Canada/Carleton-sur-Mer studies ways to counter coastal erosion
Several well-known sites in Carleton-sur-Mer are threatened by coastal erosion. The municipality has therefore commissioned a study to find out how to protect them.
Coastal erosion is not a new phenomenon, but it is being amplified by climate change. Six sites are particularly at risk in Carleton-sur-Mer, including Avenue du Phare, which the town considers a priority for protection.
" Either municipal infrastructures are at risk, or houses, residences and so on. Obviously, there are other areas in the city where erosion can occur. What the professionals are telling us is that we need to let nature take its course in these other areas," explains Mathieu Lapointe, mayor of Carleton-sur-Mer.
There are several ways of slowing down the erosion process, such as building beach nourishment, but it's impossible to protect the entire coastline.
" We're in the midst of a paradigm shift in Quebec, internationally, and the idea is really to live with the risk. We can't let the sea get into our buildings either, but having said that, it's true that we have to choose what we're going to protect, what we're going to adapt," points out Isabelle Thomas, director of the Ariaction research group.
The golf course area, Parc des Horizons, Vieux Quai and Rue Jean Landry are all on the list of sites to be protected. These sites are quite busy, and will require special attention if they are to endure over time.
" These are the areas targeted for analysis, for further study, to define the best solutions for intervention in these sectors," adds Mr. Lapointe.
The city has commissioned a sustainable development firm to carry out the assessment. The work will cost over two hundred thousand dollars. A grant from the Ministère des Affaires municipales will partially cover the cost of the study.
" So they're going to come and do a more detailed analysis of the details, the movements, in these sectors, and then they're going to come and make proposals to us, to see what interventions should be made to protect them. Following that, well, we'll have plans for Avenue du Phare in particular. That's really our priority right now. We want to intervene as quickly as possible," concludes Mr. Lapointe.
Source: cimtchau.ca/
