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Premier's Speeches
Remarks by Premier Rodney MacDonald
Bowater Lands Acquisitions
White Point Beach Resort, Queens County
March 19, 2007
Ladies and Gentlemen, Nova Scotians can be proud of our strides to secure and conserve more crown land, more rare habitat, and more of our strong natural environment. My government is committed to this work, and with our partners, we have accomplished much over the past year.
Today, we are taking another step forward.
I am delighted to announce that the Province and Bowater Mersey Paper Company have successfully concluded a major land purchase. By the end of this month, the province will have completed our investment of $27 million, and will have full title to more than 10,000 hectares (nearly 25,000 acres) of Bowater lands.
Some of these lands have long been used for recreation, and other lands have significant coastal or inland water frontage.
It is worth noting that archeologists working at the Mersey River recovered more than 20,000 artifacts and identified camping and fishing sites significant to the history of the Mi'kmaw people.
Some other parcels of land feature old-growth forests or habitat for endangered species like Blanding's turtles.
Bowater has saved all 29 parcels of land from development. Now, it is the province's turn to implement more permanent measures to conserve wildlife habitat and strengthen the ecological, cultural and historical values of the people of Nova Scotia.
Let me make this clear: 100 per cent of this land is slated for conservation.
Over the next year, each parcel acquired from Bowater will be assessed by officials from various government departments. Each parcel of land will receive the individual attention needed, making sure the most appropriate protections are used in the most appropriate fashion.
As my government told Nova Scotians last May, we expect much of this property could be added to our protected areas network as part of our Green Plan for a sustainable environment.
I want to reiterate that point today: a significant majority of these acquisitions will be designated in a way that brings Nova Scotia closer to our 12 per cent commitment for protected areas.
As I looked at the maps a few moments ago, I noted that these 29 pockets of land in six counties cover a lot of significant territory -- from the Fundy coast near Delaps Cove Trail, Annapolis County; to the Tantallon area, HRM; as well as properties in Hants, Lunenburg, Queens and Shelburne.
I want to thank Bowater Mersey Paper Company for its commitment to these lands and to our province. This company has been an integral part of our landscape since 1929, and Bowater today employs more than 600 Nova Scotians.
By conserving these lands, we are assuring generations of Nova Scotians will have the opportunities of being shaped by a strong natural environment, and we've done this thanks to a lot of collaboration from hard-working partners.
Let me say thank you to the lead work from Minister David Morse's dedicated and professional team at Natural Resources. Working jointly with Minister Mark Parent's fine team at Environment and Labour, you have all done outstanding field work and acquired these properties in a very short time frame.
I believe our collaborative and balanced efforts will benefit our children, and someday they will grow into the stewards of this great province's environment, economy and our heritage.
Thank you.