Environment and Conservation
May 8, 2008

The following statement was issued by the Honourable Charlene Johnson, Minister of Environment and Conservation. It was also read in the House of Assembly:

Crown Lands Investment Improves Service to the Public

More than 80 per cent of the province�s land mass is Crown land and it accommodates many uses including timber harvesting, farming, recreation and roads. Crown land plays a critical role in habitat conservation and the protection of watersheds and biological diversity.

Many people throughout the province wish to avail of Crown land for personal and business reasons and, as such, make application to the Crown Lands Division of the Department of Environment and Conservation for the issuance of legal land titles. In fact, the division fields more than 100 public inquiries a month regarding Crown land applications, and approximately 100 applications a month require site visits to finalize applications. The division also performs highly-specialized legal analysis on more than 1,500 land surveys each year to ensure the land applied for is the actual parcel of land surveyed and does not overlap with any other existing land titles or private land claims.

It is important that the people of the province avail of this service in an effective and efficient manner. That is why I was very pleased to announce as part of Budget 2008 an investment of $720,000 to help improve service delivery to the public regarding Crown land applications. It will assist in the reduction of wait times for inquiries regarding the acquisitions of Crown land, and add surveying resources to reduce the processing time required for analyzing legal survey documents. This funding includes the addition of three new land management officer positions, one in each of our Central, Western and Labrador offices. Two land survey inspector positions will also be created. The Crown land application process will be expedited as a result of this investment, and residents of the province will have better access to this natural resource.

It is important that we continue to ensure the long-term protection of Crown lands, as they provide environmental, social and economic value to the province. As such, $75,000 has also been provided in Budget 2008 to commence the development of a comprehensive Land Use Management Strategy. This strategy will focus upon developing land-use policies and plans, land registration, management framework, as well as the overall administration of provincial land. This was a Bluebook commitment made by the Williams Government in 2007, and I am delighted that we are working toward delivering on that commitment.

Our unique natural heritage is critical to ensuring a healthy environment, economy and communities for the benefit of present and future generations. We must continue to ensure access to our provincial land resource, while also sustaining and protecting this resource. These measures will go a long way in helping us achieve this goal.

2008 05 08                                                  1:50 p.m.

 


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