I’d like to draw your attention to the provinces protected land announcement today. This is fantastic news; this piece of property designated as a protected literally cuts off the proposed water supply for the current proposed gold mine. Link to the announcement. The description of the area is noted at the end of this blog.
The Parks and Protected Areas Branch of the Nova Scotia Government is seeking public comment on the proposed protected area noted as Archibalds Lake Wilderness Area.
Submit comments by 9 March, 2020 to protectedareas@novascotia.ca.
You can also share comments by mail or phone: Protected Areas and Ecosystems PO Box 442 Halifax, NS B3J 2P8
Archibald Lake is the largest lake in the proposed gold mine area and was one of only two options for the Gold mine to use. The other one is Glenelg lake and that was dismissed due to push back from indigenous groups and locals for obvious reasons. I don’t think we can say this will outright stop the mine but its a blow for sure.
Archibald lake is culturally and ecologically significant to the area. Its outlet flows into the famous Ford Pool area. The Ford Pool is is one location that Babe Ruth frequently fished. Archibald lake is a very popular trout fishing lake and is one my dad guided folks on for years. Personally I have a lot of fond memories on this lake.
Thanks so much everyone this will really help,
Scott Beaver President, SMRA
We cannot afford to lose this protected status opportunity, lets make Babe proud by hitting a home run and drive this protected space home.
Dr. Kevin Spencer’s video compilation of the area on Facebook.
Archibald Lake Wilderness Area (New) Archibald Lake Wilderness Area will protect 684 hectares (ha) of woodlands, lakes and several small wetlands in the watershed of Archibald Brook, an important tributary of the St. Mary’s River. The candidate wilderness area consists of Archibald, McDonald and Rocky lakes (240 ha altogether), along with surrounding provincial lands. At least 300 ha is old hardwood forest on elongated hills (drumlins). The remainder is primarily mature or older hardwood forest on hills and mature softwood forest on flatter terrain. This forest provides important habitat for species that depend on or prefer old forest. The watershed of Archibald Brook provides quality habitat for brook trout and other aquatic species. Nearly the entire site consists of ecosystem elements that are poorly represented in Nova Scotia’s protected areas network, including the well drained hardwood drumlins. It also overlaps with a mainland moose concentration zone delineated by the Department of Lands and Forestry. With the lakes and surrounding hardwood hills, this is a very scenic area. It is used and enjoyed for a variety of outdoor activities, including sport fishing, hunting, camping and camp use. Three campsite leases occur on Archibald Lake. These will be honoured under the Wilderness Areas Protection Act. The proposed boundary avoids forest access roads and trails wherever practical. Depending on interest, the final boundary can be adjusted to accommodate public vehicle access to one or more of the lakes. About 10 ha around Archibald Brook is subject to mineral exploration rights. These rights can be honoured under the Wilderness Areas Protection Act, provided activities do not degrade the wilderness area.
Archibald Lake is also identified in Atlantic Gold’s description for the proposed Cochrane Hill Gold Project: https://ceaa-acee.gc.ca/050/evaluations/proj/80159?culture=en-CA. The company’s proposed use of Archibald Lake cannot be permitted within a wilderness area.