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Frank asked me to pass this short commentary to folks I thought might be interested. Sust-mar folks may be in that group. Dave ---------- following is by Frank Fawson Dayspring, Lunenburg Co RR #7 Bridgewater N.S., B4V 3J5 Tel: (902) 543-9166 Non-resident land ownership in Nova Scotia is not a new issue. Increasing property assessments, making waterfront property unaffordable to average Nova Scotians, continues. But without government action now, to protect access to our shoreline, a defining part of who we are as Nova Scotians may disappear. Culture is largely determined by the primary work people do, which is determined by the geography of place. In the Maritimes, fishing, farming and forestry have shaped our culture. Of all these, fishing has been the occupation which best characterizes our connection to the sea. Nova Scotians are called 'Bluenosers' because of our long relationship with the surrounding ocean. The focal point of this relationship is the shoreline, a meeting place where land touches water. We are all drawn to that point where the land gives way to the sea - where the still landscape of solid rock beneath our feet transforms into the vast, ever-changing, fluid plain of ocean. The sound of crashing waves, damp ocean spray, the smell and taste of salt in the wind, while eyes stretch over rough water to the horizon, where the ocean in turn gives way to sky. It is a space where the four basic elements converge. The air above, the earth below, and the water before us creates a fiery passion within. We are often reminded there are many things greater than us. Some Nova Scotians believe there is a law which permits access to any shoreline in the province. Traditional local unwritten agreements around private property rights have, for the most part, allowed everyone free access to Nova Scotia shorelines - even in areas where rugged coastlines restrict direct access from below the high-water line. This silent agreement is being dramatically altered by the influx of non-resident landowners, whether from Germany, Ontario or even Halifax. Every year more shoreline paths are blocked for public use by gates, fences and 'no trespassing' signs, some now erected by long term resident Nova Scotians. We all lose by this quiet redefinition of private property rights. We now live in a free market global economy where Nova Scotian land is just one more commodity. It is naive to believe we can stop non-resident land ownership. But there are mechanisms used elsewhere to limit the amount of land purchased, like the P.E.I. Lands Protection Act. There are also many ways to minimize the impact of increasing property taxes on Nova Scotians who have far less wealth than most non-residents, or who don't regard their properties as commodities. It's great if, through government or land trusts, oceanfront parcels of land can be set aside for access but it will never be enough. The gift of being Nova Scotian is the freedom to walk our shoreline. Access only through purchased designed locations is like setting up seaside museums for the majority of us who can no longer afford waterfront property. Wealth should not be the first determining factor in access to the traditional Nova Scotia commons, our shoreline. Given the fact that there are paths along most shorelines in Nova Scotia which have been used for centuries - many over private property - do we not all have a legal right to continued free public access? It is time for our government to put in place legislation ensuring present and future generations free access to our shorelines. A public access corridor along all shorelines is what is needed. Critics may argue that free access will allow irresponsible individuals to abuse private owners' rights to quiet enjoyment of their property. Rather than restricting access to all Nova Scotians, tighter enforcement to control offenders is a better solution. Besides, anyone in a boat already has free access along all shorelines. Why not widen the existing public access corridor on the water to include one hundred feet of land above the high water mark? Yes, a non-resident land tax could and should finance the purchase of waterfront property for public use. Non-resident land owners are the biggest contributors to restricting access to shorelines. Most can well afford, and would not object to paying, an additional tax. The funds generated should then be used to create a public access corridor along all shorelines in the province. A critical part of the traditional Nova Scotia commons will then be preserved for future generations. -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*- The preceding message was posted on Sustainable Maritimes (sust-mar) -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*- Questions about sust-mar? Problems? Email <sust-mar-owner@chebucto.ns.ca> Please remember to UNSUBSCRIBE if your email account is changing, or if you are going away. To leave the list, just send email to <majordomo@chebucto.ns.ca> As the text of your message, type only "unsubscribe sust-mar" (without quotes)
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