Dear Chief [_________________]:
We, the undersigned, are requesting that the Maliseet and Mi’kmaq chiefs not support a proposal to develop a snowmobile hub at Mount Carleton Provincial Park. The snowmobile hub is a decoy for a much bigger issue which is that public officials appear not be adhering to Mount Carleton’s previously established and adopted zoning system and the 2014 Parks Act. In 1980, a zoning plan was developed for the park, defining what could and could not be done based on the level of protection needed for each of the five zones attributed to this park.
The bridge refurbishment work and new snowmobile trail at Moose Brook and Bathurst Lake area are in zones defined as “recreation-utilization”, “historical”, and “natural environment”. These zones have been designated as only being suitable for low-intensity activities like back-country camping and hiking, not snowmobiling. This is because the habitats in these zones are amongst the most ecologically sensitive areas in the park. Areas deemed more resilient to snowmobile traffic were zoned either as development or access zones.
The 1980 Master Plan developed for the park, containing a description of the park’s five zones, provided strict guidance on where snowmobiles could go. Considering that the geography of the park has not changed since the zoning plan for the park was first developed, that is, given that the wetlands, streams, and lakes have not been re-located so as to provide the needed justification for opening this area for snowmobile traffic, the recommendations outlined in that 1980 Master Plan have clearly not been adhered to by the Province. And since there currently is no mechanism in place to determine the feasibility of any proposed developmental project, like the snowmobile hub, the decision was, as in this case, arbitrarily made by the Minister, and in disregard of existing zoning plans for the park.
It is safe to argue that without the bridges, there cannot be a snowmobile hub at Mount Carleton and that conversely, without the snowmobile hub, the snowmobile association has no need for the bridges. So, in approving the bridge restoration work which is what you and the other Chiefs have allegedly done, you have, by default, also approved the snowmobile hub. This is most disappointing.
Since the snowmobile hub is being proposed prior to an approved park management plan, that, too, appears to be in violation of the Parks Act. In 2009, and despite public opposition, the same Government department involved in the snowmobile hub project approved the cutting of old growth cedars in a cedar grove for the installation of a zip-line at Mactaquac Provincial Park. Following that fiasco, and to prevent future destruction of wildlife habitat in provincial parks, the Friends of Mactaquac recommended the development and implementation of park management plans for all of our provincial parks. That was seven years ago. Yet, this Department has failed to become proactive in developing a management plan for any of its parks, including Mount Carleton. During a recent meeting with the Province, on May 13, 2016, the Friends of Mount Carleton were advised that it would likely be 10 years before we see a management plan for any of our parks in New Brunswick. Meanwhile, Nova Scotia has developed thirteen in the past eight years.
In closing, we would urge you to reconsider lending support to any aspect of this project and would recommend instead that you formally request that the Department develop a park management plan before this or any other tourism product may be vetted by the Chiefs and others stakeholders. We believe this to be a better use of everyone’s time and effort. That is, rather than being summoned to the “consultation” table every time someone comes up with a new tourism product for Mount Carleton, a park management plan based on an already established zoning plan and with input from all stakeholders, including Maliseet and Mi’kmaq chiefs, would provide the means with which to make sound decisions on what, where, when, and how things should be done to ensure a proper balance in meeting the four objectives of our parks: 1) conservation and preservation, 2) recreational and outdoor educational activities, 3) educational experience, and 4) quality vacation destination.
Sincerely,
Non-governmental organization A
Non-governmental organization B
Non-governmental organization C
Etc.
Please let Jean Louis Deveau (deveaujl@gmail.com) know by Friday, June 17th if your organization is willing to co-sign this letter.
