Margaree-Lake Ainslie Canadian Heritage River 10-year...

Margaree-Lake Ainslie River - CHRS 10-year Monitoring Report

Margaree-Lake Ainslie Canadian Heritage River

10-year Monitoring Report

1998 - 2008

Prepared for the Canadian Heritage Rivers Board

May 2008

Painting by Alice Reed

Margaree-Lake Ainslie River - CHRS 10-year Monitoring Report2

Contents

1.0 Executive Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32.0 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33.0 Background . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44.0 Methodology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45.0 Chronology of Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56.0 Natural Heritage Values . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

6.1 Background . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86.2 Condition of Natural Values Since Designation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

7.0 Cultural Heritage Values . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157.1 Background . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157.2 Condition of Cultural Values Since Designation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

8.0 Recreation Values . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188.1 Background & Status . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188.2 Condition of recreation values Since Designation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

9.0 Integrity Guidelines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2210.0 Review of Management Plan Objectives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2511.0 Summary and Conclusions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3812.0 References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

Tables

Table 1 Margaree-Lake Ainslie River Natural Heritage Values . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10Table 2 Margaree-Lake Ainslie River Cultural Heritage Values . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16Table 3 Margaree-Lake Ainslie River Recreational Values . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19Table 4 Margaree-Lake Ainslie River System Integrity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23Table 5 Margaree-Lake Ainslie River Management Plan Recommendations and Current Status . . 26

3Margaree-Lake Ainslie River - CHRS 10-year Monitoring Report

1.0 Executive Summary

The Margaree-Lake Ainslie River in Nova Scotia, was designated as a Canadian Heritage River in 1998. This report reviews what has happened over the last decade, and addresses the state of the river, while looking at progress and research. It examines what has happened to the river since designation, determines whether heritage and recreational values are still intact, and reports on the Canadian Heritage River System (CHRS) integ-rity guidelines. This study also reports on the de-gree to which river management and goals have been achieved.

Since its designation, collaborative research work has been done by government and community groups. Projects have addressed improving aquat-ic habitats and salmon and trout stocks. Research took place on animal and fish populations such as moose, American marten (Martes americana), gaspereau and bass to develop management ini-tiatives. Water quality monitoring on the river was improved through the installation of a hydromet-ric sampling station.

Youth Services Canada projects worked to: promote awareness of the river’s heritage; encourage locals to assume a stewardship role;monitor water quality on the entire watershed to establish benchmark settings; clean-up shorelines; stabilize stream banks; participate in the local River Watch program;partner with the local hatchery to enhance trout and salmon stocks and restore fish habi-tat; and offer information and training on community-

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based water quality monitoring.

Forestry practices in the river’s watershed were improved when Stora Enso/NewPage received Forestry Stewardship Council certification, which means it must adhere to strict environmental and social standards.

The heritage values of the Margaree-Lake Ainslie River System remain intact. The river is worthy of continued designation as a nationally significant river within the CHRS.

2.0 Introduction

The Margaree-Lake Ainslie river system is the larg-est river system on Cape Breton; it measures about 120 kilometers in length. The river runs through a variety of scenic landscapes with a dynamic mix of land uses. The river system is characterized by a unique combination of natural and cultural heritage values that reflect a rich history of hu-man settlement on a mosaic of natural landscapes. In 1998, after years of study, the Margaree-Lake Ainslie River system was designated as a Canadian Heritage River.

Its Northeast branch is known for populations of salmon, which attract large numbers of anglers. The Southwest branch has a provincially signifi-cant gaspereau run, which is fished commercially.

The Canadian Heritage River System (CHRS) is Canada’s program by which to promote freshwa-ter heritage conservation and recognize Canada’s


outstanding rivers based on heritage and recre-ation values. The program is a cooperative effort of federal and provincial/territorial governments, which works to ensure long-term management and conservation of Canada’s river heritage. CHRS requires annual reports, monitoring, and ten-year reviews to ensure that CHRS rivers maintain the values for which they were nominated.

The objectives of this report are to:determine the degree to which the actions outlined in the management plan have been implemented.;establish the current conditions of the out-standing heritage values based on a review of values for which the river was nominateddetermine whether the CHRS integrity guide-lines are still being met;describe changes that have occurred in relation to the river over the past decade; andreview the state of the river and to report on progress or setbacks the river has experienced

3.0 Background

From the headwaters of the Northeast Margaree, located to the south of Cape Breton Highlands Na-tional Park, the Margaree River flows in a westerly, then southerly direction through a steep-sided valley complex to Big Intervale. From here, the river flows to the south before taking a westerly shift and meanders to Margaree Forks. The South-west Margaree begins at Lake Ainslie, the largest freshwater lake in Nova Scotia, and flows northerly to Margaree Forks to form the Margaree River. The Margaree River continues north to Margaree Harbour and the Gulf of St. Lawrence.

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In 1986, the Province of Nova Scotia reviewed 45 rivers and conducted detailed studies on the seven highest rated rivers. In 1988, a study of the Margaree River system was completed and a year later the Minister announced that the Department of Natural Resources would work toward nomina-tion of the river. In July 1991, the Margaree River system was accepted for nomination as a CHRS river. The Margaree-Lake Ainslie Canadian Heritage River - A Partnership Strategy was submitted to CHRS in 1996 and in 1998 the river was designated a Canadian Heritage River.

In 1998, lead responsibility for the CHRS program in Nova Scotia was transferred to the Protected Ar-eas Branch of Nova Scotia Environment (NSE) from the Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

4.0 Methodology

The main approaches used to gain information about the state of the river and progress that has been made are: (i) reviews of CHRS annual reports and field reports (ii) secondary source research (iii) interviews with key individuals

Interviews with key individuals provided information on changes, research, and activi-ties that have taken place on and around the river since its designation. Discussions took place among NSE and DNR staff and key stakeholders.

New CHRS frameworks were developed since the Margaree Lake Ainslie River System was nominat-ed. This report converts identified values to coin-cide with current national frameworks; the recre-ational framework used was adapted from the Red River CHRS study.

The condition of heritage values since designa-tion was discussed along with relevant projects or partnership strategy actions. The condition of in-tegrity guidelines was also examined to determine whether the river was still worthy of designation as a river of national significance within the Canadian Heritage River System.


5.0 Chronology of Events

1998 - 2000 Margaree-Lake Ainslie officially designated to CHRS.

Responsibility for CHRS transferred to Nova Scotia Environment from the Department of Natural Resources.

Thirty-one new Wilderness Areas designat ed, 4 of which are included in the watershed of the Margaree-Lake Ainslie River System.

2000-2001

Appointment of a regional protected areas program co-ordinator for Cape Breton with responsibility for the Canadian Heritage Rivers in the region.

The Margaree Area Development Associa-tion starts planning for a regional hiking trails program

Aquatic Development Association of Marga-ree working with the Margaree Salmon Asso-ciation (MSA) and the Margaree-Lake Ainslie Canadian Heritage River Society

Margaree-Lake Ainslie Canadian Heritage River Society and NSEL initiate work with Tourism NS on sponsorship of a regional self-guided heritage tour

Water quality - central database for historic and future parameter values; purchase of new hydrometric sampling station; plans for the initiation of a community-based water quality monitoring program;.

Concerns over Kenloch landfill addressed by NSE.

Margaree-Lake Ainslie Canadian Heritage River Society working with NSE to implement the Partnership Strategy. The group meets once a month.

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Opening of a CHRS Resource Center in the Margaree Forks Public Library.

2001-2002

Identification of potential snowmobile/ATV routes to redirect traffic away from bogs and barrens in Jim Campbells Barren Wilder-ness Area, which is within the Watershed of the Margaree-Lake Ainslie River System.

Margaree River featured on the Great Cana-dian Rivers television series, which chronicled rivers that represent both the natural and cultural heritage of Canada.

Installation of a hydrometric sampling sta-tion on the Northeast Branch of the river that compiles daily recordings into a central database.

Proposed barite mine at Trout Brook, which flows into Lake Ainslie, met with public con-cern. The project proposal was eventually withdrawn.

Youth Service Canada project working to: promote awareness of the river’s heritage; en-courage locals to assume a stewardship role; monitor water quality on the entire water-shed to establish benchmark settings; clean-up shorelines; stabilize stream banks; partici-pate in the local River Watch program; partner with the local hatchery to enhance trout and

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salmon stocks and restore fish habitat; and of-fer information and training on community-based water quality monitoring.

2002-2003

Snowmobile trail relocation to help protect bogs and barrens in Jim Campbells Barren Wilderness Area, which is located within the river’s watershed.

Margaree Salmon Association Stream Habi-tat Improvement Project worked to improve Lake O’Law Brook, which flows from the NE Margaree River, by stabilizing banks and en-hancing pools

American marten (Martes americana) re-search project sponsored by NS Department of Natural Resources worked to determine population size, distribution and habitat requirements of the provincially endangered American marten (Martes americana). The project results will be used to develop a plan to restore populations to a healthy level

Margaree Tourism Association “Interpretive Signage Project” worked to develop signage to promote heritage values

Margaree Harbour bridge replacement

Youth Services Canada Project #2 working to: promote awareness of the river’s heritage; en-courage locals to assume a stewardship role; monitor water quality on the entire water-

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shed to establish benchmark settings; clean-up shorelines; stabilize stream banks; partici-pate in the local River Watch program; partner with the local hatchery to enhance trout and salmon stocks and restore fish habitat; and offer information and training on community-based water quality monitoring

2003-2004

Voluntary Planning Task Force on Off-highway vehicles makes recommendations on how OHVs might be better regulated

Aquatic Development Association of Marga-ree (ADAM) secures a new funding agreement to assist in the production of young trout and salmon for stocking rivers in Nova Scotia. Money also to assist in public education initia-tives and collaborative research efforts

Moose research project studies the moose population in the Cape Breton Highlands to determine behaviour and movement patterns and develop appropriate management strate-gies

Cancellation of the barite mine proposal near Trout Brook

Youth Service Canada 2003 - Youth at Risk project works to monitor water quality, re-habilitate streams, improve habitat, increase public education, clean shorelines, stabilize stream banks and enhance trout and salmon stocks

2004-2005

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Aquatic habitat improvements: stream bank remediation; habitat restoration; erosion con-trol; bank stabilization; fish habitat improve-ment; and inventory of streambed, stream-side vegetation and flow characteristics of the Northeast branch

Computerized inventory of local heritage sites

Recreation infrastructure improvements: benches and picnic tables placed at key sites along the river; identification signs produced to be erected at key fishing sites; and mainte-nance carried out on local walking trails

Litter/garbage pick-up to remove debris from the NE and SW branches of the river

Infestation of black-headed budworm in the Cape Breton Highlands, which is part of the Margaree-Lake Ainslie Rivers System water-shed, with trace defoliation along portions of First and Second Fork Brooks on the North-east Margaree River

2005-2006

The Canadian Forestry Service trial aerial spray of Bacillus thuringienis kurstaki (BTK) to test its effectiveness on the black-headed budworm takes place. Subsequent studies showed a collapse of the insect population and recommended cessation of spray opera-tions.

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Relocation of Snowmobile Association of Nova Scotia Trail reduces potential damage to sensitive bogs and barrens in the Jim Camp-bells Barren Wilderness Area, and associated impacts within the Margaree watershed.

Scientific research and monitoring indicate that striped bass numbers are on the rise and that smallmouth bass have not been able to breed successfully

2006-2007

The Nova Scotia Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture (NSFA) takes over the ownership and management of the Margaree hatchery from the Aquatic Development Association of Margaree. This secures long term funding for the operation of the hatchery.

The Margaree-Lake Ainslie Canadian Heritage River Society completes the section of wilder-ness hiking trail from Portree to the first look-off on top of Sugarloaf Mountain

Margaree Area Development Association makes improvements to the walking/hiking trail (Lifestyles Trail) in Lake O’Law

2007-2008

Stora Enso, which harvests forestry products within the watershed, divests its North Ameri-can paper operations to NewPage

Stora Enso/NewPage receives Forest Steward-ship Council (FSC) certification.

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Remnant maple, elm floodplain forests con-tain at least five provincially rare plantsFour provincially rare mammals occur in the steep-sided valley complex of Northeast Mar-garee

A new national framework for natural heritage val-ues has been developed since the Margaree River system was designated in 1998: A Framework for the Natural Values of Canadian Heritage Rivers, 2nd Edition. 2001.

The values for which the Margaree River system was nominated are summarized below, according to this new natural heritage values framework.

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6.0 Natural Heritage Values

6.1 Background

The designation of the Margaree-Lake Ainslie Riv-er System was based on the following key natural heritage features:

a unique alkaline bog on Black River, which is recognized under the International Biological Program and is under consideration for offi-cial designation under the Special Places Act. It contains at least five provincially rare plants

Outstanding earth history - the variety, his-tory and visibility of geological strata and fea-tures associated with the river system provide excellent opportunities for interpretation of the complex geology of this region. The entire river is an outstanding representa-tion of continuous fluvial and geomorpho-logical processes.Outstanding examples of faulting and es-carpments depict significant events in Nova Scotia’s geological historyOne of the most noted salmon producing rivers in Nova Scotia, which is renowned for spring and fall runs of salmonA provincially significant gaspereau runProvincially significant wetlands on the Southwest Margaree and Lake Ainslie have outstanding wildlife valuesSecond Fork Brook IBP site is a remnant of an old growth sugar maple stand

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ipti

on

Sig

nifi

can

t Act

ion

s, Re

sear

ch o

r Stu

die

sC

han

ges

or T

hre

ats

to N

om

inat

ion

Va

lue(

s)

3 R

iver

Mo

rph

olo

gy

3.1

Valle

y Ty

pes

Co

nca

ve-w

alle

d v

alle

ys: r

ou

nd

ed in

-te

rflu

ves

wit

h s

ign

ifica

nt fl

oo

dp

lain

; st

raig

ht-

wal

led

val

leys

: flat

/ro

un

ded

in

terfl

uve

s w

ith

sig

nifi

can

t flo

od

-p

lain

No

ne

3.2

Ch

ann

el T

ypes

Stre

am c

on

figu

rati

on

: mea

nd

erin

g;

lake

sys

tem

s: Fe

eder

lake

Mar

gar

ee S

alm

on

Ass

oci

atio

n c

on

du

cts

inve

nto

ry o

f flo

w c

har

acte

rist

ics

Imp

rove

/mai

nta

in e

colo

gic

al in

teg

rity

3.3

Ch

ann

el P

rofil

ePo

ol a

nd

riffl

eN

on

e

3.4

Flu

vial

Lan

dfo

rms

Dep

osi

tio

nal

lan

dfo

rms:

oxb

ow

s;

ero

sio

nal

lan

dfo

rms:

un

der

cuts

an

d

go

rges

Stre

am b

ank

stab

iliza

tio

n a

nd

ero

sio

n

con

tro

l th

rou

gh

Yo

uth

Ser

vice

Can

ada,

M

arg

aree

Sal

mo

n A

sso

ciat

ion

an

d

Dep

artm

ent o

f Fis

her

ies

and

Oce

ans

pro

ject

s

Pro

tect

ion

fro

m e

rosi

on

al p

roce

sses

4 B

ioti

c En

viro

nm

ents

4.1

Aq

uat

ic E

cosy

stem

sR

iver

ine

syst

ems:

low

lan

d z

on

eA

men

dm

ents

to th

e Sp

ecia

l Pla

ces

Pro

-te

ctio

n A

ct s

trea

mlin

e th

e p

roce

ss u

sed

in

the

iden

tific

atio

n a

nd

des

ign

atio

n o

f si

gn

ifica

nt e

colo

gic

al s

ites

on

pri

vate

an

d

cro

wn

lan

ds

Prov

ides

an

eff

ecti

ve to

ol f

or c

on

sid

-er

ing

ad

dit

ion

al d

esig

nat

ion

s in

the

Mar

gar

ee-L

ake

Ain

slie

are

a, w

hic

h

cou

ld c

on

trib

ute

to p

rote

ctin

g im

po

r-ta

nt e

colo

gic

al v

alu

es

Plan

nin

g fo

r a c

om

pre

hen

sive

sys

tem

of

pro

tect

ed a

reas

Pro

tect

ion

of i

mp

ort

ant n

atu

ral l

and

s as

wild

ern

ess

area

s o

r nat

ure

rese

rves

4.1

Aq

uat

ic E

cosy

stem

sR

iver

ine

syst

ems:

low

lan

d z

on

eSc

ien

tific

rese

arch

on

str

iped

an

d s

mal

l-m

ou

th b

ass

Incr

ease

in s

trip

ed b

ass

is e

nco

ura

gin

g

to th

e cl

ose

d re

crea

tio

nal

fish

ery

Ap

par

ent i

nab

ility

of s

mal

lmo

uth

b

ass

to b

reed

mea

ns

neg

ativ

e ef

fect

s o

n b

roo

k tr

ou

t, g

asp

erea

u a

nd

lan

d-

lock

ed s

alm

on

are

min

imiz

ed

Am

end

men

ts to

the

Off

-hig

hw

ay V

e-h

icle

s A

ctH

elp

s p

rote

ct b

iod

iver

sity


Tab

le 1

Mar

gar

ee-L

ake

Ain

slie

Riv

er N

atu

ral H

erit

age

Val

ues

CH

RS N

atu

ral F

ram

ewo

rk

(200

1) T

hem

es &

Su

b-

them

es

Mar

gar

ee-L

ake

Ain

slie

Riv

er N

atu

ral

Her

itag

e El

emen

ts D

escr

ipti

on

Sig

nifi

can

t Act

ion

s, Re

sear

ch o

r Stu

die

sC

han

ges

or T

hre

ats

to N

om

inat

ion

Va

lue(

s)

Aq

uat

ic h

abit

at im

pro

vem

ents

by

You

th

Serv

ice

Can

ada

Hel

ps

mai

nta

in/i

mp

rove

eco

log

ical

in

teg

rity

Litt

er a

nd

gar

bag

e p

ick-

up

Imp

rove

d e

colo

gic

al in

teg

rity

Aq

uat

ic D

evel

op

men

t Ass

oci

atio

n o

f M

arg

aree

(AD

AM

) sec

ure

s fu

nd

ing

for

tro

ut a

nd

sal

mo

n s

tock

ing

pro

gra

ms

NS

Ag

ricu

ltu

re &

Fis

her

ies

inve

sts

in

AD

AM

an

d fu

nd

s A

do

pt-

a-St

ream

p

rog

ram

s, w

hile

cre

atin

g o

pp

ort

un

itie

s in

the

Atl

anti

c Sa

lmo

n fi

sher

y. P

rovi

nce

as

sum

es o

wn

ersh

ip a

nd

man

agem

ent o

f h

atch

ery.

Hel

ps

mai

nta

in fi

sh p

op

ula

tio

ns

wh

ile

off

erin

g o

pp

ort

un

itie

s fo

r pu

blic

ed

u-

cati

on

an

d s

cien

tific

rese

arch

Mar

gar

ee S

alm

on

Ass

oci

atio

n S

trea

m

hab

itat

Imp

rove

men

t Pro

ject

- b

ank

sta-

bili

zati

on

an

d p

oo

l en

han

cem

ent

Imp

rove

d q

ual

ity

of a

qu

atic

hab

itat

s ar

e b

enefi

cial

to th

e en

tire

eco

syst

em

4.2

Terr

estr

ial E

cosy

stem

sEc

ozo

ne:

Atl

anti

c M

arit

ime

Am

end

men

ts to

the

Off

-hig

hw

ay

Veh

icle

s A

ctH

elp

s p

rote

ct b

iod

iver

sity

Plan

nin

g fo

r a c

om

pre

hen

sive

sys

tem

of

pro

tect

ed a

reas

Pro

tect

ion

of i

mp

ort

ant n

atu

ral l

and

s as

wild

ern

ess

area

s o

r nat

ure

rese

rves

Relo

cati

on

of S

no

wm

ob

ile A

sso

ciat

ion

of

Nov

a Sc

oti

a tr

ail

Hel

ps

pre

serv

e ec

olo

gic

al in

teg

rity

Infe

stat

ion

of t

he

def

olia

tin

g b

lack

-h

ead

ed b

ud

wo

rm in

the

Cap

e Br

eto

n

Hig

hla

nd

s

Ther

e w

as tr

ace

def

olia

tio

n a

t Fir

st a

nd

Se

con

d F

ork

Bro

oks

, wh

ich

are

wit

hin

th

e ri

ver’s

wat

ersh

ed

Mo

ose

rese

arch

in C

ape

Bret

on

Hig

h-

lan

ds

Mai

nta

in h

ealt

hy w

ildlif

e p

op

ula

tio

ns

to e

nsu

re e

colo

gic

al in

teg

rity

Can

cella

tio

n o

f bar

ite

min

e n

ear T

rou

t Br

oo

k


Tab

le 1

Mar

gar

ee-L

ake

Ain

slie

Riv

er N

atu

ral H

erit

age

Val

ues

CH

RS N

atu

ral F

ram

ewo

rk

(200

1) T

hem

es &

Su

b-

them

es

Mar

gar

ee-L

ake

Ain

slie

Riv

er N

atu

ral

Her

itag

e El

emen

ts D

escr

ipti

on

Sig

nifi

can

t Act

ion

s, Re

sear

ch o

r Stu

die

sC

han

ges

or T

hre

ats

to N

om

inat

ion

Va

lue(

s)

Am

eric

an m

arte

n (M

arte

s am

eric

ana)

re

sear

ch h

as le

d to

eff

ort

s b

y D

NR

to

aug

men

t po

pu

lati

on

s b

y re

leas

ing

an

i-m

als

into

are

as w

her

e A

mer

ican

mar

ten

(M

arte

s am

eric

ana)

hav

e b

een

sig

hte

d

Enh

ance

men

t of w

ildlif

e p

op

ula

tio

ns

sup

po

rt th

e m

ain

ten

ance

of “

nat

ura

l” ec

osy

stem

s su

ch a

s o

ld g

row

th fo

rest

s an

d th

e p

rote

ctio

n o

f nat

ura

l her

itag

e va

lues

5 V

eget

atio

n

5.1

Sig

nifi

can

t Pla

nt C

om

-m

un

itie

sA

qu

atic

/Rip

aria

n p

lan

ts: B

lack

Riv

er

IBP

site

sp

ecie

s; c

arex

an

d s

alix

sp

e-ci

es a

t Bla

ck R

iver

Tre

es: d

ynam

ic o

ld

gro

wth

su

gar

map

les

Mar

gar

ee S

alm

on

ass

oci

atio

n in

ven

tory

o

f str

eam

-sid

e ve

get

atio

nH

elp

s m

ain

tain

/im

pro

ve e

colo

gic

al

inte

gri

ty

5.2

Rar

e Pl

ant S

pec

ies

Prov

inci

ally

rare

: Scl

erop

hora

per

o-ne

lla, R

hync

hosp

ora

capi

llace

a, C

arex

gy

nocr

ates

, Sal

ix c

andi

da,

and

Cal

tha

palu

stri

s

Scle

roph

ora

pero

nella

list

ed a

s Sp

ecia

l C

on

cern

by

CO

SEW

ICD

esig

nat

ion

of W

ilder

nes

s A

reas

wit

h-

in th

e ri

ver’s

wat

ersh

ed h

elp

s p

rote

ct

2 o

f th

e 3

Scle

roph

ora

pero

nella

sit

es in

C

anad

a

5.2

Rar

e Pl

ant S

pec

ies

6 F

aun

a

6.1

Sig

nifi

can

t An

imal

Po

pu

lati

on

sFi

sh: A

tlan

tic

salm

on

an

d g

asp

erea

u


Tab

le 1

Mar

gar

ee-L

ake

Ain

slie

Riv

er N

atu

ral H

erit

age

Val

ues

CH

RS N

atu

ral F

ram

ewo

rk

(200

1) T

hem

es &

Su

b-

them

es

Mar

gar

ee-L

ake

Ain

slie

Riv

er N

atu

ral

Her

itag

e El

emen

ts D

escr

ipti

on

Sig

nifi

can

t Act

ion

s, Re

sear

ch o

r Stu

die

sC

han

ges

or T

hre

ats

to N

om

inat

ion

Va

lue(

s)

6.2

Rar

e A

nim

al S

pec

ies

Mam

mal

s : S

pec

ial c

on

cern

: Gas

pe

shre

w; r

egio

nal

ly ra

re: A

mer

ican

m

arte

n (M

arte

s am

eric

ana)

lyn

x an

d

rock

vo

le. B

ird

s: re

gio

nal

ly ra

re s

pe-

cies

: bal

d e

agle

Mo

ose

rese

arch

Mai

nta

in h

ealt

hy w

ildlif

e p

op

ula

tio

ns

to e

nsu

re e

colo

gic

al in

teg

rity

Un

der

CO

SEW

IC, t

he

Gas

pe

shre

w is

lis

ted

as

no

lon

ger

at r

isk

Mai

nta

in h

ealt

hy w

ildlif

e p

op

ula

tio

ns

to e

nsu

re e

colo

gic

al in

teg

rity

.

Am

eric

an m

arte

n (M

arte

s am

eric

ana)

re

sear

ch. D

NR

rele

ased

ap

pro

xim

atel

y 30

Am

eric

an m

arte

n in

200

7, in

clu

din

g

som

e ar

ou

nd

Tro

ut B

roo

k an

d w

ith

in th

e ri

ver’s

wat

ersh

ed.

Mar

ten

wer

e lis

ted

as

pro

vin

cial

ly e

nd

an-

ger

ed in

200

1.

The

Am

eric

an m

arte

n is

on

e o

f Nov

a Sc

oti

a’s

rare

st m

amm

als;

DN

R is

tryi

ng

to

imp

rove

mar

ten

nu

mb

ers

by

rele

as-

ing

an

imal

s in

to th

e w

ild.

Lyn

x w

ere

liste

d a

s en

dan

ger

ed in

200

2.

On

go

ing

rese

arch

is b

ein

g c

on

du

cted

by

DN

R

Lyn

x ar

e o

nly

fou

nd

in th

e C

ape

Bret

-o

n H

igh

lan

ds

and

a fe

w o

ther

hig

h

elev

atio

n a

reas

of t

he

pro

vin

ce.


6.2 Condition of Natural Values Since Designation

Water quality monitoring began on the Margaree River system in 2000 when a new hydrometric sampling station was installed. The river is now part of Nova Scotia’s Automated Water Quality Monitoring Program.

There have been changes to the Off-highway Vehicle Act and the Special Places Protection Act, which have meant stabilized or improved biodi-versity and ecological integrity. Protected Areas planning offers protection to important natural lands - there are currently four wilderness areas along the Margaree River system: Trout Brook; Margaree River; Jim Campbells Barrens; and Sug-arloaf Mountain.

Research initiatives in the area have increased knowledge of moose, American marten (Martes americana) and Canada lynx (Lynx canadensis) species and are useful in the development of appropriate management strategies. There have been a number of improvements to aquatic habitat through the work of the Margaree Salm-on Association and the Margaree-Lake Ainslie Heritage River Society. Increased funding to the Aquatic Development Association of Margaree has led to improvements in stocks of trout and Atlantic salmon.

StoraEnso became NewPage and received Forest Stewardship Council certification, which certifies and labels paper and wood products from re-sponsibly managed forests and verified recycled sources, while adhering to strict environmental and social guidelines.

Starting in 2007, Nova Scotia Environment became involved in watershed management planning, for this area.. This includes investigating how to imple-ment current policy in collaboration with commu-nities.

7.0 Cultural Heritage Values

7.1 Background

A new national framework for cultural heritage values has been developed since the Margaree River system was designated in 1998: A Cultural Framework for Canadian Heritage Rivers, 2nd Edi-tion. 2000.

While the Margaree - Lake Ainslie was not nomi-nated based on its cultural (human) heritage values, both the nomination document and the designation document (Partnership Strategy) rec-ognize the rich cultural heritage of the region, and the strong cultural ties to the river. These include:

Pre-contact Native history;

Mi’kmaq use;

Eurpean settlement;

Natural resource use; and

Cultural attachments to sporting and recre-ation.

A variety of cultural values are summarized in the following table according to the new cultural val-ues framework. The table also outlines significant actions over the past ten years, and any changes to cultural heritage values.

•

•

•

•

•


Tab

le 2

Mar

gar

ee-L

ake

Ain

slie

Riv

er C

ult

ura

l Her

itag

e V

alu

es

CH

RS C

ult

ura

l Fra

mew

ork

(200

0)M

arg

aree

-Lak

e A

insl

ie R

iver

Sys

tem

Cu

ltu

ral H

eri-

tag

e Va

lues

Sig

nifi

can

t Act

ion

s, Re

-se

arch

or S

tud

ies

Ch

ang

es o

r Th

reat

s to

Val

ue(

s

1 R

eso

urc

e H

arve

stin

g

1.1

Fish

ing

Art

ifact

s ap

pro

xim

atel

y 30

00-5

000

year

s o

ld h

ave

bee

n fo

un

d a

t Mar

gar

ee H

arb

ou

r, M

arg

aree

, Mar

-g

aree

Fo

rks

and

Sco

tsvi

lle

Co

mp

ute

rize

d in

ven

tory

of

loca

l her

itag

e si

tes

Imp

rove

d s

tora

ge

of a

nd

acc

ess

to in

form

atio

n o

n lo

cal h

erit

age

1.2

Sho

relin

e Re

sou

rce

Har

vest

-in

gPr

ob

ably

use

d p

rio

r to

Eu

rop

ean

co

nta

ct fo

r hu

nt-

ing

an

d fi

shin

gN

on

e

1.3

Extr

acti

on

of W

ater

Map

s fr

om

186

4 an

d 1

898

ind

icat

e th

e p

rese

nce

of

saw

mill

s al

on

g th

e ri

ver s

yste

mN

on

e

2 W

ater

Tra

nsp

ort

2.1

Co

mm

erci

al T

ran

spo

rtat

ion

No

t rep

ort

ed a

t tim

e o

f des

ign

atio

nN

on

e

2.2

Tran

spo

rtat

ion

Ser

vice

sN

ot r

epo

rted

at t

ime

of d

esig

nat

ion

No

ne

2.3

Exp

lora

tio

n &

Su

rvey

ing

The

area

was

su

rvey

ed in

182

5 b

y Jo

sep

h

Bou

chet

te, t

he

Surv

eyo

r Gen

eral

of B

riti

sh N

ort

h

Am

eric

a

No

ne

3 R

ipar

ian

Set

tlem

ent

3.1

Siti

ng

of D

wel

ling

sA

rtifa

cts

app

roxi

mat

ely

3000

-500

0 ye

ars

old

hav

e b

een

fou

nd

at M

arg

aree

Har

bo

ur,

Mar

gar

ee, M

ar-

gar

ee F

ork

s an

d S

cots

ville

Co

mp

ute

rize

d in

ven

tory

of

loca

l her

itag

e si

tes

Imp

rove

d s

tora

ge

of a

nd

acc

ess

to in

form

atio

n o

n lo

cal h

erit

age

3.2

Riv

er-b

ased

Co

mm

un

itie

sC

om

pu

teri

zed

inve

nto

ry o

f lo

cal h

erit

age

site

sIm

pro

ved

sto

rag

e o

f an

d a

cces

s to

info

rmat

ion

on

loca

l her

itag

e

3.3

Riv

er in

fluen

ced

Tra

nsp

ort

a-ti

on

No

t des

crib

ed a

t tim

e o

f des

ign

atio

nN

on

e

4 C

ult

ure

& R

ecre

atio

n

4.1

Spir

itu

al A

sso

ciat

ion

sN

ot d

escr

ibed

at t

ime

of d

esig

nat

ion

Co

mp

ute

rize

d in

ven

tory

of

loca

l her

itag

e si

tes

Imp

rove

d s

tora

ge

of a

nd

acc

ess

to in

form

atio

n o

n lo

cal h

erit

age


Tab

le 2

Mar

gar

ee-L

ake

Ain

slie

Riv

er C

ult

ura

l Her

itag

e V

alu

es

CH

RS C

ult

ura

l Fra

mew

ork

(200

0)M

arg

aree

-Lak

e A

insl

ie R

iver

Sys

tem

Cu

ltu

ral H

eri-

tag

e Va

lues

Sig

nifi

can

t Act

ion

s, Re

-se

arch

or S

tud

ies

Ch

ang

es o

r Th

reat

s to

Val

ue(

s

4.2

Cu

ltu

ral E

xpre

ssio

nC

om

pu

teri

zed

inve

nto

ry o

f lo

cal h

erit

age

site

sIm

pro

ved

sto

rag

e o

f an

d a

cces

s to

info

rmat

ion

on

loca

l her

itag

e

Inte

rpre

tive

sig

ns

pro

du

ced

Incr

ease

d p

ub

lic a

war

enes

s o

f h

erit

age

valu

es

4.3

Earl

y Re

crea

tio

nA

ng

ling

for s

alm

on

Aq

uat

ic d

evel

op

men

t A

sso

ciat

ion

of M

arg

aree

re

ceiv

ed fu

nd

ing

for a

new

fis

h s

tock

ing

pro

gra

m. T

he

pro

vin

ce h

as a

ssu

med

ow

n-

ersh

ip a

nd

man

agem

ent o

f th

e h

atch

ery.

Imp

rove

d a

qu

atic

life

an

d p

os-

sib

ility

for i

mp

rove

d a

ng

ling

ca

pab

iliti

es

5 J

uri

sdic

tio

nal

Use

s

5.1

Co

nfli

ct &

Mili

tary

Ass

oci

a-ti

on

sN

ot d

escr

ibed

at t

ime

of d

esig

nat

ion

No

ne

5.2

Bou

nd

arie

sN

ot d

escr

ibed

at t

ime

of d

esig

nat

ion

Des

ign

atio

n o

f fo

ur W

ilder

-n

ess

Are

asPr

ote

ctio

n o

f eco

log

ical

inte

g-

rity

an

d b

iod

iver

sity

5.3

Envi

ron

men

tal R

egu

lati

on

No

t des

crib

ed a

t tim

e o

f des

ign

atio

nIn

stal

lati

on

of h

ydro

met

ric

sam

plin

g s

tati

on

Imp

rove

d w

ater

qu

alit

y m

on

i-to

rin

g


7.2 Condition of Cultural Values Since Designation

Only improvements have been made to the cul-tural heritage values of the Margaree River system since its designation in 1998.

A computerized inventory of local heritage sites such as churches, cemeteries and historic build-ings has improved the long-term storage of, and access to, critical information on local heritage sites. New interpretive signs act as a valuable tool in public education and promotion of heritage values.

8.0 Recreation Values

8.1 Background & Status

The original nomination document and subse-quent Partnership Strategy for the Margaree Lake Ainslie highlighted a range of recreational values that contributed to the river’s nomination. These included:

Wilderness - solitudeAnglingRiver travelScenic appreciationHikingCamping

Because there is no national framework for recre-ational values, the activities listed in the Red River Background Study were used: Canadian Heritage River System: Red River Background Study, 1998

The recreation values for which the Margaree Lake

••••••

Ainslie was nominated are summarized below, ac-cording to the Red River recreational values frame-work.


Tab

le 3

Mar

gar

ee-L

ake

Ain

slie

Riv

er R

ecre

atio

nal

Val

ues

Recr

eati

on

al C

apab

ility

Th

emes

& S

ub

-th

emes

(a

dap

ted

fro

m R

ed R

iver

C

HRS

Bac

kgro

und

Stud

y)

Ori

gin

al M

arg

aree

-Lak

e A

insl

ie

Riv

er R

ecre

atio

nal

Cap

abili

ty

Rat

ing

Sig

nifi

can

t Act

ion

s, Re

sear

ch

or S

tud

ies

Ch

ang

es o

r Th

reat

s to

No

min

atio

n V

alu

e(s)

1 B

oat

ing

1.1

Wh

itew

ater

can

oe,

ka

yak

& ra

ftC

ano

ein

g o

ccu

rs a

lon

g 8

0km

o

f th

e ri

ver c

orr

ido

r an

d ra

ng

es

fro

m n

ovic

e to

cla

ss 3

inte

rme-

dia

te

No

ne

No

ne

1.2

Exte

nd

ed c

ano

e tr

ip-

pin

g (m

oto

r & n

on

-mo

tor)

No

t dis

cuss

ed a

t tim

e o

f des

ig-

nat

ion

No

ne

No

ne

1.3

Day

pad

dlin

g &

row

ing

(f

rom

urb

an c

ente

r)D

ay p

add

ling

occ

urs

on

Lak

e A

insl

ie, S

W M

arg

aree

, Mar

gar

ee,

and

NE

Mar

gar

ee

No

ne

No

ne

1.4

Hig

h s

pee

d b

oat

ing

No

t dis

cuss

ed a

t tim

e o

f des

ig-

nat

ion

No

ne

No

ne

1.5

Mo

tori

zed

ple

asu

re

cru

isin

g/h

ou

seb

oat

sN

ot d

iscu

ssed

at t

ime

of d

esig

-n

atio

nN

on

eN

on

e

1.6

Co

mm

erci

al to

ur b

oat

sN

ot d

iscu

ssed

at t

ime

of d

esig

-n

atio

nN

on

eN

on

e

2 A

ng

ling

2.1

Day

an

glin

g (f

rom

u

rban

cen

ter)

Ther

e ar

e 54

nam

ed s

alm

on

an

glin

g p

oo

ls o

n th

e ri

ver -

a

frac

tio

n o

f th

e ac

tual

nu

mb

er

Mar

gar

ee S

alm

on

Ass

oci

a-ti

on

co

nd

uct

s in

ven

tory

of

flow

ch

arac

teri

stic

s

Imp

rove

/mai

nta

in e

colo

gic

al in

teg

rity

2.2

Wee

ken

d a

ng

ling

(fro

m

urb

an c

ente

r)Th

e ar

ea is

kn

ow

n fo

r its

nat

ive

wild

sto

ck s

alm

on

Rese

arch

on

str

iped

an

d

smal

lmo

uth

bas

sIn

crea

se in

str

iped

bas

s in

en

cou

rag

ing

to th

e cl

ose

d

recr

eati

on

al fi

sher

y. T

he

inab

ility

for s

mal

lmo

uth

bas

s to

bre

ed m

inim

izes

the

neg

ativ

e ef

fect

s o

n b

roo

k tr

ou

t, g

asp

erea

u a

nd

lan

dlo

cked

sal

mo

n

2.3

Exte

nd

ed a

ng

ling

vac

a-ti

on

In 1

983,

no

n-r

esid

ents

rate

d it

th

e b

est r

iver

in N

ova

Sco

tia.

It is

in

tern

atio

nal

ly re

no

wn

ed fo

r its

sa

lmo

n a

ng

ling

op

po

rtu

nit

ies

Aq

uat

ic h

abit

at im

pro

ve-

men

tsH

elp

s p

rote

ct b

iod

iver

sity

an

d m

ain

tain

/im

pro

ve e

co-

log

ical

inte

gri

ty

Aq

uat

ic D

evel

op

men

t Ass

o-

ciat

ion

of M

arg

aree

sec

ure

s fu

nd

ing

for t

rou

t an

d s

alm

on

st

ock

ing

pro

gra

ms

Hel

ps

mai

nta

in fi

sh p

op

ula

tio

ns

wh

ile o

ffer

ing

op

po

rtu

-n

itie

s fo

r pu

blic

ed

uca

tio

n a

nd

sci

enti

fic re

sear

ch


Tab

le 3

Mar

gar

ee-L

ake

Ain

slie

Riv

er R

ecre

atio

nal

Val

ues

Recr

eati

on

al C

apab

ility

Th

emes

& S

ub

-th

emes

(a

dap

ted

fro

m R

ed R

iver

C

HRS

Bac

kgro

und

Stud

y)

Ori

gin

al M

arg

aree

-Lak

e A

insl

ie

Riv

er R

ecre

atio

nal

Cap

abili

ty

Rat

ing

Sig

nifi

can

t Act

ion

s, Re

sear

ch

or S

tud

ies

Ch

ang

es o

r Th

reat

s to

No

min

atio

n V

alu

e(s)

2.4

Fly

fish

ing

The

Mar

gar

ee a

nd

NE

Mar

ga-

ree

are

fly-fi

shin

g o

nly

du

rin

g

salm

on

sea

son

, wh

ich

run

s fr

om

Ju

ne

1 to

Oct

ob

er 1

5

See

abov

eSe

e ab

ove

2.5

Ice

fish

ing

No

t dis

cuss

ed a

t tim

e o

f des

ig-

nat

ion

See

abov

eSe

e ab

ove

2.6

Spec

ific

fish

sp

ecie

sPe

op

le fi

sh fo

r sp

eckl

ed tr

ou

t (s

ea tr

ou

t), b

row

n tr

ou

t, w

hit

e p

erch

an

d ra

inb

ow

sm

elt

See

abov

eSe

e ab

ove

3 W

ater

Co

nte

nt

3.1

Swim

min

gN

ot d

iscu

ssed

at t

ime

of d

esig

-n

atio

nN

on

eN

on

e

3.2

Wat

er s

kiin

gN

ot d

iscu

ssed

at t

ime

of d

esig

-n

atio

nN

on

eN

on

e

3.3

Sno

rkel

/scu

ba

No

t dis

cuss

ed a

t tim

e o

f des

ig-

nat

ion

No

ne

No

ne

4 W

ater

Ass

oci

ated

Act

ivit

ies

4.1

Trai

l use

(hik

ing,

wal

k-in

g, c

yclin

g)

Ther

e ar

e p

rovi

nci

ally

sig

nifi

-ca

nt o

pp

ort

un

itie

s fo

r hik

ing,

sc

enic

ap

pre

ciat

ion

an

d w

ilder

-n

ess

trav

el, e

spec

ially

alo

ng

the

stee

p-s

ided

val

ley

com

ple

x o

f N

E M

arg

aree

Mar

gar

ee A

rea

Dev

elo

pm

ent

Ass

oci

atio

n e

ng

aged

in p

lan

-n

ing

a re

gio

nal

trai

l sys

tem

- t

rails

dev

elo

ped

at L

ake

O’L

aw a

nd

Su

gar

loaf

Mo

un

-ta

in (t

her

e ar

e 6

trai

ls li

sted

o

n th

e M

arg

aree

To

uri

sm

Ass

oci

atio

n w

ebsi

te)

Acc

essi

ble

, wel

l-mai

nta

ined

trai

ls w

ou

ld im

pro

ve u

nd

er-

stan

din

g o

f CH

RS v

alu

es a

nd

incr

ease

recr

eati

on

al v

alu

e

4.2

Cam

pin

gO

pp

ort

un

ity

for c

amp

ing

wit

hin

th

e w

ater

shed

.D

esig

nat

ion

of w

ilder

nes

s ar

eas.

Imp

rove

d re

gio

nal

op

po

rtu

nit

ies

for l

ow

imp

act c

amp

-in

g in

pro

tect

ed w

ilder

nes

s ar

eas.

4.3

Hu

nti

ng

No

t dis

cuss

ed a

t tim

e o

f des

ig-

nat

ion

No

ne

No

ne


Tab

le 3

Mar

gar

ee-L

ake

Ain

slie

Riv

er R

ecre

atio

nal

Val

ues

Recr

eati

on

al C

apab

ility

Th

emes

& S

ub

-th

emes

(a

dap

ted

fro

m R

ed R

iver

C

HRS

Bac

kgro

und

Stud

y)

Ori

gin

al M

arg

aree

-Lak

e A

insl

ie

Riv

er R

ecre

atio

nal

Cap

abili

ty

Rat

ing

Sig

nifi

can

t Act

ion

s, Re

sear

ch

or S

tud

ies

Ch

ang

es o

r Th

reat

s to

No

min

atio

n V

alu

e(s)

5 W

inte

r A

ctiv

itie

s

5.1

Sno

wm

ob

ilin

g/d

og

sl

edd

ing

No

t dis

cuss

ed a

t tim

e o

f des

ig-

nat

ion

. A s

no

wm

ob

ile tr

ail w

as

re-r

ou

ted

to p

rote

ct J

im C

amp

-b

ells

Bar

ren

s W

ilder

nes

s A

rea

Relo

cati

on

of S

no

wm

ob

ile

Ass

oci

atio

n o

f Nov

a Sc

oti

a tr

ail

Hel

ps

pre

serv

e ec

olo

gic

al in

teg

rity

5.2

Cro

ss-c

ou

ntr

y sk

iing

(d

ay u

se u

rban

cen

ter)

No

t dis

cuss

ed a

t tim

e o

f des

ig-

nat

ion

Relo

cati

on

of S

no

wm

ob

ile

Ass

oci

atio

n o

f Nov

a Sc

oti

a tr

ail

Peo

ple

may

be

able

to u

se th

is tr

ail f

or s

kiin

g a

nd

sn

ow

-m

ob

ilin

g

5.3

Skat

ing

(urb

an c

ente

r)N

ot d

iscu

ssed

at t

ime

of d

esig

-n

atio

nN

on

eN

on

e

6 N

atu

ral H

erit

age

Ap

pre

ciat

ion

6.1

Wild

life

Mam

mal

s : S

pec

ial c

on

cern

: G

asp

e sh

rew

; reg

ion

ally

rare

: A

mer

ican

mar

ten

(Mar

tes

amer

i-ca

na) l

ynx

and

rock

vo

le. B

ird

s: re

gio

nal

ly ra

re s

pec

ies:

bal

d

eag

le

Mo

ose

rese

arch

in C

ape

Bret

on

Hig

hla

nd

sM

ain

tain

hea

lthy

wild

life

po

pu

lati

on

s to

en

sure

eco

log

i-ca

l in

teg

rity

Am

eric

an m

arte

n (M

arte

s am

eric

ana)

rese

arch

. Th

e m

arte

n h

as b

een

list

ed a

s p

rovi

nci

ally

en

dan

ger

ed

alo

ng

wit

h ly

nx

Enh

ance

men

t of w

ildlif

e p

op

ula

tio

ns

sup

po

rt th

e m

ain

-te

nan

ce o

f “n

atu

ral”

eco

syst

ems

such

as

old

gro

wth

fo

rest

s an

d th

e p

rote

ctio

n o

f nat

ura

l her

itag

e va

lues

Gas

pe

shre

w is

no

lon

ger

at

risk

.

Fish

: sal

mo

n a

nd

gas

per

eau

6.2

Veg

etat

ion

Aq

uat

ic/R

ipar

ian

pla

nts

: Bla

ck

Riv

er IB

P si

te s

pec

ies;

car

ex a

nd

sa

lix s

pec

ies

at B

lack

Riv

er T

rees

: d

ynam

ic o

ld g

row

th s

ug

ar

map

les

Mar

gar

ee S

alm

on

Ass

oci

a-ti

on

inve

nto

ry o

f str

eam

-sid

e ve

get

atio

n

Hel

ps

mai

nta

in/i

mp

rove

eco

log

ical

inte

gri

ty


8.2 Condition of recreation values Since Designation

Improvements have been made to the recreation-al values of the Margaree River system since its designation in 1998.

The Margaree Salmon Association conducted an inventory of flow characteristics and stream-side vegetation; both will help maintain or improve ecological integrity. The group also had a Stream Habitat Improvement Project that worked to sta-bilize banks and enhance pools.

Research was conducted on smallmouth and striped bass, American marten (Martes americana), lynx and moose, which will help in planning and shows encouraging news for the recreational fishery. There were aquatic habitat improvements and trout and salmon stocking programs, which all help protect biodiversity.

The Margaree Area Development Association initiated regional trail system planning, which could lead to additional recreational value and increased awareness of CHRS values. A Snowmo-bile Association of Nova Scotia trail was relocated to help preserve ecological integrity in the area and had the potential benefit of being used as a cross-country ski trail.

A computerized inventory of local heritage sites such as churches, cemeteries and historic build-ings has improved the long-term storage of, and access to, critical information on local heritage sites. New interpretive signs act as a valuable tool in public education and promotion of heritage values. There were discussions concerning the possibility of a self-guided tour of the Margaree-Lake Ainslie area, which would enhance people’s understanding of the area.

9.0 Integrity Guidelines

Natural, Cultural and Recreational integrity guide-lines were all considered when the Margaree River System was nominated. However, only natural and recreational guidelines apply as the river was not nominated for its human heritage value.

Table 4 summarizes the condition of the Marga-ree River System’s integrity since designation. The integrity guidelines in this table are based on the Canadian Heritage Rivers System Principles, Proce-dures and Operational Guidelines from 2001. The table also discusses improvements, threats and changes to integrity guidelines.


Tab

le 4

Mar

gar

ee-L

ake

Ain

slie

Riv

er S

yste

m In

teg

rity

CH

RS P

rin

cip

les,

Pro

ced

ure

s &

Op

erat

ion

al G

uid

lines

(2

001)

Mar

gar

ee-L

ake

Ain

slie

Riv

er S

yste

m In

teg

rity

G

uid

elin

e(s)

Ch

ang

es o

r Th

reat

s to

Riv

er In

teg

rity

3.3

.1 N

atu

ral I

nte

gri

ty V

alu

es

The

no

min

ated

sec

tio

n is

of s

uffi

cien

t siz

e to

incl

ud

e si

gn

ifica

nt r

epre

sen

tati

on

s o

f all

of t

he

nat

ura

l pro

-ce

sses

, fea

ture

s, o

r oth

er p

hen

om

ena

wh

ich

giv

e th

e ri

ver i

ts o

uts

tan

din

g n

atu

ral v

alu

e

The

Mar

gar

ee-L

ake

Ain

slie

Riv

er S

yste

m is

12

0km

in le

ng

th a

nd

free

-flo

win

g w

ith

a

dra

inag

e b

asin

of 1

16,5

37.5

hec

tare

s. It

is th

e la

rges

t riv

er s

yste

m o

n C

ape

Bret

on

an

d o

ne

of N

ova

Sco

tia’

s la

rges

t.

No

ne

The

no

min

ated

sec

tio

n in

clu

des

tho

se e

cosy

stem

co

mp

on

ents

wh

ich

co

ntr

ibu

te s

ign

ifica

ntl

y to

the

pro

visi

on

of h

abit

at fo

r sp

ecie

s in

nee

d o

f pro

tect

ion

The

rive

r’s e

cosy

stem

is u

nim

pai

red

an

d

pro

du

ces

abu

nd

ant fi

sh, w

ildlif

e an

d fl

ora

. Th

e ri

ver s

yste

m m

eets

wat

er q

ual

ity

gu

ide-

lines

en

do

rsed

by

CC

REM

for a

qu

atic

life

an

d

recr

eati

on

.

Wat

er q

ual

ity

mo

nit

ori

ng

is c

riti

cal t

o o

ng

oin

g

asse

ssm

ents

of t

he

rive

r’s h

ealt

h, a

nd

has

bee

n

imp

rove

d th

rou

gh

loca

l eff

ort

s an

d in

stal

lati

on

o

f th

e p

erm

anen

t sam

plin

g s

tati

on

.

In 1

998

fou

r Wild

ern

ess

Are

as w

ere

des

ig-

nat

ed in

the

area

: Su

gar

loaf

Mo

un

tain

, Tro

ut

Bro

ok,

Jim

Cam

pb

ells

Bar

ren

s an

d M

arg

aree

R

iver

Imp

rove

d m

on

ito

rin

g o

f are

as

Ther

e ar

e n

o h

um

an-m

ade

imp

ou

nd

men

ts w

ith

in

the

no

min

ated

sec

tio

nTh

e en

tire

rive

r is

free

-flo

win

g w

ith

no

im-

po

un

dm

ents

No

ne

All

key

elem

ents

an

d e

cosy

stem

co

mp

on

ents

are

u

naf

fect

ed b

y im

po

un

dm

ents

loca

ted

ou

tsid

e th

e n

om

inat

ed s

ecti

on

No

imp

ou

nd

men

ts e

xist

ou

tsid

e o

f th

e n

om

i-n

ated

sec

tio

nN

on

e

The

wat

er in

the

no

min

ated

sec

tio

n is

un

con

tam

inat

-ed

to th

e ex

ten

t th

at it

s n

atu

ral a

qu

atic

eco

syst

em is

in

tact

Wat

er q

ual

ity

dat

a sh

ow

s th

e M

arg

aree

-Lak

e A

insl

ie R

iver

Sys

tem

mee

ts C

anad

ian

wat

er

qu

alit

y g

uid

elin

es fo

r fre

shw

ater

aq

uat

ic li

fe.

Co

nti

nu

ed w

ater

qu

alit

y m

on

ito

rin

g in

dic

ates

th

at th

e w

ater

rem

ain

s u

nco

nta

min

ated

The

nat

ura

l aes

thet

ic c

har

acte

r of t

he

no

min

ated

se

ctio

n is

free

of,

or n

ot a

dve

rsel

y af

fect

ed b

y, h

um

an

dev

elo

pm

ents

Past

an

d p

rese

nt l

and

use

s h

ave

nev

er o

ver-

wh

elm

ed th

e M

arg

aree

. Ap

pro

xim

atel

y 30

%

of t

he

rive

r sys

tem

is in

wild

ern

ess

con

dit

ion

.

No

ne

3.3

.2 C

ult

ura

l In

teg

rity

Val

ues

The

no

min

ated

sec

tio

n is

of s

uffi

cien

t siz

e to

incl

ud

e si

gn

ifica

nt r

epre

sen

tati

on

s o

f all

of t

he

feat

ure

s, ac

-ti

viti

es o

r oth

er p

hen

om

ena

wh

ich

giv

e th

e ri

ver i

ts

ou

tsta

nd

ing

cu

ltu

ral v

alu

e

No

t dis

cuss

ed a

t tim

e o

f no

min

atio

n


Tab

le 4

Mar

gar

ee-L

ake

Ain

slie

Riv

er S

yste

m In

teg

rity

CH

RS P

rin

cip

les,

Pro

ced

ure

s &

Op

erat

ion

al G

uid

lines

(2

001)

Mar

gar

ee-L

ake

Ain

slie

Riv

er S

yste

m In

teg

rity

G

uid

elin

e(s)

Ch

ang

es o

r Th

reat

s to

Riv

er In

teg

rity

The

visu

al c

har

acte

r of t

he

no

min

ated

sec

tio

n e

n-

able

s u

nin

terr

up

ted

ap

pre

ciat

ion

of a

t lea

st o

ne

of

the

per

iod

s o

f th

e ri

ver’s

his

tori

cal i

mp

ort

ance

No

t dis

cuss

ed a

t tim

e o

f no

min

atio

n

The

key

arti

fact

s an

d s

ites

co

mp

risi

ng

the

cult

ura

l va

lues

for w

hic

h th

e ri

ver i

s n

om

inat

ed a

re u

nim

-p

aire

d b

y im

po

un

dm

ents

an

d h

um

an la

nd

use

s

No

t dis

cuss

ed a

t tim

e o

f no

min

atio

n

The

wat

er q

ual

ity

of t

he

no

min

ated

sec

tio

n d

oes

n

ot d

etra

ct fr

om

the

visu

al c

har

acte

r or t

he

cult

ura

l ex

per

ien

ce p

rovi

ded

by

its

cult

ura

l val

ues

No

t dis

cuss

ed a

t tim

e o

f no

min

atio

nW

ater

qu

alit

y m

on

ito

rin

g is

no

w ta

kin

g p

lace

3.3

.3 R

ecre

atio

nal

Inte

gri

ty V

alu

es

The

rive

r po

sses

ses

wat

er o

f a q

ual

ity

suit

able

for

con

tact

recr

eati

on

al a

ctiv

itie

s, in

clu

din

g th

ose

recr

e-at

ion

al o

pp

ort

un

itie

s fo

r wh

ich

it is

no

min

ated

The

Mar

gar

ee-L

ake

Ain

slie

Riv

er S

yste

m c

ur-

ren

tly

mee

ts a

ll fiv

e w

ater

qu

alit

y ch

arac

ter-

isti

cs o

f im

po

rtan

ce to

the

recr

eati

on

al u

se o

f w

ater

for n

on

-co

nta

ct re

crea

tio

n a

s en

do

rsed

b

y C

CRE

M. I

t is

also

su

itab

le fo

r co

nta

ct re

cre-

atio

n.

No

ne

The

rive

r’s v

isu

al a

pp

eara

nce

is c

apab

le o

f pro

vid

-in

g ri

ver t

rave

llers

wit

h a

co

nti

nu

ou

s n

atu

ral e

xper

i-en

ce, o

r a c

om

bin

ed n

atu

ral a

nd

cu

ltu

ral e

xper

ien

ce,

wit

ho

ut s

ign

ifica

nt i

nte

rru

pti

on

by

mo

Margaree-Lake Ainslie Canadian Heritage River 10-year...

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