Nova Scotians will have a chance to tell a task force how theywould like to see off-highway vehicles used in the province. The Voluntary Planning Task Force on Off-highway Vehicles willhost a series of public meetings across the province fromTuesday, Oct. 21 to Thursday, Nov. 6. The task force will address concerns regarding off-highwayvehicle use including: public health and safety; liability;environmental impacts; property rights; public and private landuse; user conflict; and opportunities for responsible off-highwayvehicle use. “We are committed to listening to Nova Scotians about the issuessurrounding ATVs, four-wheel drives, snowmobiles and othervehicles used off-highway in Nova Scotia,” said DavidBellefontaine, chair of the task force. In January 2004, the task force will publish its interim report.The public will then have an opportunity to provide feedback. InMarch 2004, the task force will provide policy recommendations tothe government of Nova Scotia that address recreationalopportunities, possible legislative and regulatory changes, therole of public stewardship, trail development, insurance,enforcement, education and training, administration and funding. A discussion paper on the topic is available on the Web site atwww.gov.ns.ca/vp . Written submissions will be accepted online at www.gov.ns.ca/vp ;by e-mail to [email protected]; by fax to 902-424-0580; or mailto Voluntary Planning, Suite 600, 1690 Hollis St., Halifax, N.S.,B3J 3J9. All submissions must be received by Friday, Nov. 21. Following are the meeting locations. All meetings take place from7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 21Truro — Nova Scotia Agricultural College, Cox Institute Building, 50 Pictou Rd.Windsor — O’Brien Building, Exhibition Grounds, 221 Wentworth Rd. Wednesday, Oct. 22Kentville — Kentville Fire Dept., 463 Main St.Antigonish — St. Ninian Place, 120 Ninian St. Thursday, Oct. 23Guysborough — Guysborough Lion’s Centre, 25 Green St. Annapolis Royal — Royal Canadian Legion, 66 Victoria St. Halifax — Holiday Inn Select, 1980 Robie St. Friday, Oct. 24Tatamagouche — Royal Canadian Legion, 80 Queen St. Monday, Oct. 27Baddeck — Royal Canadian Legion, 134 Ross St. Tuesday, Oct. 28Oxford — Oxford Area Lion’s Club and Recreation Centre, Main StreetInverness — Inverness Fire Hall, 15795 Central Ave.Saulnierville — Royal Canadian Legion, Highway 1 Wednesday, Oct. 29Cheticamp — Centre Acadien, 35 Barron Rd.Sheet Harbour — Masonic Hall, Highway 7Yarmouth — Royal Canadian Legion, 61 Parade St. Thursday, Oct. 30Louisdale — St. Louis Parish Hall, Church RoadShelburne — Royal Canadian Legion, 120 Water St. Tuesday, Nov. 4Chezzetcook — Chezzetcook Fire Hall, 5543 Highway 7 Wednesday, Nov. 5Liverpool — Royal Canadian Legion, 46 Legion St.Sydney — United Protestant Church, 1524 Kings Rd.Tantallon — St. Magaret’s Centre, 12 Westwood Blvd. Thursday, Nov. 6Bridgewater — Royal Canadian Legion, 78 Churchhill St.Eskasoni — Unama’ki Institute of Natural Resources, 4115 Shore Rd. Stellarton — Museum of Industry, 147 North Foord St. For more information on the public meetings, contact VoluntaryPlanning at 902-424-8998 in Halifax or toll-free at 1-866-858- Meeting dates and locations will also be advertised in local papers.