MLA brings Carters Beach to legislature

Carters beach has long been a source of frustration for residents of the area, due to the high volume of visiting traffic and garbage over the summer months, and Queens Shelburne MLA Kim Masland is voicing their concern to the provincial government.

Masland, brought the issue up in legislature on Sept. 26, to remind government solutions still needs to be found.

Though the Department of Environment has been trying to discourage people from staying for long periods of time and is not promoting the beach, Masland says this strategy is not working. They also promoted a “Pack in, Pack out” approach, encouraging visitors to take any garbage with them instead of using public trash cans.

She says the power of social media has turned Carters Beach into a destination, but once there the lack of proper facilities increases the negative impacts on the beach.

For a solution, Masland points to Summerville Beach, which also has sensitive dunes and ecological importance as a piping plover nesting ground. However, with proper parking, toilets and garbage cans the beach is kept in much better shape.

The government has set up a committee to look at the issue, and to make recommendations on the best course of action.