March 8, 2011
Province Announces Meditation and Sylvia Lakes Added to Protected Areas
– – –Lakes to be Free from Future Development: Blaikie
Meditation and Sylvia lakes in Whiteshell Provincial Park will be managed as natural, protected areas, free from development, Conservation Minister Bill Blaikie announced today.
“These two areas were the focus of public reviews related to the proposed Tim Horton Foundation Youth Leadership Camp,” said Blaikie. “The review process has led to our decision to ensure the Meditation Lake area remains as undeveloped backcountry and the lands adjacent to the camp at Sylvia Lake will not be developed or made accessible for new cottage development.”
Meditation Lake is a gateway to Horseshoe Lake, a popular canoeing area in the Whiteshell. It was the focus of a public review last spring when it was considered a possible site for a Tim Horton Foundation Youth Leadership Camp. A variety of concerns led to an alternate, more suitable location, west of Sylvia Lake, Blaikie said.
"The new policies limit development in both areas,” said Blaikie. “The Meditation and Sylvia lake areas will be managed as natural, undeveloped landscapes for today and for future generations. A land-use category change will be initiated in the near future, adding an additional level of protection to these sites.”
The minister thanked all the Manitobans who provided input into the consideration of the Tim Horton’s proposal. Many valuable suggestions came forward, some of which are being incorporated today into the two new policies for managing Meditation Lake and the land adjacent to the Tim Hortons camp, he said.
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