Lake Superior National Marine Conservation Area
Lake Superior National Marine Conservation Area | |
---|---|
Nipigon, Ontario, Canada | |
Coordinates | 48°26′6″N 89°13′14″W / 48.43500°N 89.22056°W |
Area | 10,000 km² |
Established | September 1, 2015 |
Governing body | Parks Canada |
Lake Superior National Marine Conservation Area (
Although national marine parks and a reserve had been created previously, and managed as NMCAs, this was the first area in Canada to be designated a "National Marine Conservation Area" as defined by the
The conservation area extends 140 kilometres (87 mi) eastward from
Designation process
Proposals to protect the area were first suggested in the mid-1990s, and formal plans were first announced in 2002.[5]
The marine conservation area was proposed after discussion with provincial and
Parks Canada distributed questionnaires to local residents as a public consultation. 67% of respondents supported the "largest possible designation area," with 13% opposing any NMCA designation, and the remaining supporting some form of NMCA.[8]
In June 2015, the federal government introduced a bill to create the NMCA, which received royal assent on June 24.[2] The law specified that the NMCA would come into force on either the day of approval or on September 1, 2015—whichever came latest. With approval given in June, the park was legally created on September 1.
Ecology
Lake Superior National Marine Conservation Area covers roughly 10,000 km2 (3,861 sq mi) of lakebed, its overlaying freshwater, and associated shoreline on 60 km2 (23 sq mi) of islands and mainland.
The official designation prevents resource extraction or other operations which may damage the aquatic or terrestrial ecosystems in the conservation area.[11] However, per the agreement with the First Nations, it does not exclude all commercial marine activity, such as shipping, and commercial and sport fishing.[12]
National marine conservation areas balance environmental protection with responsible economic activity. They protect key elements of the ecosystem, while preserving the livelihoods of local residents who work in marine industries.
— Stephen Harper, announcing the proposed Lake Superior National Marine Conservation Area[13]
Acquisition of Wilson Islands
In 2009 the Wilson Islands were purchased from private owners. These eight almost untouched islands lie off
The islands include cliffs, both rocky and sandy shorelines, coastal wetlands, and deep forests. Flora include the rare
Relics of human history
Historic shipwrecks lie on the seabed of the Lake Superior National Marine Conservation Area,
See also
- National Marine Conservation Areas
- National Parks of Canada
- List of National Parks of Canada
- Parks Canada
References
- ^ "Protected Planet | Lake Superior National Marine Conservation Area Of Canada". Protected Planet. Retrieved 2020-10-22.
- ^ a b "Lake Superior National Marine Conservation Area Receives Highest Level of Federal Protection". Parks Canada. 24 June 2015. Archived from the original on 28 June 2015. Retrieved 26 June 2015.
- ^ a b Lambert, Steve (26 October 2007). "Harper and key recruit announce marine park". Toronto Star. Retrieved 26 October 2007.
- ^ a b "Canada creates world's biggest water reserve". Agence France-Presse. 25 October 2007. Archived from the original on 5 January 2008. Retrieved 26 October 2007.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ^ a b c d Ditchburn, Jennifer (24 October 2007). "PM expected to unveil marine conservation area". Toronto Star. Retrieved 25 October 2007.
- ^ a b "Harper announces creation of protected marine park". CBC News. 25 October 2007. Archived from the original on 3 March 2008. Retrieved 25 October 2007.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ^ Environment Canada. 6 July 2004. Archived from the originalon 22 July 2005. Retrieved 26 October 2007.
- ^ a b c d e Turk, Linda (June–July 2000). "What's in a Name? Some Believe a New Designation Can Protect the North Shore". Lake Superior Magazine. 22 (3): 38. Archived from the original on 2008-05-10.
- ^ a b "A Superior day for Canada". World Wide Fund for Nature Canada. 25 October 2007. Archived from the original on 30 October 2007. Retrieved 26 October 2007.
- ^ "Lake Superior". Parks Canada. Archived from the original on 5 March 2012. Retrieved 27 October 2007.
- ^ "Ottawa to create protected zone in northern Lake Superior". CBC News. 24 October 2007. Archived from the original on 27 February 2008. Retrieved 25 October 2007.
- ^ "Canada sets largest freshwater conservation area". Reuters. 25 October 2007. Retrieved 26 October 2007.
- CTVglobemedia. 25 October 2007. Archived from the originalon 4 June 2011. Retrieved 26 October 2007.
- ^ "Canada and U.S. Join Forces to Protect Natural Gem". The Nature Conservancy. 28 September 2009. Archived from the original on 26 June 2010.
- ^ Myers, John (26 September 2009). "Lake Superior islands purchased for protection". Duluth News Tribune. p. B-1.
- ^ "Canada to Have Large Marine Area at Lake". Associated Press. 25 October 2007. Archived from the original on November 11, 2007. Retrieved 26 October 2007.
External links
- Lake Superior National Marine Conservation Area at Parks Canada