The Development of a Local Coastal Policy in the Municipality of the District of Lunenburg
As a requirement under the Municipal Funding Agreement, all municipalities in Nova Scotia developed a Municipal Climate Change Action Plan (MCCAP). On December 10, 2013 the Municipality of the District of Lunenburg’s Council adopted its first MCCAP. The 2013 MCCAP sets out a number of actions for proposed implementation by the Municipality, and potential partners, over the next number of years.
One of the initial actions in the Municipality of the District of Lunenburg’s 2013 Climate Change Action Plan (MCCAP) was the development of a local coastal policy. In Council's consideration: the first phase in the development of any policy is to consult with local residents and landowners along the coast, and gather their feedback on what policy options may be pursued. The Coastal Action Foundation partnered with the Municipality of the District of Lunenburg to host five public meetings from late June to early August 2014.
All five meetings started with a short presentation at 7:00 PM, followed by an “open-house” to review related mapping information and to fill out specific feedback forms.
Dates and locations of the meetings were as follows:
Monday June 16Petite Riviere Fire Hall 18 Petite Riviere Rd
Wednesday June 18Riverport Community Centre 79 Lower LaHave Rd
Wednesday June 25St Barnabas Church (Blue Rocks) 10 the Lane
Wednesday July 9Mahone Bay Centre 45 School St
Tuesday August 5 Tancook Island Recreation Centre 39 School Rd
Although the Province initiated some discussion on coastal management issues in 2010 - the Municipality of the District of Lunenburg was interested in hearing from citizens on how the local government may become involved.
The Coastal Action Foundation prepared a report on the survey results and comments heard at the five public meetings and presented this information to the Municipality’s Planning Advisory Committee (PAC) on September 25th, 2014.
As a requirement under the Municipal Funding Agreement, all municipalities in Nova Scotia developed a Municipal Climate Change Action Plan (MCCAP). On December 10, 2013 the Municipality of the District of Lunenburg’s Council adopted its first MCCAP. The 2013 MCCAP sets out a number of actions for proposed implementation by the Municipality, and potential partners, over the next number of years.
One of the initial actions in the Municipality of the District of Lunenburg’s 2013 Climate Change Action Plan (MCCAP) was the development of a local coastal policy. In Council's consideration: the first phase in the development of any policy is to consult with local residents and landowners along the coast, and gather their feedback on what policy options may be pursued. The Coastal Action Foundation partnered with the Municipality of the District of Lunenburg to host five public meetings from late June to early August 2014.
All five meetings started with a short presentation at 7:00 PM, followed by an “open-house” to review related mapping information and to fill out specific feedback forms.
Dates and locations of the meetings were as follows:
Monday June 16Petite Riviere Fire Hall 18 Petite Riviere Rd
Wednesday June 18Riverport Community Centre 79 Lower LaHave Rd
Wednesday June 25St Barnabas Church (Blue Rocks) 10 the Lane
Wednesday July 9Mahone Bay Centre 45 School St
Tuesday August 5 Tancook Island Recreation Centre 39 School Rd
Although the Province initiated some discussion on coastal management issues in 2010 - the Municipality of the District of Lunenburg was interested in hearing from citizens on how the local government may become involved.
The Coastal Action Foundation prepared a report on the survey results and comments heard at the five public meetings and presented this information to the Municipality’s Planning Advisory Committee (PAC) on September 25th, 2014.
Public Consultation at Tancook Island Recreation Centre on August 5 2014
Further Resources
For more information on climate change adaptation measures in the Municipality of the District of Lunenburg, and the Maritimes please visit the following links:
1. Municipality of the District of Lunenburg: A Case Study in Climate Change Adaptation: A series of reports exploring climate change adaption measures in the Municipality.
2. Flood Risk Mapping for the LaHave River System for the Municipality of the District of Lunenburg.
3. Scenarios and Guidance for Adaption to Climate Change and Sea Level Rise: NS & PEI Municipalities: A report providing background information on climate change and sea level rise scenarios, as well as guidelines on how the information can be used in vulnerability assessments & adaptation planning.
4. Atlantic Climate Adaptation Solutions: The Atlantic Climate Adaptation Solutions (ACAS) program is a federal cost-shared program aimed at advancing adaptation planning and decision-making, particularly at the municipal level, to reduce risks and maximize opportunities of our changing climate.
5. New Brunswick Coastal Areas Protection Policy: This policy designates a 30 m building setback along coastal beaches, dunes, and marshes, to protect their ecological integrity. Structures are permitted within this zone under certain conditions, and given that the structure is 2 m above the high water mark.
6. Nova Scotia Department of Environment, Climate Change Unit: The climate change unit supports increased awareness and understanding of climate change, the science behind it, its impacts, and what we can do to help.
1. Municipality of the District of Lunenburg: A Case Study in Climate Change Adaptation: A series of reports exploring climate change adaption measures in the Municipality.
2. Flood Risk Mapping for the LaHave River System for the Municipality of the District of Lunenburg.
3. Scenarios and Guidance for Adaption to Climate Change and Sea Level Rise: NS & PEI Municipalities: A report providing background information on climate change and sea level rise scenarios, as well as guidelines on how the information can be used in vulnerability assessments & adaptation planning.
4. Atlantic Climate Adaptation Solutions: The Atlantic Climate Adaptation Solutions (ACAS) program is a federal cost-shared program aimed at advancing adaptation planning and decision-making, particularly at the municipal level, to reduce risks and maximize opportunities of our changing climate.
5. New Brunswick Coastal Areas Protection Policy: This policy designates a 30 m building setback along coastal beaches, dunes, and marshes, to protect their ecological integrity. Structures are permitted within this zone under certain conditions, and given that the structure is 2 m above the high water mark.
6. Nova Scotia Department of Environment, Climate Change Unit: The climate change unit supports increased awareness and understanding of climate change, the science behind it, its impacts, and what we can do to help.
