This alert is from the Tobeatic Protection Alliance (TOPA), a coalition of groups whose sole purpose is to protect the Tobeatic Wilderness Area. If you want more information on the Tobeatic please see the Tobeatic Wilderness Committee's website.

Synopsis:
Nova Scotia protects 31 wilderness areas under the Wilderness Area Protection Act. Section 16 of the Act encourages "voluntary planning and management of land adjoining or affecting wilderness areas in a manner consistent with the purpose of this Act..." to protect wilderness. Despite this, resource extraction is permitted on the private and public lands surrounding wilderness areas. The Nova Scotia government is allowing a quartz mine on the border of the Tobeatic Wilderness Area. There is scientific evidence to prove that the mine could have severe negative impacts on the Tobeatic, but the government does not agree. That there is any doubt whatsoever about the potential impacts should be sufficient to require further study. This mine sets a dangerous precedent for the future of all wilderness areas in Nova Scotia.

Backround:
On September 6, 2002 Environment and Labour (DEL) granted conditional approved for a proposed quartz mine on the boundary of the Tobeatic Wilderness Area (TWA), Nova Scotia's largest protected area. The proponent must develop an Environmental Effects Monitoring (EEM) plan before mining can proceed. The approval was made despite evidence that a crucial part of the scientific information provided by the proponent in the Environmental Registration Document (ERD) was flawed and despite concerns expressed by government staff about potential impacts on the adjacent wilderness area and Clyde River watershed.

TOPA twice presented its concerns to DEL, first through public input in the environmental assessment process, and again at a meeting with the Environmental Assessment Branch on December 10, 2002. On both occasions DEL expressed satisfaction that all environmental concerns can be addressed through the EEM program. The main basis for our concern is the drawdown of groundwater from TWA as a result of mining. The hydrology study, which is a crucial part of the ERD, is based on insufficient data. The ERD does not address the water drawdown issue. Consequently, all conclusions, including the monitoring program, derived from this data will be flawed. Garbage in-Garbage out!

Standard scientific research and procedure demands that if there are opposing views on a subject then further study is required. It is essential that the proponent conduct more research on water drawdown before any further action is taken on the proposed mine. Otherwise there is a very high likelihood that there will be severe negative impacts on the TWA and the adjacent Clyde River watershed which harbours several threatened coastal plain species and rare orchids. Monitoring, mitigation and compensation will not protect this wilderness. Once you notice negative impacts, the damage has already been done and the only way to stop further damage is to discontinue mining. If mining is stopped in 2-3 years, rehabilitation costs may be of the order of several million dollars, a far cry from the bond of $85,000 posted by the proponent.

TOPA is not opposed to mining in principle. We simply believe that this proposed mine is sited in the wrong place and that DEL will be making a tremendous mistake if the mine is allowed to proceed in its present location on the borders of a wilderness area. That DEL is willing to take a risk on the environment in the face of evidence about the potentially disastrous impacts on the TWA and adjacent watershed does not bode well for the future of wilderness and protected areas in Nova Scotia. That the taxpayers will be left footing the bill for any rehabilitation is a given with our history of industry here in Nova Scotia. DEL needs a reminder that their job is to protect the environment, not industry!

What you can do:
Contact your local MLA and send a letter to Minister Russell at DEL with copies to Premier Hamm, the Liberal and NDP environment critics and your local MLA.

• recommend further study of groundwater drawdown including independent scientific oversight and continued public input to prevent a potential environmental disaster;
• point out that if DEL does not advise more research, then it will be their responsibility when these impacts occur;
• indicate that monitoring will only address the situation when too late;.
• state that Nova Scotians value their wilderness and that they deserve the highest degree of confidence in all scientific decisions that impact on wilderness areas;
• point out that Nova Scotia has one of the highest losses of biodiversity in Canada and that we cannot afford to lose more by threatening protected areas; and
• call for a moratorium on resource extraction activities on public lands on the borders of protected areas.

• MLA Info
• NS Government Directory

Premier John Hamm
Office of the Premier
PO Box 726
Halifax, NS B3J 2T3
Email: premier@gov.ns.ca

Howard Epstein (NDP Environment Critic)
New Democratic Party Caucus Office
Centennial Bldg., Suite 1001
1660 Hollis Street
PO Box 1617
Halifax, NS B3J 2Y3
Email: hepstein@supercity.ns.ca

Russell MacKinnon (Liberal Critic)
Liberal Caucus Office
Bank of Montreal Bldg.
Suite 1402
5151 George St.
PO Box 741
Halifax, NS B3J 2T3
Email: macinrv@gov.ns.ca