From John Brazner
Wetland/Water Specialist
Nova Scotia Environment
Subject: Invitation to Provide Consultation on draft Nova Scotia Wetland Conservation Policy

By now you may have heard that Government released a draft of a new wetland conservation policy (http://www.gov.ns.ca/nse/wetland/docs/
Nova.Scotia.Wetland.Conservation.Policy.pdf
) and is inviting your organization to provide comments as part of the public consultation on the new policy. If you could pass this along to others who might be interested in commenting that would be much appreciated.

The draft policy was developed in response to the 2007 Environmental Goals and Sustainable Prosperity Act mandate that government establish a policy to prevent the net loss of wetlands by the end of 2009.

The draft describes a comprehensive approach that Government can use to ensure the benefits wetlands provide are maintained for the people of Nova Scotia. Ultimately, the draft policy establishes specific goals and objectives intended to prevent the net loss of Nova Scotia's valuable wetlands.

The public consultation period runs until November 6, 2009. Comments will be received through an online form, by mail and by phone To access the online consultation form, you may go to: http://www.gov.ns.ca/nse/wetland/conservation.policy.asp To send your comments by mail, please complete the form and send it to:
Wetland Policy Comments Department of Environment 5151 Terminal Rd., P.O. Box 442 Halifax, N.S., B3J 2P8
To discuss your comments over the phone, please contact John Brazner, Wetland/ Water Specialist at 902-424-4936.

Thanks very much for your interest and we look forward to hearing your thoughts about the new draft Nova Scotia Wetland Conservation Policy.

Sincerely,

John Brazner, Wetland/Water Specialist
Nova Scotia Environment
P.O. Box 442
5151 Terminal Road
Halifax, NS B3J 2P8
(902)424-4936
braznejc@gov.ns.ca


wetland

Halifax Field Naturalists

Consultation on Draft Nova Scotia Wetland Conservation Policy

The invitation from John Brazner at right will be of great interest to those of you who have attempted to save a wetland, witnessed degradation of same or have remarks or expertise to share on one of our natural assets. Or perhaps you have a regular walking route that passes a wetland (such as Belchers Marsh in Mainland North) and want to make sure this urban wilderness/wildspace is preserved.

Now is your chance to give feedback through a policy development process with NS Department of Environment. Please share this document with others and consider giving feedback directly online before Nov 6.

And if you are interested in meeting John Brazner for open dialogue, join us and others at the Keshen Goodman Library, Thursday, October 29, 10am - noon in Room C. (Lacewood Drive and Stratford Way, Halifax)

Bring your questions and comments or come to listen and learn.

Bob McDonald, board member
Halifax Field Naturalists and Halifax North West Trails

and now an INTEGRATED PRESENTATION/FORUM on WATER, WETLANDS AND COASTS, NOV. 3:

From NSEN (Oct. 15, 2009):

Water, Wetlands, and Coasts:
Creating the Best Policies for Nova Scotia

Tuesday, November 3
7:00-9:00 p.m.
Room 305, Weldon Law School
Dalhousie University
6061 University Avenue

Hear from representatives of the Department of Environment and the Department of Fisheries & Aquaculture on the progress on the provincial water strategy, the draft wetlands policy, and the coastal strategy at this free, public event. These strategies are in various stages of development and consultation. The water and wetlands strategies are legislated commitments under the Environmental Goals and Sustainable Prosperity Act. There will be respondents from the environmental community sharing their perspectives as well. Find out more about how you can get involved in creating the best policies for our water, wetlands and coasts for our province. Copies of the draft wetland strategy and submission information will be available. Reception to follow. Organized by the Nova Scotia Environmental Network. For more information, please phone: 902-454-6846, email nsen@cen-rce.org or visit us online at www.nsen.ca