Government of New Brunswick

Provincial Parks Planning

parkmanagementplans-category

Under the authority of the New Brunswick Provincial Parks Act, the Minister of Tourism, Heritage and Culture will prepare Management Plans for all New Brunswick provincial parks. These plans will ensure that each park is managed consistent with the four goals of the parks mandate as set out in the Provincial Parks Act - protection, outdoor recreation, heritage appreciation and tourism.

A management plan or statement  is a document that outlines the vision for each park and guides park management decisions over the long term. The plan or statement will include an overview of the services and amenities for each park, as well as a zoning map that identifies the types of uses permitted in various locations, particularly those maintained for public use, as well as protected areas which will not be accessible to the public.   

Public consultation is an important component of the planning process.  A management plan or statement is the result of a consultative planning process and is developed with local communities, First Nations, local governments, and other interest groups.

Read more about the planning process and how you can get involved.

Projects Currently Open for Public Comment

In 2017-18, the Department of Tourism, Heritage and Culture is undertook a pilot planning process for:

New River Beach Provincial Park: The Management Statement has been accepted by the department and is available for public information.

From 2018-2020, the Department of Tourism, Heritage and Culture will be undertaking the Management Planning process for:

Management Planning Process

What is a Management Plan?

A management plan is a document that outlines the vision and direction for a protected area such as a provincial park. In this case, park management plans will:

  • Situate the provincial parks within a landscape context, both geographically and as a part of the New Brunswick parks system.
  • Describe the key features and values of the protected area (such as natural, cultural and recreation values).
  • Identify current and future appropriate management activities.
  • Determine the appropriate levels of use and development.
  • Establish the long-term vision and management objectives to be met.
  • Respond to current and predicted future threats to meeting the vision and values of the provincial park.

As a first step towards the development of management plans the department is preparing a management statements.

A management statement is an interim, document that addresses a limited number of non-complex issues for limited capital infrastructure or resource management projects. A management statement provides management direction for one or more provincial parks.

A management plan is a more substantial undertaking and deals with complex issues and proposals for substantial capital infrastructure or resource management projects for one or more provincial parks.

Management
Statement
(non-complex)

Management Plan
(moderately complex and
very complex)

1. Limited Resource Management

  • Highlights potential negative impact on sensitive natural or cultural values
  • Highlights human or natural threats.
  • Status quo or custodial management.

1. Substantial Resource Management

  • Assesses potential negative impact on sensitive natural or cultural values.
  • Assesses human or natural threats.
  • Assesses maintenance of natural or cultural values.

2. Issues or Proposals

  • New decisions, if required, are few and non-complex
  • Low potential impact on adjacent landowners.
  • Status quo zoning scheme.

2. Issues or Proposals

  • Contemplates multiple and complex decision on issues/proposals.
  • Moderate to high potential impact on adjacent landowners.
  • Assesses future zoning schemes and adaptive management techniques.

3. Capital Infrastructure

  • Maintains existing infrastructure and/or formalize existing road(s) to manage uses, but no new roads. Minimum essential new infrastructure to support existing use and management (e.g., parking, privies).
  • Routine maintenance; limited change in capacity, except for safety.
  • Allows for low-impact trail development.

3. Substantial New Capital Infrastructure

  • Presents framework for future, major changes in existing infrastructure footprint.
  • Defines maintenance of infrastructure beyond minimal essential infrastructure and how to adapt to increased capacity requirements.
  • Envisions future trail network(s) and highlights potential for impacts.

4. Boundaries and Resources

  • Delineates existing boundaries.

4. Boundaries and Resources

  • Identifies boundary amendments, consolidations and reclassification if required.

5. Resources

  • Defines current fiscal and staffing resources.

5. Resources

  • Recommends effective and efficient allocation and prioritization of fiscal and staff resources.

A management statement will become a management plan after engagement with First Nations and the Public Planning Advisory Committee has produced agreement on implementation objectives and actions for the long term resource management of a given park.

First Nations Advisory Committee

The New Brunswick Provincial Parks Act enables the Minister of Tourism, Heritage and Culture to establish a First Nations Advisory Committee to help establish cultural and historical links as well as setting the course for future park management planning efforts.

The initial committee has been established and agreed to meet bi-annually to discuss matters relating to governance of Provincial Parks.

First Nations have expressed interest in and have shared knowledge of the Park and surrounding area. First Nations communities have used the area for hunting, trapping, fishing, gathering and travel. These uses may continue, subject to public safety, conservation and other considerations. DTHC looks forward to consulting with the Wolastoqey Nation to gain a better understanding of their knowledge and use of the Park.

Public Planning Advisory Committee

The Department of Tourism, Heritage and Culture has recently established a public Resource Management Planning Advisory Committee to assist in guiding the management planning process for the creation of Resource Management Plans for Provincial Parks.

The inaugural Advisory Committee members have been engaged for a 1-year period and will represent a range of stakeholders including conservation groups, recreation organizations and tourism operators.

Planning Advisory Committee Members:

Organization

CPAWS
Nature Trust of NB
Hiking NB
Tourism Industry Association of NB
Nature NB
Park Manager – Ex-Officio Rotates depending upon the park being studied.

Terms of Reference for the public Planning Advisory Committee – Under development.