McNabs and Lawlor Islands Designated a Provincial Park

Date: Mon, 04 Nov 2002 19:36:16 -0400
From: Cathy McCarthy <cathymc@accesscable.net>
To: Sustainable Maritimes <sust-mar@chebucto.ns.ca>
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Long-awaited good news for McNabs and Lawlor Islands!!!

Today many members of the Friends of McNabs Island Society attended the
official designation of McNabs and Lawlor Islands Provincial Park held at
Fisherman's Cove in Eastern Passage.

With Lawlor Island as a backdrop, Premier Hamm made the official
announcement and unveiled a McNabs and Lawlor Islands Provincial Park sign.
The Friends of McNabs Island  have worked for 12 years toward an official
park for these islands and are delighted that the islands will finally be
protected under the Parks Act. Sadly the government has not set aside any
funds to implement an operational park on the islands and will be looking at
developing partnerships with other groups to make the park a reality.


Catherine McCarthy
President
Friends of McNabs Island
PO Box 31240
Gladstone RPO
Halifax, NS, B3K 5Y1
www.mcnabsisland.ca
cathymc@accesscable.net
(902) 434-2254 evenings

***************************
Department of Natural Resources
News Release

McNabs and Lawlor Islands Designated a Provincial Park
November 4, 2002

Premier John Hamm and Natural Resources Minister Tim Olive
announced today, Nov. 4, the official designation of McNabs and
Lawlor Islands as a provincial park.

Located in the mouth of Halifax Harbour, the park will provide
opportunities for visitors and residents of the Halifax Regional
Municipality to enjoy outdoor recreation. In addition the park
designation will provide protection for the heritage and cultural
values of the islands.

"Three years ago this government made a commitment to Nova
Scotians to preserve and protect our environment for future
generations," said Premier Hamm. "Today's announcement is another
example of our government keeping its word."

McNabs Island is 400 hectares in area. Nearby Lawlor Island is 58
hectares. These two islands contain significant natural and
cultural heritage values and provide tremendous recreational
opportunities, all of which are situated in the heart of Nova
Scotia's largest metropolitan area.

"Properties such as McNabs and Lawlor Islands are significant
additions to our provincial park system and they add to the
preservation of our coastline," said Natural Resources Minister
Tim Olive. "Although McNabs and Lawlor Islands have had extensive
development and use over the years, today, much of the islands
remain in a relatively natural state, which makes them ideal for
designation under the Parks Act."

The islands include the remains of several forts, important
wildlife habitat, concentrations of nesting great blue heron and
ospreys and old-growth forest. The existing trails and scenic
vistas provide a variety of outdoor recreation and education
opportunities.

In August, the Department of Natural Resources released a draft
management plan for McNabs and Lawlor Islands. It was prepared by
the department and the McNabs and Lawlor Islands Provincial Park
Advisory Committee.

"The management plan provides a vision and philosophy that will
guide future management decisions for the park," said Mr. Olive.
"It emphasizes protection of the islands' outstanding natural and
cultural heritage values while allowing opportunities for outdoor
recreation and nature-based education."

The draft management plan is available for public review on the
department's Web site at www.gov.ns.ca/natr/parks/mcnabs .
Written comments must be sent to: Department of Natural
Resources, Parks and Recreation Division, RR 1, Belmont, B0M 1C0;
or by e-mail to Brian Kinsman at bkinsman@gov.ns.ca . The
deadline for comments is Friday, Nov. 15.



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