1975 saw renewed efforts to protect the Tobeatic, and the production by NS Department of Lands and Forests of  the ill-conceived "Conceptual Plan for the Tobeatic Resource Management Area". Inspired by the then (and still) trendy philosophy of "Multiple Use", the Conceptual Plan was fortunately not implemented, or the wilderness as we know it would have been lost.

In the early 1980's, the Tobeatic faced another devastating threat in Aquitane's uranium mine lease in the Whitesand/Moosehide Lakes area. The company wished to push an access road into the heart of the wilderness, and develop the mine site. At risk in particular was the Tobeatic's resident moose herd, which represents the only surviving gene pool of native Nova Scotia moose. Furious local opposition, spearheaded by Digby East Fish and Game Association members, halted the project. 

Forming of the TWC:
The Tobeatic Wilderness Committee was formed in 1992 by a group of private citizens in response to a proposal by Crown and Lewis Lumber Company (now Irving) to log portions of the Tobeatic. As a result of this information, two public meetings were held at Digby East Fish and Game Association, Haines Lake, Digby County: the first in November with a follow up meeting in December.. DEFAGA was instrumental in alerting the public and challenging the Department of Natural Resources' decision
to allow logging in the Tobeatic. As a consequence of these two public meetings the Tobeatic Wilderness Committee was formed.
The Committee's first "official" function was to write a letter to the Naturalist Society of NS, the first of many, many letters to come

The Committee's subsequent efforts to protect the Tobeatic predated the Parks and Protected Areas Systems Plan, but as the scope of the plan became known, they felt the plan offered the best opportunity for protection. 

TWC Newsletter:
In January, the TWC's letter writing campaign continued, accompanied by a Newsletter entitled “ Tobeatic Threatened ”. This was circulated throughout the province to naturalist groups, individuals and Government departments. Funding was provided from DEFAGA and Annapolis Municipality, each contributing $200.00.

The Committee's first Ministerial meeting came with Greg Kerr, then Minister of Tourism and Culture, at his Annapolis Royal constituency office in  February . We presented to him our newsletter, and requested a meeting with John Leefe, Minister
of Natural Resources. In March, a third public meeting was hosted by DEFAGA. CBC's "Land and Sea" taped the meeting. On March 31st, TWC met with Minister of Natural Resources John Leefe and staff in Halifax. He was presented a brief on the Tobeatic Wilderness Area accompanied with a 17 point questionnaire.

Exclusion of The Finger
Letters of support were received from Digby / Annapolis municipalities, Boards of Trade, NGOs, and individuals from across NS and Canada. Letters from Government Ministers inform TWC and supporters that the Tobeatic Wilderness Area was being considered for protection by the Parks and Protected Natural Areas Systems Plan. However, all Crown lands north of the Esker and bordering Kejimkujik National Park (The Finger) were excluded. Portions of this excluded area, and the western  fringe of
Crown lands bordering the Tobeatic in Digby and Yarmouth County (Napier River area) were being considered to fulfill Crown's  ten million bd ft wood fibre commitment to JD Irving.

Provincial Election:
On May 3rd, a second Newsletter entitled “ Nova Scotia’s Last True Wilderness” was published and mailed to supporters on the eve of the Spring election on May 25th. John Leefe, PC Minister of Natural Resources puts the Tobeatic area under a
“moratorium” prior to his defeat in the May election. The Tories were defeated, and John Savage became Premier of NS.

In June, a letter was sent to Don Downe, the new Liberal Minister of Natural Resources. In his reply, Mr. Downe states “ the Tobeatic area has emerged as one of the most outstanding candidates through the Parks and Protected Area Systems Planning Project”.

Wood Fibre Commitments:
In September, the TWC met with Don Downe and staff, and was informed that he anticipated announcement of the PPASP had been postponed to March 1994. TWC was also told that finding an alternative wood supply had failed, and the Tobeatic was still not protected. In response to this meeting, the  TWC published its third Newsletter on October 3rd. The Newsletter contained a summary of the Ministerial meeting, a survey of recreational use in the TWA, and information on the proposed logging sites beyond the Esker and along the Kejimkujik Park boundary. 

In October, the TWC receives $500.00 from the Environmental Citizens Initiative. Also in October, background information was provided to John Leefes, former Minister, for his Private Member's Bill which attempted to protect the TWA.

In November, the Committee began making plans for a promotional video on the TWA. Due to the need for immediate action, the Committee met weekly throughout 1993, with few breaks, at Alice Whites home.

Information / Strategy Meeting:
The letter writing campaign to the NS Department of Natural Resources and other Departments continued, the TWC held an “Information / Strategy Meeting for Supporters" hosted by Digby East Fish and Game Association in February. Representation came from NGOs, individuals from the five counties that encompass the TWA and representatives from the Province.

Announcement of Parks & Protected Areas Systems Plan:
On March 26 , the Committee met with Eleanor Norrie, Minister of Sport and Recreation. A few days later, on March 31, Don Downe announced the Parks and Protected Areas Systems Plan, which included the Tobeatic Wilderness Area. In the annoucement  Downe states...“ Because of an existing timber commitment, a small area of the Tobeatic is not part of the site proposed for protection. Many people feel it is an area that should be protected. If an alternative timber supply can be found, the area in question will be included”... The area he referred to was "The Finger", which the Committee had worked hard to have included in the Wilderness Area.

The Finger:
On April 15th , TWC sent a letter to Don Downe requesting the status of the Moratorium placed on "The Finger”. In June, Mr Downe's response stated that the Moratorium would remain in place until the public consultation process was completed. The Moratorium also included all the Crown lands north of Kejimkujik National Park. The Committee continued throughout the year to write letters letters to the Government demanding that "The Finger” be added to the TWA .

Parks & Protected Areas Public Review Committee:
On January 12th, the Committee participated in the public process, presenting a brief to the Public Review Committee for the proposed Parks and Protected Areas Systems Plan, supporting the Plan in general, and  the inclusion of the Tobeatic as one of the thirty-one Candidate Protected Areas in particular. Although the Committee's efforts to protect the Tobeatic predated the proposed plan by three years, the TWC felt that the Plan offered the best opportunity to save the Wilderness.

In May, the TWC presented a brief to the Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources at Annapolis Royal, NS

Wood Fibre and Irving:
In June, a letter from TWC to the Minister Don Downe stated that 95% of the wood fibre commitment to Irving had been secured outside the moratorium area. TWC asked that the remaining 5% also be found outside the moratorium area. Protection of "The
Finger” was overwhelmingly expressed by the Public Review Process. The Department responded that it had conducted discussions with industry in the context of finding a solution to the remaining volume commitment to Lewis Sawmill (500,000 bfm).
The Committee then met with representatives of JD Irving, requesting that they assist Crown in finding a solution in locating the 5% commitment outside the moratorium area, or give up the 5% . Irving’s response was that they are in the business of cutting wood and the commitment stands. Irving stated  that it was up to the Department of Natural Resources to locate the wood to meet the commitment.

Finger Excluded:
In August, the awaited Public Review Committee's report on the proposed Parks and Protected Areas Systems Plan was published. Some highlights included:

• the Tobeatic attracted more specificcomments than any of the other Candidate Areas
• the submissions indicated a broad base of support for protecting the Tobeatic from development
• many individuals proposed boundary adjustments to include more area, and to better reflect ecological and management considerations 
• Recommendation 34 of the report specifically states: "(the government)...should include the area known as the "Tobeatic Finger" in the Tobeatic Protected Area".

Solid Supporters:
In early January, the Committee made a presentation to the Annapolis Municipal Council, who continued to be one of our most avid supporters to have The Finger included in the Tobeatic Protected Area.

Wood Fibre Commitment:
The same month, Minister Downe advised the Committee that  no progress had been made in finding the remaining 5% wood fibre commitment to Lewis/ Irving outside of the Tobeatic Finger, which had been placed under a moratorium. TWC insisted that no logging should take place in The Finger, and that the area become part of the Tobeatic Wilderness Area. The Minister responded
that staff continued to work to resolve the issue and while the work continued, The Finger area would remain under moratorium, and that no final decision had been taken to include or exclude The Finger, either in whole or in part, from the Tobeatic Candidate
Protected Area. TWC continud to press to have The Finger included, and pressed the Minister to move forward with much needed legislation.

ATV Damage at Whitesands:
All Terrain Vehicles activity began to seriously impact the Whitesands Stream area. Their recently made trails degraded the very delicate "barren" vegitation, and machines had  crossed and recrossed the stream itself, disturbing the bottom and rutting the banks. The Whitesand Stream is one of the very few trout-producing streams in the Tobeatic, as many watercourses there are too acidic to support substancial fish populations. The Committee began documenting the damage, and advised DNR of the increasing threat.

Fingered:
 In November, Dale Smith, DNR Parks Division, met with TWC at the Annapolis Municipal Building to inform the Committee that the Tobeatic Finger would in fact be included within the Tobeatic Wilderness area. However; the addition came with a price.1750 hectares was be removed from the Tobeatic to meet "present and future wood fibre commitments" to Irving. 350 hectares was reserved directly from The Finger area and the remaining 1700 hectares from the Napier watershed area.

Later in the month, the TWC went to Halifax to meet with Eleanor Norrie, new Minister of Natural Resources. Ms. Norrie was unable to be present at the meeting.

Jim Campbells Barrens Removed:
In December, it was announced by DNR that Jim Cambells Barrens was being removed from the 31 Protected Areas. This announcement was received with much alarm, and the Committee agreed to vigorously protest this decision, and lend their support to the Cape Bretoners in their efforts to have it reinstated.

Private Member's Bill:
Eileen O’Connell, environment critic for the NDP, presented to the House a private members bill entitled “ An Act to Preserve the Integrity and Diversity of Wildlands”

More Letters:
The TWC continued the letter writing campaign, focusing on the lack of formal designation of the Tobeatic Finger as officially part of  the Tobeatic Protected Area, and the lack of legislation in place to protect the proposed Protected areas.

Jim Campbells Sends a Dangerous Signal:
The removal of Jim Cambells Barrens from the proposed protected sites encouraged forest industry interests to request that Queens County Council consider a resolution to express their opposition to the Protected Systems Plan in general, and to the existence of the Tobeatic Wilderness Area in particular, apparently assuming that the Systems Plan was now on hold and open to negotiations with the Province. The TWC was singled out for attack by Harry Freeman, who lobbyed Queens Council on behalf of the Nova Scotia Forest Products Association.

On January 20th, the TWC, upon urgent requests from concerned citizens in Queens County, appeared before the Council and presented a brief, along with other NGOs and individuals, in support of the Parks and Protected Areas Systems Plan and to defend the Tobeatic's inclusion. The most glaring absence at the Council hearing was that of DNR personel, who did not attend to defend their own plan. Despite this, the Council discounted forest industry arguments, and passed a resolution proclaiming the Tobeatic be a Protected Place in perpetuity, to ensure its unique wilderness characteristics are preserved.

Newsletter Number Four:
In February, the TWC published its fourth Newsletter: “ The Parks and Protected Plan- What Plan”. Attached to the newsletter
was a petition to be mailed to Premier John Savage, protesting:

• The removal of Jim Cambells Barrens from the Systems Plan
• The slow pace of implementing the Systems Plan.
• The lack of legislation to protect the 31 sites designated in the Systems Plan
• The unwillingness of DNR to publicly defend the Systems Plan, and to educate the public on its importance.

The Finger Officially Included:
In February, The Finger was officially added to the Tobeatic Wilderness Area. As expected, 1750 hectares on the western margin of the Tobeatic was excluded from protected status to satisfy contractual commitments to Irving / Lewis Sawmill in Weymouth and to E.M. Comeau and Sons Ltd. in Meteghan.

Protected Areas Strategy:
Later in February, Eleanor Norrie, DNR Minister, introduced the “Protected Areas Strategy” at Province House. 20 % of Crown land (or 291,000 hectares of public land on 30 sites) would be protected. A total of  8.2 % of the entire province would be protected, falling short of the minimum recommendation of 12 %. Jim Cambells Barrens was not included.

The "Coalition":
In March, stemming from the delisting of Jim Cambells Barrens, the TWC becomes part of a province-wide “Coalition” to press for the reinstatement of Jim Campbells Barren to the Parks and Protected Areas Systems Plan. Of particular note were the efforts of:

• Marie Aucoin, Concerned Citizens of  Cheticamp
• Neil Livingston, Margaree Environmental Association
• Raymond Plourde, NS  Salmon Association
• John Hart, Margaree Salmon Association
• Chris Miller
• Martin Willison
• Kermit de Gooyer, Ecology Action Centre
• Colin Stewart, World Wildlife Fund (NS)
• All of the NGOs from across the Province that came together

Prince Phillip:
on March 21, the TWC, along with other NGOs from Atlantic Canada, made a presentation to Prince Philip, who is President Emeritus of WWF. The function, sponsored by the WWF (NS), took place at the Prince George Hotel, Halifax.

Meeting with DNR Minister Norrie:
The same day, the TWC mets with. DNR Minister, Eleanor  Norrie. The concerns expressed by the Committee were:

• The Protected Area Strategy, as it pertained to the Tobeatic and interim management and legislation
• Threats to the Tobeatic: NS Forest Products Association, increasing ATV access, wood fibre commitments on the boundary of the Tobeatic
• Shelburne River Heritage Plan

April:
On April 1, EARTH DAY, the Municipality of Annapolis County presented a plaque to the TWC, as the first recipient of this annual environmental award. 

Attention focused on areas left out of the Tobeatic: Irving, House, Siskech Lakes, and Whitesands to Fifth Lake, and Sporting Lake Stream Flowage, with input from David Dagley, Queens County Fish and Game Association.

On April 30th, mineral exploration (opening of closure) began on the boundary of the Tobeatic at Third Bear and Spectacle Lake.

Web Page:
In May, the TWC launched its web page at: http://www.tartannet.ns.ca/~tobeatic, and received some funding from the Mountain Equipment Co-op in Vancouver.

The TWC attended the Wildlands Project workshop at the Red Tail Nature Awareness Camp, Scotsburn, Pictou Co.

July:
The TWC alerted DNR of the sale of land fifty acres of private land on theWest River. The new owners, referring to themselves as the "West River Sportsmen Trust", began crossing Sixth Lake Stream by ATV. The resulting trail decimated the13 km esker, ending a history of nonmotorized access to this region. ATVs also continue to erode the Whitesands region of the Tobeatic. The Committee again requested to have the bridge crossing Sporting Lake Stream removed by DNR, to discourage motorized access.

Russell Maclellan becomes the new Premier of NS. On July 8th, the TWC participated in a public meeting and press conference of the “Coalition of Concerned Groups Against the Delisting of Jim Cambells Barren” at the Lord Nelson Hotel, Halifax. TWC's Don Rice, along with Marie Aucoin, CCC,  and Neil Livingston, MEA, were given the singular honour of personally delivering the  ten thousand signature petition to the Premier's office.

August:
The Committee initiated a “Draft Management Plan for the TobeaticWilderness”, and it was accepted as a student project by the College of Geographic Sciences , Lawrencetown, NS. Iain Grant, a student in the Planning, Land Information Technology Program, was assigned the project. The completed project was received in April of 1998, an authoritativ document of maps
and texts concerning the management of the Tobeatic.

Ken MacAskill became the newest  Minister of Natural Resources.

September:
The TWC urges Minister MacAskill  to reinstate Jim Cambell Barren and to enact the promised legislation for the Parks and Protected Areas.

Nova Nada:
The Nova Nada  hermitage, a Carmelite order located at South Carrying Road Lake, contacted the TWC, about  their concern over Irving contractors logging 24 hours a day with mechanical harvesters on adjacent land owned by JD Irving. The hermitage was located between JD Irving and Crown land immediately to the west of the Tobeatic Wilderness boundary. Nova Nada lobbied intensively both nationally and internationally  for a two mile buffer around their hermitage. (Eventually, Nova Nada's efforts to protect the nature of their retreat fails, and the hermitage vacated after several years of lobbying the government and JD Irving). The issue of noise pollution was introduced as a legitimate concern.

The TWC applied for registration as a Non-Profit Society, and received its certificate of incorporation as the TWC in October.

October:
CAG Enterprises, an Antigonish mineral exploration company, began looking for local support to explore for minerals in the  Tobeatic Wilderness Area. An intense letter writing campaign, supported by the Jim Cambell Barren Coalition, against the proposal was begun. DNR responed that “there won’t be any special consideration of those later proposals because they are not pre-1993 licences...” Mineral exploration within the Tobeatic was denied. 

Later in October the TWC met with DNR Minister Ken MacAskill. Concerns expressed by the Committee were:

• The Jim Cambells Barren delisting, and the resulting impact on the Tobeatic.
• Management of the Tobeatic and the lack of legislation
• Boundary issues at Siskech and Sporting Lake Stream, 
• ATV exclusion and the need for buffers
• Shelburne River Heritage plan and its impact on the Tobeatic
• Private inholdings, West River

Wilderness Areas Protection Act Proclaimed:
Wayne Adams became the Minister of the Environment, and on December 9th, introduced Bill No. 17 , the “ Wilderness Areas Protection Act”.

Reaction to Bill 17:
In January, the TWC presented its recommended amendments to Bill  No. 17 to the Minister. In February, the Committee met with Deputy Minister Peter Underwood. The agenda concerned the following:

• ATVs incursions at Whitesands and Sporting Lake Stream 
• Buffers
• Irving/ House/ Siskech watershed exclusion
• Bill #17 and the fear it will not effectivelyconserve the Tobeatic
• Management issues and lack of interim guide lines while waiting for protective legislation

The Minister's response by letter 31 March advised that ATV use was a concern, and that priority would be given to the passage of new legislation. DNR expected to meet with stakeholders to inform the public about management, and to make efforts to
educate the public.

Pollets Cove - Aspy Fault:
In April, individuals in Cape Breton began lobbying to have Pollets Cove - Aspy Fault removed from the 31Protected sites. The situation quickly became hostile. Threats to those involved in protecting these areas were made, and serious damage was done to Cape Breton National Park by vandals.

Need For Legislation:
Later in April, the TWC wrote to Premier Russell MacLellan, pressing him to enact legislation that will protect the Tobeatic, noting that Bill 17 was inadequate and citing the fact that a portion of the Bornish Hills ecological reserve had
been logged, an ATV bridge was built across Sixth Lake Stream,  and an ATV access route to the West River had been developed by the owners of an inholding there. The Committee noted that “the liberal Government  appeared to be incapable of preserving and managing the few wilderness sites in the province”.

In May, the committee issued a press release imploring "the legislature to take action NOW to legally and effectively protect the 31 listed wilderness sites”.

Bridge at Sixth Lake Stream:
In June, the TWC was informed by the Premier that the ATV bridge crossing Sixth Lake Stream would be posted as an unauthorized structure to be  removed. The Bridge was inspected on May 1st and notice requesting its removal was posted May 17.

Introduction of Bill 24:
In early June, Premier Russell MacLellan advised the Committee that the Protected Spaces legislation was still in process. 29 However, in spite of all the promises and reassurances BILL No. 17 did not proceed through the House. A new Legislature began, and on June 29, BILL No 24 was introduced for first reading by Don Downe, Minister of the Enironment, as “An Act to Protect Wilderness Areas in Nova Scotia”

Shelburne Road Proposal:
In July, a proposal was entertained by Shelburne County Council to recreate the Shelburne Road to Annapolis Royal as a possible Millennium Project. The Committee objected to the Council, as it would cut through the very heart of the Tobeatic, and open the area up to further degredation. The initiative fortunately was abandoned.

Kaolin Exploration:
In August, mining exploration on the south side of route 203. KAOLIN, a mineral used in papermaking and pottery, was found
near the boundary of the Tobeatic, within the Shelburne Barrens Ecological Reserve. For additional information on this issue, refer to the Related Issues section on this site.

Integrated Resource Management:
In Sepember, DNR conducts an Integrated Resource Management Public Review at Annapolis Royal. Those attended requested more public input to the management of public Crown land. Many felt that more land needed protection, especially coastal
areas. DNR noted all comments, and assured the meeting that they would be reflected in the final recommendations. The report is scheduled for release by DNR in the spring of 2000.

Inholding at West River:
In September, the TWC contacted Don Downe , Minister of the Environment concerning continued ATV activity, requesting that the Department begin a process to purchase the in-holdings, or trade them for lands outside the Protected Area, as a means to decrease ATV incursion and eliminate a management problem. Mr. Downe responded that “... resources and options required for this course of action are limited... The owners of the West River property have approached the Department of Natural Resources with an offer to trade this property for another piece of Crown ... staff are reviewing this proposal.”

Opposition to Bill 24:
In November, BILL No. 24, “An Act to Protect Wilderness Areas in Nova Scotia” was given Second Reading in the House.
Opposition to the Bill was mountiing from the forestry sector and the PC party. In response to this opposition, the TWC bought space in the Daily News stating the following:

PLEASE KEEP YOUR PROMISE!
Our Crown land belongs to ALL Nova Scotians.

Honour your promise to protect our remaining and fragmented Crown land wilderness areas by passing Bill 24, An Act to Protect Wilderness Areas in Nova Scotia in this coming session of the legislature. Future generations of Nova Scotians and your children will thank you.

December 3, 1998

TORIES TRYING TO GUT WILDERNESS BILL.
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS WOULD ELIMINATE BORDERS OF JIM CAMPBELLS BARREN AND 30 OTHER WILDERNESS SITES

HALIFAX - Conservation, wildlife, and recreation groups from across Nova Scotia are expressing disbelief and extreme disappointment at a last minute attempt by the Progressive Conservative caucus to gut theWilderness Areas Protection Act.  The Act, which has gone through the Law Amendments Committee and now awaits third reading, is supported by the Liberals and the NDP but might require Tory support to pass during the current legislative session.

The Tories are seeking changes in the bill that would make legal protection for the 31 proposed wilderness areas contingent on first producing socio-economic studies and management plans for each area. Their proposed amendments also call for all current boundaries of wilderness areas to be abolished, with new boundaries redrawn after the socio-economic studies and management plans are finished.

Environmental groups say requests for socio-economic studies were rejected by the independent Public Review Committee on Parks and Protected Areas in 1995. "This is exactly what forestry and mining
interests have been pushing for all along. It stalls the process and gives them one last chance to access the wilderness areas through the back door," said Kermit deGooyer of the Ecology Action Centre.

He also said the government shouldn't entertain any talk of canning the present wilderness area borders.  "The current boundaries were made public nearly five years ago after extensive research by parks staff and numerous compromises to accommodate logging and mining.  The Tories have never had a problem with them before.  It's a little late to say they're unacceptable the day before the bill could go to third reading." Raymond Plourde of the Nova Scotia Salmon Association says the Tories
have flipped-flopped.  "It appears that our friends in the Progressive Conservative party have reversed their long-standing support for protecting these wilderness treasures, and are now, at the eleventh hour, seeking to shoot holes in the bill.  Their amendments would cripple the Act, they should be ashamed of themselves."

The proposed Progressive Conservative amendments come one day after all MLAs received a letter endorsed by a coalition of 44 conservation, wildlife, and recreation groups from Tusket to Cheticamp calling on them to pass a strong wilderness bill before the Christmas break.

The Wilderness Areas Protection Act would protect many of Nova Scotia's last wild lands, like Jim Campbells Barren in northern Cape Breton and the Tobeatic in southwestern Nova Scotia, from resource exploitation and industrial uses.  The wilderness areas, which would still be accessible for hunting, fishing, and most forms of recreation, make up only 5% of Nova Scotia's land base and occur only on public lands.

"We still hope the Tories will realise that it's in the public interest to pass a good bill.  The other two parties are behind this, let's make it unanimous," said deGooyer.

Joint Meeting:
In February, the TWC and the Ecology Action Centre have a joint meeting with the Minister of  the Environment, Michel Samson.
Concerns were:

• Native cutting in the Tidney River Protected Area
• The status ofEcological Reserves
• Integrated Resource Management (IRM)
• Tobeatic Additions, Interim Management, and inholdings.

Educational CD Rom:
Among other recommendations, the Public Review Committee called for an educational component to be undertaken by the government to familiarize the public with the value of Protected Areas and the science behind the Plan. 

As this was never acted upon by succeeding governments,  the TWC in May began to develop a teaching module for use in high school environmental study courses, and for general public education on the importance and need for these protected areas, in particular the Tobeatic Wilderness Area under the Parks and Protected Areas Systems Plan. The module will outline the scientific, philosophical, economic arguments for protection of these areas, contain a history of political and public support and opposition to the establishment of these areas, and suggested teaching exercises. 

The module will be published and distributed on CD Rom, and accompanied by associated brochures and printed material. The research and development of the CD was begun in the summer of 1999 by Sarah Townsend, in cooperation with the Centre of Geographic Sciences, Lawrencetown, NS. It is presently in the editing and proofing stage, and will hopefully be released sometime in the spring of 2000.
 

Management Phase:
In May, the TWC ispects a portion of the West River ATV trail to assess further damage. In June, the TWC met with John leDuc and Oliver Maass, who brief the Committee on the holdup of management for the Tobeatic. It was advised that he management phase was caught up in process between the Departments of the Environment and Natural Resources.

In July, the TWC raised concern over the lack of progress in securing the inholding on the West River. The Committee began to communicate directly with DNR for acquisition updates. ATVs accessing other wilderness sites throughout the province was brought to the Government's attention by members of the Coalition .

Change of Government:
The PC party won the election and form a new government. In September, a letter was sent to the new Minister of Natural Resources, Ernest Fage, informing him of past concerns and the Tobeatic file re: Inholdings and ATVs within the Tobeatic.

IRM:
The IRM Public review was scheduled for December, or January 2000. The standard wording in the responses from the Department was “ Balanced Approach”. Concerns were raised by the Coalition over the "imbalanced" representation on the
IRM team, mostly DNR staff , with no NGO representation. It was felt that important decisions were being made on the future of Crown lands by what effectively was an "internal" DNR process.

TIANS Award:
In November, the TWC received an Award of Excellence  from the Tourism Industry Association of NS (TIANS). The “Adventure Tourism & Recreation Award” was presented at the "Academy Awards of Tourism Gala”.

2000

Roseway Lake Property:
In January, a letter from Minister Fage to the Queens County Fish and Game Association was forwarded to the Committee by the Association. In it, Mr. Fage states the following: "...There are several situations where the Crown has been able to acquire inholdings or parcels of land on the perimeter of Wilderness Areas. The parcel you reference is one instance. In due course and in co-operation with the Protected Areas Division of the Department of Environment, this parcel as well as others will be transferred to that Department for the inclusion in the appropriate Wilderness Area." (To date, no action has been taken regarding the promise to inccorporate this parcel into the Tobeatic).

Joint Meeting:
TWC, Minister of Environment, Minister of Natural Resources, Digby, NS

In January, the committee presented to:Minister of Environment, John Chataway, Minister of Natural Resources, Ernest Fage, Queen's MLA, Kerry Morash. Minister of Economic Development, Gordon Balser (absent), on the following topics:

• Tobeatic Wilderness Boundary extention to include (a)Irving, Sisketch, House Lakes watershed and (b) Sporting Lake Stream to Fourth / Fifth Lake flowage.
• All Terrain Vehicles accessing the Tobeatic at (a) West River/Tobeatic Finger, (b) Whitesands Lake, and (c) Southern Region
• Inholdings: (a) General inholdings (approximately 14) and (b) West River,Fifty Acres,Trade for land outside the Tobeatic by West River Sportsmen Trust and Dept of Natural Resources
• Management Plan for the Tobeatic/ government's inability to provide a "Management Plan" process for the Tobeatic.
• IRM, Integrated Resource Management Plan and the rarity of Category 3 areas.
• Ecological Reserves: Status/South West N.S/Shelburne Barrens.

Tobeatic Additions:
The TWC, in cooperation with the Ecology Action Centre and others, identified a number of blocks of Crown land adjacent to the present TWA boundary, that TWC wished to see absorbed (for a variety of reasons) into the Wilderness Area. A Tobeatic Additions section was added to this site, which outlines the locations of the various additions, and details the reasons for their proposed inclusion. This issue has been clouded by the government's ongoing Integrated Resource Management process, which we fear is NewSpeak for "Multiple Use". The additions are:

• Area 1: Eighth Lake, 400 ha
• Area 2: Whitesands Stream, 800 ha
• Area 3: Lake Franklin, 300 ha
• Area 4: Siskech Lake, 3,500 ha
• Area 5: Indian Fields Rd., 600 ha
• Area 6: Napier River, 4,700 ha
• Area 7: Roseway Lake, 80 ha

Management Phase:
The TWC continued to lobby the Ministers of the Environment and Natural Resources to proceed with management planning for the Tobeatic. Evironmnent appointed Leif Helmer to begin this process on the Wilderness Areas in SW Nova Scotia.

In April, TWC met with Leif Helmer and Todd Keith to discuss the management phase of the Tobeatic Wilderness Area, IRM, and the informal Department meetings with stakeholders of Protected Areas, as was being done in Pollets Cove.

Housekeeping:
The TWC began an archival summary of events starting from 1992 to 2000  for the CD and web page. This proved to be a major undertaking, taking many weeks to complete.

Kaolinite Exploration:
In March, an inspection of the Kaolin drill site location along Highway 203 by members of  TREPA revealed that the exploration included a section of land on the north side of the highway, that had been initially excluded from the Tobeatic. It was assumed that DNR omitted this area from the beginning to allow for this exploration and potential mine site, although that information was never passed on to the TWC at the time.

The Committee recognized this activity as an immediate threat to the integrity of the Tobeatic, as much of the known Kaolinite deposite lies within the "Tobeatic Shear Zone", and within the boundary of the Protected Area. The Committee anticipated a move by mining interests to eventually redraw the boundary, and resolved to closely monitor any future activity. For more information on the Kaolin issue, see the Latest News section in this site.

Wood Fibre and Aggregate Sale Policy:
In March, the TWC initiated discussion among Coalition members concerning the Crown's policy of providing wood fibre and aggregate to private companies at below market value. The TWC felt that such practice was indefensible, and reserved too much Crown land for resource extraction. By increasing these rates, The Committee believes DNR can reduce demand for existing Crown land, and enable more of it to be protected.

ATV Access:
The Committee continued to lobby Government throughout the spring and summer to deal with the increasing incursions by new ATV trails into the Tobeatic, and to post signage at major access points.

SHAW Group License Agreement:
The Committee contacted Minister Fage concerning a proposed or existing forestry license agreement between the Province and the Shaw Group, which operates a mill at Cornwallis, NS. TWC was concerned that the agreement would put more public land, specifically areas nominated for protection, under threat, given Crown's difficulty in finding wood volumes to fill past agreements.

IRM Public Review:
TWC Made presentations to the IRM Public Review at Lawrencetown and at Weymouth. At Lawrencetown, there was a consensus that more CROWN land should be Protected. At Weymouth, a local forester surprised the Committee by stating that that only 15% of Crown land was being utilised to fulfill the wood volume agreements to date. When asked for clarification, DNR staffer Robert Muise stated that DNR's inventory was not up to date.

TWC pointed out that if this was indeed the case, there should be no difficulty then in protecting additional lands from the remaining 85%. TWC and Parks division had been led in the past to believe that ALL remaining lands were committed, and that DNR was hard pressed to meet existing commitments, let alone future ones. TWC could only conclude that DNR misrepresented the true state of wood volumes to avoid "losing" more Crown land to protection.

Ecological Reserves:
The TWC continued to push Government to move on the questionable status of Ecological Reserves in Nova Scotia.

A History of Nova Scoti'a Ecological Reserves:

• 1974: Panel of scientists representing the International Biological Programme (IBP) identify 69 sites of outstanding ecological significance in Nova Scotia and urge the Province to "take immediate steps to protect" the sites occurring on Crown lands.
• 1975: The Department of Lands & Forests issues a directive to its staff requesting that "no development work be undertaken in these areas"". Somehow mineral claims and road construction are not covered, even though the Province still claims the sites ""have been protected on an administrative basis"".
• 1980-1999: Only seven ecological reserves are designated under the Nova Scotia''s Special Places Protection Act, passed in 1980. The last was in 1993.
• 1991: Nova Scotia''s Ombudsman warns the provincial government that "there is a distinct possibility that some parts of an irreplaceable natural heritage will be lost forever unless the ecological reserves program is assigned a higher priority."
• 1997: The Province''s ""Action Plan"" on protected areas promises five new ecological reserve designations by the end of 1997, but nothing happens.
• 1998: Province states that at least four new reserves will be created by the end of the 1998/99 fiscal year, but again fails to deliver.
• 1999: Province promises at least four new reserves by Spring 1999, but fails to deliver.
• 2000+: What will happen to candidate ecological reserves that desperately need legal protection, including places like:
  • WENTWORTH LAKE: Century old hardwoods and hemlocks running along a narrow ridge between Wentworth and Little Wentworth Lakes in Digby County, which could be lost in a pending land trade that Natural Resources staff recommended against.
  • SHELBURNE BARRENS: A unique mosaic of fire barrens and regenerating oak forests in the interior of southwestern Nova Scotia, currently being subjected to mineral exploration.

Napier Watershed:
In November, TWC presented to Ken Groves, Exec. Assistant to Ernest Fage, Min. of Nat. Resources on the additions to the Tobeatic. Shortly after this meeting, TWC was informed from local sources that JD Irving would be logging in the Napier watershed, one of the areas proposed for addition to the Tobeatic.

Wilderness Areas Scoping Exercise:
In November, Leif Helmer, Protected Areas Coordinator for the SW Region, began a Scoping Exercise, in which he held a series of meetings with stakeholders to identify issues concerning the management of the Tobeatic and other WAs in SW Nova Scotia, in preparation for the formation of a planned Tobeatic Advisory Group.

UN Biosphere Reserve:
In December, the Committee was informed of progress being made by the South West Nova Biosphere Reserve Association to designate Keji Park and the Tobeatic as a Biosphere Reserve.

The Association was established in January 2000, and incorporated in March 2000. The Reserve's core areas are Kejimkujik National Park and the Tobeatic Wilderness Area. TWC requested an update and the opportunity to participate. Our concern was the impact such a designation might have on the management of, and additions to the Tobeatic.

2001

Nova Scotia Public Wildlands Coalition:
In January, TWC supported the Ecology Action Centre's Endangered Public Wildlands Publicity Campaign, as our concern for all public lands extends beyond our local Tobeatic Wilderness Area. TWC joined others in the Nova Scotia Public Wildlands Coalition. TWC saw the need to present and promote the issue to the public through media, public contact/presentations and other forms of communication.

For more information on Nova Scotia's public lands and the Nova Scotia Public Lands Coalition (including member groups and vision/position statements), please visit www.publicland.ca

The NS Public Lands Coalition Members:
• Annapolis County Environmental Protection Association
• Annapolis Fly Fishing Association
• Birch Cove Lakes Wilderness Society
• Blomidon Naturalists Society
• Canadian Association of Smallmouth Anglers
• Canadian Nature Federation
• Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society - Atlantic Chapter
• Canoe Kayak Nova Scotia
• Cumberland County River Enhancement Association
• Eastern Shore Forest Watch
• Ecology Action Centre
• Enviro-Clare
• Federation of Nova Scotia Naturalists
• Fox Island Wilderness Association
• Friends of Point Pleasant Park
• Halifax Wildlife Association
• Long Lake Provincial Park Association
• Margaree Environmental Association
• Nova Scotia Coastal Water Trail
• Nova Scotia Environmental Network Forests Caucus
• Nova Scotia Federation of Anglers and Hunters
• Nova Scotia Public Interest Research Group
• Nova Scotia Salmon Association
• Pictou County Naturalists
• Sackville Rivers Association
• Sacred Mountain Society
• St. Margaret's Bay Regional Tourism Development Association
• Scott Walking Adventures
• Science and the Management of Protected Areas Association
• Shubenacadie Watershed Environmental Protection Association
• Sierra Club of Canada
• Sierra Club of Canada - Atlantic Canada Chapter
• South Shore Naturalists
• Tobeatic Wilderness Committee
• Tourism Industry Association of Nova Scotia
• Tusket River Environmental Protection Association
• Woodens River Watershed Environmental Organization

Black Bull Resources Inc. White Rock Mine:
In March, Black Bull Resources Inc. applies to the Department of the environment for permission to mine quartz/kaolin and mica at Flintstone Rock, Shelburne County, immediately adjacent to the Tobeatic boundary.

In April, TWC met with Black Bull representatives to discuss the importance of a generous buffer area adjacent to TWA. Test wells are being drilled 40m from the Wilderness boundary. Such a buffer was neither generous nor adequate. Black Bull also stated they would not enter TWA, but TWC was unsuccessful in getting written confirmation of the statement.

On October 26, 2001 Black Bull Resources Inc. submitted an Environmental Assessment Registration Document for the proposed development and operation of the White Rock kaolin, quartz and mica mine near Flintstone Rock, Yarmouth County. TWC responded to the document in a letter to DoE, stating concerns over the following principle issues:

• Drainage of water from wilderness area
• Use of water for mining and/or processing operations and subsequent contamination of the water regime
• Liability for damage, reclamation, and land management
• Omissions and discrepancies in the ERD

Ministers' Meeting:
In April, TWC met in Halifax with Ernest Fage, Minister, DNR; Kevin MacNamara, Deputy Minister, DoEL; John LeDuc, DoEL, Parks Division and support staff. Topics discussed included additions, IRM and wood volume agreements, posting of signage, ATV and enforcement, inholdings, and the management plan. Though a difficult meeting, the progress on signage, inquiry into inholdings and assurance in enforcement was encouraging.

SWARA:
In July, the newly-formed Shelburne Wilderness Access and Recreation Association, in a series of public meetings in the Shelburne area, proposed the use of motor vehicles on existing roadbeds within the Tobeatic Wilderness. TWC responded our opposition to such a short-sighted proposal in letters to the Shelburne Coast Guard, and to Municipal representatives in SW Nova Scotia.

Franklin Block:
In August, TWC was informed by Lewis Lumber of Weymouth that they were cutting and preparing to enter the proposed addition to the Tobeatic known as the Franklin Block. The company had been given permission by field staff of DNR after a joint review had been undertaken by DE&L and DNR staff. The review resulting in permission to access the Crown block. The revised management plan was to be a select cut resulting in roads which would be gated upon completion of the cut versus a clear cut.

After TWC objected, the company stopped their operations and left the sight on their own initiative, to await DNR's instructions. The block is significant to the Tobeatic management, and an additional road would increase illegal motorized access into the Tobeatic. TWC acknowledged and commended the management of JD Irving Mill at Weymouth for their openness in dealing with this issue.

2002

TAG
The Tobeatic Advisory Group met for the first time at Annapolis Royal on March 26, beginning the long-awaited management process. Much time throughout 2002 was spent identifying issues that will need management. Only at the last meeting in November were specific issues begun to be discussed in any detail.

Without consulting TAG, the Government continued to make decisions on important issues affecting the Tobeatic such as signage and buffers (the White Rock mine). That the Minister saw it unnecessary to consult the very board he established only served to undermine the TAG process and point out its irrelevancy when push comes to shove.

The work will continue through 2003, but TWC's opinion on the process so far is that it is proving to be little more than window dressing.

TAG Members include:

• Acadia First nation
• Annapolis Field Naturalists Society
• Bear River First Nation
• Bowater Mersey Paper Company Limited
• Digby East Fish & Game Association
• East Shelburne County Rivers Association
• JD Irving Limited
• Kejimkujik National Park & National Historic Site of Canada
• Municipality of the County of Annapolis
• Municipality of Digby
• Municipality of the District of Argyle
• Municipality of the District of Shelburne
• Municipality of the District of Yarmouth
• Municipality of the Region of Queens
• NS Department of Environment & Labour
• NS Department of Natural Resources
• NS Department of Tourism & Culture
• Nova Scotia Power Inc.
• Queens County Fish & Game Association
• Shelburne County Fish & Game Association
• Shelburne Wilderness Access & Recreation Association
• South Shore Tourism Association
• Southwest Paddlers Association
• Tobeatic Wilderness Committee
• Tusket River Environmental Protection Association
• Western Valley Development Authority

Signage on Wilderness Areas
Throughout 2001, in public meetings, lobbies to MLAs, and in the media, the All Terrain Vehicle Association of Nova Scotia pushed for ATV access into the province's Wilderness Areas. In April 2002, representatives from ATVANS and the Nova Scotia Federation of Anglers and Hunters had a private meeting with David Morse, Minister of DoE.

On April 26, Tony Rodgers, Executive Director of NSA&H circulated a "News Flash" that stated in part that "users may ignore existing signs that restrict usage", referring to the signs already posted on all the province's WAs which simply stated "No Unauthorized Motor Vehicles". He went on to state that "...the signs will be replaced in the future with a more user friendly one that allows greater flexibility in the use of these areas" and to "please tell folks that may have concerns that it is OK to go in".

TWC wrote a public letter to Minister Morse, stating our extreme objections, not only to the decision but to the absence of public process. Mr. Morse advised that signage on all WAs, with the exception of the Tobeatic and Pollett's Cove/Aspy Fault WAs would indeed be replaced as suggested by Mr. Rodgers.

Despite warnings from TWC and others regarding the effect such a decision would have on the integrity of both the WAs and the Tobeatic Advisory Group process, the signs were taken down.

Black Bull Resources Inc. White Rock Mine:
In early 2002, the Environmental Registration Document filed by the company to mine kaolin, quartz and mica was rejected by the Department of the Environment. Objections by DoE staff were many, but the principal concerns were the potential for water drawdown affecting the Tobeatic ecosystem, and the suspension properties of kaolin particles in the water column.

In August, the company filed a second ERD, this time focussing on quartz. The quartz however was to be mined from the same areas of kaolin deposits. DoE allowed only 14 days for NGOs and individuals to review, and despite objections, this time the mine proposal was allowed to go ahead. In TWC's opinion, this represents a 180 degree flip-flop by the Minister, as the concerns expressed by DoE staff in the refusal of the first ERD remain unaddressed.

The huge amounts of water required for the mining process will necessitate a serious water drawdown from the Tobeatic, which is immediately upstream. In fact, the proposal allows for a meager 15 metre (45 foot) buffer between the Tobeatic boundary and the proposed open pit. This flies in the face of accepted science requiring adequate buffers for protected areas.

Further, a miserly small sum of $85,000.00 will be set aside for aquisition of similar lands should mining impacts prove to be irrepairable (by comparison, a minimum $1,000,000.00 is required for liability insurance on the average motor vehicle).