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Forest Sustainability Regulations
Hunting
Property Information &
Obtaining Maps/Air Photos

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Some Frequently Asked Questions

Crown Land Administration


Q - Do you sell Crown land?

A - As a general rule, Crown land in Nova Scotia is not for sale and the Department of Natural Resources does not maintain a list of available surplus lands. Crown land is not sold for cottage lots or home sites. On a few rare occasions Crown land may be sold to alleviate undue hardship or in extenuating circumstances such as where access over crown land is required. Any sale must be in the best interests of the Province. The sale of any parcel of Crown land is subject to staff review and Cabinet approval. For further information, contact the Crown Land Disposals and Coastal Permits Section at (902) 424-3160.

Q - Can I lease Crown land?
A - Yes. For more information contact the Acquisitions and Leases Section at 424-3142.

Q - Can I build a camp on Crown land?
A - No. In previous years, there was a policy to permit the building of camps on Crown land, however, no new camps are being permitted.

Q. Am I allowed to travel freely and tent overnight on Crown land?

A. Generally yes, except when there is a closure due to fire hazard or an area has a restricted designation. To find out if the area you wish to travel has travel or access restrictions contact the local Department of Natural Resources District office. Note: If you wish to tent for a longer period of time you must obtain a Letter of Authority from the Department. Take Only Memories ... Leave only footprints !

Q. Can I purchase standing hardwood for residential firewood?

A. In some areas of Nova Scotia where there are definite shortages of fuelwood vendors, the Department has established conditional fuelwood areas. To find out where these areas are and under what conditions fuelwood can be removed for residential use, contact your nearest Department of Natural Resources district office.


Hunting

Q. Where can I sign up for the hunting courses?
A.
Before you enroll in Hunter Education programs you must first have passed a Firearms Safety course available through Nova Scotia Community Colleges, see http://www.nscc.ca/Learning_Programs/Customized_Training/Firearms_Safety_Courses.asp.

Visit our hunter education webpages for more info. Hunter Education courses are presented by the Nova Scotia Federation of Anglers & Hunters applications for the courses are available from The Hunter Education Web Pages at http://www.gov.ns.ca/natr/hunt/hunting.htm . For people over the age of 19 unable to attend the classroom sessions an online program is available through the Atlantic Provinces Hunter Ed.web site, see http://www.atlantichuntered.ca.


Property Information & Obtaining Maps/Air Photos

Q - Do you sell aerial photos?
A
- Air photos, property information maps, and topographic maps are distributed through the Land Information Center site. http://www.gov.ns.ca/snsmr/land/faqs/centres.stm


Q - Do you sell maps?
A
- Yes, many specialized maps are available from the:

Department of Natural Resources Library
3rd floor 1701 Hollis St,
Halifax.NS, B3J 2T9

The Crown Land Information Management Centre provides copies of the following to the public, for a fee:

  1. Orothophoto maps (maps showing provincially administered lands)
  2. Plans/plots of Returns of Survey for grants from 1835 to approximately 1940
  3. Copies of original land grant documents
  4. Plans showing lands designated under the Beaches Act, Parks Act, and Wilderness Areas Act

Q - Where is the Crown Land Information Management Centre and what are the hours of operation?
A
- The CLIMC is located at 1701 Hollis Street, 5th Floor, Halifax, and the hours of operation are 8:30 am to 4:00 pm. Monday to Friday.

Q - Can I get copies of grants at your office and what is the cost?
A
- Yes from the CLIMC. The cost is $6.41+ tax. You can also get a copy from the local Land Registration Office for grants issued after 1854.

Q - Can you tell me if this particular piece of land is Crown?
A
- Information is available about land ownership at the Service Nova Scotia, Land Information Centres. If additional information is required concerning Crown land, you should contact the CLIMC.

Q - Is the information in your office scanned so that we can view it?
A -
Not at the present time.

Q - Where can I find information about surveying?
A
- The Association of Nova Scotia Land Surveyors can provide information about land surveying and private land surveyors in Nova Scotia. The Department of Natural Resources, Surveys Division can provide information regarding Crown land boundaries. The Surveys Division makes available to the public, for a fee, the following:

  1. Returns of Surveys from 1950 onward
  2. Field Plots
  3. Cadastral Layer GIS products
  4. Field Notes
Shoreline Construction (Wharves/Moorings Breakwaters, etc)

Q - Do I need a permit to build a new or repair an existing wharf ?
A
- Yes. Before you construct a wharf or any other structure in any watercourse, you require a permit. Your application for a permit must include the location of your property and a description of what you wish to build. For more information contact the nearest Department of Natural Resources office. Brochure

Q - Do I need a permit to conduct activities on the shoreline adjacent to my waterfront property (i.e. infilling, bank protection, breakwaters)?
A
- Yes . For any activities below the ordinary high water mark. For more information, contact the nearest Department of Natural Resources office. Brochure

Q - If I own waterfront property, do I have the right to place a mooring?
A
- Owners of waterfront properties are generally allowed to place and use one mooring in front of their land, without paying a permit fee. The mooring must be within 60 metres of the shore line. Other restrictions apply, and permits or approvals from other agencies may be required. For further information, please contact the local Department of Natural Resources office.

Q - Can I place a mooring adjacent to land I do not own?
A
- You must first apply for a permit and also get the permission of the person who owns the land, before placing the mooring. For more information contact the nearest Department of Natural Resources office and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada.
 
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Page last updated November 2007.