Second Lake Watershed to be Preserved

Residents of Lower Sackville got some good news today. The province has decided to preserve the Second Lake watershed lands.

Housing and Municipal Affairs Ray White announced there will be no residential development on the provincially owned 270 hectares (665 acres) around the lake.

"For some time Lower Sackville residents have expressed a desire to preserve the many areas of ecological interest present on these lands," said the minister. "We have listened to their concerns and are, therefore, transferring the lands to the Department of Natural Resources for preservation."

In the late 1960s, the province acquired 745 hectares (1,840 acres) of land around First and Second lakes to develop a fully serviced community. By 1992, about 455 hectares (1,125 acres) had been developed.

In 1993, the Second Lake Land Use Committee, made up of community councillors and representatives from the provincial government, recommended that up to 160 hectares (390 acres) be retained for parkland.

"Basically we've accepted the committee recommendation and gone beyond that," said the minister. "We now need to put closure on the matter. We are confident that Natural Resources will be able to protect these natural assets for all Nova Scotians."

NOTE TO EDITORS: For a faxed copy of a map detailing the area to be transferred to Natural Resources, contact Communications Nova Scotia at e-mail address [email protected] or phone 902-424-4492.