September 6th

Halifax - Nova Scotia was fortunate that Hurricane Earl caused far less damage to homes and coastal infrastructure than anticipated.   Storm surges ranging from 80 cm to 1.2 meters hit Nova Scotia’s Atlantic coast during a receding low tide. 

As a result, waters were pushed up the shore as equivalent as an extremely high tide and did not cause significant damage or flooding in most parts of the province.  However, a future hurricane in which the eye of the storm coincides with a high tide could cause damage and devastation in coastal areas.

Nova Scotia may not be so fortunate if our next hurricane packs a stronger punch or hits in conjunction with a high tide, warns the Ecology Action Centre. In light of climate change and extreme weather, the province needs a Coastal Act to protect Nova Scotia’s coast and coastal communities.  After all, says Jennifer Graham, Coastal Coordinator at the Ecology Action Centre, sooner or later our luck will run out.

“Nova Scotia needs effective legislation that specifies distance and elevation requirements for development along the coast.”, says Graham  We’re taking a big gamble if we keep allowing new development on beaches, wetlands and other locations where people and property will be at risk from future storms that might not strike during a low tide.”       

The province of Nova Scotia is currently developing a Sustainable Coastal Development Strategy. The Ecology Action Centre wants this strategy to include a commitment to put in place a Coastal Act with regulations on coastal land use, setbacks and other coastal activities.  The EAC hopes this Act will be in place by 2012.

For more information:  
Jennifer Graham
coastal@ecologyaction.ca
902-442-5046 (office)
902-219-8554  (cell)