Reality Check
RC-16: The 10 Largest Protected Areas In Manitoba
Public or crown lands are designated by the Manitoba government as protected areas under: Ecological Reserves Act, Wildlife Act (wildlife management areas), Provincial Parks Act, Forest Act, or East Side Traditional Lands Planning and Special Protected Areas Act. The regulatory language confirms protection of the area by prohibiting mining, logging, hydroelectric, oil and gas development (including exploration activities,), as well as other activities that could significantly and adversely affect natural habitat (includes road or transmission corridors, commercial properties,townsites, etc.) Mineral rights are withdrawn, including at the start of interim protection.
The ten largest regulated protected areas in Manitoba, with interim or permanent protection, are listed below; national parks not included. Information based on government data. Most listed below are located above the treeline in Manitoba.
(Acronyms: LUC= Land Use Category; WMA = Wildlife Management Area):
| Name | Size in Hectares | Protected Under | Type of Protection |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sand Lakes Provincial Wilderness Park | 831,000 | Provincial Parks Act | Permanent Protection – LUC Wilderness |
| Asatiwisipe Aki Traditional Use Planning Area | 807,650** | East Side Traditional Lands Planning and Special Protected Areas Act | Land Use Protection & Development Plan ** Survey not yet available. |
| Caribou River Wilderness Park | 764,000 | Provincial Parks Act | Permanent Protection – LUC Wilderness |
| Nueltin Lake Park | 447,190 | Provincial Parks Act | Permanent Protection – LUC Wilderness |
| Atikaki Provincial Wilderness Park | 398,100 | Provincial Parks Act | Permanent Protection – LUC Wilderness |
| Numaykoos Lake Wilderness Park | 360,000 | Provincial Parks Act | Permanent Protection – LUC Wilderness |
| Kaskatamagan WMA | 259,530 | Wildlife Act | Ministerial regulation |
| Amisk Park Reserve | 198,000 | Provincial Parks Act | Interim Protection – LUC Wilderness |
| Colvin Lake Park | 163,070 | Provincial Parks Act | Permanent Protection – LUC Wilderness |
| Kaskatamagan Sipi WMA | 133,820 | Wildlife Act | Ministerial regulation |
- April 2011 Manitoba Wildlands, Protected Areas Audit (1999 - 2010) (PDF)
- Manitoba Government: Department of Conservation, Protected Areas Initiative
- Manitoba Wildlands protected areas Announcements page
- Manitoba Wildlands protected areas Reviews page
2002-2014