Sop's Arm -
Minister of Enviromment and Conservation Charlene Johnson announced the establishment of the Main River Waterway Provincial Park Friday.
According to Johnson, by being designated the province's newest park, Main River will be able to remain a tourist destination, while being protected and maintained for future generations.
"It gives me great pleasure to announce the establishment of our province's first waterway provincial park," Johnson said. "Designation of Main River Waterway Provincial Park under the Provincial Parks Act provides the necessary legislative mechanism to protect areas which exhibit exceptional natural and recreational characteristics while, at the same time, accommodating recreational activities and acting as stimulus for economic opportunities."
Located at the base of the great Northern Peninsula, the Main River flows in a southeastern direction for 57-kilometres from the tundra-like barrens of the Long Range Mountains through old growth forests, a unique aquatic system known as the Big Steady, and a 23- kilometre white-water canyon before entering into the Atlantic Ocean, near Sop's Arm.
"The establishment of this park demonstrates government's commitment to conserve biodiversity and protect a valuable watershed," she said. "Main River's outstanding natural and recreational values make it an excellent candidate for this designation."
The area offers opportunities for paddling, angling, snowmobiling, ecotourism ventures and scientific research.
In 2001, Main River was designated the province's first Canadian Heritage River. This National River Conservation program promotes, protects and enhances Canada's river heritage, and ensures Canada's featured rivers are managed in a sustainable manner.
As part of its nomination document to the Canadian Heritage River's board, the provincial government committed to protecting and managing the river in perpetuity.
To accomplish this, government proposed that the river comprise a 152-square kilometre waterway provincial park with an additional 49-square kilometre special management area. Corner Brook Pulp and Paper Limited, Kruger Inc., the major timber holder in the Main River watershed, contributed to the park establishment by donating all timber rights in the park and agreed to carry out only selective harvesting in the adjacent special management area.
"The support of stakeholders such as Corner Brook Pulp and Paper Limited is essential to the successful protection of conservation areas for present and future generations," the minister said. "As such, I recognize them for their donation to this lasting natural legacy."
For his part, MHA for the Humber Valley Darryl Kelly greeted the news of the announcement enthusiastically.
"I am extremely pleased the establishment of our province's first waterway provincial park is being designated in my district," Kelly said. "The Main River area offers immense opportunities because of its spectacular scenery and renowned wilderness adventure waterway."
To assist in managing the river, the provincial government has established a multi-stakeholder committee. Stakeholders include, municipal councils, local groups, development boards, industries, tourism operators, conservation organizations and resource management agencies.
"The management advisory committee partners have anxiously been awaiting this announcement," said Jim Price, chair of the Main River Management Advisory Committee. "Collectively, we have come together to provide advice to government on the development and co-ordination of management approaches for activities in the heritage river. Our future work will entail advising government on how best to manage the area as a park and we are looking forward to this challenge."
For more information on Main River Waterway Provincial Park, please call 709-635-4520 or email parksinfo@gov.nl.ca.
