SUPPORT THE DNR PLAN

[monsterbuck]

As time goes on the struggles for outdoors activities become harder to find . Taking this away and that away but never giving . For some time now their has been a group formed called the Wilderness Management Group. They have been trying to get the Chignecto Sanctuary turned into a "Wildlife Management Area" . They have had numerous meeting but never invite the people that oppse to such acts . For alot of atv and sled users this group has been a thorn in their sides and now they are trying to make a stand against what they are trying to accomplish. This group wants to close most of the trails that have been formed from the surrounding communities and only leave a few that get you from point A to B but let the rest grow up ,,,stop all cutting ,mining and human activity associated with the hunting & fishing. This sounds just like what they done with the Tobiatic,does it not ?

Has BANS had any say in this or do they plan to get involved ? What is their outlook on this ? Have they attended any meeting regarding this Wilderness Group , or thier plans for the Chignecto Sanctuary ?

For people who don't know ,,the "DNR" Plan is a plan which was presented to the "Wilderness Management Area's " Group about the trails located in the Chignecto Sanctuary . Many of the local snowmobilers ,atvers and clubs has got together and made signs which say "SUPPORT THE DNR PLAN " Support your Sanctuary Trails !!!! The DNR plan was proposed by DNR members and was agreed upon and it suited the needs of the Atv'ers and Snowmobilers and at the same time keeping the Sanctuary available for human activities. What the wilderness group is proposing is outragous and beyond comprimisable with the local members and users of the Chignecto. What they are trying to do is make the 88,000acres a wilderness protected area ,,,where they will be minimal traffic along with minimal human activities such as hunting and fishing ,touring ets ......WE cannot alow this to happen folks . So What do you think of this ,,should we just let them have thier way or should we stir the pot and get our voice out there ? I will be attending a meeting on Dec 14 about this matter and what we are plannig to do . If you have any interest and would like to become a member ,please be sure to contact me . I will be sure to keep you up to date on how things unfold . When a public meeting is in the works I will be sure to post it so we can gather as many outdoorsmen and women to gether and voice their opinions on what this wilderness group is trying to accomplish .

Lets have the support we need to make this happen ,,please leave us some imput regarding your thoughts about this . Without a voice we will get no where . !!!! Thanks Jamie


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[ARROW SLINGER]

Their reresentative attended the BANS AGM last year and from the update and support request we and the NSFAH recieved, their only goal is to limit the motorised rubber foot prints in certain areas because of irresponcible users and OHV operators, restrict all mining and forestry operations and they will support existing hunting and fishing activities. Thier plans didn't seem to affect responcible recreational usage. They have open public meetings but apparently no one attends! They are looking to work with established Associations a new aggressive group may do more harm than good.

[monsterbuck]

Well appernatly they have made it sound good .. They had a meemting here not long ago and invited no one !!! why would they want anyone that opposed to anything . Well thats all I neeed to know ,,,was just curious what you had to say ,,,,,,apperantly you do not know the whole story ,did they tell you what trails they were closing ,,which ones they want ot leave open and how much property they arew looking ot nuts completely down and only use by "FOOT " .This just might change your mind ,,but hey us guys in Cumberland that actually live here will get a group together and try and change their minds or some ones minds . And they are not looking to work with local assoc . The DNR plan was allowing them 20,000 acres to have a wildlife management area and they want 60,000 instead . They tell one group one thing then tell another group another . So as of right now ,,you guys are ok with what they have told you ,,am I correct .?

[ARROW SLINGER]

Sounds like you have a few more local issues than those concerns BANS and NSFAH were briefed on.

Here is basically what we got from them:

vp.gov.ns.ca/files/shared/Cumberland_Wilderness.pdf


Keep us up to date Jamie, I'm sure we'll be checking in to see if they have changed thier objectives!

BTW, are you interested in being on the committee as BANS area rep for that area?

Drop me a line - [e-mail]

[ARROW SLINGER]

A bit of background info for those that arent aware of this topic :

16 Nov 09
Making the case for added protection
Cumberland Wilderness unveils proposed wilderness area
DARRELL COLE
The Amherst Daily News


JOGGINS - Cumberland Wilderness has come up with a proposal for the Chignecto Game Sanctuary it feels will offer added protection over a larger area while maintaining access to the trail system for off-highway vehicle users.

"The draft proposal calls for the protection of what we call the 4Cs: core, corridor, coastal and community," society spokesperson, naturalist and author Harry Thurston said Monday during a presentation at the Joggins Fossil Centre. "The game sanctuary provides the core for the proposed new wilderness area. We are also calling for an important wildlife corridor to the north, toward the Chignecto Isthmus and a coastal area to the west, which includes the Bay of Fundy salt marsh at Sand River."

As well, he added, the society is committed to maintaining community connections through the sanctuary by supporting and protecting the major trail systems that already run through the 21,000-hectare property.

Cumberland Wilderness has been advocating for better protection for the Chignecto Game Sanctuary and surrounding Crown lands since the former Conservative government tried to de-list sanctuaries throughout the province in 2004. It contends the sanctuary includes unique landscape types and harbours several endangered and vulnerable species including the mainland moose, wood turtle and inner Bay of Fundy Atlantic salmon.

"The only true way to protect these special lands is under the Wilderness Areas Protection Act which will eliminate industrial uses such as forestry and mining," Thurston said. "It will fulfill the purpose for which the sanctuary was first provided, to safeguard wildlife by protecting their habitat. It will make these lands a true sanctuary, a safe haven for wildlife."

Society member Blake Daley said Cumberland Wilderness supports maintaining access to the sanctuary for off-highway vehicle users through the Joggins-Advocate highway and the Boar's Back Road as well as through the Goodwin Road and Thunder Hill Road.

The society's proposal, he said, supports maintaining 70 per cent of the current groomed trails in the sanctuary, something Daley feels is much higher than most people think.

He suggested the society's proposal is not an end point, but instead should open dialog with trail users, environmentalists, naturalists and government.

"We wanted to come forward with a balanced approach. To do this, there needs to be a wide consultation and we are but one voice," Daley said. "We do not presume to speak for all those groups, but are prepared to propose a specific area that's based on solid and recent science. We believe it is possible to blend the interests of people to do things like hunting, fishing and off-highway vehicle use. All of these interests can be blended into a working wilderness area."

The society's proposal, he said, would bring about added protection for wildlife while maintaining trail links between Maccan, River Hebert, Springhill, Joggins, Parrsboro and Advocate.

In October, the new NDP government announced its intention to establish a large wilderness area within Crown lands in and near the Chignecto Game Sanctuary. First, it plans to hold consultations with business, community and environmental stakeholders.

19 Nov 09
Wilderness area fight could be divisive
Off-highway vehicle users opposed to more restrictions
DARRELL COLE
The Amherst Daily News


JOGGINS - The proposal to create a wilderness area in and around the Chignecto Game Sanctuary is going to be a tough fight.

Moments after hearing Cumberland Wilderness propose a 35,000-hectare wilderness area in Cumberland County, area municipal councillor John Reid said it's not going to be accepted in the community.

"I think it's way too restrictive. People are not going to be happy with the limited amount of trails and they're not going to be happy with having to drive in one way and drive out the same way," Reid said Monday.

Reid is also concerned with the way Cumberland Wilderness released its proposal by having a briefing with invited guests. He feels the communities around the sanctuary should have been consulted and hopes the society does that in the coming weeks and months before going any further.

"I'm not against a wilderness protected area, but what they're trying to do is not going to work. It's too restrictive and it's going to make outlaws out of the people who want to use the sanctuary for travel and have been doing so for years," he said, adding that no one from River Hebert and Joggins was invited nor were officials from Natural Resources or Environment.

George Pugsley, who owns land within the sanctuary, said the plan is not acceptable to him because it restricts how he can access his property and suggests it could be used for hiking trails.

"This plan is not acceptable at all to recreational community or the landowners in the area," he said. "Too many roads have been cut off and some of the better locations to have a trail have been cut off in comparison to some areas that are a little bit wetter."

Pugsley favours a plan brought forward by Natural Resources that would see 4,620 hectares protected within the sanctuary and 3,661 hectares protected outside while leaving the other areas alone.

"I'm sure there is a middle ground. In fact, the snowmobile users and landowners met with Murray Scott and DNR officials last year and approved a plan that keeps all of those better roads kept open and protects the major areas needing protection," Pugsley added. "What they're proposing here is going to shut out too many people."

For the province to get to its plan of protecting 12 per cent of its land mass, he suggested looking elsewhere instead of making one big grab in Cumberland County.

To show their displeasure, a number of off-highway vehicle users posted signs along to roadside between Amherst and Joggins, where Cumberland Wilderness unveiled its propsal. The signs called for all trails in the sanctuary to be left alone and favour a plan brought forward earlier this year by the Natural Resources Department.

Raymond Plourde of the Ecology Action Centre said he favours Cumberland Wilderness' proposal and suggests the DNP plan Pugsley is talking about is obsolete.

"The government's plan on off-highway use says there will be fewer but better trails on Crown lands and many of these spiderwebs of old logging roads and cartpaths that people have used willy nilly across the landscape will be reduced over time," Plourde said. "Regardless of wilderness designation that's going to happen. There's going to be a reduction of these unofficial trails and officially sanctioned trails will come into place that will be better financed and better graded for safety."

Plourde said the DNR plan was never sanctioned by the department or its minister, but instead was brought forward by the area MLA as a solution.

"It's not a plan for a wilderness area, it's a bunch of little blotches to try to avoid having a wilderness area," he said. "It's an end run, not a serious proposal."

[monsterbuck]

I have to tip my hat to John Reid for his words and thoughts as he knows especially how the community feels about the Chignecto and this yahoo group that plans to change things . Now don't get me wrong ,I do agree with the mining and "INTENSIVE LOGGING " but hey ,,it is in the best interest to do some merchable thinings and strip cutting to feed the wildlife they intend to protect . As for the Turtles and Moose ,,well bud they have more work to do then just what they plan to do . I am anxiousto meet with our group on Dec14th to see what action we will take from here .

[monsterbuck]

What happens if this Wildlife management nuts goes through and then all the roads that wash out never get fixed or anything ,,man she will go all to heck in a hand basket and then where do you go from there ? I just don't know what they are thinking . Well I do know that they did find minerals in there that they only can refine in China so they are ready to explore their options further ,thats why Eastrock or Westrock,whatever their name is ,is going in there again ,,well they got 3 years actually to do their exploration . We would not want to see them make a mess out of something that has been watched so closely for many years . All this work to keep it pure would be lost and everything they worked towards would be forgotten . Really sad if you ask me .
Yes I would be more than interested if something is available . We should chat .......

[huntwisely]

BANS was host to Harry Thurston 2 years ago at our AGM. The recent activity of the Cumberland Wilderness group is known. The Federation is up to speed with what is going on and DNR is aware of BANS and the Federation Concerns.

But if anyone wants to have an impact, write letters, not phone calls, not e-mails, actual written letters and send those concerns to:

Murray Scott the local MLA
Your own MLA
The Minister of Environment
John MacDonnell - Miniter of Natural Resources

BANS has Phil Nelson as the point person for issues regarding the Sanctuary. We really would like to have an area rep in the Cumberland/Colchester area.

[monsterbuck]

Here are a few pics fo the signs that have been posted around the community .

[monsterbuck]

Heading to a meeting in Springhill this evening ,will be taking some notes while there . Will keep you updated on how things unfold .

[monsterbuck]

Mon Dec14/09 Meeting

Support of The DNR Plan

A few weeks ago I was invited to attend a meeting in regards to the Cumberland Wilderness Groups plan to make the Chignecto Sanctuary a "Wilderness Protected Area ". Last evening the meeting was held in the CIBC Conference Room in regards to these matters . There were 17 very important guests at this meeting some which included Brian Scabar (Cumberland North MLA) , Murry Scott (Cumberland South MLA) , County Council representatives, Dwayne Cleveland (supporting ATV clubs) , Larry Scopie and members of surrounding snowmobile clubs , Private Landowners such as C.E Harrisons & Sons( Raymond Harrison) , Hoeg Lumber (Jimmy Hoeg) ,David thingyinson, George Pugsley ,Local DNR (Eric Layton)and many more .

This meetings objectives were as follows........

1) determine an approach on how we should go about this task of preventing the closure of the Chinecto Sanctuary roads, that have been managed for 72 years by the DNR was a very hot topic I must add ,

2)"economical impact " how big of an impact this would have on the surrounding communities and small businesses due to the lack of OHV and visitor traffic if the roads were to be "closed ".

3) Fire - What would one do if a fire broke out and there were no roads to try and contain it and if most if not all surrounding private landowners would be susceptible to land loss , as it did back in 1937 when it claimed 90,000 acres from Shulie to Little Forks.

4)Infestation -If we were to contract a bug such as the Asian Black Horned Beetle or the Black headed Bud worm which claimed havoc on Cape Breton Forest back in 2005 due to the lack of access to woodland to control it .

5)Landowners Rights-(land within the Chignecto) - landowners were very concerned that their land would become landlocked and not have available access to their woodlots . Also concerned about fires & land management .

6)Local Sawmills (C.E Harrisons, Hoeg Lumber)- as local owners of wooland within the Chignecto and also local businesses suffering from an economic low right now they too are concerned that land management could possible keep some work on the go for many employees within the surrounding communities.

7)ATV & Snowmobile Clubs- the closure of these "roads" would be like a slap in the face for them right now . After many of meetings ,hard work, planning and organizing they have finally got their "designated trails" where they need to be. As of now they have been successful in managing their trail system in NS . Closure of these roads would consists of no OHV traffic and they would then have to try and find alternate routes around the Chignecto Sanctuary. If this were the case worries of "outrageous permit fees "would most likely reflect in decline or even worse closures of clubs , ATV & Snowmobile dealers in the area . They too are concerned on the "economical impact" this will have on the surrounding communities . With the loss of , fuel and restaurant sales the local small businesses would feel the pressure especially in the "off season" tourist time of year . This revenue in the off season helps them make it through the winter when things are relatively slow .

8)Outdoor Activities (Hunting & Fishing) - I (Jamie Hicks & Larry Scopie ) were interested In explaining how activities such as bow hunting, fishing, hiking, snow shoeing, cross country skiing and bird watching would be affected by such road closures and proposals from the the Cumberland Wilderness Group. We as "Outdoors man" are worried if the closure of the roads will put extreme limits on hunting & fishing in the area not to say locals that utilize the Chignecto Sanctuary for outdoor activities with their children and families will come to a halt . Also concerned that wildlife within the Chignecto will be then forgotten about in such ways as forest clearing and management in which the "mainland moose need to survive. New Growth is a key aspect when it comes to wildlife management , no management will consist of wildlife wintering or herding to other areas of interest . This is what is happening right now in the Chignecto . Moose decline is on the rise due to lack of browse.

DNR ( Eric Layton) - Over 200 kms of "off Highway " roads (varies as roads are opened and abandoned)have been built to near highway standards . These are DNR owned ,operated and maintained ,on behalf of the public. At an average of $10,000/km ,this ,represents $2million in todays dollars. 5 wooden bridges,average cost of $20,000 ,and 2 steel bridges. Replacement value alone of $120,000"each" have been maintained by tax dollars . Average amount spent on road maintenance,about $10,000 .There are over 1000 culverts ,replacement value alone of over $200,000, before installation . DNR are concerned that after 72 years of management they too will have no control and will be forced to move out and leave behind everything they have taken great care of and watch it all go down the tubes , including the money that hard working taxpaying dollars help maintain .

There also were other topics discussed regarding the Cumberland Wilderness Group but these were the most discussed and important do begin the uphill climb in regaining control of what we have had access to and enjoyed so much for the past 70 years , the Chignecto Sanctuary .

I take sole responsibility for anything that I have spoken of and writen in regards to the meeting last evening .

If you have any questions please be sure to contact me as I or someone else will be sure to answer them for you at our earliest convenience. I have also enclosed the map of the "proposed " DNR Plan vs the Cumberland Wilderness Proposal . As you will see there are significant stipulations to their MAP .

Another meeting is held with the municipality on Wed Dec 16/09 when many concerned groups will get to speak in regards to their proposals about the Cumberland Wilderness Group .

This is a map that reflects the DNR PLan (Top Map ) and the Cumberland Wilderness Proposal (Bottom Map ) Please provide imput.

[monsterbuck]

Just this afternoon I recently conducted an online petition in regards to Supporting the DNR Plan .
Please take the time to sign it if you are in favor of leaving the Chignecto Game Sanctuary the way it is and under DNR control . Please click the link below and email it to as many people as possible ,we can use the support . It is never to late so lets get this ball rolling . As a member of the Coalition Group Supporting the DNR Plan for the Chignecto Game Sanctuary , I would like to say thank you for the support and may the people be heard . Thanks Jamie

If you would like to email us please do so at [e-mail]

CLICK THE LINK TO SIGN PETITION

www.petitiononline.com/cody99/petition.html

[huntwisely]

BANS has been in contact with Cumberland Wilderness and the Federation. BANS has retracted their letter of support that was based on the 2008 presentation and has stated that we cannot support the loss of access to family vehicles on the roads that are currently accessible by family vehicles, except for the temporary, seasonal closures mentioned last year. Calling roads trails means sthey are accessible to OHV only.

The Federation is looking at doing the same and some major fact finding is underway. The Federation brought this issue up with the minister of Natural resources.

This is a hot topic and when hard facts are known they will be posted. As well we will be making submissions to the voluntary planning process. We encourage all concerned residents of the area and the province to do so when the opportunity arises. Letters to various ministers would help a lot.

[monsterbuck]

Thanks John sounds like a move in th the right direction .

[huntwisely]

Justa synopsis as I posted on NSH for any late comers

AT the 2008 AGM Harry Thurston presenta a plan that made the crown lands surrounding the sanctuary a wilderness area and the crown land of the sanctuary a wilderness area, BUT tradirional hunting (bowhunting) hikinf, fishing, etc would still be allowwed - no mention of baiting changing, and that the access would remain (within the current sanctuary) the same as it is now, but with some seasonal temporary closures to protect the moose.

BANS and the Federation gave a letter of support for this scenario.

Harry Thurston is now less involved with Cumberland Wilderness / Ecology Action Center. Blake Dagley is now their point man. Now the position is that the Boar's Back Road( a provincial road they can't close anyway) and one other road would remain open. but not the side roads. They also want to list a few roads as trails, limiting their use to snowmobiles and OHV's.

BANS position is we want to protect the sanctuary from mining and whole sale clearcutting (especially with the BIOMASS strategy approved) and most of all protect the moose.

But reduce the number of hunters, hikers, berry pickers, etc and the opportunity for poaching increases. We feel that DNR must keep the roads open for fire protection, and enforcement. This probably the largest old growth Acadian forest in the province. This area has only been legally bowhunted for deer and CW's original proposal protected this. Bowhunting poses no significant risk to the deer population in that area.

This DNR plan is a regional office document. It is not an approved DNR plan as such as dfar as we can find oout. No announcements, or anything official can be found in Halifax or Kentville.

BANS and the Federation is is fact finding mode now, and will be active in the upcoming stakeholder meetings. Expect more on both sites when more facts are known. In the meantime flood the elected officials with a majority with snail mail letters stating that the access should remain open in the sanctuary and not the wilderness area around the sanctuary. Encourage DNR to retain control of the roads for fire suppression and enforcement.