News Release Archive
NATURAL RESOURCES--PROTECTED AREAS STRATEGY ------------------------------------------------------------ Natural Resources Minister Don Downe said today that the provincial government is ready to develop a protected areas strategy that will be "the cornerstone of our efforts to maintain biodiversity and achieve sustainable resource development." Mr. Downe made the comments in Halifax when accepting the report and recommendations of a public review committee on the proposed systems plan for parks and protected areas in Nova Scotia. The review committee conducted meetings across Nova Scotia last winter, receiving more than 600 submissions from the public. In its report the committee says there is widespread public support for the concept of protected spaces and for the protection of the 31 candidate sites identified in the proposed plan. The committee's key recommendation is that all 31 sites be designated as protected areas. Mr. Downe said the 31 sites encompass more than 283,000 hectares, or 19 per cent of all provincial Crown land in Nova Scotia. "This is a major commitment, unparalleled across the country in terms of the proportion of Crown land dedicated to protection." He said the government is committed to the protection of natural landscapes and sites that are uniquely Nova Scotian. "We will develop a protected areas strategy and the legislation necessary to implement it," Mr. Downe said. "On a priority basis individual candidate sites will be designated for protection. Individual management plans will be developed in consultation with local communities." Until the sites are formally designated, the existing moratorium on land and resource use on those sites will remain in effect. The protected areas strategy is expected to be completed later this winter. Mr. Downe said he is pleased that the review committee recommended that wilderness recreational activities, such as hunting and fishing, be permitted within protected areas. He added that these activities will also be permitted under the moratorium. Environment Minister Wayne Adams has endorsed the concept of protected areas, as well as the plan to designate the 31 candidate sites for protection. "Protected natural areas enhance our environment and send an important message to the rest of the world; namely, that we care about sustainability and protection of our natural environment," said Mr. Adams. "Parks and protected areas are one of the greatest legacies we can leave for our children and for future generations." -30- NOTE TO EDITORS: Following is a summary of highlights of the public review committee's recommendations regarding parks and protected areas: ---Establishment of a comprehensive protected areas system. ---Formal designation of the 31 candidate protected areas. ---Emphasis on wilderness recreation and eco-tourism. ---Continuation of most traditional recreational activities, including hunting and fishing; snowmobiling (on key connector trails). ---Exclusion of all-terrain vehicles, except where necessary to access existing camps. ---Exclusion of commercial resource development/extraction, except where existing commitments apply. ---Recognition of existing property rights/land use commitments such as private inholdings, mineral rights and campsite leases. ---Encouragement of complementary management on adjacent land, where possible; integrated resource management (Crown), voluntary stewardship (private). ---Encouragement of private land stewardship initiatives. ---Provision of opportunities for consultation and partnerships. ---Adoption of implementation strategy that: continues moratorium until areas are designated; places high priority on management planning; emphasizes information and education; establishes new legislation for protected areas. Contact: Blain Henshaw 902-424-5252 trp Dec. 11, 1995