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--Boundary_(ID_t53vEM9m90SF7OWagqGw0g)
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It was suggested by Dave Schlosberg that I post the letter sent to four Nova
Scotia cabinet ministers on behalf of the Bird Society. Here it is:
The Honourable David M. Morse
Minister of Natural Resources
The Honourable Mark Parent
Minister of Environment and Labour
The Honourable Angus MacIsaac
Minster of Transportation and Public Works
The Honourable Len Goucher
Minster of Tourism, Culture and Heritage
Re: Conrad Beach, Halifax Regional Municipality
Dear Ministers Morse, Parent, MacIssac and Goucher,
As you may be aware, the Nova Scotia Bird Society is actively involved in
the preservation of habitat and the protection of birds in Nova Scotia. I am
writing this letter on behalf of the Bird Society to ask for the support of
you and your departments in the ongoing protection of Conrad Beach. It is my
understanding that this property was donated to the Canadian Nature
Federation and ownership was subsequently transferred to the Province of
Nova Scotia. The intent was to preserve this beautiful area.
There are three main reasons why I am writing to you at this time. The first
is that Conrad Beach is becoming more and more popular as a recreational
area and apparently is starting to be promoted as such. It does not have the
infrastructure to support the current level of use and, more importantly, an
environmentally sensitive area like this should not be subjected to high
levels of activity. Of particular concern are the use of the beach for
off-leash dog walking, occasional partying and overnight camping. It is my
understanding that none of these activities should be allowed under the
current regulations.
The second reason for writing at this time is that we have heard there is an
increasing interest in providing more road access to the beach and
surrounding areas. In our opinion, any significant level of road creation
and ensuing development would further increase the strain on the already
stressed local environment. The beach, dunes, ponds, mashes and forest
provide breeding habitat for a wide variety of birds (including the
endangered Piping Plover) and other animals and are also important plant
habitats. The area is also an important one for migrating and over wintering
birds.
The third reason for writing at this time has to do with the reported
vandalism of a Piping Plover nesting site on Conrad Beach earlier this
summer. According to Sue Abbott of Bird Studies Canada, "in May 2007 a pair
of endangered Piping Plovers arrived on Conrad Beach to breed for the first
time on record since 2000. A Bird Studies Canada biologist and volunteer
Piping Plover Guardians protected their nesting habitat from foot traffic
with signs and rope. A Conservation Officer from Dept. Natural Resources
observed a plover incubating its eggs on the afternoon of Tuesday, July 3 -
the last known sighting of the pair on the beach. On Wednesday morning
several people noticed that the signs and rope were down around the nest and
that the plovers were not in the area. Vandals destroyed the ropes and
signs surrounding the nest site and used the wooden sign posts for firewood
in their bonfire. This event likely occurred in the night of July 3."
While it is unlikely that anything short of full time monitoring could
prevent all such incidents, I am certain that the amount of respect paid to
rules and regulations would be increased if there were a stronger, more
visible presence on the part of DNR officials.
In closing, the Nova Scotia Bird Society urges you and your departments to
do your part in providing the protection and monitoring that the Conrad
Beach area deserves.
Yours sincerely,
David Hughes
Director and Conservation Chair
Nova Scotia Bird Society
--Boundary_(ID_t53vEM9m90SF7OWagqGw0g)
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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span lang=EN-CA style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>It was suggested by </span></font><font size=2
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>Dave Schlosberg</span></font><font
size=2 face=Arial><span lang=EN-CA style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>
that I post the letter sent to four <st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Nova
Scotia</st1:place></st1:State> cabinet ministers on behalf of the Bird
Society. Here it is:<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span lang=EN-CA style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-CA
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-weight:bold'>The Honourable David M. Morse<o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-CA
style='font-size:12.0pt'>Minister of Natural Resources<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:99.0pt'><b><font size=3
face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-CA style='font-size:12.0pt;font-weight:
bold'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-CA
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-weight:bold'>The Honourable Mark Parent<o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-CA
style='font-size:12.0pt'>Minister of Environment and Labour<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:99.0pt'><font size=3
face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-CA style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-CA
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-weight:bold'>The Honourable Angus MacIsaac <o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-CA
style='font-size:12.0pt'>Minster of Transportation and Public Works<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:99.0pt'><font size=3
face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-CA style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-CA
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-weight:bold'>The Honourable Len Goucher <o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-CA
style='font-size:12.0pt'>Minster of Tourism, Culture and Heritage<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-CA
style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-CA
style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-CA
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-weight:bold'>Re: <st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Conrad</st1:PlaceName>
<st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Beach</st1:PlaceType>, <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName
w:st="on">Halifax</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Regional</st1:PlaceName>
<st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Municipality</st1:PlaceType></st1:place><o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-CA
style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-CA
style='font-size:12.0pt'>Dear Ministers Morse, Parent, MacIssac and Goucher,<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-CA
style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-CA
style='font-size:12.0pt'>As you may be aware, the Nova Scotia Bird Society is
actively involved in the preservation of habitat and the protection of birds in
<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:State w:st="on">Nova Scotia</st1:State></st1:place>.
I am writing this letter on behalf of the Bird Society to ask for the support
of you and your departments in the ongoing protection of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName
w:st="on">Conrad</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Beach</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>.
It is my understanding that this property was donated to the Canadian Nature Federation
and ownership was subsequently transferred to the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceType
w:st="on">Province</st1:PlaceType> of <st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Nova Scotia</st1:PlaceName></st1:place>.
The intent was to preserve this beautiful area. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-CA
style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-CA
style='font-size:12.0pt'>There are three main reasons why I am writing to you
at this time. The first is that <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Conrad</st1:PlaceName>
<st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Beach</st1:PlaceType></st1:place> is becoming more
and more popular as a recreational area and apparently is starting to be
promoted as such. It does not have the infrastructure to support the current
level of use and, more importantly, an environmentally sensitive area like this
should not be subjected to high levels of activity. Of particular concern are
the use of the beach for off-leash dog walking, occasional partying and
overnight camping. It is my understanding that none of these activities should
be allowed under the current regulations. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-CA
style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-CA
style='font-size:12.0pt'>The second reason for writing at this time is that we
have heard there is an increasing interest in providing more road access to the
beach and surrounding areas. In our opinion, any significant level of road
creation and ensuing development would further increase the strain on the
already stressed local environment. The beach, dunes, ponds, mashes and forest
provide breeding habitat for a wide variety of birds (including the endangered
Piping Plover) and other animals and are also important plant habitats. The
area is also an important one for migrating and over wintering birds. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-CA
style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-CA
style='font-size:12.0pt'>The third reason for writing at this time has to do
with the reported vandalism of a Piping Plover nesting site on <st1:place
w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Conrad</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Beach</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>
earlier this summer. According to Sue Abbott of Bird Studies Canada, “in
May 2007 a pair of endangered Piping Plovers arrived on <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName
w:st="on">Conrad</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Beach</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>
to breed for the first time on record since 2000. A Bird Studies Canada
biologist and volunteer Piping Plover Guardians protected their nesting habitat
from foot traffic with signs and rope. A Conservation Officer from Dept.
Natural Resources observed a plover incubating its eggs on the afternoon of
Tuesday, July 3 - the last known sighting of the pair on the beach.
On Wednesday morning several people noticed that the signs and rope were down
around the nest and that the plovers were not in the area. Vandals
destroyed the ropes and signs surrounding the nest site and used the wooden
sign posts for firewood in their bonfire. This event likely occurred in
the night of July 3.” <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-CA
style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-CA
style='font-size:12.0pt'>While it is unlikely that anything short of full time
monitoring could prevent all such incidents, I am certain that the amount of
respect paid to rules and regulations would be increased if there were a
stronger, more visible presence on the part of DNR officials. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-CA
style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-CA
style='font-size:12.0pt'>In closing, the Nova Scotia Bird Society urges you and
your departments to do your part in providing the protection and monitoring
that the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Conrad</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType
w:st="on">Beach</st1:PlaceType></st1:place> area deserves.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-CA
style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-CA
style='font-size:12.0pt'>Yours sincerely,<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-CA
style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-CA
style='font-size:12.0pt'>David Hughes<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-CA
style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-CA
style='font-size:12.0pt'>Director and Conservation Chair<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:State w:st="on"><font size=3
face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-CA style='font-size:12.0pt'>Nova Scotia</span></font></st1:State></st1:place><span
lang=EN-CA> Bird Society<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span lang=EN-CA style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
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--Boundary_(ID_t53vEM9m90SF7OWagqGw0g)--
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