What's Left To Do
Wilderness Area Designation
Although the provincial government has clearly announced its intentions to designate 1,350 hectares of public land at Blue Mountain – Birch Cove Lakes as a legally-protected wilderness area, there are still a few things that must be done before this designation becomes official. This includes the Province carrying out a socio-economic study, providing a 60-day period for public consultation, and ultimately passing an Order-in-Council that will lead to the legal designation of these public lands.
We are confident that this process will occur without delay, and will lead to a timely designation of Blue Mountain – Birch Cove Lakes as a wilderness area as promised by the Provincial government in October 2007. Too many people have waited too long for this designation to be delayed any further. Public consultations and the socio-economic study are set to begin in the Spring of 2008.
For up-to-date information on public consultations, please refer to the Department of Environment website for protected areas.
Wilderness area public consultations
Regional Park Designation
Through the Regional Municipal Planning Strategy and a 25-year Regional Plan approved by Council, the City has declared its clear intentions to establish a regional park in the Blue Mountain – Birch Cove Lakes area. This includes acquiring lands adjacent to the soon-to-be-designated Blue Mountain – Birch Cove Lakes Wilderness Area, to protect key areas of the canoe loop in the backcountry, and popular recreational areas on Susies and Quarry Lakes. The City must begin the process of acquiring these lands and establishing the Regional Park as soon as possible.
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