| Fate of Six Manitoba Park Reserves Undecided | 12 December 06 |
 Interim protection for six Manitoba park reserves expires December 14, 2006 and Manitoba Conservation has yet to announce action so all six will remain protected.Goose Islands (15 ha), Grand Island (940 ha), Kinwow Bay (8,400 ha), Pelican Islands, (130 ha), Pemmican Island (22 ha) and Sturgeon Bay (14,490 ha) Park Reserves were placed under interim protection for five years in December 2001 (Regulation 183/2001). The purpose of interim protection of a Park Reserve is to conserve an area's natural, cultural and recreational values while public views are identified in a public consultation process. These six park reserves have no review process during the last five years. Review started only in advance of this impending deadline on the regulation that protects them. In its October 2006 consultation document, Manitoba Conservation indicated that additional time is needed to identify and review Kinonjeoshtegon First Nation community ideas for the Kinwow Bay, Pelican Islands and Sturgeon Bay Park Reserves and to discuss the Goose Islands Park Reserve with Pine Creek First Nation. The department proposes that interim protection for these four Park Reserves be extended. Kinwow and Sturgeon Bay park reserves are a fraction of the original intended protected area. Manitoba Conservation also suggested that Park Reserve status for Pemmican Island site not be renewed because Parks Canada has determined the ability of the site to support colonial nesting birds is limited. Pemmican Island was initially identified for inclusion in the Lowlands national park proposal. Manitoba Conservation has received a request for protected Park Reserve status for Cormorant Islands, a documented colonial nesting bird site. The department is suggesting the 170 hectare Cormorant Islands site be added to a renewed protected Grand Island Park Reserve - and that a permanent provincial designation for this combined site continue to be pursued with Chemawawin First Nation. Grand Island was nominated by Chemawawin First Nation initially, and could already be permanently protected. View Manitoba Conservation's consultation document regarding the six park reserves (PDF) View map showing the location of each park reserve (PDF) View Manitoba Wildlands' 2006 protected areas audit (PDF) Sources: Manitoba Conservation
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