DNR says no to mining association

A campaign by the Mining Association of Nova Scotia to gain access to wilderness areas is getting a cold shoulder from government — again.

“Land-swap proposals are not being considered by government at this time,” said Bruce Nunn, spokesman for the Natural Resources Department.

“The lands proposed for protection as part of the Parks and Protected Areas process have been selected following a considerable process that involved an extensive analysis of multiple factors, including the environment, ecological values of the protected areas, biodiversity values, recreation, wildlife, social aspects, natural resources planning, and the potential for economic development.”

Nine months ago the association released a 62-page report on how the province’s goal of protecting 13 per cent of Nova Scotia’s landmass from any development was harming the mining industry. The report recommended the legislation be changed so, on a case-by-case basis, government could allow mineral exploration within wilderness areas.

Nunn said government reviewed the proposal at the time and didn’t adopt it because the industry had been publicly consulted along with other interest groups, as part of designating the properties.

So two weeks ago the association wrote letters to county councils with large areas of protected lands and sent opinion pieces to community newspapers.

“We reached a point we needed to do a better job explaining,” said Sean Kirby, association executive director, about the publicity campaign.

The proposal got positive reviews from leaders in Guysborough and Victoria counties, which have disproportionate amounts of protected lands and fewer options for economic development than other areas of the province.

However, the answer from government is still “no” and that comes as a relief to advocates for the natural world.

“The bottom line is they are very special places,” said Harry Thurston, an author and naturalist based in Tidnish Bridge, Cumberland County.

“The overall goal is to allow the natural processes that are native to these areas to continue, so all of their assets can be preserved for the future.”

Thurston explained that the 532,400 hectares of land protected in areas around the province were selected for being examples of different habitat types. If disturbed by development it can take centuries for the natural balance of species of plant and animal to return to an area, if at all.

“You can’t mix and match land,” said Thurston.