Management Plan Mcnabs and Lawlor Islands
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NovaNova ScotiaScotia ProvincialProvincial ParksParks Management Plan McNabs and Lawlor Islands Executive Summary Background Habitats: Interpretive Resources Regional Context Legislative & Policy Framework Park Management Plan Managing for Ecological Inregrity Park Development Concept Plan Area Concept Plan( RDZ) Conclusion Appendicies Information Series Pks 2005- 1 August 2005 PARK MANAGEMENT PLAN MCNABS AND LAWLOR ISLANDS PROVINCIAL PARK HALIFAX HARBOUR, NOVA SCOTIA Information Series PKS 2005-1 Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources August, 2005 © Crown Copyright. Province of Nova Scotia, 2005 MINISTER’S MESSAGE The Province of Nova Scotia is committed to protecting important elements of its natural environment and cultural heritage. As Minister of Natural Resources, I am responsible for ensuring that our provincial parks, and the heritage values they contain, are managed in perpetuity for the benefit of present and future generations. In this context, I am proud to present the McNabs and Lawlor Islands Provincial Park Management Plan. Moulded by glaciers, reshaped by unrelenting coastal processes, and with a human presence dating at least 1,500 years before present, McNabs and Lawlor Islands Provincial Park contains provincially and regionally significant natural and cultural heritage values and provides important recreational opportunities. Situated in the heart of Nova Scotia’s largest metropolitan area, these islands also provide important opportunities for outdoor education and have the potential to contribute significantly to the quality of life of residents within the Halifax-Dartmouth metropolitan area as well as other Nova Scotians and out-of-province visitors. The Province began to assemble the land base for McNabs and Lawlor Islands Provincial Park in the 1970s in response to residents’ concerns about the need to protect these outstanding islands from inappropriate development and use. The Provincial Parks Act and this park management plan will help to ensure that the islands’ heritage values will be protected so residents and visitors alike may continue to enjoy their intrinsic values. Managing this important provincial park is a challenge requiring the support and active participation of many groups and individuals. I am therefore pleased to formally approve this management plan for McNabs and Lawlor Islands Provincial Park S a plan to guide the actions of the Province of Nova Scotia and a plan that identifies ways in which we can work individually and collectively to protect this important part of Nova Scotia for current and future generations. The Honourable Richard Hurlburt Minister Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources August, 2005 TABLE OF CONTENTS TABLE OF CONTENTS ...................................................... i ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ......................................................1 1.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ..................................................3 2.0 BACKGROUND ..........................................................5 Historic Land Uses .........................................................7 Contemporary Land Uses ...................................................9 Regional Relationships ....................................................10 Park User Groups ........................................................11 3.0 VISION .................................................................11 Vision ...................................................................11 Purpose .................................................................12 Significance ..............................................................12 4.0 PARK VALUES ..........................................................13 Island Setting ............................................................13 Natural Heritage .........................................................13 Geology and Soils ................................................13 Flora ..........................................................14 Fauna ..........................................................17 Marine Environment ......................................................18 Climate .................................................................18 Cultural Heritage .........................................................19 Outdoor Recreation and Aesthetics ..........................................19 Interpretive Opportunities .................................................20 5.0 LEGISLATIVE AND POLICY FRAMEWORK ...............................21 Provincial Parks Act ......................................................22 Provincial Parks Policy ....................................................22 Other Park Policies, Procedures and Guidelines ...............................23 Federal - Provincial Land Use Strategy .......................................23 Municipal Land Use Policy and Zoning .......................................24 Fort McNab National Historic Site of Canada .................................25 6.0 PARK MANAGEMENT PLAN .............................................25 Park Objectives ..........................................................26 Protection ......................................................26 Outdoor Recreation ..............................................26 Heritage Appreciation ............................................26 Tourism ........................................................26 i Facilities and Services ............................................27 Park Classification ........................................................27 Park Zoning .............................................................28 Environmental Protection Zones ...................................28 Resource Conservation Zones ......................................29 Recreational Development Zones ...................................30 Managing for Ecological Integrity ...........................................32 Park Development ........................................................32 Public Access ...................................................33 Accessibility ....................................................34 Travel on the Islands .............................................36 Visitor Services ..................................................36 Camping .......................................................39 Information and Promotion .......................................39 Interpretation and Outdoor Education ..............................40 Special Management Strategies .............................................41 Cultural Heritage ................................................42 Natural Heritage ................................................46 Managing Visitor Impacts .........................................50 Park Operations .................................................51 Park Boundary ..................................................52 Public Safety Issues .......................................................53 Emergency Response .............................................53 Fortifications and Other Military Facilities ..........................53 Old Foundations and Abandoned Wells .............................53 Fire Suppression ................................................54 Eroding Cliffs ...................................................54 Visitor Activities .................................................54 Special Events ...................................................54 7.0 PARTNERSHIPS .........................................................54 8.0 IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY .........................................55 Implementation - Phase I ..................................................56 Implementation - Phase II ..................................................57 Implementation - Phase III .................................................57 Implementation - Phase IV .................................................58 9.0 PLAN REVIEW ..........................................................58 SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY ................................................59 FIGURES ..................................................................61 Figure 1 Regional Location Map ...........................................62 ii Figure 2 Property Ownership .............................................63 Figure 3 Park Zoning ....................................................64 Figure 4 Development Concept ............................................65 iii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The McNabs and Lawlor Islands Provincial Park Management Plan establishes a vision and long- range direction for McNabs and Lawlor Islands Provincial Park which will help ensure that the islands’ outstanding natural and cultural heritage values, and the outdoor recreational and educational opportunities they support, will be enjoyed by present and future generations. This plan is the result of the combined efforts of many people. These include members of the McNabs and Lawlor Islands Provincial Park Advisory Committee, Department of Natural Resources staff, members of community-based organizations, and local residents. For their commitment, dedication, and foresight, we are deeply indebted. The following individuals and groups warrant special recognition for their contributions to the development of this plan: • members of the McNabs and Lawlor Islands Provincial Park Advisory Committee - Bob Horne, Eastern Passage Ratepayers Association - Paul Macnab, Halifax Regional Municipality citizen appointee - Dr. Patricia Manuel, member-at-large - Cathy McCarthy, Friends of McNabs