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N.S. wetlands conservation policy still not in place

According to Environment Canada, there are hundreds of invasive species in Canada. Unless something is done to curb their spread, the result could be a change in wetlands and wildlife across the country.
According to Environment Canada, there are hundreds of invasive species in Canada. Unless something is done to curb their spread, the result could be a change in wetlands and wildlife across the country. Nature Conservancy of Canada / Handout

HALIFAX, NS – The Nova Scotia government still hasn’t enacted a wetlands conservation policy, almost a year after it was supposed to be in place.

And the Ecology Action Centre is not pleased.

The centre’s Jennifer Graham said Tuesday the process had been running on time until a couple of stakeholder groups received a two-month extension to last November’s deadline for input into the draft document.

Graham said the centre is hearing that there has been some disagreement at the cabinet table.

The policy was to be in place last December as part of the Environmental Goals and Sustainable Prosperity Act.

Environment Department spokeswoman Michelle Lucas said the policy is still at the department level and hasn’t reached the cabinet table.

Lucas said the department is trying to balance opportunities for sustainable economic development with a commitment to prevent a net loss of wetlands in the province.

Graham said that up to 65 per cent of the province’s salt marshes have been lost to human activities such as diking and development.

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