‘Very disheartening,’ says resident whose property could be explored for uranium [Video]

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 …