The land transfer agreement (LTA) signed by the governments of Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador provides for the transfer of administration and control of lands from the province to Parks Canada for establishment and management of the Akami–uapishku – KakKasuak – Mealy Mountains National Park Reserve.
Under the terms of the agreement, the Province will, within six months of the signing of the land transfer agreement, transfer to Parks Canada the administration and control of the lands. Provincial leases and licences to occupy will continue in accordance with their terms and conditions. Prior to the transfer of the lands, the Province is to terminate all leases and licences issued under the Mineral Act with Parks Canada providing compensation.
In preparing a management plan for the park, Parks Canada will consult the Province, consider its comments and provide a written response. Parks Canada will hold public forums in Labrador to review the progress made in park establishment and to hear recommendations from the public.
The Province will consult Parks Canada on land-use plans and resource management issues on provincial Crown lands adjacent to the park including the proposed waterway provincial park along the Eagle River.
Parks Canada agrees to establish an administration headquarters. It will also establish visitor reception and orientation presence in the communities of Cartwright and Rigolet. Parks Canada is to develop within five years of signing the LTA a tourism strategy for the park.
Parks Canada will provide, in perpetuity, for the continuation of traditional activities and land use by traditional land users within the national park reserve, subject to such terms, conditions, limits, seasons and measures as Parks Canada considers reasonable to ensure sustainable use and conservation. The traditional activities and land use will be permitted to continue by Parks Canada using a framework where activities will be managed under the Canada National Parks Act and associated regulations, the management plan and the zoning plan.
Parks Canada will establish a local advisory committee that will include several members chosen from the communities for the purpose of advising Parks Canada on issues related to the carrying on of traditional activities and land uses.
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