News Release Archive
NATURAL RESOURCES--GOVERNMENT COMMITMENT TO PROTECTED AREAS ----------------------------------------------------------------- "Protected Areas Strategy" that commits the government of Nova Scotia to protect 291,000 hectares of public land on 30 sites has been introduced by Natural Resources Minister Eleanor Norrie. "The strategy takes the province from concept to commitment for a protected areas system," said Mrs. Norrie. "This will be done through new provincial legislation for protected areas, which will be introduced this year during the fall session of the House of Assembly." The strategy commits the government to the establishment of a comprehensive system of protected areas; enactment of protected areas legislation; formal designation under that legislation of 30 candidate sites; and public consultation and management planning for the individual sites. An action plan and interim management guidelines for protected areas were also introduced by Mrs. Norrie. "The action plan provides direction for implementation of the strategy over the next three years," said the minister. "The guidelines will ensure protection of all 30 sites until the legislation and individual management plans are in place." As more than 70 per cent of the land in Nova Scotia is privately owned, the strategy also emphasizes private land stewardship and encourages private landowners to protect significant natural features of their properties through existing provincial legislation. The 291,000 hectares (727,000 acres) identified for protection represents nearly 20 per cent of the provincial Crown land in Nova Scotia. Combined with all existing protected areas such as provincial and national parks, this means that 8.2 per cent of the whole province and nearly 28 per cent of all public land (provincial and federal Crown lands) will have protected status. "At 8.2 per cent, Nova Scotia ranks third in Canada for its percentage of land under protection," said Mrs. Norrie. "We are first in eastern Canada, well ahead of Ontario, Quebec and the other Atlantic provinces." The Protected Areas Strategy introduced today reaffirms the government's commitment to both the concept and the reality of protected spaces. Mrs. Norrie said protected areas will benefit Nova Scotia and its people for generations to come. "They will enhance our quality of life, provide outstanding opportunities for outdoor recreation, and make Nova Scotia more attractive as a tourism destination," she said. "I am proud of our government's commitment to parks, protected areas and special places and look forward to introducing the new protected areas legislation in the fall." -30- Contact: Blain Henshaw 902-424-5252 trp Feb. 28, 1997 - 1:15 p.m.