Open Houses for McNabs, Lawlor Islands Draft Management Plan

NATURAL RESOURCES--Open Houses for McNabs, Lawlor Islands Draft Management Plan

The Department of Natural Resources will be holding three public open houses in October to seek input on the draft park management plan for the proposed McNabs and Lawlor Islands Provincial Park.

The open houses will be held on Oct. 2 at the Alderney Gate Library in Dartmouth, Oct. 8 at Fisherman's Cove in Eastern Passage and on Oct. 10 in the Sexton Building of Dalhousie University, Halifax. Each open house will run from 2 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Prepared by the Department of Natural Resources and the McNabs and Lawlor Islands Provincial Park Advisory Committee, the management plan provides a vision and philosophy that will guide future management decisions for the park.

"As we move towards designation of McNabs and Lawlor Islands as a provincial park, the management plan will provide a vision for the future development of the islands," said Natural Resources Minister Tim Olive. "The open houses are an opportunity for the public to discuss the plan and share their views on the management of the islands with Natural Resources staff and members of the advisory committee."

McNabs and Lawlor Islands are located within Halifax Harbour. McNabs Island, the larger of the two, is about five kilometres long and 1.5 kilometres at its widest. It is a total of 402 hectares. Lawlor Island is almost two kilometres long and 600 metres at its widest. It is about 58 hectares in size.

Recognized for their natural and cultural heritage values, the islands include important wildlife habitat, concentrations of nesting great blue heron and ospreys, old growth forest, and the remains of several forts. The existing trails and scenic vistas provide opportunities for a variety of outdoor recreation and education activities.

The management plan is available for public review on the department's Web site at www.gov.ns.ca/natr/parks/mcnabs .

The deadline for written comments is Nov. 15. They must be sent to: Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources, Parks and Recreation Division, RR1 Belmont, N.S., B0M 1C0; or via e-mail to Brian Kinsman at bkinsman@gov.ns.ca .