Sable Island is already a Canadian landmark. Soon, it will be our newest national park.
Sable Island is an ecological gem that absolutely must be protected. This remote and iconic island, located approximately 300 kilometres offshore from Halifax, is home to wild horses, immense sand dunes, the largest grey seal colony in the world, and species-at-risk including the roseate tern and the Ipswich savannah sparrow.
The federal government and the Nova Scotia government have proposed that the island be established as a national park. The last time a national park was established in Nova Scotia was over a half-century ago. Parks Canada has initiated a public consultation to hear feedback on the proposal to protect Sable Island. CPAWS is supporting the national park option for Sable Island.
Sable Island is experiencing an increased interest in visitation, including quite recently a stop from a passing cruise ship. This will pose significant problems for the sensitive ecosystems of Sable Island. As part of the development of a management plan for the national park, CPAWS is proposing limits on the amount of visitors allowed on the island and a focus on off-island visitor experience, such as a Sable Island pavillion in downtown Halifax.
CPAWS has uncovered a loophole in the legislation to protect Sable Island that could allow for oil and gas drilling to legally occur inside the boundaries of the national park in the future. At the moment, a voluntary moratorium is in place administered by the Offshore Petroleum Board, but this needs to be made permanent through a legislative amendment at the time of designation. CPAWS is calling on the Federal and Provincial governments to amend the Canada - Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Resources Accord Implementation Acts to make it explicit that no drilling will be allowed to occur on, or beneath, Sable Island National Park.
CPAWS is working collaboratively with the Sable Island Green Horse Society and Ecology Action Centre to protect Sable Island as the national park designation moves forward.
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