LaHave River infill worries local salmon association

Infilling for a home being built on the LaHave River in Lunenburg County has the local salmon association concerned about fish habitat, the worsening spring ice jams and flooding. 

"There's devastation headed towards this river," said Bucky Devine, who owns 2.8 hectares of land and lives along the river. "Hopefully I'm wrong, but I'm not the only person that feels that way."

Devine has seen the river rise 4.5 metres at one point, flooding its bank and his front yard. He lives just a short distance upstream from the infilled property, located on a narrow part of the river near Cookville.

As a homeowner, he's worried about who would pay for possible flood damage. As a director of the LaHave River Salmon Association, he says he`s concerned about the river's salmon ponds and population, which the group has been working to revive in recent years.

Homeowner met all requirements

The association has consulted the provincial and federal fisheries departments as well as the Nova Scotia Department of Environment, which said the homeowner has met all requirements.

The department says it has responded to several calls from residents, as well as the LaHave River Salmon Association, regarding the issue.

"Our inspectors have visited the site on numerous occasions and determined that the work underway is taking place above the river's ordinary high water mark and does not involve a wetland," environment department spokeswoman Heather Fairbairn told CBC News. 

"Since the activity does not involve alterations to a watercourse, environmental approval from the department is not required."

Devine says the LaHave and other rivers in the province need added protection against infilling. He and the salmon association asked for help Tuesday from the Municipality of the District of Lunenburg.

Municipal council will consider options

They received a sympathetic ear at council, where Mayor Don Downe expressed concerns, too.

"They've come here because there appears to be no other angle," Downe said, adding council will meet Nov. 24 to discuss its options. 

"If we can't fix this one, what can we do about the future?" Downe said.

Devine said his group is not against people building on the river, but they do want it protected.

"I think they [council] should have the right to say no, you cannot have a permit to build on that river or lake or whatever," he said.

The owner of the property declined Tuesday to speak publicly about the issue.