PORT GREVILLE, N.S. – Plans to apply to UNESCO to establish the Cliffs of Fundy Aspiring Global GeoPark are on hold.
“There’s an issue with a clause in UNESCO’s literature that we need to have clarified,” Cumberland Geological Society board member Oralee O’Byrne told the Amherst News. “The clause says UNESCO does not approve of the sale of rocks, minerals and fossils and will not allow the geopark to be associated with businesses that sell rocks, minerals or fossils.”
O’Bryne said the Cumberland Geological Society, as the backer of the geopark application, is concerned with what that would mean to businesses such as the Fundy Geological Museum and events such as the annual Nova Scotia Gem and Mineral Show in Parrsboro.
“It would mean the museum itself couldn’t be part of the geopark unless it gave up the gem and mineral show and stopped selling everything it sells in the gift shop,” O’Byrne said. “There are other businesses along the shore that would have the same issue.”
Because of this, the society, that also operates the museum, has temporarily suspended its application to UNESCO. The museum does not sell fossils, that can only be collected with a permit, but it does sell rocks and minerals, while the gem and mineral show provides an economic boost to the Parrsboro area.
She said the society supports the logic behind UNESCO’s rules, but said it doesn’t take into consideration the environment surrounding the Bay of Fundy.
The application process had proceeded quickly over the past months and the GeoPark steering committee, has made significant progress in engaging the communities within the GeoPark boundaries, successfully meeting its funding goals, and receiving approval in principle to establish the park by the Canadian arm of the UNESCO Global GeoPark Network.
The committee and the society board remain excited and enthusiastic about the potential of establishing a geopark in the area under the prestigious UNESCO banner.
A UNESCO Global Geopark is a designation that attracts international tourists wishing to explore connections between globally significant geological sites, local communities, cultures and national ecology.
There are now 140 UNESCO Global Geoparks in 38 countries, two of which are in Canada.
The local effort has been progressing since the fall of 2015, focusing on the shore from Apple River to the Portapique River, and the many significant geosites in between.
Representatives from the Canadian National Geopark Network were in the Parrsboro area for several days in June to meet with society members and see the significant sites that would be part of the proposed geopark.
O’Byrne said the society board has sent a letter to UNESCO Canada asking for clarification and seeking an exception to the clause. The letter also explains the reasoning behind the exception.
The application deadline to UNESCO is Aug. 15 so the society’s decision to put the step back from the application process would mean it would be 2019 at the earliest that an application can be made.
Society chair Rod Tyson said there’s simply too much at stake to proceed.
“The wording, as it stands now, would prohibit the museum from selling any collectible gem and mineral items in its gift shop and require us to give up sponsoring the Nova Scotia Gem and Mineral Show,” Tyson said. “This would reduce the museum’s operational revenue significantly and prevent some very important suppliers in the area from partnering with the GeoPark and us. We want to make sure the park works for everyone involved before we sign on, and we don’t want to do anything to harm the tourism economy along the Parrsboro Shore.”
Tyson said things like this require a bit of negotiation and pointed out the board is confident it can reach an agreement on the wording of the policy and get back on track quickly with a GeoPark that celebrates the area’s long tradition of sustainable and ethical use of its geo-heritage.
Cumberland-Colchester MP Bill Casey, who has been a big supporter of the initiative, said he’s aware of the delay and is confident the society’s concerns can be addressed.
“The Cliffs of Fundy has great potential for our area and I’m hopeful they will get the clarification they need,” Casey said. “They have legitimate concerns that need to be addressed. To me, it’s a great project that will build on some great tourism opportunities we have.”
Twitter: @ADNdarrell
