PRINCE ALBERT, Sask. – It’s almost two-thirds the size of Prince Edward Island and now it’s the largest ecological reserve in Saskatchewan.
The Pink Lake Representative Area Ecological Reserve is the largest provincially-protected area of land at approximately 3,600 square kilometres.
Only Prince Albert National Park, at 3,874 square kilometres, is larger.
The area, located 160 kilometres north of La Ronge, “covers a vast area of boreal forest which provides important habitat for many species including woodland caribou,” said Environment Minister Ken Cheveldayoff.
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“The designation will help conserve this ecologically important area, while adding significantly to Saskatchewan’s Representative Areas Network.”
Under the designation, no new industrial developments will be allowed and no new leases or permits will be issued.
Current leases and permits will be grandfathered in to allow existing activities to continue.
The designation will not affect traditional activities by First Nations and Métis people along with recreational hunting and angling.
“Half of our beautiful province is forest,” said Cheveldayoff. “A strong, healthy boreal ecoregion will continue to serve all residents, visitors and our industry partners now and for decades to come.”
The area was first proposed as part of the Misinipiy Integrated Land Use Plan, which was developed in partnership with the Lac La Ronge Indian Band.
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