NDP calls for expanded wetlands regulations

Tuesday April 4, 2006

Halifax – NDP Environment Critic Michele Raymond is calling on the new Minister of Environment and Labour, Carolyn Bolivar-Getson, to bring Nova Scotia’s wetlands regulations up to par with other provinces. Raymond wants the regulations to enforce mitigation of damage to wetlands, fund public education on the importance of wetlands, and acknowledge the key role they play in provincial tourism.

“Nova Scotia is blessed with a wide range marshes, bogs, and other wetlands,� says Raymond, “but we are doing little to make sure we don’t lose them.�

“This is ironic because we have never needed our wetlands more. They act as natural water filters, protect shorelines from eroding, buffer against flooding, and help counter-balance damage to the ozone layer.�

Raymond observes that the new Nova Scotia wetlands regulations are deliberately vague, stating for example that “approvals will generally not be issued to alter wetlands when there are reasonable alternatives that will not result in impact to the wetland.� She contrasts this with the Prince Edward Island regulations that forbid wetland alteration unless the project is in the greater public interest or impacts on public safely. P.E.I. and other provinces also require that any loss of wetlands must be balanced by restoring wetlands elsewhere. Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Ontario and P.E.I. all have well-defined wetland policies.

“We are way behind on wetlands protection. It’s time we caught up.�

Raymond also notes that providing a habitat for diverse animal, bird, and fish life, wetlands have a distinct tourist value that should not be underestimated.

“Just last weekend Shelburne County hosted the Fourth Annual Birding and Nature Festival. Seven facilities opened up early in the season to accommodate the visitors,� says Raymond. “And this week Tourism announced that it is going international to market our seacoast.�

“That sounds great. But the new tourism ads shouldtell people to come and see our wildlife while it’s here, because we’re not doing much to protect habitat.�

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