Wetland Conservation Policy Consultations Begin

Nova Scotians are invited to comment on a draft of government's new Wetland Conservation Policy.

The policy was created in response to the 2007 Environmental Goals and Sustainable Prosperity Act mandate that government develop a policy to prevent the net loss of wetlands by the end of 2009.

"The draft policy highlights the important roles wetlands play in Nova Scotia's landscapes and their value to society," said Environment Minister Sterling Belliveau. "It represents a commitment to managing Nova Scotia's wetlands in a consistent manner and to balance the desire to maintain a high level of wetland integrity for future generations with the need for sustainable economic development in our communities."

Wetlands perform important functions in our landscapes such as, improving water quality, controlling floods, recharging groundwater, protecting coastal infrastructure and providing critical habitat for rare and endangered species.

The draft is a comprehensive policy for the province to ensure wetland benefits are maintained and works to prevent the net loss of Nova Scotia's wetlands.

The main objectives are to:

• Manage human activity in or near wetlands with the goal of no loss in Ecologically Significant Wetlands and preventing net loss in area or function for other wetlands;
• Promote wetland securement and stewardship and increase awareness of the importance of wetlands in the landscape;
• Promote a long-term net gain in wetland types that have historically experienced high losses to restore beneficial ecosystem services across the province;
• Encourage the use of buffers to better ensure integrity of wetlands adjacent to development (i.e. residential, commercial, industrial) and agricultural and forestry operations; and
• Align wetland conservation tools and practices in Nova Scotia with those in New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island when feasible.

Consultations on the new policy will be scheduled with key interested parties this month, October and November. The deadline for submissions is Nov. 6.

Seven departments -- Environment, Agriculture, Economic and Rural Development, Fisheries and Aquaculture, Natural Resources, Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations and Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal -- have been involved in shaping the draft.

To view a draft of the Nova Scotia Wetland Conservation Policy or make comments online, visit www.gov.ns.ca/nse/wetland/conservation.policy.asp . The form can also be printed out and mailed to Wetland Policy Comments, Department of Environment, 5151 Terminal Rd., P.O. Box 442, Halifax, N.S., B3J 2P8, and by phone at 902-424-4936.