According to the last "State of the Coast Report" issued by Nova Scotia's government the largest use is residential with 76 per cent, followed by industrial use at 8.7 per cent, protected areas at 6.2 per cent, and commercial lands at 5.7 per cent ¹.
The approximate 8000 km of Nova Scotia's Coast land spans to more than 13,300 km when bays, estuaries, coastal rivers, and coastal islands are considered.Society and economy have literally grown along the coast,.Nowhere in Nova Scotia is more than 67 km (42 mi) from the ocean and fisheries were one of the main's region economy developers². Across time it has influenced the culture and lifestyle of Nova Scotian's and its proofs are visually present in the pattern of the cities, villages, archaeological sites and art.
Water-fights
People say next wars will be fought for water as it is life's essential liquids and the future of its purity and accessibility for human consumption is uncertain. But battles over water are already happening. Across its ever-changing forms, water not only has provided and maintained life itself but is also a symbolic, spiritual and cultural resource, that is crucial to every human group across space and time. Coastal developments create conflicts of interests among groups for many reasons; primarily a lot of people want to be close to the water.
One of these groups is surfers, who in oceanic waters and waves have found not only a sport, but also a lifestyle. The problems they face most of the time have to do with pollution, coastal development and access. This case involves coastal area on the eastern shore of Nova Scotia ad the capital city of Halifax.
"Northern Atlantic Waves"
Technically, everyone has the right to access all of the coastland until the highest tide. The "Beaches Act" legislation in Nova Scotia dictates that beaches are dedicated in perpetuity for the benefit, education and enjoyment of present and future generations ³.
"The highest tide is yours" Nova Scotia Surfing
"Canada's Ocean Playground" is the slogan for Nova Scotia car plates. And quite a playground these waters have been for surfers. Driving along Lawrence town beach it is almost impossible not to spot them with boards piled up on their cars waving and saluting at each other or parked on the side of the road. A surfer community has been growing and created ties that have made Halifax a surfer rmagnet Surfing is also present in art, as a tourism attraction, on the web and in commerce.
"Canada's Ocean Playground; Nova Scotia's official car plate's slogan"
Although most of the coastline is accessible, there are some exceptions that make it hard or even impossible to get to the beach. Surfers sometimes have to trespass private properties or walk up to a kilometer to get to some surf hot spots. Cold weather and other conditions, like cliffs and narrow roads can make these walks can be challenging and dangerous Some surfers say the risks are worth it, others even consider this a positive thing; they say this diminishes the overcrowding in the water. But when access is fully denied, they all agree that it is necessary to fight for the right of free access to the coastline, not only for surfers but for everyone to enjoy.
"Surfer enjoying Ocean's immensity at Atlantic Waters"
This was the case at the beaches "Backyards" and "Minutes" in the area of Cow Bay, Nova Scotia, where access was cut off after more than three decades of surfers riding these "world class quality" waves. Their mix of cobblestone and reef bottom create waves with perfect form, duration and distance for surfing. Surfers named the beach "Minutes" as a joke that you can literally ride this wave for minutes. These beaches have been the location for international surf contests and featured in global media.
The area is surrounded by private properties but a local resident kindly gave access to surfers for a long time, even hosting the contests on his land. But over the years surfing population has increased exponentially (totaling over 1,000 surfers year round surfers and thousands more seasonally). Not only surfing is much more advertised and present in general culture but wetsuit technology has improved so much that the cold water is no impediment for many ocean lovers who want to enjoy and ride these waves.
On a good day, up to a hundred surfers can frequent the beach. The natural "wear and tear" of this many people walking by the property prompted the local resident to cut off access to understandably preserve the condition of his lands.
"Sign Puzzle" Collection of "private property signs along Nova Scotia's Coast.
When the access was denied conflict started; surfers were trespassing private property which made local residents angry. To improve the situation, Haligonian surfers got together and organized themselves to plan what they could do to regain this access. As in every surfer community, there are all kinds of people with a lot of energy and different ideas. Iaian Archibald and Sean Kelly took the lead and decided to "revive" the Coastal Access Committee, a non-profit organization who had been created earlier as the surfer organization supporting the Moose Beach Park conservation.
They started by talking about this issue to all the stakeholders, making sure all the other surfers, local residents and politicians had information on what was happening and figure what they should do about it. Also they contacted and gained the support of other environmental and surfing organizations like The Surfer Association of Nova Scotia, Canoe Kayak Nova Scotia and the Ecology Action Center.
"Surfer activist" Iaian Archibald, head of the CAC.
Once the community was informed, the CAC went to the local media and shared their story. They explained the tension that was happening between Cow Bay residents and the surf community. Private Property trespassing was occurring by the increasing amount of surfers, which was obviously making local residents angry and something needed to be done about it. Iaian Archibald, head of the CAC Campaign, always kept the message positive; "You catch more bees with honey, than with vinegar" he repeated.The coverage of this story on the media applied pressure on local politicians and created the urgency needed for action. The CAC lobbied the Halifax Regional Municipality to reopen access. They figured that if the HRM bought a piece of land in the area, access would be regained and a public park could be created.
Local politician Jackie Barkhouse, the councilor of the District 8 of HRM was interested and decided to support the CAC campaign. "We have an obligation as a government to ensure that we provide coastal access to the public and there's not enough of it left, so we have to take our opportunities where we can get them", she said to Halifax's weekly newspaper "the Coast".
A convenient wetland
The CAC started looking for properties on Cow Bay Road that HRM could potentially buy to regain access to the beach. They soon realized that a private property 's development plans were potentially going to be infilling an important coastal wetland that led to the beach. By buying that property, they could preserve this ecologically sensitive marshland, home to migratory birds and other wildlife. and regain access to the beach.
Surfer paddling over "The Frog Pond" Wetland to access the "Minutes" surfbreak.
Once they targeted that area as the potential access point they not only had one, but many points in their favor. By acquiring that piece of land, which was already oforsale, HRM would be providing a public park to local community, giving access to the beach, world class waves and preserving a coastal wetland.
When sharing his experience, Iaian Archibald comments "It is really about stacking up the issues." Bringing issues together make a "battle" more powerful therefore possibly easier to win. "What politician is gonna vote against saving a wetland and a coastal access?" he added.
In early 2010, the Halifax Regional Municipality agreed to buy the property for $211,283.00 from its Park Land Acquisition Budget. After two years from the first formal petition, the public access initiative succeeded. The construction of parking spaces and a wooden eco-friendly boardwalk at Cow Bay will begin around July, 2010. This will cost about $70,000 and will be funded by private donations and the Coastal Access Committee.
The CAC has been creative and worked to involve the whole community. The wooden boards to build the boardwalk are being sold in local surf shops and other businesses for $100 dlls. The buyer or business's name will be engraved on the board, and be part of this park's history forever. Private donors will get tax receipts if they address the donation cheques to the Halifax Regional Municipality.
Kim "Emma" Stacey" at her Eastern Passage eatery supporting the cause.
You can buy the wooden boards and have delicious maritime fishcakes while you are there!
Who said art wasn't helpful to our environment?
Local artists such as Yassine Ouhilal (surf photographer) have supported this cause by donating part of his sales from his latest exhibition "Thawscapes" to the construction of this boardwalk,. The boardwalk will give access to the surfer community to one of its favorite waves without damaging the now preserved wetland. So people who acquire artwork not only will get the personal benefit of original art but also the benefit of giving.
The campaign succeeded but this wouldn't have happened without the organization, the empathy and most of all the communication that happened among surfers, residents, politicians and society. Throughout the process people talked, shared their ideas, emailed each other and reunited regardless of profession or political level.
On May 26th 2010 the first public consultation for the Cow Bay Park took place at the Cow Bay Community Hall. The room was full of local residents, surfers and politicians who for about two hours shared their ideas, concerns and proposals for the park; they commented about parking, safety and environmental matters. The dialogue was fluid and there was empathy between the surfer's labor for the community's beach access and the residents. Questions were asked, some residents were interested on the surfer's practice in order to understand their needs, hopes and they discussed the need to balance them with the community's development's general interest.
HRM park planner Blair Blakeney and Disctrict 8 Councilor Jackie Barkhouse with Cow Bay residents and Nova Scotian surfers.
People from the Halifax Regional Municipality emphasied on keeping this proposal as the community's own and having their support and involvement during the whole process to have the best local Park they can have. This was a great flow of communication and dreams realized. Not only are surfers getting an access to a favorite surfbreak but a local community is working together to build a Park. Cow Bay Park will be great for ice-skating in the winter and nature interpretation. This not only provides them for a place to enjoy themselves and nature, but also empower their identity and ties as a community.
Iaian Archibald, at the future Cow Bay Park.
The surfer's effort made a positive impact on the natural and social environment, leading towards a place where different interests can cohabit integrally.
A yellow Warbler sings over-viewing "Minutes" beach.
My experience writing and documenting this story reinforced my beliefs on surfer's "access battle" having a positive impact on the environment and communities.
With this story Nova Scotia proved to be a province where communication between different levels of government and society can succeed and reinforce democracy. It also gave me the opportunity to meet brilliant, good-hearted and active people, amazing natural landscapes and even share really good times together.
The Cow Bay Park is expected to be completed by 2011 and will be free and open for everyone's enjoyment.
¹ The 2009 State of Nova Scotia’s Coast Summary Report.
(http://www.gov.ns.ca/coast/documents/state-of-the-coast/WEB_SummaryReport.pdf)
² Ted Harrison (1993). O Canada. Ticknor & Fields.
³ "Beaches Act. R.S., c. 32, s. 1."
(http://www.gov.ns.ca/legislature/legc/statutes/beaches.htm)
Special Thanks
Para Carlos con amor, a quien dedico este sitio. Por los buenos momentos y tu eterno descanso. Te extrañaré siempre.
Iaian Archibald, For your enthusiasm and determination that inspires.
Kim Kierans, for your generosity, love and support.
Vinod Kumar, not only for being my friend but working with me and helping with me throughout this experience. (And making this blog look good!).
Michael Creagen, for your time, direction and encouragement.
Lesley Choyce, for teaching me about Nova Scotia's history, culture and empowering me to follow creativity "wherever it leads you".
Kath, Murray and the rest of the Doehler Family, for being my true Canadian family and the beautiful Sunday Dinners.
Shawna Wilson, for making this Canadian experience authentic and amazing.
Maxime Champion, for your love, affection and support. All that added with great sense of humor.
Astrid Rios, for your friendship and contagious laughs.
Pat, Melodie, Hany and Felix for making my first house a hard to outmatch one.
To my family, for the unconditional love and support.
Jennifer Graham, Tony Rusinak, Jackie Barkhouse, John & Cherry V. Cavill, If Only Surfshop, Emma's Eatery in Eastern Passage, for your time and lore.
I will never thank you enough for this amazing experience of learning and sharing.
Inés Aramburo
