News release

Revised Wilderness Area Boundary Open for Comment

Environment (April 2008 - Feb. 2021)

Nova Scotians have an opportunity for final comment on the revised boundary of what will be the province's newest wilderness area.

The boundary of the 14,750-hectare area at Ship Harbour Long Lake in Halifax Regional Municipality was revised after extensive public consultation over the past year.

"This wilderness area will protect a beautiful landscape and provide wilderness recreation opportunities for generations to come," said David Morse, Minister of Environment. "It will help meet the province's goal to protect 12 per cent of Nova Scotia's landmass by 2015, a commitment in the Environmental Goals and Sustainable Prosperity Act."

The wilderness area will protect diverse animal habitats, old growth forests, unique wetlands and many remote lakes and rivers.

In revising the boundary, key access points were maintained and more ecologically significant elements were included. Agreements were reached on regional off-highway vehicle routes and mineral interests were considered.

"This significant new wilderness area will protect important conservation lands and show a balanced consideration of other land uses," said Carolyn Bolivar-Getson, Natural Resources Minister.

The Department of Environment will hold two information sessions: May 20 at the St. Philip Neri Roman Catholic Church hall in Musquodoboit Harbour, and May 27 at the Fairbanks Centre in Dartmouth. Both sessions will run from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.

People may drop written comments in comment boxes at wilderness area displays at the Alderney Gate Public Library in Dartmouth and the Musquodoboit Harbour Public Library, from May 11- June 5.

Written comments may also be submitted to the Department of Environment, Protected Areas Branch, P.O. Box 442, Halifax, N.S., B3J 2P8, or e-mailed to protectedareas@gov.ns.ca .

Comments will be accepted until June 19th.

For more information on Ship Harbour Long Lake Wilderness Area, or any other aspect of Nova Scotia's protected area program, visit www.gov.ns.ca/nse/protectedareas or call 902-424-2117.