Presentation for Natural Resource Management Public Consultation - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Presentation for Natural Resource Management Public Consultation

Parks Panel Jennifer Graham, B.Sc., M.E.S. Coastal Coordinator, EAC

Overview

• 1. Public values on Parks
• 2. Issues and

Recommendations Parks Beaches Act Beaches

Parks “What We Heard”

• Parks are important
• Parks play “dual”,

sometimes competing roles

• Shared Management

Approach

• Government as

facilitator of public engagement

Parks Issues - Mandate

• Protecting biodiversity is

not currently the

• verarching vision of Parks

system

• Not all parks are suitable

for all goals, nor are all goals compatible eg. increased access outdoor recreation or tourism may harm habitat and biodiversity

• Expertise for conservation

planning and biodiversity protection is with NSE

Recommendations - Mandate

• Move high-level planning

for Provincial Parks to Environment Department

• Designate backlog of

undesignated Provincial Park Reserves

• Parks with high ecological

value need stricter protection, and restricted access and activities

Parks Issues - Management

• Public confusion about

whether parks are for protection or recreation

• Outdated parks

infrastructure causes habitat fragmentation and interrupts connectivity

• Mistrust and

miscommunication with stakeholders

• Lack of collaboration with

DFO, Parks Canada, NSE

Recommendations – Management

• Lead by example: biodiversity,

infrastructure, best practices

• Enforce of all provincial

legislation and regulations, e.g OHV act, Beaches Act

• Partner for signage and
• education. eg. Surfers, piping

plovers guardians

• Leverage resources by working

with NSE, DFO, Parks Canada on terrestrial and marine park network

• Test water quality at salt water

swimming beaches - post results

Beaches Act

Definition of beaches “beach" means that area of land on the coastline lying to the seaward of the mean high watermark and that area of land to landward immediately adjacent thereto to the distance determined by the Governor in Council, and includes any lakeshore area declared by the Governor in Council to be a beach;

Recommendation

Revise Beaches Act to say “Beaches are coastal systems made up of is seaward features such as sandbars , spits, barrachois, as well as landward features including dunes, salt marshes, cliffs that form connected habitat, provide sediment, and support natural shoreline processes

Purpose of Beaches Act

• Purpose of Act
• (2) The purpose of this

Act is to

• (a) provide for the

protection of beaches and associated dune systems as significant and sensitive environmental and recreational resources;

• Recommendation
• Provide for the

protection of beach systems and natural shoreline processes, including sediment transport, as vital ecological services and integral to our provincial climate change strategy

Other Beaches Act Recommendations

• Current wording makes it unclear

if OHVs are banned on all

• beaches. Make it clear that are

forbidden on all beaches

• Specify that kite buggies are

“vehicles” under Beaches Act

• Moratorium on development

permits on beaches until thee changes implemented

• A strong Beaches Act as key piece

within an effective provincial coastal policy

Beaches Issues

• Beaches are not managed

to maintain sediment supply and natural shoreline processes

• Beach systems are

vulnerable to climate change

• No beach management

plans

• DNR permitting decisions

harm beach ecosystems, habitat, and connectivity,

Recommendations

• In Parks, limit development, and

infrastructure on beaches and associated coastal features

• Seek necessary changes to MGA

to allow municipalities to restrict development

• Prioritize aquisition of

important properties

• adjacent to parks and beaches

e.g Martinique, Queensland

• Develop management plans for

provincial park beaches and high priority protected beaches ie ecologically significant, species at risk, huge demands . Consider Blue Flag or Green shores

Conclusion and Discusssion