Environment Act Advisory Committee Named

Three Nova Scotians with extensive environmental experience have been named to lead a review of the province's Environment Act, Environment Minister John Chataway announced today.

The three-member committee will be asking Nova Scotians from Yarmouth to Sydney for their input on improving the current legislation.

"I'm pleased to be arriving as environment minister at a time when the department is involved in such an important review," Mr. Chataway said. "I'm happy the individuals who agreed to serve are so highly respected and experienced in environmental matters."

He added the panel members represent different parts of the province and excellent knowledge of environmental issues. The review is mandated to take place five years after the introduction of the Environment Act, which was Jan. 1, 1995. A public discussion paper will be released next week and public meetings will start taking place in March.

Lisa Mitchell, of Paradise, N.S., is chair of the committee and will lead the public consultation process. Ms. Mitchell is an independent environmental consultant with LJM Environmental Consulting. She has wide-ranging experience as a member of the advisory committee for the 1993 public consultation on the Environment Act. As well, she is the former chair of the Nova Scotia Round Table on Environment and Economy and holds a graduate degree in environmental studies and a law degree.

The two members are Martin Janowitz of Jacques Whitford Environment Ltd. in Halifax and David Johnston of Johnston Environmental Management in Port Hawkesbury.

Mr. Janowitz has long-standing involvement in Nova Scotia environmental issues as former executive director of the Clean Nova Scotia Foundation, as a member of the Round Table on Environment and Economy and as former chair of the public consultation panel on waste and resource management. He also holds a graduate degree in environmental studies.

Mr. Johnston has more than 30-years experience in pulp and paper manufacturing, participating in a wide range of environmental initiatives. He now operates a private consulting practice that focuses on environmental education programs and environmental management systems.

The committee's report is due July 1, 2000.