CBC

MICHAEL GORMAN: Owls Head land sale put on hold as potential buyers explore their options

Michael Gorman 
CBC News
February 19, 2020

Editor’s Note: At the time of this article (February 2020), the Gilberts have not withdrawn from the Letter of Offer. Furthermore, the provincial government has made no indication that they will be protecting this property. On the contrary, Iain Rankin has said, “At this juncture, [Owls Head] was removed from potential protected areas, and there’s no plans to change that.”

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Couple says the decision comes ‘after reflecting on feedback from Nova Scotians’

The couple that wanted to buy Crown land in the Little Harbour, N.S., area for a proposed golf course development has hit pause on the plan.

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By Save Owls Head, ago

Seagrass beds off our coast could be some of the world’s heaviest and oldest organisms

CBC Radio
Mainstreet Nova Scotia
February 12, 2020

Not only seagrasses the only type of plants that flower underwater, but they could be the oldest known organisms on our planet. “The value generated by seagrass is among the highest of any habitat in the world,” explains Worm. The ecosystem services provided by seagrass meadows (such as nursery habitat, spawning habitat, and carbon sequestration) are so valuable that they are valued “in excess of $20,000 per hectare, per year.”

In terms of Owls Head Park Reserve, Worm says”[w]hen we think about doing something to that protected land it’s not just about the land, it’s also very strongly connected to the underwater habitat nearby” which could be “very harmful for the seagrass that lives there.”

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By Save Owls Head, ago

MICHAEL GORMAN: Owls Head development would mean ‘complete destruction’ of its ecology, says biologist

Michael Gorman
CBC News
January 21, 2020 6:00 AM AT

Scientists at Saint Mary’s University join residents calling on government to abandon plan to sell park.

Full article here>

Several scientists at Saint Mary’s University in Halifax are adding their names to the growing list of people who want the Nova Scotia government to abandon plans to pursue a sale of Owls Head provincial park.

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By Save Owls Head, ago

Now vs Then

Every property that made it onto the list of Parks and Protected Areas Plan had a reason to be there. Each had a history. Owl’s Head Provincial Park was property #694 until an arrogant, duplicitous Minister and Cabinet removed it. Now the government is trying to erase Owls Head from the public record. The initial CBC article by Michael Gorman, published on December 18, points to a backroom deal fabricated by lobbyists and political dinosaurs who think that anything is for sale. A secret deal, a Letter of Offer to sell 661 acres of public coastal land to a private developer. At this time, two Ministers have made misleading public statements in attempts to cover the smell of a deal that would not stand the light of public scrutiny or professional review.

Pristine coastal barrens, rare plants, endangered species, water frontage on 5 coves and a lake, sand beaches, ideal coves and inlets for coastal kayaking, did I mention publicly owned? (more…)

By Christopher Trider, ago