Long-time promise to make Conservation Area in Nipigon coming to fruition

NIPIGON, Ont. -- After years of waiting, the Lake Superior National Marine Conservation Area is becoming a reality.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper first announced the 10,000 square kilometre, which would be one of the largest fresh water protected areas in the world, in Nipigon in 2007. On Tuesday, an act to formally establish the area was introduced in the House of Commons.

Nipigon mayor Richard Harvey said he's excited to finally see the plan going ahead.

"It's something all parties should supporting," he said.

"The largest freshwater marine conversation area in the world. How can you not be happy about that."

But it's now time to work together with Parks Canada to make sure his town and all of Northwestern Ontario sees some economic benefits along with environmental protection.

The plan, which has been in the works in some form since the 1990s, is also supposed to come with $20 million in infrastructure, that includes an administration building and interpretive centre. Nipigon is supposed to be that centre but Harvey said the town needs to know if that's going ahead and when so it can start municipal infrastructure like sewer and water to the site. 

"We need those commitments," he said.

Parks Canada officials are meeting in Nipigon Friday to discuss the plan.