The Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority has nixed a consultant's suggestion to prevent property owners from doing any protection work on properties along the lake shore.
About 300 people were at the South Huron Rec Centre this morning, as the ABCA made a motion not to approve Section 7.8 in the draft plan of the ABCA's Shoreline Development Guidelines.
Today's special meeting was called after a notice of motion by board member Burkhard Metzger. Metzger had asked the ABCA Board of Directors declare that it does not intend to implement or endorse the underlying principle of “managed retreat” and the unilateral prohibition of any shoreline protection works.
The section would have restricted what owners of shoreline property could do to protect their property from erosion. After the motion had been passed a suggestion was made that in future any drafts of plans from consultants come to the board first before going to the public.
General Manager Brian Horner stated the intention of the board was to have the draft released to the public first, and then make their recommendation after hearing public comments, but agreed to consider reversing that process.
ABCA General Manager Brian Horner.
ABCA board member Burkhard Metzger.