The province of Nova Scotia has decided to spend up to $40 million to buy land in southwest Nova Scotia and Cumberland County from J.D. Irving Ltd. and Rothesay Paper Holdings Ltd.

Last year, Irving put 69,000 hectares of timber land up for sale in southwest Nova Scotia. The parcels of land encompasses a 600-kilometre trail network, 69 lakes and four or five river systems. At that time, it was rumoured that Irving had offered the land to Nova Scotia for $100 million. The land was purchased by Irving from Bowater in 1994.

It is not clear how much of the 69,000 hectares will be purchased by Nova Scotia. In a recent cabinet document, 31 parcels in Yarmouth, Digby, Annapolis, and Cumberland counties were listed. The document says the total purchase price is not to exceed $40 million, and that doesn’t include appraisal, survey and legal costs.

Buy Back Nova Scotia, a broad coalition of interested people and organizations, including conservationists, all-terrain vehicle clubs, fishermen and municipalities worried about losing access to trails and wilderness areas, lobbied the provincial government to buy the Irving lands before a private interest did.

Source:
N.S., Irving reach deal on $40m land swap (Chronicle Herald)