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Raven Head and Kelly River Candidate Wilderness Areas (Cumberland County)

(c) photo by Irwin BarrettNova Scotians are invited to provide feedback on two proposed wilderness areas in Cumberland County. Proposed boundaries were released on April 21, 2011. Download: Regional map of proposed wilderness areas (PDF: 312k). A consultation newsletter and comment sheet were released on May 11, 2011. Download: Consultation newsletter (PDF: 3.4mb). Download: Comment sheet (PDF: 396k).

The consultation will continue until August 12, 2011.

Public feedback will help government make informed decisions on final boundaries and management of these important Crown lands. Boundaries may change as a result of the consultation.

Wilderness areas are significant natural areas designated under the Wilderness Areas Protection Act.  They protect the natural environment while providing opportunities for wilderness recreation, camping, sportfishing, hunting, education, research, and community stewardship.

The proposed wilderness areas were identified by the departments of Natural Resources and Environment, following a joint review of 35,000 hectares of Crown land in the vicinity of Chignecto Game Sanctuary. This review began in October, 2009, after Government announced its intent to consult widely to evaluate options for establishing a large wilderness area within these lands.

Since then, government staff met with a variety of interested parties, including municipal, community, industry, recreation, business, Mi’kmaq, and environment organizations. Feedback  from these initial consultations was outlined in a newsletter (PDF: 5.7mb), released in November, 2010. This feedback helped government develop the proposed wilderness area boundaries which are now available for further consultation.

Proposed Wilderness Areas in Cumberland County Along Chignecto Bay, the proposed Raven Head Wilderness Area (PDF: 144k) extends 36 km along the Bay of Fundy coast, between Shulie River and Apple Head.  This includes much of the recently purchased Apple Head lands. Though the Apple Head lands were not initially considered in the Crown land review, close to 80 per cent was added because of the significant opportunity to protect a major section of Bay of Fundy coast. The 4,753 hectare (11,745 acre) proposed wilderness area has extensive coastal cliffs, as well as sheltered shore and saltmarsh.

The proposed Kelly River Wilderness Area (PDF: 303k) is 20,567 hectares (50,820 acres) and could become the province’s third largest wilderness area. It includes most of the Kelly River watershed and extends to a tidal portion of the Maccan River. This area is highly valued for outdoor recreation. It is an area of extensive, mature and older forest; wild river; and habitat for many species, including endangered mainland moose, wood turtle, and Inner Bay of Fundy Salmon.

A variety of roads have been left outside the proposed boundaries. As illustrated on the maps, other routes will be considered for trail management agreements to allow continued off-highway vehicle use. The province is committed to maintaining essential off-highway vehicle connections between communities.

The consultation newsletter and comment sheet are available on the Department of Environment’s website at www.gov.ns.ca/nse/protectedareas , or by calling 902-424-2117. It will also be available at local offices of the departments of Natural Resources and Environment, as of May 18, 2011.  The newsletter provides details on public participation opportunities, and explains how the proposed boundaries were chosen. The public consultation includes opportunities to:

  • meet with government staff
  • share written comments
  • visit information displays in local communities (will include newsletters)
  • attend a public open house meeting in:
    • Southampton – Community Centre, Sunday, May 29, 1:30-5:00pm
    • Joggins – Joggins Fossil Centre, Monday, May 30, 3:00-7:00pm
    • Halifax – Saint Mary's University Burke Building Room 205, Wednesday, June 1, 3:00-7:00pm
    • Parrsboro – Fundy Geological Museum, Saturday, June 4, 11:00am-3:00pm
    • Advocate Harbour – Fundy Tides Recreation Centre, Sunday, June 5, 1:30-5:00pm
    • Amherst – Wandlyn Inn, Monday, June 6, 4:00-7:00pm

Government’s goal is to achieve conservation and land protection objectives, while minimizing impacts on other land uses.

Once designated, these areas could protect more than 25,000 hectares (61,500 acres) of land, adding more than 0.45 per cent to the province’s 12 per cent land protection target.

Contact

If you have any questions or would like to arrange a meeting or request a printed copy of a newsletter, please contact:

Protected Areas and Wetlands Branch
Nova Scotia Environment
P.O. Box 442
5151 Terminal Road
Halifax NS B3J 2P8

Phone: (902) 424-2117
Email: protectedareas@gov.ns.ca
Web: www.gov.ns.ca/nse/protectedareas

Information on Proposed New Wilderness Areas

Chignecto Crown Land Study Area Documents