Nova Scotia eyes coastline protection law

Legislation expected to outline what can and cannot be done in coastal areas

Canada’s ocean playground has long lacked appropriate monitoring and regulation.

Now, Iain Rankin, Nova Scotia’s environment minister, has committed to imposing standard regulation on the province’s extensive coastline playground.

“We’re looking at a coastal zone area, setting and defining that,” Rankin this week at Black Rock Beach in Halifax’s Point Pleasant Park.

“Then we’ll look at regulating that to prevent people from building in areas that are impacted by rising sea levels and climate change in general.”

Rankin said the province is leading the way in fighting climate change, which is already having an impact on sea levels. He said the province has increased its sources of renewable energy and reduced greenhouse gas emissions.

Now, he said, it’s time to protect the coast while ensuring the “industries and cultures that rely on it can continue to do that for generations to come.”

Rankin said the department plans to bring legislation forward in the near future that will regulate what can and cannot be done in coastal areas.

The legislation will dictate that new construction be initiated only in areas that are less likely to be threatened by coastal erosion and storm surges.

The legislation will be predicated by extensive consultation with Nova Scotians.

People can have their say online by logging on to novascotia.ca/coast or a paper copy can be obtained by calling 902-424-2547. The consultation phase will continue until Aug. 17.

The Environment Department will be working closely with the Ecology Action Centre, a non-profit environmental organization founded in Halifax nearly 50 years ago.

“To share the resources and knowledge that we have and at every step to try to make sure that this opportunity is the right one and that we get the right coastal protection act for Nova Scotia,” Nancy Anningson, the ecology centre’s coastal adaption co-ordinator, said in explaining her organization’s role.

Anningson said the bigger battle is to reduce greenhouse gases, which cause climate change and in turn lead to sea level rise and ensuing extreme storm surges and flooding.

“In the interim, an act that will protect the coast and allow the coast to protect itself is really needed,” Anningson said.

“There are different pieces of legislation, both federal and municipal, that are at play but nothing is consistent and at present we are at risk in many areas. There are mistakes that we have made and will make again without a coastal protection act to protect the areas.”

She said public consultation is essential because of the variances in coastal attributes and problems that exist throughout the province.

“People who are living on the coast or visiting the coast see the change that is happening and can suggest things that will help protect the coast.”

Rankin said the legislation must also ensure salt marshes, dunes and other coastal features can continue to filter water and shelter birds and sea life.

Both Rankin and Anningson are seeking regulation that will help the coast adapt naturally to the impact of climate change.

Environment Department staff will hold sessions throughout the summer with municipalities, fisheries groups, the Mi’kmaq and others with specific interests in the coast.

With about 8,000 kilometres of provincial coastline, such consultation and legislation might be considered long overdue.

“It’s never too late to adapt,” Anningson said.