Canadian Nature Federation

Technical Assessment
Manitoba Protected Areas Grade 2001
Canadian Nature Federation Wildlands Campaign

May 18, 2001

The protected areas grade for the Manitoba government is based on four of the World Wildlife Fund Endangered Spaces Campaign criteria. These same criteria were applied to the protected areas grade for Manitoba through the l990's. There are also penalties and bonuses applied to the basic grade criteria.

C 1) Strategy and Action Plan Development to complete protected areas system on an ecological representation basis
While the Action Plan for a Network of Protected Areas is in place, timelines are being missed and interim protection is not being applied to enable protected areas planning on a natural region basis to be completed. The intent to maintain staff resources, technical/mapping services, and deliver on the Action Plan have faltered in the Conservation Department. In particular, the capacity to maintain government and consultation services for ecological design and analysis for new protected areas has eroded.

C 2) Protected Areas System Completion to Date*
Four new small park reserves have been protected. Several wildlife management areas are waiting to be upgraded to protected status. Several islands have also been protected. No new ecological reserves were designated. Grand Island, Kinwow Bay, Sturgeon Bay and Walter Cook Caves park reserves are supported by affected First Nations; Chemawawin, Grand Rapids and Kinonjeoshtegon, combined with industry sector reviews.

D 3) Rate of Progress in Protected Areas Designation
In the past year Manitoba has progressed at one quarter the rate required to complete its protected areas system through its Action Plan. Opportunities in Agro Manitoba have not been acted on, including for a review of community pastures for potential protected lands. In Manitoba, certain large forest natural regions have no permanent protected lands. Decisions for protected lands in these regions are required prior to significant development decisions.

C 4) Protection Standards Maintained or Extended
New park reserves and islands were protected. Protection was not extended to any new category of lands. Examples of new categories of lands to include in the protected areas system include community pastures, defense base lands, and private or conservation organization lands. Pembina Valley Park is waiting designation. Future government and Nature Conservancy partnerships on protected areas are relevant for this criteria.

Bonus:
· The industry led Mining Sector consultation, approved many sites for protection from development in its fourth year.
· Over the last year the Manitoba government and its leaders have confirmed their intention to establish protected areas and complete representation of the province's natural regions.
· New park reserves have been nominated and established with First Nations support.

Penalty:
· Conservation Department avoidance or disregard of its own ecological design and assessment methods has become evident.
· The rate for decisions to establish protected areas and represent natural regions is dropping. This is especially serious in regions where development intentions are prominent.
· Manitoba's forest natural regions require swift decisions for protected lands. Technical review by licensees and government is outstanding. Action on the Lowlands national park to provide interim protection has been waiting for years.
· A firm commitment to renew and maintain staff and technical resources for the Protected Areas Initiative is required.
· The petroleum branch review of areas for potential protection lacks an ecological base and credible third party participation.

* This criteria is triple weighted

Gaile Whelan Enns, Manitoba Wildlands Campaign Coordinator
(204) 947-3400