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COMMENTARY: West Mabou proposal threatens all provincial parks

“The recent contention around golf course proposals for West Mabou and Owls Head surely must have Nova Scotians, locally in the Mabou area and across the province, wondering if our provincial park properties will ever be truly protected from the ambitions of private developers and the presumed entitlements of political operatives,” writes Dale Smith, who served as manager of parks planning with DNR and as director of Protected Areas with NS Environment.

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By Save Owls Head, ago

Raymond Plourde: Pop Cabot’s trial balloon now

The reaction was swift and almost universal across the province: “OMG, not again!” 

The dust has barely settled on the Owls Head fiasco and another American billionaire golf course developer has the temerity to take another run at another treasured piece of protected public lands — this time at West Mabou Beach Provincial Park — for the second time, no less, having already been told no by the government in 2018. 

Cabot’s audacious request sets the stage for another Owls Head debacle. The nerve of these guys! 

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By Save Owls Head, ago

National Observer: Once eyed for a golf course, N.S. pledges to make Owls Head a provincial park

“After nearly five decades of public consultations, government plans and scientific studies, Owls Head Provincial Park is finally getting the legal protection it needs and deserves.”

… However, the park is one of many areas needing protection, said Lee. There are 125 provincial parks, nature reserves and wilderness areas awaiting the same designation and could face delistment.

“Without stronger legal protections, Nova Scotia’s parks and protected areas will perpetually be at risk,” said Lee.

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By Save Owls Head, ago

Information Morning: Christopher Trider on Owls Head Becoming Our Next Provincial Park

Christopher Trider talks to Portia Clark of CBC’s Information Morning about the government’s recent announcement about legally protecting Owls Head Provincial Park.

Christopher Trider worked for the Department of Natural Resources (now DNRR) for 21 years. As a provincial park planner, Christopher specialized in acquiring and protecting coastal properties. He designed well-loved coastal parks including MacCormacks Beach Provincial Park, Rainbow Haven Beach Provincial Park, Lawrencetown Beach Provincial Park, Pomquet Beach Provincial Park, and many more.

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By Save Owls Head, ago

CBC News: Owls Head, once considered for controversial golf course, designated as provincial park

Opponents took fight against proposed golf course development all the way to N.S. Supreme Court

“I’m very pleased and I think it’s a step in the right direction,” said Bob Bancroft, a biologist who sought a judicial review of the former Liberal government’s decision to delist Owls Head from the Parks and Protected Areas Plan.

… Bancroft said he hopes lessons will be learned in the process.

“I hope that all the underlying measures of how this all happened are dealt with. We need to protect this from happening again.”

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By Save Owls Head, ago