Environmental Regulations Handbook for Nova Scotia Agriculture

Introduction
CHAPTER 12
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
Both the federal and provincial government have passed energy efficiency legislation. This
legislation regulates the types of equipment which can be sold in Canada and does not
apply directly to farm operations, as all new equipment purchased should meet the standards
set out in these laws. At present, used equipment is not covered by these Acts and their
regulations.
Introduction
CHAPTER 13
WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT
The agricultural landscape provides many important wildlife habitats and farmers play a
major role in maintaining the quality of these habitats. Legislation has been implemented
to protect and preserve wildlife and wildlife habitat.
13.1 Endangered Species
The Nova Scotia Provincial government
enacted the Endangered Species Act in 1998.
The Federal Species at Risk Act was
proclaimed on June 4, 2003. Under the
provincial act no person shall destroy,
disturb or interfere with or attempt to
destroy, disturb or interfere with the specific
dwelling place or area occupied or habitually
occupied by one or more individuals or
populations of an endangered or threatened
species, including the nest, nest shelter,
hibernaculum or den of an endangered or
threatened species. Most farms have been
established for many years and the likelihood
of a terrestrial type endangered species being
found there is extremely remote. However
aquatic and riparian species, both plants and
animals, are likely to be found anywhere in
the province. Good farming practices, such
as leaving effective watercourse buffers (or
re-establishing them), preventing nutrient
inputs to watercourses and following spray
buffer zones stated on pesticide labels, should
provide a level of protection for these species.
13.2 Wildlife Habitat
Wildlife Habitat and Watercourses
Protection Regulations have been added
under the Forests Act(NS). Under these
regulations when forest harvesting takes
place on any woodland in Nova Scotia you
must leave at least a 20 metre (66 feet) wide
strip, called a Special Management Zone
(SMZ), along each edge of the watercourse.
Partial harvesting, under certain conditions,
is permitted within the Special Management
Zone. Refer also to section 3.5 on CHAPTER
3.
When harvesting any area larger than 3
hectares (7.4 acres), leave at least 10 living
trees standing (future cavity trees) for each
hectare harvested, leave these trees in
clumps, with a minimum of 30 trees per
clump.
When harvesting leave standing dead trees
and as much large woody debris on the
harvested area as possible.
This does not apply to land being cleared for
agricultural use.
Environmental Regulations Handbook for Nova Scotia Agriculture
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