The Supervisor of Water and Planning for the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority says the Authority is hoping to work with municipalities in advising some property owners that their buildings near the shoreline are at risk.
Geoff Cade explains that during the update of their Shoreline Management Plan their consultants were able to identify several buildings that were at risk because of their proximity to the top of the bank and the rate of erosion in those areas. Cade adds the consultants have recommended the Authority take a closer look at those areas and quantify how many buildings are at risk and try to determine more accurately the longevity of the slope.
Cade also says in the past they have not sent out notices to property owners considered to be at risk but they have recently issued some new releases regarding shoreline erosion but aren't going door to door. Cade says they're now looking for support from the municipalities to move forward with the report that would identify buildings at risk
Cade adds some municipalities have expressed concerns about the possible cost of the report and the timing and have asked that the proposal come back to their councils at budget time rather than in the middle of their fiscal year.
