Cape LaHave Island Is Of Significant Value

February 2nd, 2021
To: Constituents

I believe Cape LaHave Island is of significant value to our community and our nation.

The former MODL Council moved unanimously in November of 2019 to direct staff to develop a Conservation Agreement with the Nova Scotia Nature Trust for Cape LaHave Island and to bring the Agreement back to a Council meeting for consideration. In that motion we asked that the Agreement developed include a community consultation process.

During these past 14 months the Nova Scotia Nature Trust have been gathering ecological information, habitat type, cursory understanding of existing evidence of human use. The engagement strategy was designed to involve the public in the decision-making process. We undertook a virtual consultation process using the mapping and survey tools on EngageMODL and interviews with identified stakeholders. Additionally, in each promotion of the online survey, it was clearly communicated that residents could also call Laura Barkhouse directly to submit their feedback, and an internet connection was not required for participation. The engagement period was November 15 to December 15, 2020.

During this time, 61 people responded to the survey, 10 people contributed 60 pins total to the mapping tool, 3 people sent additional information by email; 10 people spoke directly with project lead Laura Barkhouse, and 10 organizations were represented in the engagement process. These included Friends of Crescent Beach and Green Bay Society, LaHave Islands Marine Museum, Coastal Action, Kingsburg Coastal Conservancy, Mahone Islands Conservation Association, Cape LaHave Adventures, LaHave River Yacht Club, and Canadian Parks & Wilderness Society Nova Scotia Chapter. Many respondents noted that the island has been used for many generations of their families including mine, and they want to ensure residents can continue this historic use.

It is my hope that Cape Lahave Island will continue to be untouched by development and left as wild as possible as this is a rare almost untouched island property. Now even after 14 months of asking for input some have expressed concerns that not enough time was provided to hear from residents. If this is the case, then I suggest you get involved with the consultation as we move forward. You may email your concerns to Laura.Barkhouse@modl.ca or contact me at Martin.Bell@modl.ca and I will share your expressed concerns with other Council members.

Update Note: On August 2nd, 2023, I visited Cape LaHave Island for the first time in my life. If is like going back in time. No development, large sand dunes, clean beaches, and we spent several hours there in the fresh air.

A lot of work has been done by MODL staff and the Nova Scotia Trust since November 2019. I value the ecological significance of this property and look forward to working with the Nature Trust to ensure the goal of land preservation of Cape LaHave Island without development through a Conservation Easement. On August 15th, 2023, at a Special Municipal Council meeting (6.1.2) our MODL Council agreed to seek an amendment of Section 4 of Chapter 72 of the Acts of 1897, the Lunenburg Common Lands Act (as amended) to add the following subsection immediately after subsection 5: (5A) Notwithstanding subsection (2), the municipal council may grant a conservation easement with respect to the common lands on Cape LaHave Island. I have supported this process all the way because this land needs to be protected for future generations.

SECOND Update Note (Oct 19, 2023): Today the Honourable Becky Druhan asked in the House of Assembly for a further amendment of Section 4 of Chapter 72 of the Acts of 1897, the Lunenburg Common Lands Act (as amended) to add the following subsection immediately after subsection 5: (5A) Notwithstanding subsection (2), the municipal council may grant a conservation easement with respect to the common lands on Cape LaHave Island.

This afternoon Councillor Leitha Haysom, (1st L); Mayor Carolyn Bolivar Getson, (2nd L) and I (1st R) were at the Legislature to watch the Honourable Becky Druhan (3rd L) enter this private member bill on behalf of the Municipality of the District of Lunenburg.

Our goal is to provide all the protection we can to Cape Lahave Island to ensure that the island is kept in its natural state and prevent any development ever. This has been about four years work so far but it is my hope that Cape Lahave Island will continue to be untouched by development and left as wild as possible as this is a rare almost untouched island property.