Coastal Mis-Management on Ontario’s “West Coast” : A Case Study of Economy and Environment

R.J. PayneLakehead University

Ontario’s “West Coast”

Ontario’s “West Coast”

A. Introduction Coastal zone, however defined, is

characterized by layers of administrative activity, from property owners, through municipal, provincial and federal governments

Activities management regimes should balance economic and environmental concerns Ideal vs. reality

Ontario’s “West Coast”

A. Activities on Ontario’s “West Coast” Agriculture

Intensive livestock operations (ILOs) Intensive hog farming

Large quantities of manure Environmental and social impacts “right to farm” legislation Municipal/province tug-of-war over

jurisdiction

Ontario’s “West Coast”

Tourism and Recreation

Second homes (cottages)

Beaches Swimming Boating Passive forms

of recreation

Ontario’s “West Coast”

Water Supply Pipeline from

Lake Huron Supplies drinking water to London and Lake Huron shore communities

But …

Ontario’s “West Coast”

A. Management Regimes Ontario’s Planning Act Provincial Policy Statement (PPS), 2005

Critics say “pro-development” Provincial interests trump local/regional “normal agricultural practices” elsewhere Framework does NOT extend beyond high

water mark

Ontario’s “West Coast”

A. Issues Coastal Management legislation

None exists in Ontario Province has chosen to take the lead on

other planning matters E.g., Niagara Escarpment Planning Area

Definition of the Coastal Zone Includes near-shore areas Includes river valleys

Ontario’s “West Coast”

Local – provincial relations Municipalities “creatures of the province” Other local organizations

E.g., Lake Huron Centre for Coastal Conservation

Control of intensive hog operations Proposed legislation in 2003 did not move

past first reading Planning Act and PPS not effective

Ontario’s “West Coast”

A. Conclusion Coastal management legislation

needed: Existing framework not working to achieve

balance Significance of the Lake Huron shore for a

number of activities Local perspectives shut out in existing

regime