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BayNiche Conservancy is 310.798 hectares on Lake Superior, purchased in 1986 with
the intention of establishing a model for private environmental
guardianship.
The convoluted 2 kilometer shoreline,
steep relief, geologic mix and micro climates
create a wide variety of growth conditions and habitats.
Populations specific to each "eco-niche" define its character and
inspired the name BayNiche. Bounded by Crown land to
the north and east, in an area unserviced by electricity or
telephone, this property seemed to call out for water-shed and
wilderness protection.
The results of the inquiry into the state of Canada's parks validate
the motivating concern that the "management" of public lands is
inept, inadequate and driven by interests which don't see
protection of the environment as the greatest common
good. The Heritage Coastline designation of the
adjacent Crown land offers only the horror of "stewardship" of natural
resources for its forestry, mining and tourism industry
value.
Policy fads, politics and bad
science are perhaps not as pernicious as the lesson that property taxes
teach. Land has been degraded to the status of a
commodity. It is in fact a
trust. If we do not recognize our fiduciary duty we
are like revenue dependent beneficiaries plundering our capital.
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BayNiche, as a Mining Location, is subject to extra
taxation of $1,243.20 annually. The exponential rise in this tax previously
unchanged in decades, from 50 cents a hectare, at time of purchase, to 4 dollars a hectare at present, was a deliberate attempt by the MNDM to drive people off inactive claims. In fact the stated target of 8
dollars a hectare was not reached before the exodus of mining exploration demonstrated the folly of the plan even to mining proponents. Despite many and various appeals to have this "Heritage Coast" watershed exempted, the MNDM still defends its willingness to usurp private land management saying that it,"...takes great effort and pride in promoting the exploitation of minerals while retaining stewardship for responsible and accountable mining operations".
Market value assessment, the low Canadian dollar, high foreign interest
in water and waterfront, accessibility (a highway runs through),
and the strong anti- environmental sentiments in
this region, have made maintaining this conservation initiative
an experience which threatens to impoverish both psychologically and
financially.
cbayne @
bayniche-conservancy.ca
may be contacted for comment or further information.
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