The following letter was sent to The Telegram and The Western Star by Sandra Kelly, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation (Acting)

Discussing public input on the Main River Canadian Heritage River Management Plan

As the Acting Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation (TCR), I would like to make public the results of open houses which were held in Pollard�s Point and Corner Brook last week. The open houses were designed to give the public an opportunity to review and comment on the draft Management Plan for the nomination of the Main River as a Canadian Heritage River. The draft plan is the result of a broad based consultative approach, which included public consultations in 1992 and again in 1995. As well, we have just come through an intensive six-month consultative period with a committee consisting of all stakeholders including the Main River Coalition.

Overall, we are very pleased with the level of public participation in our open houses as students, concerned citizens and representatives from stakeholder groups came out to review the document and have frank and open dialogue with officials from the department. It proved to be a very positive and beneficial exercise.

Comments ranged from full support of the draft plan to concerns regarding the protection of the viewshed, watershed, pine marten, old growth forest and the ecological integrity of Gros Morne National Park. Others commented on the proposed decommissioning of roads, the amount of public consultation regarding the draft management plan and fears that the draft plan would not meet the guidelines of the Canadian Heritage River Board.

Government remains confident that the draft management plan addresses the issues raised by the Main River Environmental Coalition and others. Protection of old growth forest has been addressed in the plan and it is important to note that the Main River watershed contains only 37 per cent of all old growth forest on the Northern Peninsula, leaving 63 per cent from which to choose a substantial old growth reserve. As a part of the Natural Areas System Plan a candidate area will be identified to represent the Northern Peninsula Forest Ecoregion and old growth forest, providing a sufficient representative example of this ecological feature.

With respect to protection of pine marten habitat, the Department of Forest Resources and Agrifoods (FRA) is reviewing the current modified harvesting guidelines in light of more recent scientific information on the impact of harvesting on pine marten and have committed to taking measures to ensure the maintenance of the population of pine marten in the Main River watershed.

We are also committed to protecting the ecological integrity of Gros Morne, and a committee has been formed consisting of representatives from Gros Morne National Park, Corner Brook Pulp and Paper (CBPP) and FRA to identify the ecological integrity concerns of Gros Morne associated with timber harvesting outside of the national park boundary. Solutions will be identified and incorporated in the 2002-2007 forest ecosystem plan for District 16.

The draft management plan also outlines how ecotourism opportunities can continue and be further developed. As well, TCR, FRA and CBPP have started a new dialogue with outfitters to directly address their concerns. Furthermore, the current proposal meets the commitments indicated in the original 1991 nomination document previously accepted by the CHR Board.

In conclusion, I would like to take this opportunity to thank those who have provided comments on the draft management plan, and note that the Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation continues to welcome public comment and input and will do so until December 18, 2000.

Sincerely,

SANDRA KELLY, MHA
Gander
Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation (Acting)

2000 12 12 4:55 p.m.