Invited speakers include a climatologist from Environment Canada and a representative from the Insurance Bureau of Canada.
Climatologist Gary Lines will give a presentation on the effects of the Jan. 2 storm surge event that struck the Port Elgin and Baie Verte areas earlier this year, as well as talk about likely scenarios in the future.
Robert Tremblay, a representative from IBC, will then highlight the insurance bureau’s position on the risks related to coastal development in highly-sensitive areas.
What the land owners choose to do with the information is up to them, said Wade, as there are no provincial regulations in New Brunswick preventing development along the coastline at this time.
She pointed out, however, that eventually the planning commission and land owners will jointly need to come up with some mitigation and adaptation strategies for future coastal development – which is particularly important as development is currently underway on a rural plan for the unincorporated areas of the Tantramar region, as well as a municipal plan and sustainability plan for the village of Port Elgin.
