Participation in coastal regulation review sought

The Ecology Action Centre (EAC) wants to hear from citizens as the province drafts regulations to protect its coastline.

In a recent news release, EAC urged residents to participate, with feedback and thoughts, in a consultation on the regulations proposed for the province's Coastal Protection Act, Bill 106.

The legislation received royal assets in 2019 – and the consultation marks the final step in the process of making the bill a law.

“This is the best move our province can make to protect our citizens from dangerous development and to protect our coastal ecosystems from destruction as they withstand storm surge, coastal flooding and accelerated erosion,” says EAC co-ordinator Nancy Anningson.

The bill defines a coastal protection zone and what will be required to build in areas that fall in that zone. Erecting homes and buildings in dangerous places will be outlawed to protect vital ecosystems such as salt marshes and dunes.

The release said coastal areas are dynamic and resilient when not plagued by inappropriate developments.

“We need to stop making these life-threatening mistakes with new construction so that we can focus on the urgent adaptation needs of our coastal communities. There are enough homes, community assets and infrastructure in trouble already – we do not need to add any more," said the release.

The province's 13,000 km coastline and 70 per cent of its population in coastal communities can't afford to ignore the risks of rising sea levels, said the release.

The consultation will run until Sept. 17 and the province will be holding sessions with Mi'kmaq communities, municipalities and fisheries groups throughout the summer.

Relevant documents can be reviewed at novascotia.ca/coast.