A project aimed at harmonizing the relationship between cottage country and Mother Nature is about to wrap up another successful year.
The project is a combined provincial and federal initiative, started last year in South West Nova Scotia. A team made up of Department of Fisheries officers, habitat inspectors and Nova Scotia environment inspectors toured lakes all throughout the area, specifically targeting those that are developed or are working on being developed. In Queens County, the team has already been out at Ponhook Lake and a small section of Molega Lake. The project will soon wrap up for this year, but since starting last year the team has already done 10 lakes.
The team spoke with residents and contractors about their plans for their land, discussing the rules and regulations for waterfront property and how to do things more fish friendly.
“Rather than try to be reactive all the time, we thought it would be worth our while to be more proactive,” says Department of Fisheries and Oceans area habitat chief Thomas Wheaton, who spearheaded the project.
Wheaton says there have been problems in the past, with people not knowing what they can and cannot do, but most cases are usually just a lack of information on the landowner’s part. He adds it doesn’t necessarily means someone can’t do their dream project on the property, they just need to change how it’s done.
For example, a popular project is putting a dock on waterfront land. The provincial regulations allow for a dock on posts or a floating dock, but crib docks are not allowed.
Other popular projects are taking case by case. Allowing a boat ramp depends on how close public access is, and private beaches are very closely regulated. All projects also have to have a permit.
Wheaton says the response has been overwhelmingly favourable towards the initiative, and most people want to be environmentally friendly.
“People really don’t want to do anything that will harm their piece of heaven. We’re there to help them do that,” he says. “People are very good and very environmentally conscious. If they see a problem, they’ll generally call us”
More information on the project, and on the regulations, can be found at http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/index-eng.htm
nmoase@theadvance.ca
