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 overarching 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Parks Issues - Management • Public confusion about whether parks are for protection or recreation • Outdated parks infrastructure causes habitat fragmentation and interrupts connectivity • Mistrust and miscommunication with stakeholders • Lack of collaboration with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 – Manageme nt • 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 Recommendation “beach" means that area of Revise Beaches Act to say land on the coastline lying “Beaches are coastal systems to the seaward of the mean made up of is seaward high watermark and that features such as sandbars , area of land to landward spits, barrachois, as well as immediately adjacent landward features including thereto to the distance dunes, salt marshes, cliffs determined by the that form connected Governor in Council, and habitat, provide sediment, includes any lakeshore area and support natural declared by the Governor in shoreline processes Council to be a beach;
Purpose of Beaches Act • Purpose of Act • Recommendation • (2) The purpose of this • Provide for the Act is to protection of beach systems and natural • (a) provide for the shoreline processes, protection of beaches including sediment and associated dune transport, as vital systems as significant ecological services and and sensitive integral to our environmental and provincial climate recreational resources; 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
Recommend
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