Province announces cash to fund municipal coastal protection co-ordinator

The Nova Scotia government is cutting a cheque in response to concerns from municipalities that they do not have the in-house expertise to oversee coastal protection.

Environment Minister Tim Halman announced Monday that his department would provide funding to the Nova Scotia Federation of Municipalities (NSFM) to hire a coastal protection co-ordinator.

The province will pay the federation about $476,000, spread over three years, for the role.

"In response to concerns brought forward by NSFM, and in keeping with its commitment to support municipal leadership with coastal land-use planning, the provincial government acted quickly in providing a dedicated resource through the federation," Juanita Spencer, the federation's CEO, said in a statement.

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Among other things, the new co-ordinator will be responsible for helping to create an example land-use bylaw that municipalities can use as they take on the responsibility of regulating development along their respective coastlines. The  role will also involve working with provincial officials on subjects such as flood management, adaptation and planning.

The position is expected to be filled as early as June, Spencer said.

"Understanding municipal needs relating to coastal land-use planning will be the priority of the co-ordinator, with supports and resources flowing from that initial assessment," she said.

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Halman announced at the end of February that his government would not make the Coastal Protection Act into law. Instead, they offered a suite of steps as part of a 15-point plan to protect the coast.

But municipal officials were concerned that many lacked staff with the necessary background to take on the responsibility of regulating coastal development.

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Coastal property owners and researchers are expressing frustration with the provincial government's approach to safeguarding the coast. Some say there needs to be more leadership from the province after abandoning the Coastal Protection Act.

Monday's announcement is intended to help address the federation's concerns about resources. It's also confirmation that it will be months before an example bylaw is ready for municipalities that need such help.

"Climate change response requires all hands on deck and the province has committed to working lock-step with municipalities on coastal protection and supporting them," Halman said in a news release.

The new co-ordinator role is in addition to four navigator positions Halman announced in February. The navigators will be tasked with helping to address any questions about a new hazard map that shows sea-level rise projections along the province's coastline for the year 2100.