cleared some of the questions to the satisfaction of the EIA committee but it did not resolve the question of the IBP designation. A further study contracted by the P.E.I. Department of Environment to determine if there were other bogs on the Island with similar features concluded that “due to the unique features of the Miscouche Bog, no other bog could be found that would meet all of its features." However, this report also recommended a land exchange proposal involving three other bogs (Brae Harbour, St. Peter's, and Hood Islands) as being an appropriate exchange for the loss that would be incurred through the development of the Miscouche Bog. 0n the report's referral to the Island Nature Trust and the Technical Advisory Committee of the Natural Areas Advisory Committee, both responded that they would not support having the Miscouche Bog developed.

The province's E.I.A. Technical Review Committee declared that it was satisfied that with appropriate mitigation, terms and conditions, the development proposal could continue without significant adverse impacts on the environment. It recommended that the Minister of Environment refer the proposed Miscouche Peat Bog Extraction project for public review through an independent environmental assessment panel with the panel's mandate restricted to the IBP issue. The Technical Review Committee recommended that the project be approved with terms and conditions ensuring appropriate mitigation if the panel concludes that the IBP designation should be removed.

On December 8th, this Environmental Assessment Panel met in Miscouche to hear public input on the proposal. The Natural History Society sent a representative to that meeting and the Society made the following points:

1. The Society opposed the development of a peat mine at the

Miscouche 809 because of its uniqueness both as an IBP site

and the presence of three very rare plants (Bog birch, Betula

umila, swamp pink, Calapogan tuberosus, and bake apple, Rubus

Ehamaemorus).

2. If the Panel in its wisdom decided to recommend the removal

of the IBP designation, the Society asked for three conditions to

be set and implemented prior to any development or drainage of

Miscouche Bog, namely:

a) that the lands be purchased by the government and be subsequently established as natural areas with full protection;

b) that a fund of sufficient size be established to pay for successful transplanting and subsequent maintenance of the three rare plants to the other three bogs; and

c) that the genetic uniqueness of these plants be preserved in a national seed bank(s).

RAILS T0 TRAILS PHOTO CONTEST

Rails to Trails has announced a photo contest for subjects dealing with any recreational use of a rail trail taken on or adjacent to a P.E.I. railbed including wildlife, landscapes, human interest, activities, action photos, etc. They have categories for children under 16 on January 31, 1991, adults, and professional photographers. The formats include colour prints (Max 4"X6"), black and white prints (max 4"X6"), Polaroid prints, and colour or black and white slides. Entrants are restricted to 3 entries. These become the property of Rails to Trails/P.E.I. and they will not necessarily be returned. For further details contact Bunty Albert 894-7256. The contest deadline is February 26th, 1991.

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