Leah Hagreen conducted an ecological study on the Shelburne Barrens in the summer of 1998. She concluded the development of a kaolinite mine in the region was potentially catastrophic. The site is located at the headwaters of several river systems and the reserve contains a rich limnological diversity which would be threatened by the extraction of the dusty deposits. Kaolinite mining involves the use of much water which is of concern because the narrow ecological niches of Nova Scotia's rare coastal plain flora are degraded by the domestication of water levels. A mine would also serve as a barrier to the movement of large mammals into and out of the Tobeatic, particularly the resident moose population.
Eutrophication is of additional concern.
Similar kaolinite mines in England have been environmental disasters. Leah's literature research reveals the danger of developing such sites. The following quote is from England's environmental department. This map shows the general location of the exploratory drill sites, approximately one kilometer west of the Clyde River Bridge on Highway 203. The Highway forms the southern boundary of the Tobeatic wilderness Area for many kilometres in both directions from this location, and it appears obvious now that the boundary was set as it was in this area to allow for this exploration.