The owner of shoreline property just north of St. Joseph is concerned about lakefront erosion and the long-term impact on beaches.
Dave Crockett told directors of the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority that even if several property owners worked together to form one large barrier, there is still some impact on the properties above and below the barrier.
Crockett feels the process could be improved if a building permit was required for the construction of shoreline protection.
The property owner would then have to submit accurate drawings as well as notify neighbours of what was being proposed and give them the opportunity, in advance of the construction, to voice any concerns they had.
Crockett says it should also be clear that a property owner is responsible for any repercussions on neighbouring property that are a result of their construction of protective barriers.
He told ABCA board members, "I'm equally thinking the process should recognize the needs of neighbours to make sure there's no unintended consequences to their properties and also that people are educated to really understand that the bluffs are the source of the sand, so over time that sand will not be replenished and the beaches will not be the beaches."
ABCA General Manager Brian Horner said the conservation authority would never ask someone to install some kind of shoreline protection.
