Live. Work. Play. Protect
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OurCoast Live. Work. Play. Protect. THE 2009 STATE OF NOVA SCOTIA’S COAST TECHNICAL REPORT OurCoast Live. Work. Play. Protect. THE 2009 STATE OF NOVA SCOTIA’S COAST TECHNICAL REPORT Disclaimer: This report was prepared under contract between the Nova Scotia Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture and CBCL Limited. The document was reviewed by members of the Provincial Oceans Network prior to its completion. The Nova Scotia Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture and any person acting on its behalf assume no liability arising from the use of the information contained in this document. The opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the Government of Nova Scotia. The use of trade names or identification of specific products does not constitute any endorsement or recommendation for use. Credits: The 2009 State of Nova Scotia’s Coast Technical Report ISBN: 978-1-55457-327-1; Crown copyright, Province of Nova Scotia, 2009; Author: CBCL Limited. 2009; Cover photos: Front, left to right – Province of Nova Scotia, Tim S. Conrad (Copyright 2009), Tim S. Conrad (Copyright 2005); Back, left to right – Tim S. Conrad (Copyright 2009), Province of Nova Scotia, Province of Nova Scotia. www.gov.ns.ca/coast Drafting Team – CBCL Limited Project Manager: Ann Wilkie Technical Lead: Dan Walmsley Editor: Jay Walmsley Chapter 1 Introduction Dan Walmsley, Jay Walmsley Chapter 2 Methodology Dan Walmsley Chapter 3 Setting the Scene Dan Walmsley, Jay Walmsley, Katherine Perrott Chapter 4 Coastal Development Gordon Smith Chapter 5 Working Waterfronts John Josza Chapter 6 Public Coastal Access Gordon Smith, Katherine Perrott Chapter 7 Sea Level Rise and Storm Events Vincent Leys Chapter 8 Coastal Water Quality Andrew McIntosh Chapter 9 Sensitive Coastal Ecosystems and Habitats Ian Bryson Chapter 10 The Road Ahead Dan Walmsley Provincial Oceans Network Justin Huston (Chair) Fisheries and Aquaculture David Mitchell (Coastal Strategist) Fisheries and Aquaculture Sean Weseloh McKeane (Coastal Coordinator) Fisheries and Aquaculture Michael Davies Economic Development Jessica Baxter Environment Bob Green Energy Sarah MacKay Natural Resources Andrew Paton Service Nova Scotia Municipal Relations Ed Light Service Nova Scotia Municipal Relations (GeoNOVA) Bob Pett Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal Albert Walzak Intergovernmental Affairs Ernest Walker Office of Aboriginal Affairs Heather Yule Tourism, Culture and Heritage Mary-Jo MacKay Tourism, Culture and Heritage Adam Rostis Emergency Management Office Andrew Cameron Agriculture Miriam O’Brien Treasury and Policy Board Michael Ingram Finance The State of Nova Scotia’s Coast: Technical Report Contents Acronyms Executive Summary Chapter 1 Introduction ...............................................................................................1 1.1 Nova Scotia’s Coastal Management Initiative ....................................................................3 1.2 The State of the Coast Report..............................................................................................6 1.3 References ...........................................................................................................................7 Chapter 2 Report Methodology.................................................................................10 2.1 Introduction .......................................................................................................................10 2.2 Defining the Objectives of this State of the Coast Report.................................................10 2.3 Defining the Contents of the Report..................................................................................10 2.4 Drafting Process ................................................................................................................11 2.4.1 Information ...........................................................................................................11 2.4.2 Level of Detail ......................................................................................................12 2.4.3 Conflict of Opinion and Perspective.....................................................................13 2.4.4 Indicators...............................................................................................................13 2.5 Evaluation and Review......................................................................................................14 2.6 References .........................................................................................................................14 Chapter 3 Setting the Scene ....................................................................................15 3.1 Natural Environment .........................................................................................................15 3.1.1 Physical Geography ..............................................................................................15 3.1.2 Geology.................................................................................................................18 3.1.3 Climate..................................................................................................................20 3.1.4 Ecoregions of Nova Scotia....................................................................................23 3.1.5 Natural Resources .................................................................................................23 3.2 Socio-Economic Environment ..........................................................................................29 3.2.1 Nova Scotia’s Coastal Economy...........................................................................29 3.2.2 Social Trends and Demographics..........................................................................42 3.2.3 Culture and Heritage .............................................................................................49 3.3 Built Environment .............................................................................................................61 3.3.1 Historical Development Patterns and Linkages ....................................................61 3.3.2 Current Development Patterns and Linkages........................................................69 3.3.3 Types of Coastal Land Use and Development......................................................71 3.4 Regulatory Environment ...................................................................................................74 3.4.1 Legislative Jurisdiction .........................................................................................74 The State of Nova Scotia’s Coast: Technical Report Contents 1 3.4.2 Aboriginal Treaty Rights ......................................................................................76 3.4.3 Legislation.............................................................................................................77 3.4.4 Provincial Policy Framework................................................................................80 3.5 References .........................................................................................................................82 Chapter 4 Coastal Development...............................................................................91 4.1 Introduction .......................................................................................................................91 4.2 Pattern of Development.....................................................................................................91 4.3 Trends in Coastal Development ........................................................................................96 4.3.1 Residential and Recreational Development ..........................................................97 4.3.2 Industrial Development.......................................................................................103 4.3.3 Competing Interests ............................................................................................106 4.4 Policies, Programs and Initiatives ...................................................................................107 4.4.1 Legislation and Policy.........................................................................................107 4.4.2 Current Initiatives ...............................................................................................109 4.5 Sustainability Issues / Key Points....................................................................................111 4.6 References .......................................................................................................................113 Chapter 5 Working Waterfronts ..............................................................................116 5.1 Introduction .....................................................................................................................116 5.2 Legislative and Program Background .............................................................................116 5.3 Status of Small Working Waterfront Communities ........................................................119 5.3.1 Types of Working Waterfront Communities - 1991 ...........................................120 5.3.2 Types of Working Waterfront Communities - 2006 ...........................................120 5.4 Case Studies ....................................................................................................................121 5.4.1 Musquodoboit Harbour, Halifax