Press Release: EAC sends out a search party for missing wetland policy

February 2, 2011

Update: due to an impending storm, the province's Open House, mentioned below, has been postponed until February 9, at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic from 4-7 p.m.

The Ecology Action Centre would like to know when the province plans to release its no-net-loss of wetland policy, which was originally due in December 2009.    “This Wednesday, February 2nd is World Wetland Day” says Jennifer Graham, Coastal Coordinator at the Ecology Action Centre “The province is hosting a public information session about its water strategy rather than launching the missing-in-action wetland policy.”  World Wetland Day is an annual international event to raise public awareness of wetland values and benefits

The province of Nova Scotia committed to developing a no-net-loss of wetlands policy through the 2007 Environmental Goals and Sustainable Prosperity Act.   Pubic consultations were held in the summer and fall of 2009 on a draft policy document, and the final policy was expected to be released that year.    “What’s the hold-up?” Graham asked.  “How can the government prevent wetland loss without a clear policy direction and regulations? If this goes on much longer, we’re going to have to send out a search party”

Wetlands are valuable and productive ecosystems, which provide a range of services from flood protection, erosion control, and groundwater recharge to wildlife habitat.  Approximately, 65%of Nova Scotia’s original salt marshes have already been lost through development and other human activities.  The research organization GPI Atlantic estimates that wetlands in Nova Scotia provide an estimated $7.9 billion worth of benefits to the environment like flood and erosion control.

The public open house on the water strategy will be February 2nd from 4:00 to 7:00 pm at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. More information on the draft policy and consultation process is available on Nova Scotia Environment’s website:  http://www.gov.ns.ca/nse/wetland/conservation.policy.asp

For more information:
Jennifer Graham
Coastal Coordinator
Ecology Action Centre

(902) 442-5046 (office)
(902) 219-8554 (cell)