CORNER BROOK, N.L. — Ward Samson has spent his life on the Northern Peninsula, and he’s concerned the things people have done there for years — hunting, fishing, cutting wood — will no longer be possible if a proposed environmental protection plan goes ahead.
The Wilderness and Ecological Reserves Advisory Council (WERAC) recently released the plan that identifies 32 areas on the island portion of the province to be classed as protected areas.
“I am not against ecological reserves … but the places that they’re taking in is incredible. There’s way, way too much of this area that’s taken.” — Ward Samson
One of those areas is on the eastern side of the Northern Peninsula and takes in Cloud River, Soufflets River, and Little Cat Arm.
“I am not against ecological reserves … but the places that they’re taking in is incredible,” said Samson from his home in Main Brook.
“There’s way, way too much of this area that’s taken.”
There is already an ecological reserve at Hare Bay and the WERAC plan also calls for an extension of that.
Samson said people can’t cut wood in that area and if the extension and other sites go through the area affected will be larger and he fears it’ll also mean an end to fishing, moose hunting and rabbit catching.
He said it will mean the end to a way of life.
“This is crazy. It should be done on a way smaller scale. I don’t think any of us are against conservation.”
Samson said the people have not been consulted on the plan and he’s not the only one concerned. There are three Facebook groups under the Fight Back against WERAC banner representing the Northern Peninsula, central and west coast of the province where members are expressing their concerns and opinions on the plan.
“We want people to use these areas ... The main thing that we want to control is industrial development.” — Graham Wood
But WERAC chair Graham Wood said the concerns are a bit premature as this is far from a done deal.
“This is a long-term process,” said Wood, who is from Lewisporte, noting it took 25 years just to get the proposal out.
It still has to go through cabinet and the committee is in the process of gathering information from the general public, interest groups, and stakeholders. The deadline to complete a questionnaire, available online at www.engageNL.ca or in printable version by emailing [email protected], has been extended to Oct. 1 due to COVID-19.
Once cabinet recommends moving to the provisional stage, the committee will hold public hearings to find out what concerns people have and what they want to do traditionally.
“We want people to use these areas,” said Wood. “People will still be able to do what they did traditionally. The main thing that we want to control is industrial development.”
Outfitter camps and other businesses within the areas will be maintained, he said.
Wood said these areas are the last true wilderness areas on the island and some have sensitive plants that need to be protected.
“But all of that will be developed through public meetings. Each one of these areas will go through public consultation meetings and everyone will develop a plan in terms of what and what cannot be done in those areas.”
Twitter: @WS_DianeCrocker
