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--Boundary_(ID_vZXpAgsCx4XqL/nPkaBqBA) Content-type: text/plain; charset=WINDOWS-1252; delsp=yes; format=flowed Content-transfer-encoding: quoted-printable Thanks for the tip about Parker Donham's "Contrarian" blog, which I =20 haven't read yet. Two things off the top of my head: would-be =20 tourists on boat or cruise trips may be tempted to try to land on the =20= island and ask for permits to do so, so that the source of tourism =20 interests might be wider than just trips starting in Nova Scotia. =20 Secondly, I am particularly worried about Environment Minister Jim =20 Prentice's remarks about "protection" of life and ecosystems and, on =20 the other hand, saying that a seal cull could be allowed IF =20 NECESSARY!!?? And then he is going to seek counsel on the latter =20 from, of all people, FISHERMEN!!?? The issue of culling seals has =20 also popped up in one of the supposedly "protected" Wilderness Areas =20 of Nova Scotia, namely Scatarie Island W. A.'s Hay Island in Cape =20 Breton, where some "harvesting" of grey seals was allowed first by =20 Mark Parent and then last year by Sterling Belliveau. What kind of =20 "protection" is this?! In the Nova Scotia case, something has to =20 happen to the part of the Wilderness Areas Protection Act that has =20 the ministerial discretion that apparently allows such political and =20 not scientific intrusions. Cheers? from Jim in Wolfville, and I look forward to feedback on my =20 own remarks here. Begin forwarded message: > From: "Paul S. Boyer" <psboyer@eastlink.ca> > Date: January 29, 2010 3:08:51 PM AST > To: naturens@chebucto.ns.ca > Subject: Re: [NatureNS] Sable Island National Park proposal > Reply-To: naturens@chebucto.ns.ca > > I agree with Rob Woods. > > The visitation to Sable Island by eco-tourists could be tightly =20 > controlled, as it is for the Gal=E1pagos Islands. It is easy to set =20= > up a few marked trails, and require that visitors stay on roads, =20 > the few trails, and the beach. The costs alone would prevent mass =20 > visitation. The type of visitor would be largely influenced by =20 > self-selection: probably only serious nature-lovers would make the =20 > trip. It would be best if there were few "improvements": no =20 > casinos, hotels, restaurants, &c. > > Bear in mind that Sable Island shrinks each year, and will not even =20= > be there much longer. There is no great harm in letting a few =20 > visitors on the island each year, and they could help support a =20 > human presence. > > =97 Paul Boyer > > On 29 Jan 2010, at 10:47 AM, Rob Woods wrote: > >> I do not see why Sable Island cannot be a national park but still =20 >> require permits to visit. Nahanni NP requires all overnight =20 >> visitors to register in advance and access is limited. Also even =20 >> Float Plane day visitors are restricted to companies that have a =20 >> registered landing permit. >> >> As for the number of visitors - this is an island 160KM offshore =20 >> Canso across rough seas. Your average tourist is not going to make =20= >> such a trip both because of cost and time to get there and =20 >> especially if facilities are limited. Nahanni does not have =20 >> visitors centre either. While I agree their would be more visitors =20= >> to the Island than today, I think we are only going to attract the =20= >> die hard enviromental tourist who is willing to pay the extra =20 >> costs which could help the island and other nova scotia national =20 >> parks. Access fees can be made financially significant. >> >> I am not saying there isnt a better solution but the National Park =20= >> System has a lot of latitude with access. As a national park there =20= >> also becomes restrictions on ownership, industry, hunting etc. =20 >> Usually more so than other wildlife protect areas. >> >> Rob Woods >> Georgefield NS >> >> From: Fritz McEvoy <fritzmcevoy@hotmail.com> >> To: NS NATURE <naturens@chebucto.ns.ca> >> Sent: Fri, January 29, 2010 10:27:37 AM >> Subject: [NatureNS] Sable Island National Park proposal >> >> Hi All, >> I've been following the discussion of the Feds proposed making =20 >> Sable Island a national park on Parker Donham's "Contrarian" blog =20 >> and wondered why I haven't seen any discussion here on the idea; =20 >> good or bad. >> Most of the feedback I've seen has been that it is a bad idea =20 >> and at first blush I tend to agree. >> The National parks are a wonderful institution but their =20 >> philosophy (at least in the Cape Breton Highlands National =20 >> Park;the one I know best) on protecting wilderness tends to waffle =20= >> between protect everything and keep people out and let in the =20 >> tourists and make parks pay for themselves. Over the last decade =20 >> they have been doing the former by trying to limit park overuse =20 >> and emphasizing more wilderness protection & research. This came =20 >> after decades of a more tourist friendly philosophy that was more =20 >> interested in visitor totals than wilderness protection. Lately =20 >> they have turned to a mixture of the two; protect some parts and =20 >> encourage tourist visitation in others. This is probably the best =20 >> solution as swinging back and forth; at the whim of whatever =20 >> philosophy is in vogue at the moment: makes it impossible to have =20 >> a long term strategy that can have time to work for all parties =20 >> involved. >> The sable Island proposal has a few good things going for it; =20 >> The National Parks have lots of money for research and would allow =20= >> for the installation of infrastructure (permanent air strip, =20 >> research facilities' weather station etc.) and a permanent human =20 >> presence on the island. >> On the other hand they want to allow much more access for =20 >> tourists to visit and there is no protection from the oil & gas =20 >> industries that I can see. >> I don't think the province; who would have to approve this change =20 >> in status; have stated a firm position; although they have not =20 >> ruled it out and seem OK with further discussion. >> For those interested in this proposal I recommend you check out =20 >> Parker's blog as he has much more, and better stated, views =20 >> including links to the actual proposal and a facebook page for =20 >> those opposed to the plan. http://contrarian.ca >> All the best. >> Fritz McEvoy >> Sunrise Valley, CB >> >> >> Windows Live Messenger makes it easier to stay in touch - learn how! >> >> Looking for the perfect gift? Give the gift of Flickr! > --Boundary_(ID_vZXpAgsCx4XqL/nPkaBqBA) Content-type: text/html; charset=WINDOWS-1252 Content-transfer-encoding: quoted-printable <html><body style=3D"word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; = -webkit-line-break: after-white-space; "> Thanks for the tip about Parker Donham's "Contrarian" blog, which I = haven't read yet. Two things off the top of my head: would-be = tourists on boat or cruise trips may be tempted to try to land on the = island and ask for permits to do so, so that the source of tourism = interests might be wider than just trips starting in Nova Scotia. = Secondly, I am particularly worried about Environment Minister Jim = Prentice's remarks about "protection" of life and ecosystems and, on the = other hand, saying that a seal cull could be allowed IF NECESSARY!!?? = And then he is going to seek counsel on the latter from, of all = people, FISHERMEN!!?? The issue of culling seals has also popped = up in one of the supposedly "protected" Wilderness Areas of Nova Scotia, = namely Scatarie Island W. A.'s Hay Island in Cape Breton, where some = "harvesting" of grey seals was allowed first by Mark Parent and then = last year by Sterling Belliveau. What kind of "protection" is = this?! In the Nova Scotia case, something has to happen to the = part of the Wilderness Areas Protection Act that has the ministerial = discretion that apparently allows such political and not scientific = intrusions.<div><br></div><div>Cheers? from Jim in Wolfville, and I look = forward to feedback on my own remarks here.<br><div><br><div>Begin = forwarded message:</div><br = class=3D"Apple-interchange-newline"><blockquote type=3D"cite"><div = style=3D"margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; = margin-left: 0px; "><font face=3D"Helvetica" size=3D"3" color=3D"#000000" = style=3D"font: 12.0px Helvetica; color: #000000"><b>From: = </b></font><font face=3D"Helvetica" size=3D"3" style=3D"font: 12.0px = Helvetica">"Paul S. Boyer" <<a = href=3D"mailto:psboyer@eastlink.ca">psboyer@eastlink.ca</a>></font></di= v><div style=3D"margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; = margin-left: 0px; "><font face=3D"Helvetica" size=3D"3" color=3D"#000000" = style=3D"font: 12.0px Helvetica; color: #000000"><b>Date: = </b></font><font face=3D"Helvetica" size=3D"3" style=3D"font: 12.0px = Helvetica">January 29, 2010 3:08:51 PM AST</font></div><div = style=3D"margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; = margin-left: 0px; "><font face=3D"Helvetica" size=3D"3" color=3D"#000000" = style=3D"font: 12.0px Helvetica; color: #000000"><b>To: </b></font><font = face=3D"Helvetica" size=3D"3" style=3D"font: 12.0px Helvetica"><a = href=3D"mailto:naturens@chebucto.ns.ca">naturens@chebucto.ns.ca</a></font>= </div><div style=3D"margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: = 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><font face=3D"Helvetica" size=3D"3" = color=3D"#000000" style=3D"font: 12.0px Helvetica; color: = #000000"><b>Subject: </b></font><font face=3D"Helvetica" size=3D"3" = style=3D"font: 12.0px Helvetica"><b>Re: [NatureNS] Sable Island National = Park proposal</b></font></div><div style=3D"margin-top: 0px; = margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><font = face=3D"Helvetica" size=3D"3" color=3D"#000000" style=3D"font: 12.0px = Helvetica; color: #000000"><b>Reply-To: </b></font><font = face=3D"Helvetica" size=3D"3" style=3D"font: 12.0px Helvetica"><a = href=3D"mailto:naturens@chebucto.ns.ca">naturens@chebucto.ns.ca</a></font>= </div><div style=3D"margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: = 0px; margin-left: 0px; min-height: 14px; "><br></div> I agree with Rob = Woods.<div><br></div><div>The visitation to Sable Island by eco-tourists = could be tightly controlled, as it is for the Gal=E1pagos Islands. = It is easy to set up a few marked trails, and require that = visitors stay on roads, the few trails, and the beach. The costs = alone would prevent mass visitation. The type of visitor would be = largely influenced by self-selection: probably only serious = nature-lovers would make the trip. It would be best if there were = few "improvements": no casinos, hotels, restaurants, = &c.</div><div><br></div><div>Bear in mind that Sable Island shrinks = each year, and will not even be there much longer. There is no = great harm in letting a few visitors on the island each year, and they = could help support a human presence.</div><div><br></div><div>=97 Paul = Boyer</div><div><br><div><div>On 29 Jan 2010, at 10:47 AM, Rob Woods = wrote:</div><br class=3D"Apple-interchange-newline"><blockquote = type=3D"cite"><span class=3D"Apple-style-span" style=3D"border-collapse: = separate; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Times; font-size: medium; = font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; = letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: = auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; = widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; = -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; = -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: = auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; "><div><div style=3D"margin-top: = 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; = font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: = 12pt; "><div style=3D"margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: = 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">I do not see why Sable Island cannot be a = national park but still require permits to visit. Nahanni NP requires = all overnight visitors to register in advance and access is limited. = Also even Float Plane day visitors are restricted to companies that have = a registered landing permit.</div><div style=3D"margin-top: 0px; = margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; = "> </div><div style=3D"margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; = margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">As for the number of visitors - = this is an island 160KM offshore Canso across rough seas. Your average = tourist is not going to make such a trip both because of cost and time = to get there and especially if facilities are limited. Nahanni does not = have visitors centre either. While I agree their would be more visitors = to the Island than today, I think we are only going to attract the die = hard enviromental tourist who is willing to pay the extra = costs which could help the island and other nova scotia national parks. = Access fees can be made financially significant.</div><div = style=3D"margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; = margin-left: 0px; "> </div><div style=3D"margin-top: 0px; = margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">I am not = saying there isnt a better solution but the National Park System has a = lot of latitude with access. As a national park there also becomes = restrictions on ownership, industry, hunting etc. Usually more so than = other wildlife protect areas.</div><div style=3D"margin-top: 0px; = margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; = "> </div><div style=3D"margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; = margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">Rob Woods</div><div = style=3D"margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; = margin-left: 0px; ">Georgefield NS<br></div><div style=3D"margin-top: = 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-size: = 12pt; font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; = "><br><div style=3D"margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: = 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'times new roman', = 'new york', times, serif; "><font face=3D"Tahoma" size=3D"2"><hr = size=3D"1"><b><span style=3D"font-weight: bold; ">From:</span></b><span = class=3D"Apple-converted-space"> </span>Fritz McEvoy <<a = href=3D"mailto:fritzmcevoy@hotmail.com">fritzmcevoy@hotmail.com</a>><br= ><b><span style=3D"font-weight: bold; ">To:</span></b><span = class=3D"Apple-converted-space"> </span>NS NATURE <<a = href=3D"mailto:naturens@chebucto.ns.ca">naturens@chebucto.ns.ca</a>><br= ><b><span style=3D"font-weight: bold; ">Sent:</span></b><span = class=3D"Apple-converted-space"> </span>Fri, January 29, 2010 = 10:27:37 AM<br><b><span style=3D"font-weight: bold; = ">Subject:</span></b><span = class=3D"Apple-converted-space"> </span>[NatureNS] Sable Island = National Park proposal<br></font><br>Hi All,<br> I've been = following the discussion of the Feds proposed making Sable Island a = national park on Parker Donham's "Contrarian" blog and wondered why I = haven't seen any discussion here on the idea; good or = bad.<br> Most of the feedback I've seen has been that = it is a bad idea and at first blush I tend to agree.<span = class=3D"Apple-converted-space"> </span><br> The = National parks are a wonderful institution but their philosophy (at = least in the Cape Breton Highlands National Park;the one I know = best) on protecting wilderness tends to waffle between protect = everything and keep people out and let in the tourists and make = parks pay for themselves. Over the last decade they have been = doing the former by trying to limit park overuse = and emphasizing more wilderness protection & research. This = came after decades of a more tourist friendly philosophy that was more = interested in visitor totals than wilderness protection. Lately they = have turned to a mixture of the two; protect some parts and encourage = tourist visitation in others. This is probably the best solution as = swinging back and forth; at the whim of whatever philosophy is in vogue = at the moment: makes it impossible to have a long term strategy that can = have time to work for all parties involved.<br> The sable = Island proposal has a few good things going for it; The National Parks = have lots of money for research and would allow for the = installation of infrastructure (permanent air strip, research = facilities' weather station etc.) and a permanent human presence on = the island.<br> On the other hand they want to allow much more = access for tourists to visit and there is no protection from = the oil & gas industries that I can see.<span = class=3D"Apple-converted-space"> </span><br>I don't think the = province; who would have to approve this change in status; have = stated a firm position; although they have not ruled it out and seem OK = with further discussion. <br> For those interested in = this proposal I recommend you check out Parker's blog as he has much = more, and better stated, views including links to the actual proposal = and a facebook page for those opposed to the plan.<span = class=3D"Apple-converted-space"> </span><a = href=3D"http://contrarian.ca/" target=3D"_blank" = rel=3D"nofollow">http://contrarian.ca</a><span = class=3D"Apple-converted-space"> </span><br> All the = best.<br>  = ; = Fritz = McEvoy<br> &nbs= p; = Sunrise Valley, CB <br><br><br><hr>Windows Live = Messenger makes it easier to stay in touch -<span = class=3D"Apple-converted-space"> </span><a = href=3D"http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=3D9706113" target=3D"_blank" = rel=3D"nofollow">learn how!</a></div></div></div><br><hr = size=3D"1">Looking for the perfect gift?<a = href=3D"http://www.flickr.com/gift/"><b><span = class=3D"Apple-converted-space"> </span>Give the gift of = Flickr!</b></a></div></span></blockquote></div><br></div></blockquote></di= v><br></div></body></html>= --Boundary_(ID_vZXpAgsCx4XqL/nPkaBqBA)--
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