News Release Archive
NATURAL RESOURCES--PROTECTED AREAS STRATEGY
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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."
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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