Lake Huron Coastal Centre set to draw up Coastal Action Plan

The Lake Huron Centre for Coastal Conservation has hired an individual to draw up a Coastal Action Plan.

That's the word from executive director Matt Hoy (above) who brought an update to Kincardine council, in committee-of-the-whole, at its meeting Wednesday night (Jan. 25). In July of last year, he took over the position from Geoff Peach.

Hoy said the centre wants to create a unified, ecosystem-based action plan for the coastal area from Sarnia to Tobermory, identifying priorities for stewardship action, best management practices to be employed, a communications plan, and timetable for implementation.

The action plan will:
 

• Inform communities about how to invest in both natural and man-made infrastructure, enabling increased tourism/recreation without compromising the coastal environment
• Compile existing work completed by various stakeholders
• Determine areas of both stressed and quality coastal environments, developing a comprehensive understanding of coastal threats and vulnerabilities

Hoy said the centre was established in 1998 as a grassroots, not-for-profit organization, and is operated by a board of directors, with four full-time staff, and seasonal co-operative education students. The office is in downtown Goderich.

"Our goal is to make the lake a better place," he said, "by working with property owners and beach associations."

The centre has four coastal priorities: water quality, biodiversity, coastal processes and climate change.

The major threats to water quality, said Hoy, are: pollution, animal waste and fertilizer, faulty septic systems, and plastics and other chemicals.

Among the threats to biodiversity along the lakeshore, he said, are: invasive species, human activities, and development.

Phragmites is the worst invasive species to affect the area, said Hoy. "It has become a massive threat to the lakefront."

Threats to coastal processes include: development, poor knowledge of how the coast "works," and inappropriate or misguided management of the beaches. "We love Lake Huron and our beaches," said Hoy, "but this isn't Jamaica. We don't have white sand beaches; we have a different kind of beachfront."

Among the threats due to climate change, are: changes in average temperatures, changes in precipitation patterns, changing lake levels, and changes in species distribution, he said. "The lake is heating up, and every year, that makes a difference. The municipalities along the lakeshore have to be prepared for these changes."

He said there are conservation authorities and environmental agencies along the lake. "We act as a resource for all of them, as well as the lake properties."

The coastal centre operates three programs: Coast Watchers, the Green Ribbon Champion, and No Butts on the Beach, said Hoy. "We have nine Butt-Free Beaches along the lake - it's a major program."

He said the centre has purchased a phragmites-cutting machine to use this summer, and a workshop will be held June 26 on how to use phragmites as a bio-fuel.

The centre is also involved in coastal education, he said.

In response to a question from council, recreation director Karen Kieffer said the coastal centre has helped the municipality with its program to eradicate phragmites, as well as the work on dune grasses and beach accesses. "The staff is very helpful," she said, "providing resources we require."

Hoy concluded by telling council that the coastal centre is seeking a member for the board of directors. "If you know of anyone who is interested, we are looking for someone from this community."