To create a Wilderness/Ecological reserve in the Lewis Hills, Serpentine Valley and Blow Me Down Hills region under the Wilderness and Ecological Act. The purposes of such areas are to recognize and safeguard these key pieces of Newfoundland and Labrador\'s natural heritage, protect and preserve biodiversity, provide areas for scientific research and education, create venues for enjoying and appreciating outstanding scenery, landscape, and wildlife, create opportunities to enjoy outdoor activities and provide a basis for new eco-tourism and adventure tourism business. This area could be protected many ways under the Wilderness and Ecological Act. The Act-along with its associated regulations-defines and gives legal protection to each reserve and outlines the types of activities that can, and cannot, take place within its borders. The point of such reserves is to protect these sections of land from major development and allow for their continued recreational use which may range from snowmobiling to hiking. New reserves are created on the advice of the Wilderness and Ecological Reserves Advisory Council (WERAC). An independent group of appointed volunteers from across the province, WERAC members come from a wide variety of backgrounds and share an interest in conservation and an awareness of the importance of protected areas. I have contacted Paul Taylor (Heritage River Planner with the Department of Environment and Conservation and secretary of WERAC) and proposed that the Lewis Hills, Serpentine Valley and Blow Me Down Hills be protected in some form under the Wilderness and Ecological reserve act. I encourage anyone with an interest to contact Mr. Taylor at: paul.a.taylor@gov.nl.ca.

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