Task Force to Hold Public Meetings

Nova Scotians will have a chance to tell a task force how they would like to see off-highway vehicles used in the province.

The Voluntary Planning Task Force on Off-highway Vehicles will host a series of public meetings across the province from Tuesday, Oct. 21 to Thursday, Nov. 6.

The task force will address concerns regarding off-highway vehicle use including: public health and safety; liability; environmental impacts; property rights; public and private land use; user conflict; and opportunities for responsible off-highway vehicle use.

"We are committed to listening to Nova Scotians about the issues surrounding ATVs, four-wheel drives, snowmobiles and other vehicles used off-highway in Nova Scotia," said David Bellefontaine, chair of the task force.

In January 2004, the task force will publish its interim report. The public will then have an opportunity to provide feedback. In March 2004, the task force will provide policy recommendations to the government of Nova Scotia that address recreational opportunities, possible legislative and regulatory changes, the role of public stewardship, trail development, insurance, enforcement, education and training, administration and funding.

A discussion paper on the topic is available on the Web site at www.gov.ns.ca/vp .

Written submissions will be accepted online at www.gov.ns.ca/vp ; by e-mail to [email protected]; by fax to 902-424-0580; or mail to Voluntary Planning, Suite 600, 1690 Hollis St., Halifax, N.S., B3J 3J9. All submissions must be received by Friday, Nov. 21.

Following are the meeting locations. All meetings take place from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Tuesday, Oct. 21 Truro -- Nova Scotia Agricultural College, Cox Institute
Building, 50 Pictou Rd. Windsor -- O'Brien Building, Exhibition Grounds, 221 Wentworth
Rd.

Wednesday, Oct. 22 Kentville -- Kentville Fire Dept., 463 Main St. Antigonish -- St. Ninian Place, 120 Ninian St.

Thursday, Oct. 23 Guysborough -- Guysborough Lion's Centre, 25 Green St. Annapolis Royal -- Royal Canadian Legion, 66 Victoria St. Halifax -- Holiday Inn Select, 1980 Robie St.

Friday, Oct. 24 Tatamagouche -- Royal Canadian Legion, 80 Queen St.

Monday, Oct. 27 Baddeck -- Royal Canadian Legion, 134 Ross St.

Tuesday, Oct. 28 Oxford -- Oxford Area Lion's Club and Recreation Centre, Main
Street Inverness -- Inverness Fire Hall, 15795 Central Ave. Saulnierville -- Royal Canadian Legion, Highway 1

Wednesday, Oct. 29 Cheticamp -- Centre Acadien, 35 Barron Rd. Sheet Harbour -- Masonic Hall, Highway 7 Yarmouth -- Royal Canadian Legion, 61 Parade St.

Thursday, Oct. 30 Louisdale -- St. Louis Parish Hall, Church Road Shelburne -- Royal Canadian Legion, 120 Water St.

Tuesday, Nov. 4 Chezzetcook -- Chezzetcook Fire Hall, 5543 Highway 7

Wednesday, Nov. 5 Liverpool -- Royal Canadian Legion, 46 Legion St. Sydney -- United Protestant Church, 1524 Kings Rd. Tantallon -- St. Magaret's Centre, 12 Westwood Blvd.

Thursday, Nov. 6 Bridgewater -- Royal Canadian Legion, 78 Churchhill St. Eskasoni -- Unama'ki Institute of Natural Resources, 4115 Shore
Rd. Stellarton -- Museum of Industry, 147 North Foord St.

For more information on the public meetings, contact Voluntary Planning at 902-424-8998 in Halifax or toll-free at 1-866-858- 5850. Meeting dates and locations will also be advertised in local papers.