On March 22, 2018 the Town of South Bruce Peninsula was issued a Summons under Section 24 of the Provincial Offences Act by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry related to beach maintenance work undertaken on or about April 13, 2017. On March 28, 2018 the MNRF issued a Stop Order to the Town preventing it from doing any maintenance on the beach until further notice.

The Town was surprised and disappointed in the Summons and the Stop Order. The Town has been in consultations with another branch of the Ministry on an annual beach maintenance plan. Spring maintenance and habitat protection for the endangered piping plover are important parts of that plan. Our draft plan includes elements to enhance and preserve the dune eco-system and provide protection to the piping plover and its habitat.

The Town is interested in working with the Ministry to develop practical and successful approaches to support recovery of the piping plover, maintain appropriate habitat and balance human activity on an 11 km beach that draws more than 800,000 visitors every year.

In the meantime, the Town will continue attempts to engage the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry staff in overdue discussions about the management of our local beaches and wildlife.

source: media release, Town of South Bruce Peninsula