I am writing to express my…

I am writing to express my support for designating all of the Wabakimi expansion area, Kopka River and Whitesand provincial park lands as 'wilderness-class' park areas. I look forward to spending time in these parks as a canoeist and would like to see their wilderness integrity maintained. In order to maintain the integrity of the wilderness classification it is of utmost importance that all of Wabakimi remain roadless. It is also important that within the park motorized vehicle use is prevented. This includes ATVs, snowmobiles and motorboats and float-planes. Use of motorized vehicles degrades the ecosystem of the park in a number of different ways including: -direct impact from vehicles of erosion, water pollution etc -increased risk for invasive species transportation -noise interference with other users I also would like to see moose hunting in the park ended. Moose hunting promotes high-impact use of the park. It encourages motorized vehicle access, high-power rifle use noise carries for long distances and presents a safety hazard for low-impact park users who are not expecting to be in a hunting zone. I realize that there are existing lodges that have been surrounded by the park expansion. I would suggest that these enterprises be provided with support to transition their core business to be low-impact wilderness experiences. ie hiking, canoeing, fishing etc. Such a transition would allow these enterprises to leverage the fact that they are located in a wilderness park and result in a mutually beneficial relationship with the park, its ecosystem and other users. Correctly managed, it should be possible for these lodges to flourish while confining, reducing and/or eliminating negative impacts and conflicts from their operation.

[Original Comment ID: 156750]