Environmental Advocacy

Salmon Farm Application Concerns Eastern Shore Residents

There is growing concern regarding an application to develop three open pen salmon farms on the Eastern Shore. This proposed operation has raised significant concerns from residents and business operators due to the lack of evironmental assessments. During a recent community meeting, issues were identified respecting the impact on the coastal areas and associated sea life from risks such as sea lice, disease and harmful impacts of fish escapes.  Other regions of the Atlantic provinces have reported negative impacts on tourism operators and the environment as a result of coastal fish farms.  A petition is circulating regarding the application – you can read it and sign your name here.

Province Acquires New Lands

In January the provincial government announced it had reached an agreement with Bowater Mersey to purchase 25,000 acres of land for $23.75 million. This land will contribute to the goal of protecting 12 per cent of the province’s land mass and provide more recreational opportunities in southwestern Nova Scotia.  The land includes productive forests, old-growth timber stands, ocean and lake-frontage, wetlands and some land of cultural significance to the Mi’kmaq. Most of the land, located in Annapolis, Hants, Lunenburg, Queens and Shelburne counties, was identified by the Colin Stewart Forest Forum as having high conservation values and will be included in the protected land process.  Click here for a map outlining the lands acquisition. 

On February 8, the government also announced a purchase of a piece of land for $357,000 which was the site of a historic ship-railway project in Cumberland County.  The land is the site of an 1880’s plan to transport ships across land by rail, from the Northumberland Strait to the Bay of Fundy.  The property, which includes a popular hiking trail,  is 142 hectares (350 acres), 27 kilometres long  and runs across the Chignecto Isthmus, between Fort Lawrence and Tidnish and includes a popular hiking trail. To see a video, historic photos and a map of the land, visit http://www.gov.ns.ca/natr.

Draft Coastal Strategy

The provincial government released a draft Coastal Strategy in the Fall of 2011.  TIANS has provided feedback and although the strategy appears to be moving in the right direction, there are shortfalls similar to the Natural Resource Strategy. The coastal strategy requires specific timelines and benchmark targets to be effective. TIANS will continue to push for measurable deliverables. To view the Draft Coast Strategy, please click here http://www.gov.ns.ca/coast/documents/draft-coastal-strategy2011oct.pdf   

NS Government Invites Feedback Regarding 12% Land Protection Goal

On June 16th, Environment Minister Sterling Belliveau announced a major step forward toward meeting its goal to protect 12 per cent of Nova Scotia's lands by 2015.  Our Wild Spaces, a discussion document, was also released to support the consultation.  TIANS will be submitting a position paper reinforcing the need to ensure tourism is considered when making these crucial decisions. We urge the industry to also provide feedback to the government regarding which lands should be protected.

The province has identified nearly 220,000 hectares of land that may be selected for protection. Much of the land was identified by the 2009 Colin-Stewart Forest Forum, non-government organizations and forestry industry representatives that made recommendations to government based on nearly five years of scientific research.  Our Wild Spaces and maps of the 12 per cent review lands can be viewed at www.gov.ns.ca/nse/12percent/ . More detail about land parcels will be available by the end of July.  Written comments on the 12 per cent review lands will be accepted until December 1st at:  Department of Environment, Protected Areas Branch, Box 442, Halifax, N.S.B3J 2P8 or by e-mail at: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Further Feedback Invited on Five Bridges Lakes Wilderness Candidate Area Designation

Nova Scotia is moving closer to the final steps of Wilderness Area designation for the Five Bridge Lakes Wilderness Area.  TIANS encourages Industry to provide comments on the recently released socio-economic study from the Nova Scotia government.  The proposed Five Bridge Lakes Wilderness Area is between Highway 103 and 333 near Halifax. It includes 8,266 hectares of regionally unique forest types, rare species -- including mainland moose, interconnected waterways and exceptional natural landscapes.  TIANS strongly believes this area holds significant tourism potential for visitors seeking experiential day adventures close to an urban centre.  The discussion paper and summary, as well as more information on Five Bridge Lakes Candidate Wilderness area, are available at www.gov.ns.ca/nse/protectedareas or by calling 902-424-2117.  Comments will be accepted until July 8th by mail at: Nova Scotia Environment, Protected Areas and Wetlands Branch, Box 442, Halifax, N.S.B3J 2P8 or by e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Voices for Our Coast

The 'Voices for Our Coast' video was produced by the Ecology Action Centre's Coastal Issues Committee in collaboration with the Coastal Coalition of Nova Scotia.  The video was produced as part of the EAC's ongoing campaign for provincial leadership and action on coastal management and protection in Nova Scotia.  This 10 minute video features Nova Scotians from  Cape Breton to Yarmouth sharing their love, concern, and hope for Nova Scotia's coasts.  TIANS is included in this video as well as works actively with the Ecology Action regarding this initiative.  To view the video, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=79mb3tGMlr8

Biomass & Tourism Impact

On February 3rd, TIANS sent a letter to Premier Dexter outlining our concerns regarding the biomass issue in Nova Scotia. The recent announcement to move forward with additional biomass projects before understanding the impacts of the pilot places the natural heritage of the province at great risk. Please click here to view the letter.

Coastal Strategy – More Opportunity for Input

During the past year Nova Scotians were invited to comment on the state of Nova Scotia's Coast Report and to provide input on the Coastal Strategy. TIANS is participating in additional consultation sessions on a draft Coastal Strategy during the next few months. The final document is anticipated to be ready in Fall 2011. For more information please visit: http://www.gov.ns.ca/coast/documents/state-of-the-coast/WEB_SummaryReport.pdf or http://www.gov.ns.ca/coast/

Water for Life: Nova Scotia's Water Resource Management Strategy

The provincial government and the Interdepartmental Water Management Committee has launched, Water for Life: Nova Scotia's water resource management strategy. Water for Life provides a road map for water management in Nova Scotia over the next 10 years and beyond. TIANS participated in round table focus groups to ensure tourism impact was considered when developing this strategy. For more information and the full strategy see: http://www.gov.ns.ca/nse/water.strategy/

Coastal Communities Adapting to Climate Change Project

TIANS is partnering with the Ecology Action Centre for the Coastal Communities Adapting to Climate Change project. This project will help the fishing and tourism sectors in Cheticamp identify vulnerabilities associated with climate change and develop relevant tools to help compensate the impact. For more information, please contact Tanya Poulton, TIANS, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ,or 423-4480 or Jen Graham, Coastal Coordinator, Ecology Action Centre, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .