First Town to Include Land in Wilderness Area

The Town of Antigonish is the province's first municipality to have some of its land, including its drinking water supply, designated as part of a protected wilderness area.

At the town's request, the Department of Environment and Labour has designated 1,340 hectares of town land in the new Eigg Mountain-James River Wilderness Area. The designation took effect Friday, Dec. 9.

"The Town of Antigonish is a leader among Nova Scotia municipalities with its offer to have its own lands protected in a wilderness area," said Environment and Labour Minister Kerry Morash. "I'm pleased the town has taken this opportunity to increase protection of its drinking water supply."

Protection of drinking water sources is part of the multi-barrier approach adopted through the provincial drinking water strategy -- protect the source, treat the water, and test to prove it is safe.

"The Town of Antigonish is extremely pleased to have a portion of its watershed lands protected in the Eigg Mountain-James River Wilderness Area," said Kathleen Chisholm, mayor of Antigonish. "A lot of time and effort have been put into this initiative which will benefit both residents and visitors with enhanced protection of our drinking water and a beautiful natural space to visit."

The town will continue to be able conduct necessary activities for managing its water supply.

With this additions, the Eigg Mountain-James River Wilderness Area now covers 5,490 hectares.

In the past year, the Department of Environment and Labour has added nearly 10,000 more hectares of land through new wilderness areas and nature reserves, as promised in its green plan.

The province now has 297,000 hectares protected in 33 wilderness areas and 11 nature reserves.