'Very disheartening,' says resident whose property could be explored for uranium
Province selected three areas it has opened for exploration bids
Some Nova Scotians whose properties have been selected for possible uranium exploration say they're stunned to learn their land could be part of the province's push for more natural resource development.
"I'll be honest, this is quite shocking," said Ward Blatch, who owns a property in Hants County that could be opened to exploration. "The province, without even speaking to me, has made the decision to proceed.… I have no recourse. Do I? I don't know."
Earlier this month, the provincial government issued a request for proposals for companies interested in exploring for uranium in three designated areas it says are known to have higher levels of uranium. Those include areas near East Dalhousie in Annapolis County, Louisville in Pictou County and Lower Vaughan in Hants County.
Blatch says he has not received any notification about the potential for exploration on his land. He thinks property owners should have been consulted first.
He has owned his property, which surrounds a lake, for about 20 years and always planned to build a cottage on it.
However, between a windmill farm being built directly behind his land, plus now the prospect of uranium exploration, he has put his plans on hold.
"It's very frustrating to spend hard-earned money to buy a piece of property with plans to enjoy in peace and quiet," he said. "This is very disheartening."
Landowner permission required
After the last provincial election, Premier Tim Houston said his government would focus on natural resource development with an eye to shoring up the province's economy in the face of U.S. tariffs and slowing population growth.
Uranium exploration and mining have been under a moratorium since 1981 and a full ban since 2009. That ban was lifted in March.
In a statement, a spokesperson for the Natural Resources Department said the province is preparing to send letters to landowners and municipalities providing information about the request for proposals and landowner rights. In the event of a Canada Post strike, it would look at other options for notifying landowners.
In Nova Scotia, land ownership does not include rights to the minerals beneath the surface. Those are owned by the Crown.
Companies that have an exploration licence must seek permission from a landowner before exploring. However, the provincial government has previously used a legal provision to allow for exploration on private land without permission from the landowner.
Property owners and companies can negotiate an agreement that spells out compensation requirements or other conditions, but the province is not involved in that process, the departmental statement said.
Some types of exploration — such as examining rocks and soil and collecting hand samples — require a licence but no additional provincial permit. Exploration that disturbs the land, such as drilling, requires both a licence and a permit.
Previous exploration
Blaine Brown's property in Louisville is also among the many pieces of private land included in the areas that have been designated for potential exploration.
He has lived on the property for the past five years, and before that lived down the road for 37 years.
Brown says a company tested the area for uranium years ago, paying landowners $50 to drill a hole on their land. He says he never heard conclusively whether uranium was found, or how much.
"They never came to me and told me much," Brown says. "There were just stories and rumours going around that they had found uranium around here."
Brown says he doesn't know enough about the issue to say whether he supports exploration.
"I don't know what the impact is … like dangers or anything like that. I don't know."
James Oickle says this is not the first time there's been uranium-related interest in his property in East Dalhousie.
In the 1970s, he even did the digging to help clear the rocks so an exploration company could drill.
Now, at 82, he figures he doesn't have much say in what happens.
"If they're going to do it, they're going to do it, the way I understand it, whether I got anything out of it or not."
Companies interested in conducting exploration for uranium must submit their applications by June 11. Any proposals will be evaluated by the Natural Resources Department, and if there is a successful applicant, that will be announced by July 7, and an exploration licence will be issued by July 11.
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