Legal
Wetlands: Nova Scotia’s Goals
Objective 1
To manage human activity in or near wetlands, with the goal of no loss in Wetlands of Special Significance and the goal of preventing net loss in area and function for other wetlands.
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Letters to the Editor
Letter: Coastal access in peril by Lindsay Lee
We Nova Scotians are losing access to our shores, as land the public has enjoyed for generations is sold to the highest bidder. Each time the provincial government sells the public’s coastal lands, it is also selling a crucial aspect of life in Nova Scotia.
(more…)Group News
Pause…
On February 19, 2020, CBC reported: “Owls Head land sale put on hold as potential buyers explore their options.” At first glance, this seems like cause for celebration. Right? Not so fast. The more you read, the less clear the situation becomes.
Ever since the story broke in December 2019, there has been clear and persistent opposition to the government secretly delisting Owls Head Provincial Park Reserve. No private development would preserve public coastal access or the site’s “natural beauty.”
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Articles
Protecting Canada’s Hidden “Meadows of the Sea”
Collaborative research is uncovering the secrets of coastal seagrass beds to help keep them healthy Sarah Joy Bittick Canadian GeographicPublished: October 30, 2019 Full Article Here> People Benefit From Seagrass Meadows All people living on the coasts of Canada have a close relationship with seagrasses, even if it’s not immediately apparent Read more…
Legal
Principles of the Coastal Protection Act
Bill No. 106 (as passed).
Excerpt:
This Act is based on the following principles:
(a) portions of the Province’s coast are dynamic and naturally migrate landward and seaward as a result of the interaction of natural forces such as tides, winds, currents and wave action with varying geological conditions;
(b) preservation of the dynamic nature of the coast is important in order to protect and allow for the natural adaptation of coastal ecosystems that provide fish, wildlife and plant habitat and perform important ecological functions that Nova Scotians value; (more…)
Speak Your Piece
Disappearing Coastline
Picture this: the ocean breeze is blowing through your hair. Imagine the sand underneath your feet. Think back to days spent at a quiet beach or walking along a rocky shore. You are building sandcastles, watching the seals following the fishing boats, looking for sea glass, digging clams, or collecting shells. Can you imagine life in Nova Scotia without these things? No, neither can I.
When we open our eyes, we see that our coasts are being taken away. More and more of us are losing our access to the shore, as land that the public has enjoyed for generations is being sold to the highest bidder. Each time the government sells the public’s coastal lands, they are also selling a crucial aspect of life in Nova Scotia.
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