Environment and Conservation
August 28, 2009Old Growth Forests
and White-Water Canyon Part of
Province�s Newest Provincial Park
The Honourable Charlene Johnson, Minister of
Environment and Conservation, announced today the
establishment of Main River Waterway Provincial Park
under the Provincial Parks Act.
"It gives me great pleasure to announce the
establishment of our province�s first waterway
provincial park," said Minister Johnson. "Designation of
Main River Waterway Provincial Park under the
Provincial Parks Act provides the necessary
legislative mechanism to protect areas which exhibit
exceptional natural and recreational characteristics
while, at the same time, accommodating recreational
activities and acting as stimulus for economic
opportunities."
Located at the base of the great Northern Peninsula,
the Main River flows in a southeastern direction for 57
kilometres from the tundra-like barrens of the
long-range mountains through old-growth forests, a
unique aquatic system known as the Big Steady, and a 23
kilometre white-water canyon before entering into the
Atlantic Ocean, near the coastal community of Sop�s Arm.
"The establishment of this park demonstrates
government�s commitment to conserve biodiversity and
protect a valuable watershed. Main River�s outstanding
natural and recreational values make it an excellent
candidate for this designation. The area offers
opportunities for paddling, angling, snowmobiling,
ecotourism ventures and scientific research," said
Minister Johnson.
In 2001, Main River was designated Newfoundland and
Labrador�s first Canadian Heritage River. This National
River Conservation program promotes, protects and
enhances Canada�s river heritage, and ensures that
Canada�s featured rivers are managed in a sustainable
manner. As part of its nomination document to the
Canadian Heritage River�s board, the Government of
Newfoundland and Labrador committed to protecting and
managing the river in perpetuity.
To accomplish this, the Provincial Government
proposed that the Canadian Heritage River comprise a 152
square kilometre waterway provincial park with an
additional 49 square kilometre special management area.
Corner Brook Pulp and Paper Limited, Kruger Inc., the
major timber holder in the Main River watershed,
contributed to the park establishment by donating all
timber rights in the park and agreed to carry out only
selective harvesting in the adjacent special management
area.
"The support of stakeholders such as Corner Brook
Pulp and Paper Limited is essential to the successful
protection of conservation areas for present and future
generations. As such, I recognize them for their
donation to this lasting natural legacy," said Minister
Johnson.
"I am extremely pleased that the establishment of our
province�s first Waterway Provincial Park is being
designated in my district," said Darryl Kelly, MHA for
the District of Humber Valley. "The Main River area
offers immense opportunities because of its spectacular
scenery and renowned wilderness adventure waterway."
To assist in managing the Canadian Heritage River,
the Provincial Government has established a
multi-stakeholder committee. Stakeholders include
municipal councils, local groups, development boards,
industries, tourism operators, conservation
organizations and resource management agencies.
"The management advisory committee partners have
anxiously been awaiting this announcement," said Jim
Price, Chair, Main River Management Advisory Committee.
"Collectively, we have come together to provide advice
to government on the development and co-ordination of
management approaches for activities in the heritage
river. Our future work will entail advising government
on how best to manage the area as a park and we are
looking forward to this challenge."
For more information on Main River Waterway
Provincial Park, please call 709-635-4520 or e-mail
parksinfo@gov.nl.ca.
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