Articles

Government to protect Owls Head

In late November, an American couple withdrew an offer to purchase 285 hectares of crown land known as Owls Head to develop a golf course along the Eastern Shore. That appears to have been the catalyst for a decision by the Houston government to protect Owls Head as a provincial park or potential wilderness area.

“The government has committed to protecting Owls Head lands as part of its 20% land protection goal (mandated in the Environmental Goals and Climate Change Reduction Act passed in October),” said Natural Resources Minister Tory Rushton in an email. “The process to protect those lands is underway but we don’t have any further details to share at this stage.”

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By Save Owls Head, ago
Cartoon by Matt Dempsey

Iain Rankin to step down as N.S. Liberal Party leader

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The former premier also failed to clearly and effectively settle several controversies that would dog him throughout the campaign, including how his team handled a candidate who dropped out on the first day of the election, his involvement in the potential sale of Owls Head provincial park and revelations of several drunk driving charges when he was younger.

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By Save Owls Head, ago

Chris Miller: Owls Head Needs Legal Protection

Nova Scotia’s parks and protected areas are important. These are places where we go to be outdoors with friends and family. They help clean the air and water. They contain important ecosystems and provide crucial habitat for lots of different species. We need these places for our health and well-being. 

That’s why the sale of public lands at Owls Head Provincial Park was doomed from the beginning. It matters too much to too many people. Our parks are not a commodity to be traded or sold. On the contrary, these are places that are to be treasured and must be carefully looked after for future generations. 

With the withdrawal of the “letter of offer” for Owls Head, the Nova Scotia government must now ensure that these public lands receive the legal protection that was promised a long time ago. Owls Head needs protection under the law so that future governments will not be tempted to sell off this ecological jewel for any reason. 

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By Save Owls Head, ago

RICHARD BELL: Lighthouse Links Folds After Province Demands Serious Public Consultation

The Cooperator has learned that Lighthouse Links withdrew from the letter of Offer to purchase Owls Head Provincial Park and convert it into a luxury housing development with a few golf courses after learning that the province had determined that the company’s plans for public consultation were inadequate, and that the province would require a more thoroughgoing public consultation process.

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By Save Owls Head, ago