The Nature Conservancy of Canada has established a new 1,600- hectare nature reserve at Beothuk Lake.
The organization made the announcement during an event at Bowring Park in St. John’s yesterday.
The reserve has been established through Teck Resources and the federal government.
It covers both sides of the Exploits River to the southwest of Millertown, and extends west along the south shore of Beothuk Lake.
The protected area includes an Atlantic salmon habitat, boreal forest, wetlands and water resources.
Program director with the NCC, Piers Evans, says the designation means some activities, like camping, woodcutting, and harvesting, will be prohibited, but there are still many ways people can get out and enjoy the area.
(VOCM News)
He says legal fishing and hunting will be allowed, as well as ATV use – so long as people stick to designated trails. He says part of NCC’s mandate is to connect people with nature, not just to protect it.
Millertown mayor Fiona Humber says she is “very excited” about the area, but does acknowledge that residents do have questions about it -and consultation sessions are to come.
She says questions mostly relate to Beothuk culture, and how their everyday activities could be affected. She doesn’t believe there will be any impact on daily activities.
