I seem to remember something about a plan to build a road to Batch, thus bypassing Nym. Any one know anything about that? Thanks!

I hate to report that not only is a road being considered but there is a possibility of a large French Lake type drive-up campground to be built at Batchewaung Bay.  The town of Atikokan gets very little business from the present campground at French Lake and the local businesses want a campground located close to Atikokan.  This possibility was being included in the long-range planning that was conducted.  I wrote a letter opposing the road and campground and asked that it be included in the planning.  Don't know is the long range plan has been completed.  A road and campground would seriously harm the wilderness.  Hopefully this will not happen. 

We all need to support Atikokan's economy as much as possible when we enter Quetico from the North.  Quetico is a Provinical park that is used primarily by US citizens.  If my home state of GA had a large state park used primarily by Canadians, we would want the local economy to receive economic benefits to allow us to support the park.  I also encourage everyone to join the Friends of Quetico.  They provide much support for the park but are not able to become involved in politics relating to the park.

As a long time member of Friends of Quetico, I have not noticed a problem with an effort to reduce entry into Quetico. Google the Friends of Quetico to check them out. I know that they have very limited funds.  Personally,  I would not want to increase the number of permits to enter Quetico.  Compare the Quetico to Algonquin and determine  yourself if you would want to increase the number of permits.

IMO Atikokan and the surrounding area are reaping what they have sown...

PhantomJug wrote on Jan 18^th, 2010 at 1:53am:

There's absolutely no affiliation between QJ and either the (of the) Friends or the Q Foundation beyond an obvious interest in a certain place on the globe and how it's used yet our paths do of course cross from time to time.

(You need to Login or Register to view media files and links)
"Friends of Quetico Park work toward the enhancement of the interpretive, educational, and recreational objectives of Quetico Provincial Park. Summer staff members work with park employees in the Natural Heritage Education Programme and library."

There's also the (You need to Login or Register to view media files and links)
"is involved in activities which will, through a wise and informed public and private sector, conserve wilderness areas in their natural state for future generations.
...
Our objective has been to act as a catalyst for initiatives that will, both in the long term and the short term further our mission. Hence, we have made an on-going commitment to working with government officials, park managers, forestry and mining industry officials, local citizens' groups and the Lac La Croix First Nation, to ensure the sustainability of the forests and the integrity of the wilderness."

For the 3,000th time folks, QJ is simply here to facilitate honest discussion about the pros and cons of (You need to Login or Register to view media files and links) BW/Q ideas. Whatever fits your point of skew or floats your boat or cooks your 'sausage' is entirely up to you.

wally wrote on Jan 18^th, 2010 at 2:04am:

OK, I don't get what you guys are referring to. Enlighten me please?

3,000 indeed I just want to know stuff that may be useful to me or my kid's kid's kid's kids... someday. What you do is entirely up to you.