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the Tobeatic Wilderness Committee and various groups, agencies, and politicians. Correspondence is listed chronologically by DATE. March 8, 1999: TWC to MICHEL SAMPSON, Environment Minister March 1, 1999: TWC to MICHEL SAMPSON, Environment Minister March 25, 1999: TWC to MICHEL SAMPSON, Environment Minister April 15, 1999: MICHEL SAMPSON, Environment Minister to TWC April 26, 1999: TWC to MICHEL SAMPSON, Environment Minister April 28, l999: MICHEL SAMPSON, Environment Minister to TWC June 1, 1999: TWC to MICHEL SAMPSON, Environment Minister July 6, 1999: MICHEL SAMPSON, Environment Minister to TWC September 24, 1999: TWC to ERNIE FAGE, Natural Resources Minister February 22, 1999 TWC to K.C. Irving Sustainable Development Dr. Louis LaPierre
Dear Mr. .LaPierre, The Tobeatic Wilderness Committee (TWC) participated along with many other organizations and individuals in the "NS Parks and Protected Areas Systems Plan" review process. The overwhelming interest and participation of the people of Nova Scotia to protect our natural history was acknowledged by all political parties by legislating "An Act to Protect Wilderness in Nova Scotia" on December 3, 1998. The TWC has been following New Brunswick's progress towards meeting the commitment made by Canada to set aside twelve percent of its land as specified by the UN Convention on Biodiversity. We have observed in the media the mounting opposition to the proposal to designate these wilderness sites, a legacy that would enrich all Canadians. Due to the past and current industrial practices, it is necessary to make decisions that appear to be rather radical to industry's monopoly on Crown land, but not to those who value keeping precious wilderness in tact. Now is the time to expedite adequate tracts of land that are representative of New Brunswick's natural history. If we can be of assistance to you in your pursuit in designating these lands in a review process, please do not hesitate to contact us. Respectfully,
Cc Premier Camille Thériault
March 1, 1999 TWC to MICHEL SAMPSON, Environment Minister The Honourable Michel Samson
Dear Mr. Samson: Once again on behalf of the Tobeatic Wilderness Committee (TWC) and all of our supporters we wish commend your Department and entire staff for your efforts in the passage of Bill 24, An Act to Protect Wilderness in NS. The TWC would like to thank you, for the opportunity of meeting with you, Dale Smith of Parks, and Deputy Minister George Fox; 12 February to present the following concerns:
At present what appears to be the most disruptive activity to the Tobeatic is the ATV and a new amphibian machine on the market, called “an Argo," presently being sold in the area. The sale of these machines is steadily increasing in our area. TWC would like to be informed immediately as to how and when the Department plans to deal with motorized access within the Tobeatic. The TWC's position is as indicated by Bowater at Law Amendments Committee, “NO ATV Access within the Tobeatic”. Please contact our committee if you have any questions or clarifications concerning the Tobeatic. Sincerely,
cc,
March 8, 1999 TWC to MICHEL SAMPSON, Environment Minister The Honourable Michel Samson
Dear Mr. Samson,
The writer believes the Act forbids hunting and fishing, and he goes
on at great length to criticize the Act and environmental groups based
on this mistaken belief. It is distressing the president, Tony Rogers,
would allow this erroneous article to appear in the magazine.
It has been almost a decade since the process to protect portions of Nova Scotia's Natural History began. As time drags on there will be continued actions, as those above, which will only exacerbate the already strained feelings against the Act and will make the management process even more difficult. We once again stress the need to press on with the process, showing the government's sincere effort to accomplish what it and the vast majority of Nova Scotia's want --- the completion of the management phase and the means to implement the Act. Without it the Act will mean nothing. Sincerely,
March 25, 1999 TWC to MICHEL MELANSON, Minister of the Environment The Honourable Michel Samson
Dear Mr. Samson, In April, 1997 DNR Minister, Eleanor Norrie promised five new nature reserves would be designated by the end of 1997. It did not happen. In November, 1998 Environment Minister, Don Downe gave assurance several reserves would be designated by the end of the fiscal year, March 31, 1999. That is a week away, and there is no indication this will take place. No new sights have been designated since 1990 even though there are many identified and waiting. Several are ready and only need an official designation. Why is there such a delay? The leading five candidates, Duncan's Cove, Roman Valley, Quinns Meadow,Spinneys Heath and Quinan Lake wait as time once again slips by. We ask you to move this matter forward quickly giving these sites the designation they deserve. We would appreciate a response as to DoE's plans for these designations Sincerely,
April 15, 1999 MICHEL SAMPSON, Environment Minister to TWC Ms. Alice White
Dear Ms. White: This response to your recent email in which you enquired about the status of the 1997 -- commitment to the designation of five new nature reserves. The Department of Environment remains committed to proceeding with a number of new nature reserve designations, consistent with the intent of the 1997 action plan for the implementation of the Nova Scotia’s Protected Areas Strategy. We are now in a position to move forward with 4 designations in the relatively short term; a land title issue has arisen in reference to a 5th candidate that had been planned for designation, and this matter may take some time to resolve. At this point, the departments of Environment and Natural Resources are working to finalize a variety of details concerning the transfer of . responsibilities for protected areas, including the conclusion of the formal transfer of legislated responsibilities for nature reserves, While it has not proven possible to complete this transfer prior to the March 31st close of the fiscal year as had been hoped, this matter is being actively pursued and is expected to be finalized later this spring. Once the transfer has been completed the designations can proceed. Thank you for advising of your interest in Nova Scotia’s nature reserve program. Yours Sincerely,
April 26, 1999 TWC to MICHEL SAMPSON, Environment Minister The Honourable Michel Samson
Dear Mr. Samson: The Tobeatic Wilderness Committee requests your Department of Environment and the Department of Natural Resources begin the management process of the Tobeatic Wilderness Area. A first important step is to alert the public of entering a protected area by posting, immediately, signage at key access points, which designate the boundary. We also recommend a registration process be implemented for ALL who access the Tobeatic, be it a camp lease, in holding or tenting/hiking as a means to monitor "how and where" those who enter the Tobeatic. At present ATVs continue to freely access the Tobeatic. On April 18th 1999 DNR personnel, Digby depot, gave notice to ATV user accessing the West River. This was after the fact the access point was previously posted, a bridge removed crossing Sixth Lake Stream and the owners informed prior to this notice . The TWC has discovered a second trail crossing the Whitesands Stream to Whitesands Lake. These trails were created well after the moratorium of the Tobeatic and new ones continue to be created. As a means to control motorized access to the Whitesands, and in the future possibly to Moosehead Lake, Sandbeach Lake region of the Tobeatic, TWC recommends, once again, that signage be posted immediately at Sporting Lake Stream as this is the main ATV point of entry. We further recommend the boundary of the Tobeatic be extended immediately to Sporting Lake Stream following Fifth Lake flowage, which would create a natural boundary of the protected area and allow better control of motorized access. All motorized vehicles should NOT be permitted within the Tobeatic Wilderness area. As you can see any further delay of the management process will add to additional destruction of the Tobeatic. Respectfully,
Cc. Premier Russell MacLellan
April 28, l999 MICHEL SAMPSON, Environment Minister to TWC Ms. Alice L. White
Dear Ms. White: This responds to your March 25, 1999 letter on behalf of the Tobeatic Wilderness Committee, in which you advance questions regarding the timetable and procedures for undertaking managemant initiatives within the Tobeatic Wilderness Area. Your March 25th letter crossed in the mail with my reply of the same date to your earlier March 8th letter, which addressed somewhat similar subject matter. As indicated in the earlier reply, staff are working very actively to prepare for the implementation of the new wilderness areas legislation. This work will be accomplished in partnership with the Department of Natural Resources and, as the next step in this process, staff currently are scheduling meetings with regional and local Natural Resources staff to gather input and to seek advice on priority management planning requirements and site protection issues The input and advice of other interested individuals and organizations, such as the Tobeatic Wilderness Committee, will also be welcomed, and I am advised that staff plan to be in contact with your organization as part of this process. In regard to the specific questions raised in your letter, given the formal designation of the area, the management phase for the Tobeatic in now effectively underway, and it will proceed on a consultative basis, in partnership with the Department of Natural Resources and, where feasible, with other partners. More particularly, this process will first of all identify priority requirements in reference to public information, consultation, planning and site protection which, in turn, will provide the basis for identifying specific tasks and for determining the time frames within which they will be addressed. I am aware that the Tobeatic Wilderness Committee is committed to ensuring that the formal designation of the Tobeatic as wilderness results in the effective protection of this area ”on the ground”, and I want to assure you that this is also the intent of the Department of Environment. I am aware that representatives of your organization keep in periodic contact with staff on the Protected Areas Division, and I understand also with staff 8t th8 local office of the Department of Natural Resources, and I encourage you to maintain this practice. Yours sincerely,
June 1, 1999 TWC to MICHEL SAMPSON, Minister of the Environment The Honourable Michel Samson
Dear Mr. Samson: The Tobeatic Wilderness Committee would like to know why the following areas have not been included in the Parks and Protected Areas Systems Plan. We have asked several of your predecessors and have not received an adequate response.
These important areas should be placed under a moratorium immediately until they are included within the Parks Plan. Respectfully,
cc, Kermit de Gooyer, EAC
July 6, 1999 MICHEL SAMPSON, Environment Minister to TWC Department of the Environment
Dear Ms. White This responds to your June1, 1999 letter on behalf of the Tobeatic Wilderness
Committee, regarding concerns about lands bordering the Tobeatic Wilderness
Area between Sporting Lake and Fifth Lake, and in the
These lands consist of a mix of private and Crown land, and include
forest access roads and young forests resulting from a recent history of
harvesting. As such, these areas did not meet the original criteria used
Nevertheless, it is recognized that the Sporting to Fifth Lake and Irving-House-Sisketch
areas are critical to the effective, long-term management of the Tobeatic
Wilderness Area, particularly to ensure quality wilderness travel
I also encourage you to ensure that your interest and concerns regarding particular Crown land areas are understood and recognized by Department of Natural Resources’ Integrated Resource Management (IRM) process. I understand that staff recently met with the Tobeatic Wilderness Committee to discuss implementation of the Wilderness Areas Protection Act and Protected Areas Division priorities. I trust that this meeting was fruitful and appreciate your ongoing interest in the Tobeatic Wilderness Area. Yours Sincerely,
September 24, 1999 TWC to ERNIE FAGE, Minister of Natural Resources The Honourable Ernie Fage, Minister
Dear Mr. Fage, The Tobeatic Wilderness Committee has been working to protect the Tobeatic Wilderness Area since 1992. During that time we became well aware of the necessity for protected areas throughout all of Nova Scotia. This is why we are appealing to you to protect the following areas in the Northern Mainland, by designating them, under your IRM plan, as category 3 areas. Gully Lake/MacIntosh Lake area located near Earltown and all the crown land areas of Eigg Mountain located in Antigonish County near McArras Brook . The two large areas of crown land are located in the Counties of Antigonish, Colchester and Pictou. These counties have very few protected areas within them representing the Northern Mainland of Nova Scotia. These areas are relatively free of clear cutting and contain varied
ecosystems including Hemlock ravines and mature hardwood/mixed forest stands.
The people of Nova Scotia, and especially the people of the three counties
cannot afford to lose these areas, which are examples of our Northern Mainland
forests, to exploitation such as mining and forestry. The preservation
of these is important to the health of the forests, all they contain and
to the enjoyment and well being of the people of Nova Scotia.
Sincerely,
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