Section Five

Natural and Cultural Values Management

33 Protecting Natural Land and Resource and Cultural Values Tenures There are 22 parcels (35 lots) of private Introduction property within the boundaries of Naikoon (see Figure 6). BC Parks may purchase Naikoon was designated by the provincial private inholdings when they become government in 1973 to conserve over 100 available for sale. Purchase is dependent, kilometres of beaches and a large area of the however, on the availability of government Queen Charlotte Lowland Ecoregion land acquisition funds and if the purchase comprising sand dunes, bogs, wetlands, and serves the public interest. coastal temperate rainforest. The central There are no means of controlling or limiting principle in managing the 72,641 hectares of development on private lands except through Naikoon is to conserve the natural and Regional District zoning. The Park Act does cultural environment, ecosystems and not allow roads to be built across park land wilderness character while managing for to provide access to these lots. compatible outdoor recreation activities. This section of the management plan builds Most lots are used for residential purposes or on this central principle by outlining are vacant. A private lot within Naikoon’s objectives and management actions to boundaries holds the Tlell Cemetery and a provide general guidance on how resources couple of lots along Road are used and features should be managed and for commercial establishments such as bed identifying priorities for undertaking detailed and breakfasts. management plans. There are three important themes within this section: Timber values have increased substantially over the past few years and certain individual 1. Activities in Naikoon need to be land owners are interested in logging. compatible with objectives to conserve However, in most cases the land is the natural and cultural values; surrounded by Naikoon and the Park Act prohibits road access to the properties. 2. Management will balance the interests of Purchase of these properties is becoming human use in harmony with the interests unlikely because of the high timber values of conservation; and, and so other strategies to acquire property are being investigated. In one case, BC Parks 3. More information on Naikoon’s natural is interested in exchanging a private and cultural values is needed to better inholding with high timber values with land understand and identify priorities for of comparable value outside of Naikoon. management and protection. This strategy is difficult because of the shortage of Crown land and will likely only be viable in rare cases. Other strategies are needed to deal with this on-going issue.

35 See Figure 6 in the Naikoon Map Folio

36 See Figure 7 in the Naikoon Map Folio

37 See Figure 8 in the Naikoon Map Folio

38 There are also part-time residents and other trapline in the Tlell area but has not been private developments in Naikoon that are active and is not under Park Use Permit. BC under a Park Use Permit where the land is Parks has a general policy of acquiring not privately owned but rather leased from traplines if owners wish to sell and funds are the Crown. The Park Use Permits are available to purchase. Aboriginal rights to renewed as long as the terms and conditions trap, as with other traditional activities, are of the permit are adhered to. honoured in Naikoon.

The two Old Masset “Indian Reserves”4 Actions within are both located off the Tow Hill Road. The Hiellen “Reserve” is located at · Attempt to negotiate the purchase of the end of the road and the Yakan Point private inholdings as they are available “Reserve” is just east of Yakan Point. for sale and BC Parks has available Several homes have been built on Yakan funds. Properties are considered for Point. acquisition if they: 1) are planned to be developed for private, commercial or There are two road rights-of-way within industrial uses; 2) have high conservation Naikoon that are maintained by BC values; 3) have high recreation values; Highways. These include portions of the and, 4) the purchase would demonstrate Tow Hill Road and the entire length of efficient use of acquisition funds. Beitush Road. The roads are narrow and the

Tow Hill Road is subject to periodic · Examine areas of Naikoon with low flooding. Debate continues about upgrading conservation and recreation values which the roads versus retaining their picturesque may be considered for removal from character. BC Parks continues to encourage Naikoon for the purpose of land road maintenance and upgrading that has exchanges for inholdings of high minimal effect on the scenic qualities of the conservation and recreation values. roadway.

Angling guide licences are issued annually by Rose Spit and Tow Hill BC Environment and Park Use Permits are also required for licences issued for Naikoon. Ecological Reserves There are currently no Park Use Permits for this commercial activity. There are also no Ecological reserves are areas set aside to guided hunting territories covering Naikoon. protect representative and special natural ecosystems, plant and animal species, BC Parks issues Park Use Permits for features and phenomena. The principal uses trapline tenures that were established before of ecological reserves are for scientific the designation of Naikoon. A section of one research and educational purposes. They are trapline within Naikoon was purchased by not established or developed for recreation BC Parks in September 1993. There is a use. The two ecological reserves were designated under the Ecological Reserve Act and are not considered part of Naikoon as 4 The Haida consider “Indian Reserves” to be administrative boundaries and have not been party to they are legally separate entities. However, it their designation. The reserves do not reflect the is important to consider them in the Haida’s assertions of ownership over . management of Naikoon. Both ecological

39 reserves at Naikoon were designated by the undertaking research, monitoring, and provincial government in 1971 (Figure 9). studies. A higher priority is placed on preparing a plan for the Rose Spit Ecological The Tow Hill Ecological Reserve, situated to Reserve since it is affected by recreational the west of Yakan Point, is 514 hectares. It use more than the Tow Hill reserve. protects a broad expanse of hard sand beach, Ecological reserve management plans will be a wide foreshore, a backshore of dunes and prepared in cooperation with the Haida. In ancient beaches, and low elevation bogs and the interim, prior to these plans being old-growth forests in its interior. The Tow prepared, this management plan provides Hill Road bisects the reserve. general guidance for their management. This management plan and the two ecological The 170 hectare Rose Spit Ecological reserve management plans will be Reserve protects unique plant communities compatible. and rare plants associated with dunes, coastal coniferous forests and bogs. A rare Objectives (blue listed) plant, the sea bluebell (Mertensia maritima) is in the reserve. There · To ensure the ecological reserves are the is also important bird habitat and other best sites and are managed to satisfy the wildlife habitats. A narrow corridor is Ecological Reserve Act. currently identified through the reserve to

allow vehicles to travel between North · To ensure the objectives of this Beach and South Beach. Vehicle traffic is management plan complement the not allowed under the Ecological Reserve protection of the Tow Hill and Rose Spit Act and, therefore, this is an issue. Because ecological reserves. of the importance of vehicle use to the local residents, it has been important to allow access while at the same time protecting the Actions reserve’s important values. For the most part, vehicle users are respectful and they · Evaluate Naikoon to determine if there is stay within the identified corridor. a more appropriate site to represent the same features found within the Tow Hill Both of the Ecological Reserves are Ecological Reserve. The current reserve important Haida sites and will be managed in site is bisected by a road and is affected terms of their cultural values as well as their by recreation use. Another site is an ecological values. An important Haida option since this reserve is representative village site was located at Rose Spit (Naii of habitat found elsewhere in Naikoon. Kun - House Point) until near the end of the last century, by which time epidemics had lead to the abandonment of the village.

Separate detailed management plans are required for the ecological reserves in order to provide specific strategies for protecting their important ecological, historical, and cultural features and values and for

40 See Figure 9 in the Naikoon Map Folio

41 · Remove the historic access corridor from à establishing exclosures to Rose Spit Ecological Reserve, while monitor natural regeneration of ensuring that the corridor remains part of damaged sites. Naikoon Park. Once part of Naikoon Park, designate the historic corridor for Þ Identify and rank strategies for vehicle access. BC Parks will work with dealing with non-intended uses that the local volunteer group (see may be affecting the reserves. Relationship With Local Residents section) and the four-wheel drive club to Þ In cooperation with the Haida, develop strategies to ensure people keep document cultural and historical to the defined route in order to avoid values of the ecological reserves. damaging sensitive habitat and dune vegetation communities. Water · BC Parks will inform the public of the intent of Ecological Reserves and that Naikoon has numerous freshwater and they are not intended for recreational estuarine features and contains the entire use. watersheds of the Cape Ball, Oeanda, and Hiellen rivers. Mayer Lake is also within · Manage important and sensitive sites Naikoon as are a number of small lakes, and with a high degree of interest for thousands of shallow bog pools. The water protection as described in the resources are important components of Vegetation, Wildlife, and Physiography Naikoon’s ecosystems and also enhances sections of this plan. recreation opportunities.

· Prepare, in cooperation with the Haida The low relief of the interior of Naikoon and with involvement of the local means that there is little definition between volunteer group, management plans for watersheds. Some watersheds have been Rose Spit and Tow Hill Ecological altered by introduced beaver and some Reserves. The management plans provide streams which formerly drained east now long-term management strategies to drain to the north. ensure the cultural and ecological integrity of the reserves. The plans will Freshwater waterways such as the Tlell and deal with the following: Skonun Rivers and Drizzle and Otter Creeks Þ Identify research and study flow into Naikoon. This means that activities priorities including: along these waterways that affect water à possible effects introduced quality or quantity can affect water resources species are having on native within Naikoon. species; à establishing sample plots to Over half of Naikoon’s boundary parallels monitor long-term changes in the high tide line, extending 660 feet from dune and upland vegetation; that line into the waters of Dixon Entrance à inventory of vegetation and and . Other interfaces with wildlife; and, marine waters occur at river and stream outlets into the ocean, such as the Tlell

42 River. In these areas estuarine environments canopy climax western hemlock forests make are created. up a relatively small proportion of Naikoon’s area although good examples of the majestic Objective moss and lichen festooned coastal temperate rainforest do occur. Forests dominated by · To maintain the natural quantity and alluvial Sitka spruce occur as ribbons along quality of the water resources and their the major stream channels. associated ecological processes in Naikoon A Vegetation and Biodiversity Assessment report for Naikoon, prepared in 1992, identified significant vegetation features. The Actions report describes the role played by wind and fire disturbances in influencing the natural · If feasible, undertake a study to character of the forests. Certain forest types determine how beaver are affecting seldom develop to old age due to wind waterways and their associated disturbances. Fire, because of the wetness of ecosystems (see Wildlife Management much of the area, has largely been confined Section). to the western hemlock, western redcedar, and Sitka spruce stands in the southern areas · Ensure that sanitary facilities are properly of Naikoon. designed and located. Human history has and continues to affect · Work cooperatively with forest Naikoon’s forests. Clearing, drainage companies, the Haida Forestry Branch, ditches, cleared property lines, and old trails and the Ministry of Forests to minimize from early colonial settlement are still negative effects from logging on water evident. The introduction of plants and plant resources flowing into Naikoon from pests also raises implications for indigenous adjacent areas. fauna. The possibility that vehicles traveling to the Island has or will introduce pest Vegetation species into the terrestrial or marine portions of Naikoon requires specific planning attention. European Millfoil is an example Vegetation contributes to wildlife habitat and from other parts of the province where there also to Naikoon’s visual and recreation are serious impacts of vegetation weed values. Naikoon is entirely within the wet species on indigenous plant communities and hypermaritime subzone of the Coastal recreation opportunities. Western Hemlock Biogeoclimatic Zone and within the Queen Charlotte Lowlands The meadows and clearings in the Tlell area Ecosection. of Naikoon are a direct result of the long history of grazing which occurred until as Much of the interior of Naikoon is a recently as 1988, when changes to the continuous series of raised bogs interspersed highway status ended free ranging of cattle with swamp and bog forest communities. and horses in Tlell. Much of this formerly Along the sandy shoreline there is a grazed area is reverting back to Sitka spruce distinctive forest community affected by salt forests. spray and dominated by Sitka spruce. Closed

43 Objectives lead to epidemic proportions and threaten important resources outside · To manage for current vegetation Naikoon will be controlled using low patterns and habitat for native species impact, site specific methods. A while information is being gathered about management plan (see 3rd action disturbance regimes and effects of statement) will define fire management introduced species. strategies.

· To increase knowledge about disturbance · Allow natural dune processes and regimes, the presence of rare species, vegetation patterns to continue with vegetation communities, and effects of minimal disturbance from recreation use. introduced species. Public education and awareness and local cooperation will be key for this success.

This is particularly important for the · To protect rare, endangered or sensitive dunes within the Rose Spit Ecological plant communities and species as they are Reserve. identified while discouraging the establishment of non-native vegetation. Prepare a vegetation management plan · that will identify specific management · To encourage public appreciation and strategies relying on current vegetation scientific research of dune vegetation, old mapping. As part of the vegetation growth forests, and wetland vegetation. management plan, a fire management

plan will be prepared that will indicate · To maintain a portion of the meadows in specific circumstances and locations for the Tlell area for habitat diversity, which wildfires may be suppressed. The cultural values, and recreation. plan will consider objectives and strategies for conserving vegetation Actions patterns and rare species, natural fire regimes, public safety, forest resources · Control major fire and insect infestations around Naikoon, and the protection of that threaten rare and unique vegetation facilities. The vegetation management communities, commercial forests or plan will identify strategies for protecting developments outside of Naikoon, or rare and sensitive species and will link facilities. As guided by current policy, all into forest ecosystems adjacent to fires will be subject to initial attack either Naikoon. As well, the plan will identify by Ministry of Forests or BC Parks. possible strategies for protecting those Once the likely effects of the fire are features and natural processes that could assessed (based upon such information as be altered by introduced species. The its intensity, the current environmental plan will also deal with controlling conditions, and its likely path and range) introduced broom (Cytisus Scoparius) a decision is made whether or not to along Naikoon’s roadsides, open areas, allow the fire to run its natural course. and where seed sources may spread. The This applies to the Wilderness Recreation control of broom in the Misty Meadows, Zone. Within other zones, all fires will be Tlell area will continue to be a priority. suppressed. Insect infestations that could

44 · Monitor and study dune forest vegetation to determine the effects of grazing and Wildlife recreation use. Methods may include permanent sample plots with regular The Queen Charlotte Islands/Haida Gwaii photographic documentation and are home to ten known naturally occurring sampling and construction of mammals including river otter, black bear, experimental exclosures. Sites within the pine marten, weasel, deer mouse, dusky ecological reserves are a high priority for shrew, and four species of bat. Through this type of study. wildlife surveys in Naikoon are limited it is believed that Naikoon provides habitat

suitable for all ten of the native mammal · Maintain close communication with species. forest operators adjacent to Naikoon in terms of how their operations might Many of the endemic species are distinct affect Naikoon’s forests in the boundary subspecies of the islands. One example, the areas. Haida weasel, is listed as a “vulnerable”

species and little is known of its population · Maintain open meadow patches, as density, habitat requirements or breeding funding is available, in a portion (less biology. than two hectares) of the Misty Meadows area and the Tlell Fall Fair area There are numerous species introduced to in order to maintain habitat diversity as the islands that occur in Naikoon. These well as recreation and cultural values. include black-tailed deer, beaver, raccoon, This “interference” in a forest succession muskrat, red squirrel, rats, and feral dogs, is compatible with the objectives for the cats, and cattle. Virtually all of these campground-day use area covered by the introduced species have affected the natural Intensive Recreation Zone. Most of the ecosystems of Naikoon, perhaps the most Misty Meadows area would be allowed serious being the beaver, raccoon, and the to revert back to forest cover. deer. Beaver are changing the direction and

hydrology of streams with their dams, and · Retain snags for wildlife habitat except affecting spawning grounds and nesting sites for situations within the Intensive along riparian zones. The deer are changing Recreation Zone where there is a serious the composition of the understorey threat to visitors, or Naikoon’s facilities. vegetation by eliminating shrubs and forbs Tree snags may be removed in any area and by browsing on cedar seedlings while of Naikoon for the safety of staff as leaving other species to mature. It is not directed by the Workers Compensation known to what extend the raccoon and Board. squirrel are affecting the bird populations · Communicate to appropriate authorities through nest predation or other activities. of concerns about the potential risks Feral cattle also roam Naikoon and may be associated with introducing species to contributing to changes in natural vegetation the Island and the need for public patterns, particularly along coastal upland awareness and strategic planning to deal areas. with this issue. Naikoon provides important habitat for over 170 species of birds of which 46 species

45 breed within the area. The sand, gravel and boulder beaches, associated driftwood zones · To encourage scientific research of and grassy meadows, dunes rock formations, native wildlife species associated with old river estuaries, bogs, lakes and old-growth growth and wetlands and related to forest in Naikoon invite a diversity of species critical habitat for migratory birds. that is unusual within such a relatively small area. The area plays an important role in · To provide opportunities for viewing and providing habitat for migratory birds and interpretation of wildlife species that will significant nesting sites for Plover and not be negatively affected by such shorebirds and is an important wintering area activities. for Sanderling. Some of these important nesting sites are also attractive for recreation · To provide regulated hunting for and some sites can be affected. Naikoon has specified introduced species. a particularly important conservation role in providing habitat for one of the largest Actions breeding populations of Greater Sandhill Crane and potential for the Marbled Murrelet · Use available vegetation mapping which is designated as a threatened species (completed in 1992) to prepare habitat by the Committee on the Status of suitability and capability mapping5 for: 1) Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC). naturally occurring wildlife species that Naikoon does not directly protect marine are threatened, rare or sensitive; and, 2) mammal habitat except for haul-outs in the introduced species that may affect natural Rose Spit-Naii Kun area for seals and sea processes and populations. This project lions. The off-shore areas outside Naikoon will indicate the types of wildlife habitat do, however, provide feeding areas for that is available, or potentially available, whales. There are just a few locations along but does not indicate the actual presence the shore where rocky outcrops provide of wildlife species. intertidal pool habitat for marine invertebrates. Sand beaches are rich in life forms including worms, isopods, shrimp, · Use the habitat suitability and capability snails, and clams. The Western toad is found mapping information to undertake an within Naikoon. inventory of species. The highest priorities for inventory work are: 1) native species that are most threatened, Objectives rare, or sensitive; and, 2) introduced species that threaten natural ecological · To conserve rare, endangered, sensitive processes or populations. or vulnerable species.

· To conserve natural populations of 5 Habitat suitability mapping identifies the current endemic wildlife species. state of habitat availability to a particular wildlife species. Habitat capability mapping identifies the · To increase knowledge, understanding, type of habitat that could potentially be available to and management capabilities relating to particular wildlife species given the optimum wildlife resources, habitat and effects conditions or the optimum successional stage. Each of these mapping techniques considers physiography, from introduced species and feral cattle. climate, and soil conditions.

46 · Develop a wildlife management plan monitoring of natural features and which describes species-specific processes in Naikoon. BC Parks will management strategies with reference to support the proprietary aspects of the vegetation management plan. The intellectual knowledge at all times and highest priority is to develop beaver will ensure that any institutions management strategies because of their welcomed into Naikoon by BC Parks effect on salmonid habitat. A beaver respect this as well. management project will define experimental strategies and implement · Retain snags for wildlife habitat except them on a trial basis to determine their for situations within the Intensive success. Information from this project Recreation Zone where there is a serious will help define beaver management threat to visitors, or Naikoon’s facilities. strategies. BC Parks will seek support Tree snags may be removed in any area and cooperation for this project from the of Naikoon for safety of staff as directed Haida Fisheries Branch, the Haida by the Workers Compensation Board. Forestry Branch, Federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans and the Fish and Wildlife Branch. Fish and Shellfish

Other priorities to be covered by the wildlife In the freshwater lakes, rivers, and streams management plan include developing of Naikoon, eleven species of fish are known management strategies for raccoons and to occur. As well, there are three salmon deer and providing management species that run within the six major rivers strategies for protecting important, rare within Naikoon. Adult steelhead trout or sensitive habitats identified through migrate into the major rivers from December the habitat suitability and capability to April and Dolly Varden char are evaluation project. widespread in the lakes and streams in Naikoon. The Oeanda, Cape Ball, and Mayer · Ensure important habitat, such as nesting rivers are particularly important for coho sites, are protected through public production. Three species of sculpin and education, regulations and enforcement. sticklebacks are also within Naikoon. Particular attention will be given to the Sport fishing is allowed in Naikoon and, habitat within the Rose Spit Ecological other than restrictions on guiding, there are Reserve. no special restrictions in place. The Tlell River is the most popular fishing area and

peaks during the September runs of coho. · Continue to work with the Fish and The Sangan, Hiellen, Mayer, and Cape Ball Wildlife Branch in managing hunting Rivers are also fished for coho and steelhead. opportunities in Naikoon for specific some fishing occurs for cutthroat trout on introduced species as identified in the Mayer Lake. regulations. Although much of the large razor clam beds · Contact western universities about their occur outside of Naikoon’s boundaries, possible interests for research in some razor clam beds occur in a number of Naikoon. The intent is to encourage Naikoon’s beaches, primarily in the research related to the conservation and northeastern beaches. Clam digging for

47 recreation and sustenance occurs within activity, and; 3) water quality and Naikoon, and commercial clam digging spawning capability. largely occurs outside of Naikoon’s boundaries. Most of the clam digging is done · Prepare a fishery management plan in by Haida citizens. Experienced clam diggers conjunction with the Haida Fisheries have noticed downward trends in clam Branch, Federal Department of Fisheries populations and size although the causes and Oceans and the Provincial Fish and have not been demonstrately established. The Wildlife Branch. The plan will assess clam diggers make associations between the current angling harvest numbers and winter “blow ups” and the downward trends. determine acceptable quotas. The plan will also outline priorities for studies Objectives including the on-going monitoring of clam beds and stream rehabilitation and · To maintain the current natural diversity fisheries enhancement for streams and productivity of fish and shellfish damaged by beaver activity. species in Naikoon. · Monitor and regulate angling in · To maintain natural fish and shellfish conjunction with the Haida Fisheries habitat and, where possible, restore Branch, Federal Department of Fisheries damaged habitat. and Oceans and the Fish and Wildlife Branch to ensure that natural fish · To provide angling opportunities for populations are maintained. visitors to Naikoon without jeopardizing natural fish populations. · Work in cooperation with the Haida Fisheries Branch, Queen Charlotte Islands-Haida Gwaii Freshwater Sport Fishery Advisory Board (S.F.A.B.), the Actions Department of Fisheries and Oceans, and the Fish and Wildlife Branch to deal with · Undertake, with cooperation and support on-going issues relating to angling. from the Haida Fisheries Branch, Department of Fisheries and Oceans and · Work with the Haida Fisheries Branch, the Fish and Wildlife Branch, a fisheries Queen Charlotte Islands-Haida Gwaii assessment for specified rivers in S.F.A.B., the Tlell Watershed Society, Naikoon. This assessment will be used to the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, determine spawning and escapement and the Fish and Wildlife Branch to numbers and this information will be ensure that the current Class 2 used in preparing a fisheries management classification for the Tlell River is plan. It is unrealistic to expect that all maintained. rivers will be assessed. Therefore, rivers will need to be ranked to determine · Maintain freshwater fisheries within the which have fish populations most at risk. Wilderness Recreation Zone with Ranking will consider factors affecting methods other than stocking. Since the fishery, including: 1) effects from salmonid populations may be threatened human fisheries; 2) effects from beaver by beaver activities, habitat enhancement

48 to return habitat to natural conditions Actions and stocking of salmonid species may be considered for any zone within Naikoon. · Provide information in the frontcountry (Intensive Recreation Zone) explaining · Monitor the effects on clam beds caused physiographic processes such as those by vehicle users travelling Naikoon’s relating to formations of dunes and of beaches below the natural tide line. Rose Spit-Naii Kun.

Physiography · Minimize human interference in natural physiographic processes such as dune Naikoon is known for its beaches and sand formation, stabilization and “blow-outs”. dunes. Other physiographic features such as This will be achieved through public the Tow Hill columnar basalt outcrop, education, cooperative efforts with local erosion cliffs along East Beach, and the resident groups, enforcement of Park Act ancient dunes within the interior of Naikoon Regulations, and exclosures if necessary. are interesting physiographic features. Particular attention will be given to the dune formations within the Rose Spit The area in the vicinity of Cape Ball is Ecological Reserve. considered to be the earliest known post- glacial site on ’s coast. Visual Features Scientists are suggesting that the area may have been a post glacial refugia dating as far The natural scenery of Naikoon is important back as 16,000 years. to the visitor’s experience. Views from the Naikoon’s physiography contributes to the beaches, along trails through the old-growth diversity of wildlife habitats and contributes forests, overlooking the bogs, and from atop to scenic qualities. As well, these features are Tow Hill all provide different scenic available for interpretation and education and perspectives. they also enhance recreation activities. Natural views can be affected by both public Objectives facility development within Naikoon, as well as by private property development. Most of · To increase public awareness about the residential developments occur in areas special physiographic features within associated with the Intensive Recreation Naikoon. Zone of Naikoon. In other zones, however, most surveyed lands remain in an · To ensure that educational, interpretative undeveloped state and the natural views are and recreation activities do not largely unaffected. significantly affect physiographic features and are keeping with other conservation The Tow Hill Road provides a scenic objectives for Naikoon. approach to the Tow Hill area of Naikoon. The road is narrow and winds through an old growth forest with moss festooned branches overhanging the roadway. Thus, the road provides people with a unique visual

49 experience. Most of Tow Hill Road is under Objective the Ministry of Highway’s jurisdiction and they have had plans to widen and upgrade · To ensure that recreation, facility the road for safety and maintenance reasons. development, and use is compatible with These plans could affect the unique character outdoor recreation features and in of the road. keeping with conservation objectives for Naikoon’s values and is compatible with Objective Haida values and interests.

· To minimize unnatural changes to the Actions scenery of Naikoon. · Manage recreation use in conjunction Actions with Naikoon’s zoning so that outdoor recreation features and natural resources · Work with the Ministry of Highways to will be minimally affected. ensure that, as roads in Naikoon are maintained or improved, the scenic · Develop strategies to minimize effects character of the roads is retained. from recreation use on sand dunes and beach areas. (See Outdoor Recreation · In conjunction with BC Parks’ priorities Section) for the purchase of inholdings, consideration will be given to how private developments on inholdings could affect the natural scenic values of Cultural and Historical Naikoon. Values Outdoor Recreation Cultural values have numerous aspects and these values may not always be readily Features apparent to Naikoon’s visitors. There may be connections to specific sites where historical Naikoon has a number of natural features events occurred, to artifacts that may still be that provide for a variety of outdoor visible, to events that have occurred and recreation opportunities. Beaches are the continue to influence a community’s life, to primary recreation feature, providing a range influences that the area may have on cultural of opportunities from easily accessible day characteristics, and to the way an area is use family opportunities to extended used. There are important values associated backpacking opportunities for experienced with Naikoon for cultural identities, outdoors people. The old growth forests specifically Haida and Canadian. provide an alternative environment for hiking and nature interpretation. Tow Hill provides Naikoon is steeped in historic and a spectacular view of the northern portion of contemporary cultural values for the Haida. Naikoon including examples of interior They have established village names in wetlands. Naikoon. For this culture that places much importance on generational legacies, Naii

50 Kunn (Rose Spit) and Tow Hill figure importantly in the physical and intellectual · To ensure that historic Haida village sites map of the Haida. Many of the historic and other cultural sites are protected and activities such as harvesting and processing, managed in accordance with Haida that were important in the lives of previous values and interests. generations are still carried out today in Naikoon. In some cases the technology has · To compile and document information of changed somewhat but the experience and Naikoon’s cultural history. knowledge that permits the activity is maintained in full character. · To increase awareness about the human history of Naikoon and to encourage the Naikoon and the management of human dissemination of factual information. activities will affirm the importance of the harmonious relationship with institutions and Actions the Haida citizens. Current and evolving cultural activities are a part of a dynamic and · Assist in the documentation of living culture and this will be reflected in the memorabilia, photographs, and written management of Naikoon. and oral histories on the activities and affects associated with the early colonial Naikoon also has historical values associated period, including the relationship with colonial settlement of the Queen between immigrants, their children and Charlotte Islands-Haida Gwaii. Colonialists the Haida. first attempted to homestead the interior lands of Naikoon at the turn of the century. Remnants of their efforts to subdue the great · Undertake an archaeological assessment wetlands are the abandoned trails, wooden study in conjunction with the Haida to railways, ditches, and fences. Much of the increase knowledge of ancient and evidence of this early settlement is becoming historical village sites. To ensure that overgrown and reclaimed by nature and most location projects do not expose the sites people have not visited these sites, partly to uses inconsistent with the wishes of because the historic trails have not been the Haida. maintained. Local history writers have documented much of the interesting · Important Haida sites will be protected settlement history and recorded the artifacts by designating them as Special Features that remain today. An interesting artifact that Zones (see Zoning Section). is frequently visited by beach walkers is the front portion of the 1928 Pesuta shipwreck · Work to develop strategies for near Tlell. Each year the winter ocean storms addressing the remnants of the colonial claims more of the wreck and soon it will period, especially historic trails. disappear.

Objectives

· To recognize historic and living cultural values as integral parts of Naikoon.

51