News Release Archive
NEWS RELEASE (CNS891) -->> NATURAL RESOURCES-CAMPBELL BARREN WITHDRAWN FROM PROTECTED STATUS NATURAL RESOURCES-CAMPBELL BARREN WITHDRAWN FROM PROTECTED STATUS ----------------------------------------------------------------- The Nova Scotia government has decided to withdraw the 1,700 hectare "Jim Campbell barren" in Inverness County, near Cheticamp, from its status as a protected site candidate. Natural Resources Minister Eleanor Norrie said, "Cabinet made this decision after considering a recommendation from the Cheticamp Development Commission to open the area for mineral exploration." Mrs. Norrie said, "This is in response to the wishes of the local community, which wants the jobs and economic diversification that mineral exploration and potential development can bring to the area." The Jim Campbell barren is one of 31 sites across the province proposed for protection under the Parks and Protected Areas Systems Plan. It contains two mineral rights claims that have existed for 14 and eight years. Under the Mineral Resources Act, the province has a legal obligation to honor the claims. In its 1995 report, a public review panel that conducted public meetings on the proposed plan, recommended that existing mineral rights in proposed sites "should be recognized while they are in good standing." The Jim Campbell barren lies in the middle of a large area of Inverness County where considerable gold exploration activity is currently underway. The Cheticamp Development Commission said the barren has a high potential for gold deposits and it has support from the local population and from the Municipality of Inverness in seeking withdrawal of the site. -30- Contact: Blain Henshaw 902-424-5252 jlw Dec. 03, 1996 5:15 p.m.