Highlights for the Month of August
Long summer days can energize and refresh us, and East Coast Environmental Law staff are working hard to put that energy to good use. Here are some highlights of our work in July and news of upcoming events.
Executive Director and Senior Lawyer Lisa Mitchell Featured in the Schulich School of Law's Hearsay Magazine
Hearsay is an alumni magazine published annually by the Schulich School of Law at Dalhousie University. In the most recent issue, our Executive Director and Senior Lawyer Lisa Mitchell was featured as one of several alumni who are working to meet the challenges of the climate emergency. Check out the online version of the magazine to see the thoughts she shared!
Ongoing Engagement in the Development of Nova Scotia's Coastal Protection Act Regulations
East Coast Environmental Law continues to engage with Nova Scotia’s Department of Environment and Climate Change on the development of regulations under Nova Scotia's Coastal Protection Act.
Once the Coastal Protection Act is in force, it will create a coastal protection zone in which coastal developments must adhere to minimum horizontal and vertical building setbacks. An ongoing concern is that the building setbacks will not apply to septic systems and wells, which means that vulnerable coastal ecosystems and future developments will remain at risk from sea level rise, storm surges, coastal erosion, and coastal flooding. In the case of septic systems, there will be increased risk that systems fail and release their contents, causing harm to already fragile coastal ecosystems. For wells, there will be increased risk of saltwater intrusion, leading to the contamination or loss of drinking water.
East Coast Environmental Law has collaborated closely with the coastal team at the Ecology Action Centre to bring attention to the issue and present solutions. Our staff lawyer Mike Kofahl was recently interviewed about the subject, and you can read about his thoughts in this CBC News article.
Commenting on Proposed Changes to Nova Scotia's Air Quality Regime
Nova Scotia's Department of Environment and Climate Change is updating the legal regime that protects air quality in Nova Scotia. The proposed changes would strengthen air quality standards in Nova Scotia, and we're glad to see this effort to improve protections for human health and the health of species at risk. East Coast Environmental Law will be submitting comments on the proposed changes before the window for public comments closes tomorrow.
If you'd like to take a look at the proposed changes and submit comments of your own, go to this website: the deadline for public comments is tomorrow (Saturday, August 6th).
Upcoming Public Legal Education Event at the Halifax Central Library
Later this month, staff lawyer Tina Northrup will be taking part in a series of talks initiated by Fernwood Publishing and hosted by the Halifax Central Library. Here's a blurb from Fernwood describing the inspiration for the series and some of the date and timing details:
"In the last couple of years we’ve been given a lot of information about health, politics, and the way we live together. It can be frustrating or overwhelming to make informed decisions when we don't have complete information. Join us for a series of public events aimed at helping people rebuild a sense of social awareness so we are all better prepared to understand quickly changing information. Topics will include media literacy, civic engagement, governance structures, health systems, and communication through conflict. The series will take place on the Halifax Central Library's back patio from 6:30-8:45 p.m. on Aug 30, Aug 31, and Sep 1. ASL interpretation and refreshments will be provided, and masks are recommended."
Tina's talk will be from 7:45-8:45 PM on Wednesday, August 31st, and will be on the topic of "Making and Changing Laws". It will offer overviews of how laws are made in Canada and Nova Scotia and discuss some strategies, tactics, and tools that can be used by regular people to access, understand, and influence the law.
Keep your eyes out for more details about the series to be shared in the weeks to come!