The province today announced details of an agreed property exchange that will ensure environmentally sensitive lands at Basin Head will remain available to Islanders and visitors alike for years to come.
Transportation and Public Works Minister Gail Shea announced that 142 acres of environmentally sensitive and economically important land adjacent to the Basin Head Wharf will come under provincial ownership in exchange for 28 acres of land from elsewhere within the provincial land inventory. The province will be partnering with the Nature Conservancy of Canada to help facilitate the transaction.
The newly acquired property at Basin Head encompasses 142 acres adjacent to the Basin Head Wharf. That parcel includes 10 acres of beach and 132 acres of environmentally sensitive grounds behind the dunes. Portions of the surrounding area are currently designated under the Natural Areas Protection Act as is a large portion of the newly acquired land.
“The coastline and beaches on PEI are precious to Islanders. Basin Head is one of the finest beach areas on PEI. It is important for government to take the opportunity to acquire land like this for future generations,” said Transportation and Public Works Minister Gail Shea.
“I’m very pleased to add Basin Head to the provincial land inventory. I’d like to thank the Markielle and Spitters families for their willingness to negotiate with government.”
Souris-Elmira MLA Andy Mooney welcomed news of the agreement. “The whole Basin Head area – the museum, the wharf, the beach, the beautiful natural areas – all of these things come together to contribute to our community and our economy in Eastern Kings. I’m very pleased to see steps have been taken to add this section of Basin Head to our provincial properties.”
John Foley from the Nature Conservancy of Canada said he looks forward to partnering with the province. “The Nature Conservancy of Canada is very excited about this partnership opportunity since the securement of this property, which forms the southernmost tip of the Basin Head Dune, will help protect one of the best examples of geological formation and vegetation dune succession on Prince Edwards Island.”
Tourism Minister Phillip Brown was also extremely pleased with the deal. “Basin Head is one of our finest beaches. But beyond that, it’s very important from a historical standpoint – with the museum – and it’s the centrepiece of our tourism product in Eastern Kings. This negotiation will ensure it remains that way for years to come.”
Basin Head was designated as a Marine Protected Area by the federal government in 2005, in recognition of its rich and diverse habitat. In Prince Edward Island a large portion of the coastal systems, particularly coastal wetland and dunes, were identified in NCC's ecoregional plan as needing protection. Basin Head in particular was identified as one of the priority areas in Prince Edward Island in need of protection.