Experts say ecological angle needs to be considered in protecting Chignecto Isthmus

"Under climate change, we never have no risk," says Sabine Dietz, the executive director of CLIMAtlantic. "Sea level rise isn't just going to stop."

Some experts say while the Chignecto Isthmus study that presents three options to protect the valuable trade corridor hits its objective, it is missing an ecological angle.

The options, laid out last week from a report, include raising the existing dikes, building new dikes, or raising the existing dikes and installing steel-sheet pile walls. The price tags range from from $189 million to $300 million.

Will Balser, the coastal adaptation coordinator at the Ecology Action Centre, says while the report hit its objective, an ecological lens is lacking, with so much salt marsh in the area.

“We recognize what the ecosystem services — that a salt marsh provides us — not just in terms of erosion protection and flood management, but also in terms of carbon capture,” he said in an interview last week. “It’s really an angle that should be paid very close attention to.”

Nova Scotia Public Works Minister Kim Masland admits it’s “a very significant project with a significant price tag.”

After asking Ottawa to pay the full bill, the federal government suggested it would pay half the cost, leaving leaving the rest to Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.

But regardless of the options, cost won’t be a barrier, Masland told reporters Thursday.

“All three options are still on the table.”