Department
of Natural Resources
Crown Lands: Lease - Agricultural
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Who Needs This
Lease? |
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Any individual or business
who wishes to develop a parcel of Crown land under the administration and
control of the Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources for agricultural
use. |
Where can you get this Lease and / or further information? |
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Manager, Acquisitions and Leases
Land Administration Division
N.S. Department of Natural Resources
Tel: 902-424-4061
Fax: 902-424-3173
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Office
Location:
Founders Square
1701 Hollis Street, 5th Floor
Halifax, NS B3J 3M8
Mailing Address:
PO Box 698
Halifax, NS B3J 2T9
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Application Forms and Process: |
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Except in extenuating
circumstances (i.e. renewal of applicant's existing lease), all lease requests,
for agricultural use on Crown land, are tendered, by way of a Call for Proposals,
through the Public Tenders Office.
To initiate a Call for Proposals, the applicant must forward a detailed
letter to the Manager, Acquisitions and Leases Section (see above), including,
but not limited to, the following:
- Name and address of the applicant; If a company is involved, its proper
name, registered office, address and registered agent are to be identified.
An application from a company will not be processed unless it has an
up to date registration with the N.S. Registry of Joint Stock Companies,
and is in good standing;
- A sketch, plan or map depicting the location of the land requested,
and the approximate acreage;
- Reasons why the applicant requires Crown land;
- A brief outline of the applicant's qualifications, experience and
background including a description of all similar ventures; and
- Any other relevant information.
Staff will respond and provide further direction and information. |
Waiting Period:
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Approximately 1 to
2 years |
Expiry and Renewal:
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The lease is for a
term of 10 years with an option to be renewed for a further 10 years, provided
the leaseholder has complied with the terms of the lease to the satisfaction
of the Department of Natural Resources.
The renewal process is initiated by the leaseholder, who should contact
the Manager of Acquisitions and Leases, at least 3 months before the
lease expires.
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Price: |
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Initial application and renewal: $747.83 plus applicable tax (HST) *
Lease Assignment: $373.78 plus applicable tax (HST) *
*All fees are subject to change.
Annual rent - rent for the first 10 year term is 3% of the appraised market
value of the unimproved land or 5% of the gross sales of agricultural production
from the land, whichever is greater. The leaseholder is required to
submit a form of return to the Department of Natural Resources together
with an unaudited financial statement at the end of the leaseholder's fiscal
year. Rent upon renewal is at a rate to be determined by the Minister
of Natural Resources. |
Related Requirements:
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- The applicant may be referred to any Department, Commission or Agency
having an affiliation with the intended use; and
- Any company or association involved must be registered and in good
standing with the N.S. Registry of Joint Stock Companies
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Additional Information:
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- An appraisal of the land is required by an appraiser holding the Accredited
Appraiser Canadian Institute (AACI) designation. The cost of the
appraisal is the responsibility of the applicant.
- This form of lease is for agricultural purposes only and does not
apply to peatmoss.
- A legal survey by a registered N.S. Land Surveyor is required. The
cost of the survey is the responsibility of the applicant.
- Issuance of the lease is subject to the Department of Natural Resources
and N.S. Executive Council (Provincial Government Cabinet) approval.
- The applicant should not incur any expense without first contacting
the Department of Natural Resources
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Legislative Authority:
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Crown Lands Act, Revised
Statutes of Nova Scotia, 1989, Chapter 114, Section 16 (1)(a). |