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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