/nse/12percent/maps.asp . Some, but not all of these sites will be protected. Which areas get protected and which ones don’t will likely come down to which ones have strong public support.

The provincial government is currently calling for groups and individuals to come forward and provide feedback on the sites that have been identified for possible protection. The Ecology Action Center is reaching out to community organizations and encouraging them to become “local champions” for important land patches in and around their region. It would like to offer support and encouragement that yourself, or someone within your group, take the lead in ensuring that the government is made aware that members of your community are supportive of the creation of a protected area. This is an important step in the production of a draft protected areas plan, which will take into account public interest (and opposition) for each area under consideration.

They ask that you take a look at the information related to the 12 percent process at www.gov.ns.ca/nse/12percent/; in particular the “Our Wild Spaces” booklet and the map. Then get in touch with the Protected Areas Branch of the Department of the Environment, by calling (902) 424-2117 or emailing protectedareas@gov.ns.ca and identifying yourselves as interested in being a part of their public consultation and land review process which begins in September.

The Ecology Action Center is willing to assist you or answer any questions you or your group may have regarding the 12 percent by 2015 initiative. Theye would like to thank you for your commitment to nature conservation and look forward to working together to improve the protected areas network in Nova Scotia.

The EAC contact is Pat Nussey patnussey@ecologyaction.ca

TREPA is in the process of looking at potential sites for additions to the Province’s protected lands stock.  This is to help reach the 12 percent protected areas goal.  The Province has identified “potential” additions and has asked for comment.  Shown below is a map of the tri-county area about which we have particular concern. (You can see the full map and names of all sites at: https://www.gov.ns.ca/nse/12percent/maps.asp) If you click on lands list from map the full list of names will be downloaded as a doc file for you.

Action: If you have personal knowledge of any of these sites or have thoughts about which ones you would most like as protected areas, please make your thoughts known to Dan Earle at danearle@eastlink.ca by August 17th.  You may also comment on sites or the subject in general in the space below. Dan is compiling an overall report that TREPA will submit to the province with our recommendations.

lands list from map