Land Purchases Support Rural Economy, Recreation, Biodiversity

Nova Scotians will soon own more land that will help rural economies, protect endangered species and provide new recreational opportunities.

More than 2,900 acres of land are being purchased. Some of the land is being acquired through the Forestry Transition Land Acquisition Program, which allows the province to acquire viable surplus lands from forestry companies.

"Forestry companies want opportunities to diversify their business and this program makes that possible in these challenging times," said Natural Resources Minister Charlie Parker. "While we can't control the marketplace, this program aims to makes it easier for companies to sell land at fair market value."

Under the Forestry Transition Land Acquisition Program the province is purchasing:

• 965 acres of land in Inverness and Richmond counties from B.A. Fraser Lumber Limited and David Fraser and Catherine Coady-Fraser for $484,325.
• 1,081 acres in Pictou and Antigonish counties from C and G Williams Bulldozing Limited and Mountain View Resources for $487,514.
• 150 acres of land in Pictou County from Clement and Patricia DeYoung of DeYoung and Son's Logging for $101,750.

The province will also purchase 150 acres of land in Queens County from Patrick J. Carville for $105,000. The land is adjacent to Thomas Raddall Provincial Park and Sandy Bay Round Lake, has high recreation potential, and and is a known location of boreal felt lichen boreal felt lichen, which is listed under the Nova Scotia Endangered Species Act.

Another 246 acres of land is being acquired from the Gaelic College in Victoria County for $600,000. The land has value to the Mi'kmaq and also offers recreational value for all Nova Scotians.

The province will purchase the southern half of West Ironbound Island, Lunenburg Co., in partnership with the Kingsburg Coastal Conservancy. The department will contribute $200,000 and the conservancy $187,500 for the purchase price. The 60 acres will be owned by the department and managed with the conservancy under a stewardship agreement. The property is rich in biodiversity and offers excellent recreation opportunities.

Another 260 acres will be purchased in Queens County from Donald C. and Bonnie L. Scott. The parcel has 1,600 feet of water frontage along the Port L'Hebert waterway, and access to the Atlantic Ocean. It will provide recreational opportunities and protect biodiversity and species at risk.

These land purchases are funded through the province's 2012-13 tangible capital assets plan.

The land purchases support a number of provincial goals, including protecting jobs in the forestry industry, providing Nova Scotians with coastal access and recreational opportunities, and ensuring land is available for future generations.