What Can We Do?
The damage to the wetland is happening now. Even if the infilling were to stop tomorrow, the unified wetland system would remain jeopardized. However, the problems escalate if the dumping continues. The KCC needs your help. We have communicated several times with anyone we think has some responsibility for this situation, and we need you to add your voice. Numbers count.
Here are some actions you can take.
1. Communicate with one or more of these individuals
The Department of Natural Resources has the authority to recommend "Protected Beach" status. Please let the Minister know you would like this area to be a protected beach. Contact:
The Hon. David Morse, Minister of Natural Resources. 902.424.4037 or
The Department of Environment and Labour determines whether or not an area includes "wetland." This is important because there are laws providing some degree of protection to wetlands. DEL also determines if a lot can support a septic system. DEL has decided that most of the land in question is not a wetland. In contrast, two non-government scientists with PhDs and expertise in wetland topics have seen evidence that the area is a wetland.
Based on this evidence, a KCC board member has filed an application for DEL to do an investigation of the situation and immediately issue a Ministerial Order to "cease the specified activity" of infilling. So far, the Minister has refused to issue such an order.
The following are the relevant parts of the N.S. Environment Act that the KCC board member has used.
Application for investigation 115 (1) Any person who is of the opinion that an offence has been committed under this Act may apply to the Department to have an investigation of the alleged offence conducted.
125 (1) Where the Minister believes on reasonable and probable grounds that a person has contravened or will contravene this Act, the Minister may, whether or not the person has been charged or convicted in respect of the contravention, issue an order requiring a person, at that person's own expense, to (a) cease the specified activity;
Please contact DEL to support the need for an investigation, and especially the need for infilling to cease until the investigation is complete.
The Hon. Mark Parent, Minister of Environment and Labour. 902.424.6647
Our MLA, who has been kept well aware of what is occurring!
The Hon. Michael Baker, Minister of Finance 902.424.5720
Our local Municipal Councillor, Donald Zwicker, is also aware of this situation! The Municipality is responsible for granting a building permit, and the KCC argues that this site is prone to flooding (see photos) and is therefore known to be 'geologically hazardous.' In other jurisdictions, courts have ruled that government is financially liable for related damage if they knew, at the time of issuing the building permit, that the land was prone to a geological hazard. Please tell Mr. Zwicker, or any of the other Councillors, that you think it unwise to risk tax dollars by issuing building permits in such areas.
Donald Zwicker, Councillor, District 3, Municipality of the District of Lunenburg 902.766.4016
2. Sign a Letter of Support
Please note that when the controversy heated up in July, the landowner contacted KCC and offered to sell the land to KCC. At the time, we didn't have enough money, but we subsequently collected 86 contributions, and, on September 7, 2007, offered to buy the land. The owner refused. A newspaper article describes the owner's comments like this, "And he says if he had to do it all over again, he wouldn't. 'This is extremely stressful for everybody.' " By offering to buy the property, we are giving the owner exactly what he said he wants – the opportunity for a "do-over." We hope that if we collect enough signatures, the owner will realize that public sentiment favors preservation of the wetland. We also hope to collect sufficient funds to purchase other parts of the wetland and protect it from development, so please show your support.
There are two letters to choose from, one with which you can also contribute (Tax receipts will be issued for any donation of $10 or more) or one you can simply sign and return.
3. If you live close-by, visit the site of the infill.
Park at the Municipal Lot associated with Sand Dollar Beach and either walk along the shore (please don't trespass on the properties) or along the road. The municipal parking area is down the gravel road just beyond the sign for Salty Rose Cottages. As you look across the wetland, try to imagine how the Department of the Environment can do a fair assessment of the area once it is covered in fill. Ask DEL why they have refused to issue an order to cease infilling. Also try to imagine how, if the DEL investigation shows the area is a wetland, the area could be restored. Will Minister Parent come down with a shovel and remove the fill? Will DEL send a work crew? How much would it cost to try to repair damage that could have been prevented?
4. Please communicate with us
. All positive suggestions will be sincerely appreciated. The KCC needs to know that there are folks like you concerned about Nova Scotia's wetlands, especially those close to us on our South Shore.