The Department of Environment, Energy and Forestry is inviting public comment on its proposal to revoke the Natural Area and Wildlife Management Area designations from approximately 0.31 hectares (0.77 acres) of public land in St. Chrysostome, and the Wildlife Management Area designation from a further area of approximately 0.8 hectares (2 acres) of public land in that community. This would allow these two parcels to be exchanged for approximately 10 hectares (25 acres) that could be added to the St. Chrysostome Wildlife Management Area.
In 1999, 18.5 hectares (45.7 acres) of public land was designated under the Natural Areas Protection Act. This area, plus an additional 15 hectares (37 acres), became part of the St. Chrysostome Wildlife Management Area the following year. A private landowner has proposed an exchange whereby just over one hectare (2.77 acres) of this public land would be de-designated and traded for 10 hectares (25 acres) nearby.
Environment, Energy and Forestry Minister Jamie Ballem said that the public land includes Eastern White Cedar and its associated habitat in the upper corner of the property. The area proposed for de-designation is former farmland which has since been planted in Black Spruce and Red Pine.
“Removing the designations on this small area of land will allow the proposed land trade to proceed, while still maintaining a significant buffer to protect the cedar forest,” said Minister Ballem.
“We are gaining a much greater area than we are giving up, which will increase the Wildlife Management Area and benefit all those who enjoy our public lands,” the Minister added.
Recent amendments to the Natural Areas Protection Act provide an opportunity for public review and comment before protection is removed from provincially-owned land. The Wildlife Conservation Act also requires public review and comment before land is removed from a Wildlife Management Area. This is the first de-designation proposed under either Act. As part of the review process, a public meeting will be held at the Vanier Community Centre in Wellington on Wednesday, September 27, beginning at 7:30 p.m. Comments may also be provided in writing via e-mail to naturalareas@gov.pe.ca or to the Chair of the Natural Areas Protection Act Technical Advisory Committee, Department of Environment, Energy and Forestry, PO Box 2000, Charlottetown, PEI, C1A 7N8. All comments must be received by October 4.
Copies of the de-designation application and the property map are available from the 4th floor of the Jones Building, 11 Kent Street in Charlottetown, or online at www.gov.pe.ca/go/NAPAconsultations