On November 26, 2013, Councillor Stephen Adams introduced a letter to Regional Council on behalf of four developers. This letter requested that the Urban Reserve designation for a significant portion of the Purcell's Cove Backlands be changed to Rural Commuter or Urban Settlement, thus opening up the Backlands to development.

The Backlands consist of a large expanse of near-urban wilderness adjacent to the Purcell’s Cove Road in close proximity to William's Lake, extending to Herring Cove Road and Powers Pond. This mosaic of habitats includes lakes, critical watersheds, hills with spectacular coastal views, and many informal hiking and biking trails.

The Backlands are "nationally unique to Nova Scotia and globally rare," according to a new flora study by biologists Drs. Nick Hill and David Patriquin. The Broom Crowberry found in the Backlands is an Atlantic Coastal Plain species threatened and endangered elsewhere, and its occurrence with Jack Pine, also found in the Backlands, is very limited and quickly being lost in Nova Scotia through development. (For study details, visit http://backlandscoalition.ca/WLCCreport/)

The Backlands are one of the most fire-susceptible landscapes in Nova Scotia, with the draughty, windswept high barrens acting as matchsticks. The biologists’ report indicates that the existence of this wilderness area reduces the fire risk to adjacent communities, while allowing increased intrusions of development would increase the risk.

The Backlands are vital to maintenance of the larger wetlands and water quality of both surface and groundwater in the area. Located in close proximity to the coastline in the most urbanized area of Nova Scotia, the Backlands are also an important sanctuary for both breeding and migratory birds, according to another recent study commissioned by the William's Lake Conservation Company.

We, the undersigned citizens, urge all Councillors to vote AGAINST the request of four developers to change the Urban Reserve designation for the Purcell's Cove Backlands to Rural Commuter or Urban Settlement. The Urban Reserve designation contained in the Regional Plan (2006) should remain in place.