The Comité ZIP Sud-de-l'Estuaire obtained funding from the Community Interactions Program (PIC) to promote good development and restoration practices on the coast and to conduct restoration work on two beaches in the Bas-Saint-Laurent region that were damaged during the storm of December 6, 2010. The objective is to produce a practical guide for coastal residents so that they can develop the coastline while preserving its high ecological and aesthetic value. Last December's storm showed that the Bas-Saint-Laurent's coasts are very sensitive to erosion and coastal submersion. Against all odds, the lands that had preserved their beach in their natural state suffered very little damage. Despite this observation, several coastal residents have opted for rigid protection techniques (rockfill, protection wall, etc.), which cause the lowering and even the disappearance of beaches. While erosion is a short-term threat to human construction, installing large-scale rigid protection represents a long-term deterioration of the coastline, especially for beaches that are fertile ground for diverse flora and attract a host of waterfowl.
The guide to good planning and restoration practices will give coastal residents a toolbox of alternatives to rigid techniques. Soft coastal development techniques such as revegetation and sand recharge will be presented, as well as a list of native plants best suited to the coastal environment.
