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Outdoor Nova Scotia: Features ... an In-depth Look at 'The Great Outdoors' in Nova Scotia!
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The Shelburne
River: Nova Scotia First Canadian Heritage River (An Overview) by Helen Hockney, Dept. of Natural Resources, Province of Nova Scotia The Shelburne River was officially designated as Nova
Scotia's first Canadian Heritage River at a plaque unveiling ceremony on Friday,
September 19th, 1997. The Shelburne was identified as one of the seven most highly rated rivers in a 1987 review of forty-five Nova Scotia rivers. In January, 1993, the Canadian Heritage Rivers Board accepted the nomination of the Shelburne River based in its outstanding natural values such as prominent glacial features, old forest sites and wilderness travel values. The river has a high level of natural integrity with few human impacts throughout its watershed. It is one of the most remote wilderness rivers in Nova Scotia and has direct canoe linkages to five major canoe routes and to Kejimkujik National Park. The Shelburne River originates at Buckshot Lake in southern Digby County and flows through the wild and rugged backcountry area known as the Tobeatic, before flowing into Lake Rossignol in northern Queens County. The 53-kilometre river is completely free-flowing and more than 67% of the land bordering the river is provincial crown land, most of which is in the Tobeatic Candidate Protected Area. The lower 33% of the Shelburne
passes through lands which are owned by the The undistributed barrens, semi-barrens, fens and glacial landforms combine to create a river environment of exceptional natural beauty. The Shelburne River also offers a variety of wilderness travel opportunities which include: whitewater, long still waters and lake-hopping. Day trips are possible from Kejimkujik via Peskawa Lake and Pobbleloggitch Stillwater to Beverley Lake and back. Connections can be made to four other river systems (the Sissiboo, Tusket, Roseway and Mersey Rivers) for extended trips. The terrain is rugged with several carries and the lakes can prove difficult to cross in high winds. Consequently, the river is only suitable for experienced canoeists (intermediate whitewater experience) with backcountry travel skills. The management plan for the river, which is prerequisite to designation, was developed by the Department of Natural Resources in close consultation with a management planning committee comprising representatives from: the Department, Parks Canada, and the Bowater Mersey Paper Company Ltd. The management planning process involved public consultation by way of a mail-out of pertinent background information to key stakeholders, followed by two open houses, and the subsequent submission of public comments. Landowners with land abutting the river and/or with direct interest in its management (Bowater Mersey, Nova Scotia Power, Parks Canada and Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources) have signed a declaration of support for and commitment to the management plan. To protect and manage the
Shelburne River for its value as a Canadian Heritage River the management plan proposes
several key actions: formal protection of the Tobeatic Candidate Protected Area; Participation in the Canadian Heritage Rivers Program is seen as an important demonstration of the province's continuing commitment to protecting outstanding natural and wilderness areas in Nova Scotia. For more information on the Shelburne River contact: The Department of Natural Resources, Parks and Recreation Division, RR#1 Belmont, Colchester County, Nova Scotia BOM 1CO; telephone: 902 662 3030.
The Shelburne River: Nova Scotia's First Canadian Heritage River, first published January, 1998. Designed & maintained by Outdoor Nova Scotia, Liverpool, N.S. BOT 1KO. Material protected by copyright. Last revised: January 17, 2004 |
Bowater Mersey Paper Company Ltd. (27%) and
the Nova Scotia Power Corporation (6%). Approximately 5% of the watershed falls within
Kejimkujik National Park.
establishment of a special management corridor by Bowater where the river flows through
company lands; establishment of an agreement with Nova Scotia Power to protect features
and values associated with the lower portion of the river owned by the power corporation;
resource inventories; adoption and implementation of a wilderness recreation management
strategy; preparation and implementation of an interpretative plan; and, the establishment
and implementation of a water quality monitoring system to meet Canadian Heritage River
System requirements.
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