More Time for Tobeatic Campsite Decisions

Campsite leaseholders in Tobeatic Wilderness Area have been given more time to decide if they want to voluntarily give up their leases through a program announced in February.

"Since we announced the lease retirement program for Tobeatic, many leaseholders have told us they need more time to make this decision," Environment and Labour Minister Carolyn Bolivar-Getson said today, March 15. "They also asked us to release the final management plan for the wilderness area so they can make informed decisions. We understand these needs, and we are responding."

The original deadline for the lease retirement program was March 31. The new deadline is Dec. 31.

Ms. Bolivar-Getson said she will release the final management plan for Tobeatic Wilderness Area by Oct. 31. The plan will state whether campsite leases will continue in this wilderness area.

"In the meantime, we are increasing our protection of Tobeatic Wilderness area as planned with no more routine access to campsites by off-highway vehicle as of April 1, and with more enforcement staff," said Ms. Bolivar-Getson.

The lease retirement program was announced on Feb. 16 and is administered by the Department of Natural Resources. The program offers financial compensation of up to $20,000 per campsite lease to people who agree by Dec. 31 to end their leases in Tobeatic Wilderness Area.

People who retire these leases may apply to the department for a new lease on Crown land that is not within a protected area. Once leases in the wilderness area are retired, any campsite structures left behind will be dismantled and removed.