November 9, 1998


             NEGOTIATIONS SET FOR NEW NATIONAL PARK
                      IN MANITOBA LOWLANDS

Winnipeg, November 9, 1998--Manitoba Natural Resources Minister
Glen Cummings and Secretary of State (Parks) Andy Mitchell today
announced that negotiations will begin shortly on a federal-provincial
agreement to establish a new national park in the Manitoba Lowlands.

"I am very pleased that community support exists for a national
park in this special area of Manitoba," said Mitchell.  "Once an
agreement is signed, we will be able to protect another important
part of Canada's natural and cultural heritage for our generation
and those to come."

"We are delighted to move forward with this proposed national park,
" said Cummings.  "I am also pleased to announce proposals for two
provincially protected areas in the Manitoba Lowlands region--one
in the Chitek Lake area and another north of Grand Rapids to
protect a significant cluster of karst caves and their bat
colonies."

Local First Nations and communities are invited to work directly
with Parks Canada and Manitoba to reach an agreement similar to the
one negotiated for Wapusk National Park in Northern Manitoba.

The announcement follows an in-depth study of the feasibility of
establishing a national park in this area, including two years of
consultations with communities, First Nations, conservation groups
and other interested parties. The ministers hope to sign the
agreement by the year 2000.

The proposed national park is distinct in that it consists of
separate components--the Long Point area and some nearby islands in
Lake Winnipegosis, the Limestone Bay area and the Black and Deer
Islands--which together can represent the diversity of the Manitoba
Lowlands natural region better than one site could on its own. 
Initial negotiations will focus on the Long Point and Limestone Bay
components.

Public consultations resulted in changes to the original national
park proposal, including adjustments to proposed boundaries and
removal of the prospect of a new forestry road through the Long
Point component.  These changes improve the parks's ecological
integrity and maintain its hardwood areas, wildlife habitat and
opportunities for visitor use.

Existing Aboriginal and treaty harvesting rights, such as hunting,
trapping, fishing and gathering will be respected in the national
park.  In addition to taking part in negotiations for a park
agreement, local First Nation and community representatives will
participate on a Park Management Board.

In making their announcement, the two ministers released a
newsletter that summarizes the consultation findings and changes to
the park proposal in response to public input.  A Manitoba Lowlands
National Park would join 38 other parks in Canada's national park
system.

                             - 30 -

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, CONTACT:

Margot Doey-Vick                             
Communications Advisor                       
Office of the Secretary of State (Parks)          
(819) 953-1686                               

Gord Prouse
Director, Parks and Natural Areas
Manitoba Natural Resources
(204) 945-4362

(Available on the Internet at: http://www.pch.gc.ca under News Releases
and at 
http://www.gov.mb.ca under News Releases)


                          BACKGROUNDER


In February 1996, a national park proposal was presented to the public
consisting of three and possibly, four, distinct components.  These 
include the Long Point area near Grand Rapids, the Limestone Bay
area near Norway House, Black and Deer Islands in Hecla Provincial
Park and some Lake Winnipegosis islands.  Possible provincial
protected areas were also to be considered.

Together, various sites can represent the diversity of the Manitoba
Lowlands Natural Region better than one site could on its own. 
This natural region -- of lowland plains, boreal forest, large
freshwater lakes and grasslands in the south -- is currently
unrepresented in the national park system.

The proposed park areas, together covering over 3,200 square
kilometres, typify the northern half of the Lowlands region with
their sweeping sand beaches, limestone cliffs and caves, broad
shallow lakes and some of the most productive freshwater marshes in
North America.  Boreal forests of spruce, aspen and tamarack are 
home to moose, woodland caribou, elk and grouse.  Wetlands and
lakes provide habitat for an immense variety of waterfowl and
shorebirds.  Two of the world's largest freshwater lakes --
Winnipeg and Winnipegosis -- dominate the landscape and have 
shaped the Interlake's cultural heritage as a means of transportation,
especially during the fur trade era.

Public consultations have led to the conclusion that negotiations 
towards a park agreement for Long Point (linked with the Lake 
Winnipegosis islands) and Limestone Bay components can begin
now.  

Public input has led to proposed changes to this national park
proposal including:

- adjustments to the southwest and northern boundary of the
  Long Point component;

- addition of the Sturgeon Gill Point and Buffalo Lake area 
  and a northern tributary/wetland area to the Limestone Bay
  component;

- no provision for a new forestry road through the Long Point
  component; and

- two proposed provincial protected areas to help represent the
  features of the region and to protect more wildlife habitat.

The goal is to complete and sign a federal-provincial agreement
by the year 2000.  A new national park to represent one of 
Canada's natural regions will make an important contribution to
the federal government's commitment to work towards completion
of the national park system. 

The park agreement will provide for transfer of lands from the 
province to the federal government, and for bringing the park
lands under the National Parks Act.  It states terms and conditions 
settled during negotiations such as provincial interests, First
Nation and other third party interests, the park management 
planning process, and a park management board.


For further information:

Doug Yurick                        
Chief, New Park Proposals South    
Parks Canada                  
Canadian Heritage                  
(819) 997-4910

Gord Prouse
Director, Parks and Natural Areas
Manitoba Natural Resources
(204) 945-4362