Well, Hartlen Point is currently breaking my heart in two but I have not lost hope that Canada may come around to protecting it.

Interestingly enough, I asked the DND project people if there was any chance Hartlen Point could be designated as an OECM when I met with them 2 years ago. They had never heard of an OECM and asked me to send them more information about it. With the help of the PR firm, Prospectus, they learned to use a lot of the community questions and our words against us. I personally find this to be terribly un-democratic and very concerning.

Fast forward 2 years the federal government have just announced they will created more OECMs with a focus on Coastal habitat.

But this has to be strategic to create them after destroying an ecologically sensitive, almost pristine coastal headland on an important migratory path. There likely is not another one like it that is owned by the feds anywhere in Canada. So sure, after you destroy the only one, you can talk about protecting them. Most uncool.

Anyway, DND intends to build an LBTF at Hartlen Point. Possibly the largest LBTF in the world. Certainly the only LBTF that will send radar into a migratory path for birds. Also, home to lobster spawning grounds, and frequented by surfers. And the only sea to sky sunrise and gorgeous entrance to Halifax Harbour. Really this is where you want to build this? Boggles the mind.

For sure another location could work, but the Navy seemingly want to sit by the ocean and watch their toys sail by. The project is way over budget and rampant with scope creep. While people sleep in the streets we are pouring money into this project that will be completely obsolete before it’s even built. It is ridiculous through and through.

Representatives from the NSBS were told it would be a small facility and not much of the headland would be affected. But after convincing their board members of this, they announced this:

“The building is anticipated to incorporate office/planning/meeting areas, warehousing, technical workshops, training areas, operations areas, and laydown areas, among others. Associated site infrastructure is anticipated to include paved vehicle parking, trailer space and security fencing. Road access and municipal service extensions are expected to be required.”

I hardly see how window decals on the building will come close to meaningful mitigation given the scope creep and destruction of habitat. Sure birders will still have access to the site but I can’t imagine it will be a place that will be positive for birds to visit. It will sometimes be deadly for them.

“The smart way to keep people passive and obedient is to strictly limit the spectrum of acceptable opinion, but allow very lively debate within that spectrum….”
― Noam Chomsky, The Common Good

Moving the Osprey nest in collaboration with the NSBS is a great example of what Noam said. Meaningless in the grand scheme of things really.

The IAC refused to visit the site in person. I have no concept how they can make informed decisions without a physical visit. Minister Guillebault refused to answer questions (can’t imagine he has visited the site either), and the feds refused to acknowledge a petition signed by 23K people. Rumor has it Margaret Atwood may even have signed it!

So now we have a petition in circulation that will be acknowledged by Parliament.

Hartlen Point : Petition to the Government of Canada

But I digress. I’ll take a page from the incredible Freeman Patterson and try to show the beauty of the place instead of being political. It is a lot more difficult to be positive but sometimes Mother Nature lends a hand.

I took all of these photos at Hartlen Point and have many more. I have not lost hope that the project can’t be scaled back and the site can be better protected. And at the very least, Canada can answer the community questions and answer our ATIPs. Protecting democracy is so important, especially now.

Just one question though. Who is going to tell the birds not to fly into the path of the radar when they are testing?