Public Consultation Opens on New Protected Areas
including additions to Herring Cove Backlands Wilderness Area
Thanks to all for promoting the Crown Lands in our Halifax Backlands during the (now closed) consultation time. Fingers crossed for Provincial protection for those lands. [See previous post about this completed consultation period here. -ed]
In the meantime… There are new important lands proposed for protection. These new lands are key to our wildlife corridors from the Halifax Backlands and may share some of the wear and tear of human traffic.
On the Backlands Coalition website please read David Patriquin’s post about these new lands under consideration for protection . https://backlandscoalition.ca/?p=8508
These lands enhance our Halifax Green Network and need our support for protection. This consultation period is now open and extends to October 20th. Please share the link to this consultation form (button below) and encourage people to make a short comment about the value of these lands to Halifax Green Network wildlife habitat, biodiversity and recreation.
From the Protected Areas Consultation website:
Herring Cove Backlands Wilderness Area Addition – 2,910ha
Earlier this year the Province announced its intention to designate about 500 hectares of land and water between Herring Cove Road and Purcells Cove Road in Halifax Regional Municipality as Herring Cove Backlands Wilderness Area. The Province now proposes making this new wilderness area much larger, by adding another roughly 2,910 hectares of land and interior waterbodies between Spryfield and Sambro.
The site includes several small lakes and ponds, thick conifer dominated forests, and numerous granite ridges and outcrops. It also contains several informal, lightly used trails.
The Province is aware of some instances where lands shown on the accompanying map include roads and driveways to adjacent private lands. Such access can be maintained, either by amending boundaries or licensing access across future protected lands. Final boundaries are subject to change and will be informed by results of this public consultation.
Some campsite leases are located within the proposed wilderness area. The Minister may authorize pre-existing campsite leases under the Wilderness Area Protection Act.