Report on Environment Act Released
The report of a legislative advisory committee charged with reviewing the province's Environment Act was released today by Angus MacIsaac, Acting Minister of Environment and Labour.
The report makes 46 recommendations based on a public consultation process conducted last spring. The act which was enacted on Jan. 1, 1995, mandated that a review and public consultation process take place five years later.
In releasing the report, Mr. MacIsaac committed to providing a response within six months.
"I want to thank the committee for its hard work and Nova Scotians for taking the time to give their views on the act," said Mr. MacIssac. "The department will be conducting a thorough review of the recommendations to consider changes to the act that will help us continue to effectively manage and protect the environment."
Mr. MacIsaac noted that the report comes at a time when the department is reviewing processes, procedures and policies to improve efficiencies. For example, the department is developing new inspection and enforcement operational guidelines, preparing a public discussion paper on sewage management and has initiated a pilot-project to streamline the approval process for low-risk activities, such as watercourse alterations.
"It is the right time to get this report and review its recommendations in the context of changes that we are just starting. We're focusing on investigating new ways of doing things and building on past successes like reaching our goal on waste reduction," said the minister.
Nova Scotia is the only province and only jurisdiction in North America to achieve the national goal of 50 per cent waste reduction from 1989 levels by the year 2000.
As part of the public consultation and review of the act, a discussion paper was released. More than 100 submissions were received. The advisory committee also held seven meetings across the province in Yarmouth, Bridgewater, Truro, Port Hawkesbury, Sydney, Kentville and Halifax.
Committee members included: Lisa Mitchell from Paradise, chair and environment consultant with LJM Environment Consulting; Martin Janowitz of Jacques Whitford Environment Ltd. in Halifax; and David Johnston of Johnston Environmental Management in Port Hawkesbury.
The Environment Act is among the most inclusive and progressive pieces of environmental protection legislation in the country. The act consolidated 16 Acts and 44 sets of regulations that once governed environmental protection in the province.
The committee's report is available at no charge on the department's website at www.gov.ns.ca/envi/dept/ecs/index.htm , by calling 1-800-567-7544 or visiting a local department office.