In recognition of Earth Day, Honourable Kevin J. MacAdam, Minister of Fisheries and Environment, has announced that two new sites, the Boughton River and the Ellerslie Bog, have been recognized under the Significant Environmental Areas Plan (SEAP). This raises the number of SEAP sites to 101. The Significant Environmental Areas Plan was established to identify and protect both rare and representative Island ecosystems on the basis of educational and biological merits. "The inclusion of these two sites continues the long-term objective of protecting and managing sites that have importance for all Islanders, now and in the future," said Mr. MacAdam.
As well as expanding the number of SEAP sites, the Province has also designated ten parcels of land (including Boughton River and Ellerslie Bog) as Natural Areas under the Natural Areas Protection Act. The Natural Areas Protection Act is designed to protect recognized natural landscapes. Of the ten sites, seven are Crown properties while three are private properties. The Island Nature Trust, owner of the designated parcels at Percival River and Salutation Cove, and the Strathgartney Foundation Inc., owner of the designated site at Strathgartney, have been enthusiastic supporters of the designation process. Management plans have been developed and approved for each of the ten sites by the departments and private landowners involved.
The property at Boughton River was donated to the Province by Newsco Investment in 1995 for conservation purposes. With the Natural Areas' designation, the original intent of the donation has been fulfilled and the shoreline will be left in a natural state. The Ellerslie Bog has significant value as a representative segment of the Island's rich natural heritage.
Prince Edward Island has a commitment to protect 7 percent of the Island's land base by the year 2000. The 789 acres added by the designation of ten new properties increases the total area designated under the Natural Areas Protection Act to 13,718.3 acres. "We continue to make progress with our objective and are already one-third of the way to our seven percent goal," noted Mr. MacAdam.
Mr. MacAdam also noted the recent purchase of 89 acres of land adjacent to the Southampton Wildlife Management Areas as another example of the Province's commitment to protected areas on Prince Edward Island. These lands will be officially incorporated into the Wildlife Management Area through regulations of the Fish and Game Protection Act.