Media release
For immediate release
St. Thomas – The Elgin County Shoreline Management Plan will be presented for the consideration of the board of directors of four Elgin County conservation authorities over the coming month.
The Elgin County Shoreline Management Plan (SMP) was developed over the past year in cooperation with a Steering Committee and a Technical Advisory Committee (TAC). The TAC included representatives of the four Elgin County conservation authorities – Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority (LTVCA), Kettle Creek Conservation Authority (KCCA), Catfish Creek Conservation Authority (CCCA), Long Point Region Conservation Authority (LPRCA) – the County of Elgin and its shoreline municipalities – West Elgin, Dutton Dunwich, Southwold, Central Elgin, Malahide and Bayham.
The plan which encompasses 90 km of shoreline includes updated coastal hazard maps to assist stakeholders and regulators to evaluate future development permits and assess infrastructure at risk along the Lake Erie shoreline.
“The collaborative nature of this plan means in many ways it is consistent with the goals and objectives of the Elgin County (2012) Official Plan,” said Elizabeth VanHooren, general manager of KCCA. “The plan balances environmental, social, cultural and recreational objectives with the boundaries of natural coastal systems, such as littoral cells.”
The SMP outlines management approaches for high bluffs, large fillet beaches, navigation channels, and the existing shoreline development in port communities. These approaches were presented at a series of Open Houses in August 2014 and were approved by the Steering Committee and Technical Advisory Committee.
After approval by the individual CA boards, the plan will be presented to County Council.
Presentations for Plan Approval
LTVCA: October 22, 2015
KCCA: November 18, 2015
CCCA: November 12, 2015
LPRCA: November 4, 2015
County of Elgin: November 24, 2015
For more information contact your local conservation authority:
Lower Thames Catfish Creek Kettle Creek Long Point Region
(519) 354-7310 x.226 (519) 773-9037 (519) 631-1270 x.222 (519) 842-4242 x. 225
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For more information:
Elizabeth VanHooren
General Manager
519-631-1270 ext 222