P.E.I. developing shoreline management plans to combat coastal erosion

Sept. 18, 2024

By Judith Mendiolea

CHARLOTTETOWN — P.E.I. is moving forward with shoreline management plans to address the growing threats of coastal erosion and rising sea levels, according to discussions at a recent meeting of the Standing Committee on Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability.

The committee met Thursday to review the 2023 P.E.I. State of the Coast Report, focusing on sustainable solutions for vulnerable shorelines in the aftermath of post-tropical storm Fiona.

“It’s incredibly important for us to understand that what you do on the coast affects the people,” said Ross Dwyer, manager of research partnerships at the Canadian Centre for Climate Change and Adaptation.

The objective is to promote development that considers natural erosion dynamics, moving away from reactive measures such as shoreline armouring, which has become increasingly common across P.E.I.

While armouring can provide short-term protection, many experts at the meeting argued it is not a sustainable solution.

“The millions of dollars invested in armouring are in low-lying areas, and armouring doesn’t stop floodwater,” said Hope Parnham of DV8 Consulting. “So, unfortunately, a lot of those investments aren’t going to stop the hazard that those people are actually at risk of facing.”

Committee member MLA Robert Henderson raised a critical point, asking: “Isn’t armouring sometimes the only immediate solution for property owners facing an imminent loss of land?”

“Armouring is reactive. It’s a Band-Aid approach that could cause more harm than good in certain areas. Hard structures tend to accelerate erosion in unprotected areas, destabilizing entire stretches of coastline,” Parnham responded.

The shoreline management plans are expected to serve as a blueprint for future coastal development, emphasizing long-term resilience. They will outline recommendations for building along the coast while promoting natural defences such as dune restoration and vegetation planting over hard engineering solutions.

“We want to focus on soft measures—ones that enhance natural defences rather than suppress them,” said Catherine Kennedy, a graduate research assistant at the University of Prince Edward Island. She stressed the importance of vegetation and natural barriers to reduce wave energy and mitigate erosion while preserving the environment.

With public access to beaches becoming a growing concern—particularly in areas such as Thunder Cove, which has seen heavy foot traffic and property development—community input will be critical to implementing effective shoreline management.

“We need buy-in from the public, especially when it comes to limiting construction in high-risk areas. It’s about getting everyone to understand that long-term resilience outweighs short-term convenience,” Parnham said.

Committee chair Steve Howard emphasized the need to balance private and public interests, asking: “How do we protect both the properties and the public’s right to access our beaches?”

“If we have the data on when that access will disappear or how it disappears over time, then we can make plans about how to restore it or what we can do to get that back,” Dwyer said.

“Nature always wins. If you don’t have a coastal engineer involved and you don’t understand the coastal processes, you’re just wasting your time and your money,” added Parnham.

The shoreline management plans, expected to be finalized by the end of the year, aim to curb ongoing damage to P.E.I.’s coastlines and establish a more sustainable approach to erosion management.

The committee concluded that with community involvement, government support, and the integration of modern tools and natural solutions, Prince Edward Island can create a more resilient coastline for future generations.