Coalition offers to help Province build Coastal Strategy
12 Jan 09
Halifax, January 12 - Twenty-eight community and environmental organizations from Yarmouth to Cape Breton formally offered their collective assistance to the province to help develop a Sustainable Coastal Development Strategy. The organizations want a role in the policy development process.
“The organizations that signed this letter have the ideas, the expertise, the solutions, and can generate broad-based public engagement. We want to be involved, not only in the development of the strategy, but also its implementation”, says Geoff LeBoutillier, of the St Margaret’s Bay Stewardship Association.
The groups urge the province to move swiftly. “The time is now,” says Karen Traversy, spokesperson for the Coastal Coalition of Nova Scotia. “The high costs of climate change, damaged infrastructure, and loss of biodiversity are upon us.”
“The Strategy needs to involve municipalities and communities in a meaningful way,” says Ashley Sprague, Marine Coordinator at CPAWS-NS. “This Strategy must include a comprehensive land-use plan that adequately addresses coastal ecosystem protection through such tools as zoning, set-backs and coastal marine protected areas.”
“Our coasts are one of our most valuable assets,” says the EAC’s Jen Graham, “and they are on the front lines of climate change and intensifying development. A comprehensive coastal development strategy is a sound investment.”
Ruth Smith from the Friends of Port Mouton Bay explains, “Responsible coastal development is essential to the health and growth of our coastal communities and will expand employment in the traditional fisheries and tourism sectors.”
“Community and environmental groups have been doing the on-the-ground coastal and watershed management work for years. Historically we have always played a key role. We must be part of the solution,” sums up Jen Graham. “The sea is rising. Let’s hope our collective ability to face down these challenges rises right along with it.”
The provincial government’s announcement about a Coastal Development Strategy is available at http://www.gov.ns.ca/fish/marine/coastalzone/framework.shtml. A copy of the text of the letter is available on the website of the Coastal Coalition of Nova Scotia at http//: http://ccns.chebucto.org/
For further information:
Jen Graham, Coastal Coordinator, Ecology Action Centre, coastal@ecologyaction.ca 442-5046
Ashley Sprague, Marine Coordinator, CPAWS-NS, marine@cpawsns.ca (902) 446-4155
Karen Traversy, Coastal Coalition of Nova Scotia, kvtraversy@ns.sympatico.ca , 902-845-1093
Geoff LeBoutelier, St. Margaret’s Bay Stewardship Association,
Ruth Smith, Science Committee, Friends of Port Mouton Bay, 443-1113