A rock wall is being constructed along Crescent Beach, which is causing concerns amongst residents. Photo: Submitted Image.
The Municipality of the District of Lunenburg in Nova Scotia has requested a moratorium on coastal development until more comprehensive coastal protection legislation is implemented. Council has directed staff to expedite coastal protection land use planning and has asked the provincial government to approve and adopt the Coastal Protection Act Regulations immediately.
Mayor Carolyn Bolivar-Getson stated that “the protection of our shorelines and sensitive coastal ecosystems is the responsibility of both the Province and the Municipality and the time is now for both levels of government to take immediate action to fill these gaps.”
Council recognizes that there are “gaps” in current regulations that must be addressed, including the creation of coastal protection land use planning by the Municipality and the adoption of the Coastal Protection Act Regulations by the Province. The Mayor added that “the decision to expedite coastal protection land use planning is intended to close the municipal gap.”
The call for a moratorium on coastal development until the implementation of the Coastal Protection Act & Regulations or the adoption of a Municipal Coastal Protection Land Use Bylaw approved by the council comes as the development on Crescent Beach has recently received public attention, highlighting the need for more stringent regulations to protect sensitive coastal ecosystems.
“The use of moratoriums as a tool to limit coastal development while policy is being created is not new to the Maritimes,” said Mayor Bolivar-Getson. “We want to work collaboratively with the Premier and the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing to enact a moratorium on coastal development until staff can develop a Municipal Coastal Protection Land Use Bylaw approved by Council, or until the adoption of the Coastal Protection Act & Regulations by the Province, whichever comes first.”
Municipal staff are set to present their report on what is needed to expedite coastal protection laws at the next council meeting which will take place on Tuesday, April 4.
