Nova Scotia Environment is leading a five-year process to reach the 12 per cent goal. We have divided this process into four steps.
Step 1 – 12% Lands Identification (2009-11)
Once current designations are complete, about 150,000 hectares of additional land needs to be protected to reach 12 per cent. In November 2009, government received the Colin Stewart Forest Forum report (PDF: 2.5mb). This report identifies 269,000 hectares of land with high conservation values.
Nova Scotia Environment and the Department of Natural Resources have reviewed lands identified by the Colin Stewart Forest Forum. Other government departments and the Nova Scotia Mi’kmaq also provided information on these lands. This review focused on assessing the natural quality of the lands and confirming ownership.
As a result of this step, government has identified possible “12 per cent lands” for further review in Step 2. These include provincial Crown lands, and some lands owned by major forestry companies. To provide flexibility in decision making, more than 200,000 hectares of land is included in these 12 per cent selections. These 12 per cent lands are not proposed protected areas. However, government will select most of the proposed protected areas from these lands.
Step 2 – 12% Lands Review (2011-12)
The goal of this step is to learn as much as possible about all lands under review before drafting a list of potential protected areas. A discussion document [English (PDF: 1.9mb) | French (PDF: 2mb)] has been developed to support this consultation process. Consultation will include municipalities, and Mi’kmaw communities, as well as forestry, mining, and energy interests. Community, wilderness recreation, hunting, fishing, trapping, OHV, and environmental groups will also be included. Participants will receive maps and information on all land under review. Individuals are also invited to provide written comments on these lands.
As a result of this step, government will create a draft protected areas plan. The draft plan will include maps and descriptions of all proposed areas. It will also show the type of protection being considered, such as wilderness area, nature reserve, or provincial park.
Step 3 – Public Consultation (2012)
In 2012, there will be many chances to comment on the draft protected areas plan, through community sessions, write-in opportunities, and in-person meetings. People will be able to look at maps of proposed areas, ask questions, and confirm that their views are heard and considered.
We expect the draft protected areas plan to change based on these consultations. This is the stage where people can share their support or concern for individual areas. This is also a time to identify how proposed boundaries could be changed to reduce conflict, or enhance protection or public enjoyment.
As a result of this step, government will create a final protected areas plan.
Step 4 – Final Plan (2013-15)
The final protected areas plan will consider all the feedback received during public consultation (Step 3). It will identify the areas to be protected, along with their boundaries. It may also describe special agreements for area use or management.
Once the final protected areas plan is released to the public, government will then take the steps needed to legally protect each area.
Summary
