From the Chronicle- Halifax, Nova Scotia

Juan-ravaged islands lost in shuffle

By Jennifer Stewart

McNabs Island is feeling a bit like the runt of the litter with all the attention metro parks are receiving in the wake of hurricane Juan.

A spokeswoman for the Friends of McNabs Island Society says that's unfair considering the island's losses may be equal to - if not greater than - those reported on the mainland.

Damage to the roughly five-kilometre-long island, as well as nearby Lawlor Island, is extensive - enough to close both properties to the public indefinitely.

More than three months after Juan's devastating visit, many sports fields, playgrounds and parks have been cleaned up and are open once again.

Meanwhile, restoration has yet to begin on either island.

"Clearly, Nova Scotia's newest provincial park has been ignored, while donations continue to pour in to rebuild Point Pleasant Park and the Public Gardens," Catherine McCarthy wrote in the society's quarterly newsletter.

McNabs and Lawlor islands were designated a provincial park on Nov. 4, 2002.

Friends of McNabs launched a fundraising campaign in December to help cover the cost of repairs. Ms. McCarthy said they can use all the help they can get, even though the bill may be paid with hurricane disaster relief funds.

"Because of the island's location at the mouth of the harbour, it got hit very hard," she said in an interview before Christmas.

"There's been a lot of change for people who are familiar with the island. It makes you wonder how it will be cleaned up while maintaining it as a natural environment park."

McNabs, which is home to the Fort McNab national historic site, recorded winds gusting up to 172 kilometres an hour during the September storm.

Harold Carroll, director of parks for the Department of Natural Resources, met with the island's advisory committee in early November to discuss the damage, for which a dollar amount has yet to be determined.

He estimated about a quarter to a third of the island's trees came down, with nearly all of the trees at the drumlin near Garrison Pier, McNabs' highest point, blown down.

About 100 trees were uprooted and fell on the island's power lines, knocking out electricity for seven weeks.

The storm surge washed away metres of soil along the shoreline, destroying wildlife habitat and transforming McNabs Pond into a tidal inlet.

Even the concrete sentry building that once guarded the military pier at Ives Point is now gone, along with sections of the newly renovated decking on Garrison Pier.

Mr. Carroll, who is one of the few people to view the damage first-hand, could not be reached for comment Wednesday.

A tour of the island was scheduled for the advisory committee on Dec. 13 but was subsequently cancelled because high winds prevented the boat from docking.

"There are many people who would love to get over to see the changes. It's very frustrating that we can't do that," Ms. McCarthy said, explaining that violatinJuan-ravaged islands
lost in shuffle

By Jennifer Stewart

McNabs Island is feeling a bit like the runt of the litter with all the attention metro parks are receiving in the wake of hurricane Juan.

A spokeswoman for the Friends of McNabs Island Society says that's unfair considering the island's losses may be equal to - if not greater than - those reported on the mainland.

Damage to the roughly five-kilometre-long island, as well as nearby Lawlor Island, is extensive - enough to close both properties to the public indefinitely.

More than three months after Juan's devastating visit, many sports fields, playgrounds and parks have been cleaned up and are open once again.

Meanwhile, restoration has yet to begin on either island.

"Clearly, Nova Scotia's newest provincial park has been ignored, while donations continue to pour in to rebuild Point Pleasant Park and the Public Gardens," Catherine McCarthy wrote in the society's quarterly newsletter.

McNabs and Lawlor islands were designated a provincial park on Nov. 4, 2002.

Friends of McNabs launched a fundraising campaign in December to help cover the cost of repairs. Ms. McCarthy said they can use all the help they can get, even though the bill may be paid with hurricane disaster relief funds.

"Because of the island's location at the mouth of the harbour, it got hit very hard," she said in an interview before Christmas.

"There's been a lot of change for people who are familiar with the island. It makes you wonder how it will be cleaned up while maintaining it as a natural environment park."

McNabs, which is home to the Fort McNab national historic site, recorded winds gusting up to 172 kilometres an hour during the September storm.

Harold Carroll, director of parks for the Department of Natural Resources, met with the island's advisory committee in early November to discuss the damage, for which a dollar amount has yet to be determined.

He estimated about a quarter to a third of the island's trees came down, with nearly all of the trees at the drumlin near Garrison Pier, McNabs' highest point, blown down.

About 100 trees were uprooted and fell on the island's power lines, knocking out electricity for seven weeks.

The storm surge washed away metres of soil along the shoreline, destroying wildlife habitat and transforming McNabs Pond into a tidal inlet.

Even the concrete sentry building that once guarded the military pier at Ives Point is now gone, along with sections of the newly renovated decking on Garrison Pier.

Mr. Carroll, who is one of the few people to view the damage first-hand, could not be reached for comment Wednesday.

A tour of the island was scheduled for the advisory committee on Dec. 13 but was subsequently cancelled because high winds prevented the boat from docking.

"There are many people who would love to get over to see the changes. It's very frustrating that we can't do that," Ms. McCarthy said, explaining that violating the Provincial Park Act carries a fine of $215.

For now, she said, she'll have to wait for the OK from Natural Resources to visit.

Those who wish to contribute to the Friends of McNabs can contact Ms. McCarthy at 434-2254 or visit their website at www.mcnabsisland.ca.

g the Provincial Park Act carries a fine of $215.

For now, she said, she'll have to wait for the OK from Natural Resources to visit.

Those who wish to contribute to the Friends of McNabs can contact Ms. McCarthy at 434-2254 or visit their website at www.mcnabsisland.ca.

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