Managing Environmental Stress: An Evaluation of Environmental Management of the Long Point Sandy Barrier, Lake Erie, Canada

Abstract

/ This paper assesses the extent to which key geomorphic components, processes, and stresses have been reflected in the management of a coastal sandy barrier environment. The management policies and practices of selected agencies responsible for Long Point, a World Biosphere Reserve along Lake Erie, Canada, were evaluated for consistency with these principles of environmental management for sandy barriers: maintaining natural stresses essential to sandy barrier development and maintenance;protecting sediment sources, transfers, and storage; recognizing spatial variability and cyclicity of natural stresses, such as barrier overwash events; and accepting and planning for long-term evolutionary changes in the sandy barrier environment. Generally, management policies and practices have not respected the dynamic and sensitive environment of Long Point because of limited mandates of the agencies involved, inconsistent policies, and failure to apply or enforce existing policies. This is particularly evident with local municipalities and less so for the Canadian Wildlife Service, the federal agency responsible for managing National Wildlife Areas at the point. In the developed areas of Long Point, landward sediment transfers and sediment storage in dunes have been impacted by cottage development, shore protection, and maintenance of roads and parking lots. Additionally, agencies responsible for managing Long Point have no jurisdiction over sediment sources as far as 95 km away. Evolutionary change of sandy barriers poses the greatest challenge to environmental managers.

A Constant Comparison of the Environmental Assessment Legislation in Canada

“…As a result, the policies of different levels of government can have a major impact on the collective outcomes of decision-making. In the context of the environment, failures in government decision-making processes in Canada have been highlighted by numerous studies (Gaden et al, 2008;Kreutzwiser & Gabriel, 2000;Li & McAteer, 2000;Loucks, 2007;McKitrick, 2006;Rabe & Zimmerman, 1995). One reason for these failures is a poor strategic understanding of how the existing relationships between environment-related legislation in the different, often overlaying, jurisdictions of government are impeding or supporting the environment and sustainable development objectives.…”