Public Input Invited for Water Strategy

Nova Scotians will have an opportunity to give input on the way Nova Scotia's water resources are managed at 14 public workshops throughout the province.

The workshops will lead to the development of a Nova Scotian strategy for managing water resources, today and in the future. The first workshop will be held Tuesday, April 1 in Oxford, Cumberland Co.

"Protecting the environment is one of government's five priorities for the new Nova Scotia," said Mark Parent, Minister of Environment and Labour. "We're working with Nova Scotians to develop a water management strategy that supports sustainable prosperity and healthy communities."

Developing a strategy will help the province better monitor and manage water resources. Knowing more about the province's water resources will help protect the health of people and the environment. It will also assist in planning for emergencies, preparing for future climate change effects and maximizing water's economic potential.

Nova Scotia's water resources include rivers, lakes, coastal waters, wetlands and groundwater.

Developing a water resources management strategy is one of 21 goals in the Environmental Goals and Sustainable Prosperity Act, aimed at making Nova Scotia one of the cleanest and most sustainable environments in the world by 2020.

Environment and Labour is leading a multi-departmental government committee to co-ordinate the development of the water resources management strategy in consultation with the public and many community groups.

Nova Scotians can offer input at the public workshops to be held across the province. A schedule of the workshops will appear in print advertising and is online at www.gov.ns.ca/enla/water .

A discussion paper titled Towards a Water Resources Management Strategy for Nova Scotia, outlines some issues and concerns to consider in developing a water management strategy. The discussion paper, which also includes a feedback form, can be viewed on the Environment and Labour website, at any regional office and at all public libraries.

The public workshops on developing a water resources management strategy for the province will be held from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the following times and locations:

• - Oxford on Tuesday, April 1, Lion's Hall, 4627 Upper Main St.
• Truro on Wednesday, April 2, Best Western Glengarry, 50 Willow St.
• Bridgewater on Thursday, April 3, Wandlyn Inn, 50 North St.
• Yarmouth on Tuesday, April 15, Fire Hall, 221 Pleasant St.
• Annapolis Royal on Wednesday, April 16, Fire Hall, 5 Saint Anthony St.
• Kentville on Thursday, April 17, Fire Hall, 416 Main St.
• Stellarton on Monday, April 28, Museum of Industry, 147 North Foord St.
• Antigonish on Tuesday, April 29, Keating Millenium Centre, Saint Francis Xavier University
• Mabou on Wednesday, April 30, Mabou Community Hall
• Sydney on Thursday, May 1, Delta Sydney, 300 Esplanade
• Sheet Harbour on Monday, May 12, location TBA
• Lower Sackville on Tuesday, May 13, location TBA
• Cole Harbour on Wednesday, May 14, location TBA
• Halifax on Thursday, May 15, location TBA

Comment on the water resources management discussion paper may also be made by writing to waterstrategy@gov.ns.ca or by sending in the feedback form included in the paper.

Nova Scotia aims to have one of the cleanest and most sustainable environments in the world by 2020. To help reach that goal, new strategies are being developed for water, natural resources, energy, climate change, and coastal management. To learn more or take part, see The New Nova Scotia: A Path to 2020 at www.gov.ns.ca/2020 .