Wallace Bay National Wildlife Area Management Plan: chapter 10

10 Collaborators

There are no formal arrangements pertaining to the management or administration of Wallace Bay National Wildlife Area (NWA) with the exception with an agreement with Ducks Unlimited Canada to maintain the controlled water level impoundments within the NWA.

There are six controlled water level impoundments as well as the natural marsh above the aboiteau, within the NWA, that are collaboratively managed by Ducks Unlimited Canada and ECCC-CWS (under a land use agreement). Ducks Unlimited Canada is responsible for the maintenance of the dykes and control structures within these impoundments (MacKinnon and Kennedy 2011). These structures are constructed and maintained at the sole risk, cost and expense of Ducks Unlimited Canada, who cannot construct or erect any structure without prior approval of the Minister. The agreement was signed on 4 April 1986 and continued for a period of 21 years (4 April 2007), and thereafter from year to year. If, at the end of the agreement, the dams are not in good condition, DUC is required to undertake the necessary maintenance work.

For a number of years, members of the Wallace Area Development Association (WADA) have expressed interest in sustainable public use activities within the Wallace Bay NWA. The development of the parking area and boat launch, off the Aboiteau Road, was done with the endorsement and support of the association.

A close working relationship is also maintained with the Wildlife Division of the Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources, with frequent data and information sharing pertaining to Wallace Bay NWA.