Municipality Climate Adaptation Case Study Report

NOVA SCOTIA ATLANTIC CLIMATE ADAPTATIONS 

SOLUTIONS PROJECT 

MUNICIPALITY OF THE DISTRICT OF WEST HANTS 

Municipality Climate Adaptation Case Study Report 

Prepared by 

Lynn Davis, MCIP, LPP 

Director of Planning 

30 March 2012

Disclaimer 

This publication is not to be used without permission, and any unauthorized use is strictly 

prohibited. ACASA, the authors, the provinces of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward 

Island, Newfoundland and Labrador, and the Regional Adaptation Collaborative are not 

responsible for any unauthorized use that may be made of the information contained therein. 

The opinions expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect those of ACASA, its 

associated provinces, or other partners of the Regional Adaptation Collaborative. 

Acknowledgements 

Thanks are extended to Tracy Robinson, Planning Technician, who was responsible for 

preparing the maps contained in this report, and to Rosalyn Graham, GIS Technician, who 

conducted a preliminary review of GIS data received from the researchers. Thanks also to the 

other members of the senior management team of the Municipality of the District of West 

Hants—Chief Administrative Officer Cheryl Chislett, Director of Finance Jerry Wood, Director of 

Public Works Rick Sherrard and Director of Recreation Kathy Kehoe—for providing information 

and comments on this report from their departmental perspectives. 

The Municipality of the District of West Hants is pleased to have had the opportunity to be 

involved as a municipal partner in the ACAS program and would like to thank all of the 

researchers involved in the Minas Basin project. The Municipality is also grateful to Will Green 

and Dan Walmsley of the Climate Change Directorate of Nova Scotia Environment for their 

efforts throughout the project. 

Cover Photo 

High Tide at Avon River Heritage Museum, Avondale 

Courtesy of Don Aldous

Executive Summary 

The Municipality of the District of West Hants is a municipal partner in the Atlantic Climate 

Adaptations Solutions (ACAS) program, one of the main aims of which is to stimulate climate 

change adaptation planning and decision-making. This case study report has been prepared as 

part of West Hants’ contribution to the ACAS program. 

West Hants is a primarily rural municipality covering 1,238 km 2 in the central part of mainland 

Nova Scotia. With a population of about 14,000, much of the development is concentrated near 

the Minas Basin coastline and the Avon River estuary. The municipality’s geography and 

historical settlement pattern contribute to its vulnerability to the impacts of climate change. In all, 

West Hants has more than 160 km of coastline, over 2,400 ha of dykeland and 30.5 km of 

running dyke at risk from sea level rise or storm surge. The potential for more frequent and 

severe freshwater flooding during high precipitation events is intensified by the operations of the 

tide gates at the Avon River Causeway and the upstream hydroelectric dams. 

Several climate change issues have been identified that are of concern to West Hants. Coastal 

erosion as a result of storm surges is an issue along the entire Minas Basin coastline where 

some areas already have lost substantial foreshore. Although flooding of dykelands along the 

tidal rivers occurs periodically, overtopping or breaching of dykes is far less common. Sea level 

rise and more frequent or severe storm surges will increase the risk and extent of flooding. 

Dyke structures and the Avon River Causeway’s tide gates are under provincial jurisdiction, but 

the municipality wishes to be certain that design, construction and maintenance of these 

structures takes into account climate change impacts. West Hants residents could also be 

affected by dykeland flooding outside the municipal boundaries. Of particular concern is the 

potential for road access to the hospital and high school in the neighbouring Town of Windsor to 

be cut off in the event of severe flooding. 

Existing problems with inland flooding in developed and developing areas will increase as 

extreme storms and precipitation events become more frequent. There is also a risk of serious 

flooding of homes and infrastructure if the dams which are part of the Avon and St. Croix River 

hydroelectric systems become compromised. 

Predicted drier summers could affect municipal treated water and individual well water supplies 

and increase forest fire risk. Many residents who rely on individual wells already experience 

water shortages. Ensuring the safety and sustainability of the three municipal drinking water 

supply watersheds in West Hants and protecting potential sources of drinking water is critical. 

West Hants has identified a number of possible climate adaptation projects and activities. 

These range from coastal and freshwater planning studies to infrastructure risk assessments, 

storm water management and water conservation programs. The research reports and GIS 

data resulting from the ACAS program will be a useful resource for many of these projects. The 

challenge for the municipality will be in interpreting and analyzing the technical and scientific 

research. With limited in-house resources and capacity, it will be difficult to move on to the next 

step of implementing policy and regulatory changes. 

ii

Contents 

Executive Summary ................................................................................................................................... ii 

1. Introduction .......................................................................................................................................... 1 

2. Description and Background ................................................................................................................. 1 

2.1 Geography ..................................................................................................................................... 1 

Avon River Causeway .................................................................................................................... 3 

Hydroelectric Development .......................................................................................................... 5 

2.2 Development and History ............................................................................................................. 5 

History ........................................................................................................................................... 5 

Development Today ...................................................................................................................... 6 

2.3 Economic ....................................................................................................................................... 8 

2.4 Social ........................................................................................................................................... 10 

Population ................................................................................................................................... 10 

Age ............................................................................................................................................... 11 

Dwellings and Households ........................................................................................................... 11 

Income ......................................................................................................................................... 11 

Place of Work .............................................................................................................................. 12 

2.5 Environment................................................................................................................................ 12 

Natural Landscapes ..................................................................................................................... 12 

Parks, Protected Areas and Sites of Ecological Interest .............................................................. 13 

Climate ......................................................................................................................................... 14 

2.6 Municipality ................................................................................................................................ 15 

Council ......................................................................................................................................... 15 

Employees ................................................................................................................................... 15 

Financial ....................................................................................................................................... 15 

3. Climate Change and Adaptation Issues .............................................................................................. 16 

iii

4. ACAS- Related Inputs and Activities .................................................................................................... 18 

5. Proposed Climate Adaptation Activities ............................................................................................. 21 

6. Conclusions and Lessons Learned ....................................................................................................... 23 

7. Bibliography ........................................................................................................................................ 25 

iv

1. Introduction 

The Municipality of the District of West Hants is a primarily rural municipality located about 

halfway between Halifax and Kentville. Development is concentrated around the Town of 

Windsor in Three Mile Plains and Falmouth, and in communities near Highway 101. The 

proximity to Halifax and the relatively lower cost of housing have contributed to the 

attractiveness of the area as a bedroom community for commuters who work in the Halifax 

Metro area. This has meant that West Hants has continued to see new residential development 

and modest growth in population, unlike many other areas of Nova Scotia that have 

experienced population decline over the past 15 to 20 years. 

The municipality’s geography and historical settlement pattern contribute to its vulnerability to 

the impacts of climate change. With more than 160 km of shoreline, over 2,400 ha of dykeland, 

and development concentrated near the Minas Basin coastline and tidal rivers, the risk of 

increased flooding and erosion as a result of sea level rise or storm surge is a real concern. 

The potential for more frequent and severe freshwater flooding during high precipitation events 

is a threat that is intensified by the operations of the Avon River Causeway tide gates and the 

upstream hydroelectric system dams. 

Finding ways to adapt to or mitigate climate change impacts will be an ongoing challenge for the 

municipality in the future. As a start to that process, West Hants has participated as a municipal 

partner in the Atlantic Climate Adaptations Solutions (ACAS) program, one of the main aims of 

which is to stimulate climate change adaptation planning and decision-making. This case study 

report has been prepared as part of West Hants’ contribution to the ACAS program. The report 

provides an overview of the municipality in terms of its physical, ecological, social, economic 

and management makeup; climate change issues of importance; an evaluation of ACAS 

research projects and activities; identification of existing and proposed climate adaptation 

projects and activities that may be considered by the West Hants; identification of limits or 

restrictions to implementing those projects; and overall conclusions and lessons learned from 

the ACAS program. 

2. Description and Background 

2.1 Geography 

The Municipality of the District of West Hants covers 1,238 km 2 (305,945 ac) in the central part 

of mainland Nova Scotia. The shores of the Minas Basin form the northern boundary. To the 

east, West Hants is bordered by the Municipality of the District of East Hants. Halifax Regional 

Municipality and District of Chester lie to the south, with the County of Kings and the Town of 

Hantsport to the west. The Town of Windsor, located at the confluence of the Avon and St. 

Croix rivers, is bordered by West Hants on three sides (see Map 1 - Location and Relief). 

1

Map 1 

Location and Relief 

Prepared by: 

West Hants 

Planning Department 

February 2012 

Minas 

Basin 

District of East 

Hants 

Highway 215 

Cogmagun River 

Town of 

Hantsport 

Kennetcook River 

County of 

Kings 

Avon 

River 

Highway 101 

Town of 

Windsor 

St. Croix River 

Highway 14 

Highway 1 

Highway 14 

District of West 

Hants 

Highway 101 

District of 

Chester 

Halifax Regional 

Municipality 

± 

Base data derived from the 

Nova Scotia Property Records 

Database (NSPRD), Copyright 

Her Majesty The Queen in Right 

of the Province of Nova Scotia. 

Km 

0 1 2 4 6 8 10 

1:250,000

Although primarily rural, West Hants has two urbanized areas—Three Mile Plains and 

Falmouth—located near the boundaries of the Town of Windsor. Both have been recognized as 

Growth Centres in the West Hants Municipal Planning Strategy. Other settlement consists of 

village and hamlet communities, cottage development primarily around lakes in the southern 

part of the municipality, and farms and other more scattered rural development in resource 

areas. The Town of Windsor represents the main service centre for residents of West Hants, 

offering grocery stores and other retail, government offices, a regional high school, and medical 

facilities including a hospital, doctors’ offices, pharmacies and ambulance service. 

The municipality is divided into two main physiographic regions. A lowland plain extends from 

the north in a wide arc around the Minas Basin and the Avon River, ending south of Windsor 

where it meets the upland plain near Martock. 1 Much of the lowland plain has an elevation of 

around 100 to 250 feet above sea level. 2 The upland plain covers the entire southern part of the 

municipality and has an elevation of about 400 to 500 feet above sea level. 3 

The central part of the municipality is bisected by the Avon River which has its headwaters in 

the upland plain and discharges into the Minas Basin. The Avon’s principal tributaries are the St. 

Croix, Kennetcook and Cogmagun rivers. The lower part of the Avon River valley is submerged 

and forms a wide tidal estuary extending into the tributaries. The estuaries are bordered by 

marshland, some of which is dyked. These dyked marshlands, which are below sea level, make 

up approximately 2,436 ha (6,019 ac), or about two percent of the total land area of West Hants. 

Dykelands are found along the flood plains of the Avon, St. Croix, Kennetcook, Herbert and 

Meander Rivers (see Map 2 - Dykeland). The Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture maintains 

30.5 km of running dyke in West Hants. 4 In all, West Hants has approximately 164 km of 

shoreline with potential for exposure to sea level rise. 

Several other features are important to the geography of West Hants and an understanding of 

potential flood risk. These include the Avon River Causeway on Highway 101 at Falmouth and 

the hydroelectric developments on the Avon and St. Croix River systems. 

Avon River Causeway 

Dykelands in West Hants fall into two categories—those protected from tidal flooding in the 

traditional fashion by dykes, and those upriver of the Avon River Causeway (approximately 

1,214 ha or 3,000 ac) which are protected by the causeway itself, rather than by dykes. 

Because of the security offered by the causeway since its construction in 1971, many of the 

dykes on marshlands south of the causeway on the Avon and West Branch Avon River were 

leveled, allowing farmers to use all of the land up to the river banks. The causeway acts as a 

significant constraint in the release of flood water from the Avon River system into the Minas 

1 D.B. Cann, Soil Survey of Hants County, p. 8. 

2 Cann, p. 11. 

3 Cann, p. 12. 

4 K. Carroll, Aboiteau Superintendent, NS Agriculture, pers. comm., 2011. 

3

Map 2 

Dykeland 

Prepared by: 

West Hants 


February 2012 

Dykeland 



Avon 

River 


Windsor 

± 






This map is a graphical representation of 

property boundaries which approximate the 

size, configuration, and location of parcels. 

This map is not a land survey and is not 

intended to be used for legal descriptions 

or to calculate exact dimensions or area. 

Km 

0 0.5 1 2 3 4 5 

1:90,000

Basin, with the only outlet for this water being through two gates which are opened at 12-hour 

intervals, coinciding with each tide cycle. The combination of several events, such as a major 

water runoff event upstream coupled with a mechanical or power failure making it impossible to 

open the gates, could trigger serious flooding. 5 

Hydroelectric Development 

Nova Scotia Power operates the Avon Hydro System which includes two hydroelectric stations 

on the Avon River with a series of upstream dams and reservoirs in the lake system in the 

southwestern part of the municipality. The Emergency Preparedness Plan (EPP) for Avon 

Hydro System describes potential flooding as a result of dam breaches or structural failures, as 

well as severe storms. The operation of this system further intensifies the flood risk potential for 

the dykelands above the causeway, as well as other low-lying areas in the floodplain. 

Minas Basin Pulp and Power Company Ltd. is responsible for the St. Croix River System which 

includes two generating plants with dams on the St. Croix River and Big St. Margaret’s Bay 

Lake. The main storage is behind Upper St. Croix Dam which impounds water in Panuke Lake, 

a 30- kilometer-long lake extending from the community of St. Croix south to the Halifax 

Regional Municipality boundary. The EPP for the St. Croix River System explains the flood risk 

potential for dykelands on the St. Croix River, as well as other low-lying areas in the 

communities of St. Croix, Newport Station, Ellershouse and Three Mile Plains, as a result of 

dam breaches or severe storms. 

2.2 Development and History 

History 

The Municipality of the District of West Hants was incorporated in 1879; however, settlement of 

the area began long before that. The early inhabitants were the Mi’kmaq. The French Acadians 

began to settle in the Avon Valley around 1685, coming from Les Mines in what is now Kings 

County. The Acadians were farmers and first built the dykes and aboiteaux that allowed the 

marshlands along the Avon, St. Croix and Kennetcook rivers to be farmed. By 1714, 53 families 

with 337 members were living in the area. By 1731, the number had increased to 150 families, 

and by 1748, as many as 2,700 Acadians had settled in the Avon Valley “from the ‘forks’ of the 

Avon River to Mount Denson, on the banks of the Minas Channel”. 6 

With the construction of Fort Edward at Pisiquid (Windsor) in 1750, the British presence began 

to be felt more strongly in the area. The original Mi’kmaq and Acadian trail from Windsor to 

Halifax was upgraded and used as a military road connecting Fort Edward and Fort Sackville, at 

the head of the Bedford Basin. 7 Following the deportation of the Acadians in 1755, the area 

was resettled, mainly by English settlers. The New England Planters arrived in Windsor in 

5 West Hants Planning Department, Non-farm Development on Dykelands, pp. 1-3. 

6 G. Shand, Historic Hants County, p. 7. 

7 J. Dawson, Nova Scotia’s Lost Highways, p.3. 

5

1760, settling in Falmouth, Newport Landing, Windsor Forks and Brooklyn. According to Joan 

Dawson in Nova Scotia’s Lost Highways, the Planters “quickly developed the area, forming 

towns and villages and building churches, roads and schools.” 8 The Planters were followed in 

1783 by the United Empire Loyalists. 

By the early 1800s, Windsor had become “an important destination for travelers from Halifax.” 9 

The most direct route was the original military road. The first stagecoach route in Nova Scotia 

was established on this road in 1816, and by then: 

…settlers’ homes were scattered all along the road… In some areas along the Windsor 

Road, communities were beginning to take shape. Individuals applied for and received 

land grants, which they hoped would provide for their needs. They built houses and 

cleared their land for what, at first was largely subsistence farming. With subsidies from 

the legislature, inns were established at intervals to serve passing travellers. 10 

Development Today 

The development pattern in West Hants today reflects to a large degree the early settlement of 

the area, with much of the development occurring near the Minas Basin and Avon River, 

especially in communities close to Windsor such as Falmouth and Three Mile Plains (see Map 3 

– Settlement Pattern). The communities that began with the early settlers’ land holdings on the 

old military road between Windsor and Halifax have continued to grow and spread out in a linear 

fashion following what is now Highway 1. 

With the construction of the controlled access Highway 101 in the early 1970s, the region 

became even more accessible to Halifax and residential development increased near the 

highway interchanges and along the Highway 101 corridor. The community of Falmouth, on the 

west side of the Avon River, grew dramatically, and as a result, in 1976, was the first area of 

West Hants to have land use planning and zoning. Planning for the Highway 101 corridor area 

from the East Hants boundary to Windsor soon followed in 1982. By 1989, planning documents 

had been approved for the primarily agricultural area of Upper Falmouth. Planning reached the 

more rural remainder of West Hants in 1994 when the first Municipal Planning Strategy and 

Land Use By-law were adopted for the area north of the Kennetcook River and the 

southwestern part of the municipality. 

Ongoing highway upgrades, resulting in a fully twinned Highway 101 between Halifax Region 

and Garlands Crossing by 2010, have continued to improve access to West Hants and increase 

the attractiveness of the area for residential development. The current planning documents, 

8 West Hants Historical Society website www.westhantshistorical society.ca, History of Hants County. 

9 Dawson, p. 6. 

10 Dawson, p. 6. 

6

Map 3 

Settlement Pattern Map 

Prepared by: 

West Hants 


February 2012 

Minas 

Basin 

District of East 

Hants 

Highway 215 

Town of 

Hantsport 



County of 

Kings 

Avon 

River 

Highway 101 

Falmouth 

Town of 

Windsor 


Highway 14 

Three Mile 

Plains 

Highway 1 

Highway 101 

Highway 14 

District of 

Chester 

Halifax Regional 

Municipality 

± 






Km 

0 1 2 4 6 8 10 

1:250,000

adopted in 2008, apply to the entire municipality and encourage the majority of growth to occur 

in two Growth Centres (Falmouth and Three Mile Plains) which are serviced with municipal 

water and sewer. Rural development is to be focused in village and hamlet designations, while 

resource land, particularly agricultural land, is protected. 

The continuation of the historical development pattern—with roads and buildings following the 

Minas Basin coastline and the tidal rivers—means that a considerable amount of infrastructure 

is exposed to potential flooding as a result of sea level rise. To some extent, though, West 

Hants has been able to avoid the sort of large-scale residential and commercial development on 

dykeland that has taken place in other parts of Nova Scotia. This is in part related to the 

historical value of this land for agriculture and its ongoing use for crop production. In the late 

1990s, however, with development pressure growing, some dykeland began to be converted to 

residential use. To counteract this trend, in March 2001, Municipal Council approved changes to 

the planning documents that prohibited the construction of new main buildings on this land. As 

a result, no development has occurred on dykeland since that time. Of the 2,436 ha (6,000 ac) 

of dykeland in West Hants, only about 64 ha (159 ac) 11 has been used for non-farm 

development. Development has taken place, however, close to the identified boundaries of the 

dykelands, making that development also vulnerable to flooding as a result of sea level rise or 

storm surge. In addition, dykeland flooding outside the municipal boundaries has the potential 

to affect West Hants residents, many of whom rely on facilities and services in the neighbouring 

town of Windsor. Of particular concern is the potential for road access to the hospital and high 

school to be cut off in the event of severe flooding. 

2.3 Economic 

Historically, farming, lumbering, gypsum quarrying and shipbuilding represented the main 

occupations for residents of West Hants. 12 Between 1840 and 1890, shipbuilding was a key 

contributor to the economy. Small communities such as Newport Landing and Kempt Shore, 

along with the larger towns of Windsor and Hantsport, were shipbuilding centres. 13 Gypsum 

quarrying was a major industry in West Hants from the late 1700s until 2011 when the last 

quarry, owned by Fundy Gypsum Company, closed down as a result of reduced demand for 

wall board in the United States housing market. The company had operated mines at Miller 

Creek and Wentworth Creek since 1924. 

Although still important to the West Hants economy, the resource sector had declined 

considerably by the 21st century, largely replaced by the service sector. As of the 2006 

Census, 14 business and other services employed 33 percent of the labour force (see Figure 1). 

11 Based on GIS calculation of the area that has received a variance or been exempted from the development 

provisions of the Agricultural Marshland Conservation Act. 

12 Shand, p. 3. 

13 Shand, p. 41. 

14 Except where otherwise indicated, all demographic and labour force statistics in this report are from Statistics 

Canada, 2006 Census of Canada. 

8

Figure 1 – Labour Force by Industry, 2006 

The construction sector 

accounted for almost 13 percent 

of the jobs in West Hants, 

followed by retail trade (11 

percent) and manufacturing (11 

percent), and health care and 

social services (10.2 percent). 

Agriculture and other resourcebased 

industries employed 7.4 

percent of the labour force. 

Educational services (6.2 

percent), wholesale trade (4.3 

percent) and finance and real 

estate (3.5 percent) also 

contributed to employment in the 

municipality. 

A Location Quotient calculation 

(see Table 1) indicates that 

West Hants has a higher 

proportion of its labour force in 

construction, agriculture and other resource industries, and transportation and warehousing 

industries than Canada as a whole, and is considered specialized in those sectors. 

Table 1 

Location Quotients > 1.0 

West Hants Industry Sectors Compared with Canada, 2006 Census 

Experienced Labour Force 15 years and 

over by Industry 

West Hants Canada Location 

Quotient 

Total 6,935 16,861,185 

Agriculture, forestry, fishing & hunting 335 523,650 1.6 

Mining and oil and gas extraction 145 238,815 1.5 

Construction 880 1,069,100 2.0 

Transportation & warehousing 395 820,195 1.2 

Note: Location Quotients were calculated by dividing the proportion of West Hants’ labour force in a particular industry by the 

proportion in the same industry nation-wide. A location quotient greater than 1.0 indicates a higher concentration of employment in 

that industry than the national average. 

Source: Data from Nova Scotia Community Counts web page, Statistics Canada, Census of Population, 2006. 

As of the 2006 Agricultural Census, there were 164 farms in West Hants, with a total of 225 

operators. These farms occupied 13,856 ha (34,238 acres), or about 11 percent of the total 

land area of the municipality. Gross farm receipts amounted to $17.5 million annually and total 

farm capital had a market value of $82.2 million. 

9

According to Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC), major employers 15 

(with employment levels of 100 plus) in West Hants include: Ski Martock, Avon Valley Floral 

and Greenhouses and Cobham Tracking & Locating. HRSDC also lists as major employers 

covering the area, although not located within the municipal unit: Annapolis Valley District 

Health Authority, Annapolis Valley Regional School 

Board, CKF Inc., Minas Basin Pulp and Power, 

Dykeland Lodge, Hants Community Hospital and 

Sobeys Stores Ltd. 

Labour force indicators are set out in Table 2. The 

participation rate for West Hants in 2006 was 61.1 

percent, marginally lower than the provincial rate of 

62.9 percent. The unemployment rate was also 

lower than the provincial rate, 8.7 percent 

compared with 9.1 percent for Nova Scotia. 

2.4 Social 

Population 

Table 2 

Labour Force Indicators, 2006 

(% of total population 15 years and over) 

West Hants 

Nova Scotia 

Participation Rate 61.1 62.9 

Employment Rate 55.8 57.2 

Unemployment Rate 8.7 9.1 

Source: Statistics Canada, Census of Canada, 2006. 

In 2006, the population of West Hants was 13,881. The municipality’s rural nature is reflected in 

its population density, 11.2 persons per square kilometer, compared with 17.3 for the province. 

Unlike other areas of Nova Scotia with declining population, the municipality is part of the four 

central counties (Hants, Kings, Halifax, Colchester) that experienced population growth from 

1991 to 2006. 16 Between 1986 and 2006, the population of West Hants rose by four percent, 

similar to the rate experienced by the province of Nova Scotia as a whole (see Table 3). Figure 

2 illustrates the municipality’s population change during this period. 

Table 3 

Population of West Hants and Province of Nova Scotia 

1986-2006 

Figure 2 – Population Change, 1986-2006 

West Hants 

% 

% 

Nova Scotia 

Change 

Change 

1986 13,345 873,199 

1991 13,610 2.0 899,942 3.1 

1996 13,792 1.3 909,282 1.0 

2001 13,780 -0.1 908,007 -0.1 

2006 13,881 0.7 913,462 0.6 

Source: Statistics Canada, Census of Canada 

15 Email from TFW-LMI Enquiry Response Team, HRSDC, January 26, 2012. 

16 Service Nova Scotia & Municipal Relations, Patterns of Demographic Change, 2001-06, Presentation to NSPDA 

Conference, May 16, 2008. 

10

Age 

Like the rest of Nova Scotia and the country, West Hants’ population is getting older (see 

Figures 3 and 4). The median age in 2006 was 42.3 years, slightly higher than the provincial 

median age of 41.8. Almost 45 percent of West Hants residents were over the age of 44, with 

slightly more women than men. Seniors, age 65 or older, made up 14 percent of the population. 

In comparison, 15 percent of Nova Scotia’s population was 65 or older in 2006. 

Figure 3 – West Hants Age Distribution by Sex, 2006 

Figure 4 - West Hants Population by Age, 2006 

Dwellings and Households 

The majority (90 percent) of dwellings are owned rather than rented, and in 2006, 90.8 percent 

of the occupied private dwellings in the municipality were single detached houses. The average 

value of an owned dwelling in West Hants in 2006 was $134,281 while the provincial average 

value was $158,000. 

The average household size was 2.5 persons compared with 2.4 persons per household for 

Nova Scotia. Fewer people in West Hants live alone than in the province as a whole, although 

the number of one-person households is increasing. In 1996, 15.6 percent of West Hants 

households were occupied by only one person, but by 2006, that percentage had risen to 19 

percent, representing 1,035 households. In Nova Scotia, 27 percent of households had only a 

single occupant in 2006. 

Income 

Table 4 provides details of the level of 

after-tax income of West Hants residents 

in 2005 compared with the province as a 

whole. Median household income in 

West Hants ($40,818) was higher than 

the provincial median, while individual 

Table 4 

Median After Tax Income in 2005 

West Hants Nova Scotia 

Individual (persons 15 and over) $20,167 $20,778 

Household $40,818 $40,591 


11

income ($20,167) was slightly lower. Fewer West Hants families (7.6 percent) had low income 

status in 2006 than did families in the province as a whole (10.3 percent). 17 

Place of Work 

According to the 2006 Census, approximately 12 percent (745 people) of the West Hants 

employed labour force worked within the municipality itself (see Table 5). Another 420 people 

(7 percent) said they worked at home. About 36 percent (2,285) worked elsewhere in Hants 

County, and 31 percent (1,990) commuted to a different county for work, probably the 

neighbouring Halifax or Kings Counties. 

Table 5 

Place of Work Status, 2006 

(West Hants Employed Labour Force 15 years and over) 

Total % 

Worked at home 420 7 

Worked outside Canada 10 0 

No fixed workplace address 935 15 

Worked in census subdivision (municipality) of residence 745 12 

Worked in a different census subdivision (municipality) 2,285 36 

within the census division (county) of residence 

Worked in a different census division (county) 1,990 31 

Worked in a different province 35 1 

Total 6,415 100 


Most rely on a vehicle to get to 

work. In 2006, 96 percent used a 

car, truck or van, three percent 

walked and less than one percent 

said they used public transit. No 

formal public transit existed in 

West Hants prior to the fall of 

2007, when Kings Transit began 

operating a bus service in the 

municipality. Currently, the 

service runs every two hours from 

Monday to Saturday, and covers a 

route extending from Brooklyn to 

Wolfville. 

2.5 Environment 

Natural Landscapes 

The Protected Areas Branch of Nova Scotia Department of Environment and Labour lists 80 

distinct landscape types in Nova Scotia in Natural Landscapes of Nova Scotia. Landscapes 

are described as being “a mosaic of different but interacting ecosystems that are repeated in a 

similar pattern to form a distinct and definable land unit or area”. 18 The main natural landscapes 

found in West Hants are the South Mountain Rolling Plain, Shubenacadie River Rolling Hills and 

Walton River Clay Plain (see Table 6). 

17 Nova Scotia Department of Finance, Community Counts Web page. 

18 NS Dept. of Environment and Labour, Natural Landscapes of Nova Scotia: Summary Descriptions, p. 2. 

12

Table 6 

West Hants Natural Landscapes 

7-South Mountain Rolling Plain 

Location 

Southern portion of the municipality 

Character 

Southwardly inclined and resistant upland plain characterized by a variety of 

glacial deposits and dominated by Acadian coniferous forest. 

Bedrock Geology 

Devonian Carboniferous granites (90%), and Cambrian/Ordovician slate and 

grey wacke (10%) 

Surficial Materials 

Stony till (50%), silty till (20%), ground moraine (20%), glacially scoured 

bedrock (10%) 

Soils Gibraltar (90%) 

Coastal Environment None 

(1) Well-drained coniferous (red spruce-white pine-eastern hemlock and red 

Dominant Ecosystems oak) undulating terrain; 

(2) Poorly-drained coniferous (black spruce-larch) flats 

28-Shubenacadie River Rolling Hills 

Location 

Northern and central portion of municipality surrounding Minas Basin 

A series of hills and undulating terrain with Acadian coniferous-dominated 

forest types, and drainage defined by portions of several large rivers (e.g., 

Character 

Avon, St. Croix, Kennetcook); coastal sections consist of eroding, low cliffs, 

wide intertidal flats and several large estuaries. 

Early-late Carboniferous sandstones, other clastic sedimentary rocks and 

Bedrock Geology 

carbonates (95%), and Cambrian/Ordovician slates (5%) 

Surficial Materials Silty till (90%), alluvial deposits (5%), glaciofluvial deposits (5%) 

Soils Queens (60%), Wolfville (20%), Tormentine (15%), Stewiacke (5%) 

Eroding, non-resistant, low cliffs; wide intertidal mud or sand flats; saltmarshes 

Coastal Environment 

in estuaries. 

(1) Well-drained mixwood and mixed forest (red spruce-sugar maple- 

American beech (eastern hemlock) hills; 

Dominant Ecosystems 

(2) Imperfectly-drained coniferous (red spruce-black spruce+white pineeastern 

hemlock) undulating terrain 

27- Walton River Clay Plain 

A large area roughly centering around Cogmagun in the northeastern portion 

Location 

of municipality, north of the Kennetcook River 

A predominantly flat plain characterized by Acadian coniferous forest types 

and many wetlands on flat to hummocky terrain. Dendritic drainage defined by 

Character 

headwaters and upper reaches of a few moderate-sized rivers (Walton, 

Cogmagun and Tomcod). 

Bedrock Geology Early-late Carboniferous sandstones and carbonates (100%) 

Surficial Materials Silty till (90%), organic deposits (10%) 

Soils Kingsville (75%), Queens (15%), organic soils (10%) 

Coastal Environment None 

(1) Poorly-drained black spruce-larch flats; 

Dominant Ecosystems (2) Imperfectly-drained black spruce-red spruce (white pine, red pine) 

undulating terrain 

Source: N.S. Environment and Labour, Natural Landscapes of Nova Scotia: Summary Descriptions, January 2002. 

Parks, Protected Areas and Sites of Ecological Interest 

 

Panuke Lake Nature Reserve: 150.9 ha (373 ac) including 47 ha (116 ac) of old growth 

eastern hemlock-red spruce forest. 

13

St. Croix River International Biological Program (IBP) Site: mixed forest on Karst 

topography; rare flora including Ram’s-head Lady Slipper (species listed as Endangered 

in the Nova Scotia Species at Risk Act). 

Akin Marsh: Eastern Habitat Joint Venture Site, Mount Denson. 

Falls Lake Provincial Park: 4.86 ha (12 ac) on Falls Lake, Vaughan. 

Smiley’s Provincial Park: 40.47 ha (100 ac) on Meander River, McKay Section. 

Cheverie Creek Salt Marsh Restoration Project: Highway 215, Cheverie. 

West Hants also includes three municipal drinking water supply watersheds within its 

boundaries, all of which rely on surface water. French Mill Brook, located west of Falmouth, 

consists of 1,139 ha (2,814 ac) designated as a Protected Water Area (PWA) under the Nova 

Scotia Environment Act. It provides treated water to the Falmouth Growth Centre. Mill Lakes, 

covering 1,778 ha (4,393 ac) south of Martock, also a designated PWA, supplies water to the 

Town of Windsor and the Three Mile Plains Growth Centre. The Town of Hantsport’s water 

supply is Davidson Lake, just west of French Mill Brook. Although not currently protected under 

the Environment Act, Hantsport is in the process of seeking the designation. 

Climate 

Environment Canada compiles climate normals or averages from climate stations across 

Canada which can be used to describe the average climatic conditions of a particular location. 

Table 7 shows temperature and precipitation data for two stations in West Hants (Windsor- 

Martock and Summerville), along with the Mount Uniacke station just east of the municipal 

boundary. 

Table 7 

Climate Normals, 1971-2000 

Windsor-Martock, Summerville and Mount Uniacke Climate Stations 

Windsor- 

Martock 

Summerville* 

Mount 

Uniacke* 

Temperature – Annual 

Daily Average ( o C) 7.4 6.8 5.8 

Daily Maximum ( o C) 12.3 11.4 10.9 

Daily Minimum ( o C) 2.4 2.1 0.6 

Hot Days (max. temperature >30 o ) 5.1 0.76 1.8 

Days with min. temperature >0 o 215 210.4 190.3 

Growing Degree Days >5 o 1990.9 1808.2 1651.4 

Growing Degree Days >10 o 1061 913.3 814.2 

Precipitation – Annual 

Rainfall (mm) 1073.6 857.5 1282.7 

Snowfall (mm) 234.6 196.4 270.1 

Total Precipitation (mm) 1308.2 1054 1552.6 

Days with Rainfall (>=0.2 mm) 122.3 94.5 129.3 

Days with Snowfall (>=0.2 mm) 37.9 31 43.6 

Note: * Station meets World Meteorological Organization standards for temperature and precipitation. 

Source: Environment Canada: www.climate.weatheroffice.gc.ca/climate_normals/results_e.html?stnID=65... 

14

2.6 Municipality 

Council 

West Hants Municipal Council consists of nine councillors, including a Warden and Deputy 

Warden chosen by councillors following each general election. Councillors are elected to 

represent the following polling districts: 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

District 1: Summerville-Kempt 

District 2: Avondale-Burlingtons 

District 3: Brooklyn-Scotch Village 

District 4: Ste. Croix-Ellershouse 

District 5: Wentworth-Newport Corner-Newport Station 

District 6: Three Mile Plains 

District 7: Three Mile Plains-Martock 

District 8: Falmouth-Mount Denson 

District 9: Falmouth 

The municipality operates under a Council-Chief Administrative Officer system. Municipal 

Council and Committee of the Whole meet on a monthly basis. Planning Advisory Committee, 

which includes two citizen appointees as well as all nine councillors, meets as needed, usually 

six to eight times a year, to deal with land use planning and development matters. 

Employees 

West Hants has 25 employees based at three main work sites: Municipal Complex at 76 

Morison Drive, Windsor-West Hants Industrial Park; Falmouth Water Treatment Plant on 

Eldridge Road, Upper Falmouth; and Falmouth Wastewater Treatment Plant, located near Exit 8 

on Highway 101, Falmouth. There are no employees in climate and adaptation-related 

positions. 

Financial 

For the 2011-2012 fiscal year, the municipality’s 

general operating budget totalled $10 million. 

Protective services such as fire, police, law 

enforcement and building inspection accounted for 

the greatest proportion of expenditures (35 

percent), budgeted at $3.5 million) (see Figure 5). 

Approximately $2.4 million, or 24 percent of the 

budget, was allocated to education. General 

government services of $1.7 million represented 17 

percent, while environmental health services 

(sewage collection, refuse, recycling) of $1 million 

made up 11 percent of the operating budget. 

Environmental development services, recreation 

Figure 5 – Breakdown of General Operating Budget 

15

and transportation expenditures totaled $1.4 million, making up the remaining 14 percent of the 

total budget. Other municipal budget and financial information is set out in Table 8. 

Table 8 

Budget and Financial Information 

2011-2012 

General Operating Expenditures Budget 

$10,035,452 

Capital Five-year Plan $3,985,522 

Budget for Weather-related Repairs/Maintenance $41,000 

General Operating Income $9,819,963 

Infrastructure Value (as of March 31, 2011) $13,687,000 

Amount Invested in Infrastructure Renewal $3,600,000 

Debt (long-term) $3,600,000 

Residential Tax Rate (per $100 assessment) $0.91 

Commercial Tax Rate (per $100 assessment) $1.60 

Source: West Hants Finance Department, January 9, 2012. 

3. Climate Change and Adaptation Issues 

The following is an overview of the climate change issues that are considered to be important to 

the municipality. 

Climate Change and Adaptation Issues Important to West Hants 

Issue 

Coastal flooding 

Inland flooding 

Details 

Flooding of the dykelands along the tidal rivers in the 

municipality occurs periodically, most frequently during 

fall and winter when drainage ditches or aboiteaux 

become blocked with ice. Overtopping or breaching of 

dykes is less common, but sea level rise and storm 

surges increase the risk and potential extent of 

flooding. The risk to existing built-up areas (e.g., 

Highway 1, Falmouth) is of most concern. 

Flooding at Avon River Heritage Museum, Avondale 

Flooding occurs periodically in low lying areas along 

West Branch Avon River from Wile Settlement to Mill 

Section (area affected by Nova Scotia Power’s Avon 

Hydro System) during high precipitation events (e.g., 

April 2009) 

Lebreau Creek Brook frequently overtops its banks in 

heavy rains and runoff events (e.g., April 2009; 

November 2010), resulting in flooding of homes 

adjacent to the brook along Highway 1, near Panuke 

16


Issue 

Details 

Road, Three Mile Plains. 

Erosion 

Saltwater intrusion 

Infrastructure 

Coastal erosion as a result of storm surges is a 

concern along the entire extent of Minas Basin 

coastline, from Avondale to Walton on the eastern side 

and from Mount Denson to Hantsport on the western 

side. Some areas, such as Hobart’s Beach in 

Summerville, are believed to have lost as much as 100 

feet of foreshore. 

Salt water encountered in drilled wells at two 

properties in Mantua 

Road wash outs as a result of severe storms; e.g., 

Ashland Road, April 2009 

Periodic dykeland flooding that limits road access; 

e.g., Rocks Road, St. Croix; Falmouth Dyke Road, 

Upper Falmouth 

Critical infrastructure (Windsor) – potential for access 

to Hants Community Hospital and Avon View High 

School to be cut off as a result of flooding of Tregothic 

Marsh across Payzant Drive and Wentworth Road 

Dykes, aboiteaux and Avon River Causeway – 

concern over height of dykes and adequacy of 

maintenance in light of potential sea level rise, 

increased storm surge and extreme run-off events 

upstream 

Avon Hydro System and St. Croix River Hydroelectric 

System – potential for dam breaches and downstream 

flooding in severe storms; concern relates to adequacy 

of dam construction and emergency preparedness 

Falmouth Sewage Treatment Plant – potentially at risk 

from coastal flooding 

Existing provincial and municipal storm water 

infrastructure (ditches, culverts) – not designed to 

handle current storm water flows in extreme events; 

e.g., Falmouth Dyke Road flooding 

Municipal Water Treatment - In municipal water supply 

areas, drier summers could result in reduced water 

recharge and increased forest fire risk in the 

watersheds. The opposite is also a concern where 

extreme rain events could result in flash flooding. In 

both cases, there is potential for contamination of 

source water, making it more difficult, slower and more 

energy intensive to treat it to a potable standard. 

17


Issue 

Drier Summers 

High Winds 

Capacity 

Details 

Reduced water supply – the majority of residents of 

West Hants, with the exception of those living in the 

two Growth Centres, depend on individual wells for 

their water supply; many already experience 

shortages, particularly in summer, and rely on water 

haulers to supplement their supply 

Increased forest fire risk is a concern, particularly in 

areas of increasing residential development in the 

southwestern part of the municipality. 

Extended power outages and damage to buildings and 

property as a result of hurricanes or high winds. 

Limited municipal staff, and few with expertise in 

climate change impacts and associated risk 

assessment, or technical skills in mapping and GIS 

applications needed to support such assessment. 

Limited municipal financial resources. 

4. ACAS- Related Inputs and Activities 

The following is a list of the ACAS activities and projects that have taken place during the period 

of the program that may have some relevance to the Minas Basin project area. 

Project/Activity Description Comments on 

Relevance/Usage 

Interactive Workshop for 

Minas Basin Area, held in 

Wolfville, June 21, 2011 

Presentation by Dr. Danika 

van Proosdij and St. Mary’s 

University students to staff of 

West Hants and Town of 

Briefing on ACAS program, 

deliverables and timelines and 

presentations by researchers 

giving an overview of projects 

currently underway in Minas 

Basin area. 

Briefing on research work to 

date related to shore zone 

characterization, flood 

inundation and dyke 

Since the program began in 

fall of 2009, this was the first 

briefing on the work the 

researchers had been doing 

and what products would be 

available at the end of the 

program. It was also useful to 

find out the requirements for 

the municipal reports which 

were due in nine months. 

Provided a good indication of 

the type of information that 

would be forthcoming at the 

18



Windsor, August 5, 2011 

Shore Zone Characterization 

and Coastal Change Analysis 

(Dr. Danika van Proosdij, 

SMU; Dan Utting, NS DNR) 

Analysis and Mitigation of 

Dyke Vulnerability within 

ACAS Target Community 

Areas of the Upper Bay of 

Fundy (Dr. Danika van 

Proosdij, SMU) 

Construction and Analysis of 

Flood Risk Maps for Select 

Coastal Communities in Nova 

Scotia (Dr. Tim Webster, 

AGRG) 

Climate Scenario 

Development for ACAS 

vulnerability in Windsor-West 

Hants area. 

Project Objectives: To 

improve understanding of 

historical and future rates of 

coastal erosion and 

sedimentation; Assess 

probable impacts of climate 

change-induced coastal 

change on infrastructure, 

socio-economic and natural 

assets. 


provide analysis of best 

practices for dykeland 

management; conduct GIS 

assessment of individual dyke 

vulnerability; determine new 

critical elevations and 

engineering modification for 

dykes; assess current and 

potential future management 

practices; recommend 

mitigation strategies and 

coastal engineering practices 

to protect foreshore marsh. 

Project Objectives: Collect 

high resolution terrain 

information (using LiDAR) for 

coastal areas including 

Wolfville-Windsor area of 

Minas Basin; develop flood 

risk maps and other products 

to assess climate change 

impacts on coastal flooding of 

infrastructure and other socioeconomic 

assets. 


provide: background on 

end of the project. 

Report not yet available, so it 

is difficult to assess its 

relevance and utility. We 

anticipate it will be extremely 

helpful for future planning. 

GIS data received June 24, 

2011, but report not yet 

available. 

Report is lengthy and highly 

technical in nature, making it 

somewhat difficult to identify 

what is relevant. The GIS 

data was received and 

downloaded in January 2012, 

but only a preliminary review 

has been done as yet. The 

data should be useful; 

however, it appears likely that 

we do not have capacity inhouse 

to interpret report, or 

analyze and use the GIS data, 

and will require consultants or 

other outside expertise to 

assist. 

Report is highly technical in 

nature, making it somewhat 

19



Communities in Nova Scotia 

(William Richards and Réal 

Daigle) 

An Assessment of Coastal 

Infrastructure Relevant to the 

Fishing and Aquaculture 

Industries in ACAS Study 

Areas 

Economic and Demographic 

Scenarios for Nova Scotia and 

Some ACAS Community Pilot 

Areas 

Improving the Effectiveness of 

Climate Change and 

Adaptation Visualization 

Techniques Targeted 

Towards Decision-makers and 

Citizens (Dalhousie University 

School of Planning) 

Vulnerability of Coastal 

Aquifers to Seawater Intrusion 

in Nova Scotia (Grant 

Ferguson, St. FX University) 

technical issues involved in 

developing local climate 

scenarios; an approach for 

climate scenario development 

appropriate to NS and PEI; a 

suite of climate scenarios; a 

guide for developing climate 

scenarios to support provincial 

and local adaptation planning 

and decision making. 


provide economic and 

demographic background data 

and projections on range of 

potential outcomes from 2021 

to 2051 for NS ACAS pilot 

communities. 


investigate how different 

visualization methods affect 

understanding of sea level 

rise related to climate change 

and compare effectiveness of 

conventional map and air 

photos, 3D static terrain 

model, and digital 3D static 

model. 

Project Objectives: To assess 

vulnerability of coastal 

aquifers to seawater intrusion 

caused by climate change; 

characterize vulnerability at 

three case study locations; 

develop map indicating 

relative vulnerability of 

seawater intrusion throughout 

difficult to identify what is 

relevant or how to use the 

information. We will likely 

require outside expertise to 

assist in interpretation. 

Report not yet available, so 

difficult to assess whether the 

project will be useful or 

relevant. 

Fishing industry plays a very 

small role in economy of West 

Hants. 

Report not yet available, so 

difficult to assess whether the 

project will be useful or 

relevant. 

Report not yet available. 


20



NS. 

Incorporating Climate change 

Adaptation into Emergency 

Planning at the Local Level in 

Nova Scotia 

Conference – Climate 

Change: Getting Ready, 

March 5-6, 2012, Halifax 

Project Objectives: To work 

with ACAS partners to reassess 

emergency response 

plans based on new flood, 

erosion and sedimentation 

maps; review emergency 

legislation and regulations to 

make recommendations on 

changes to better manage 

impacts of climate change. 

A conference bringing 

together municipal ACAS 

partners, researchers and 

provincial and federal 

government officials to 

present and discuss the 

results of the ACAS Program 

in Nova Scotia. 


The conference provided an 

opportunity to hear more 

detail on the various research 

projects. We were also able 

to connect with some of the 

researchers to begin 

coordinating a follow-up 

presentation for municipal 

council and knowledge 

transfer for municipal staff at a 

future date. 

5. Proposed Climate Adaptation Activities 

The following section lists possible climate adaptation projects and activities the Municipality of 

West Hants wishes to consider. 

Proposed Activity 

Coastal Zone Planning Study 

Review MPS/LUB provisions 

related to dykeland 

Rationale, Objective and 

Description 

Identify non-dykeland areas at 

risk from coastal flooding or 

erosion, and land use 

planning methods (e.g., 

setbacks, elevations, site 

design, environmental studies, 

etc.) to address development 

in these areas. 

Identify areas where extent of 

potential flooding has 

Comments on possible 

implementation and resources 

Required 

Requires scientific and 

technical (GIS, mapping) 

expertise 

Limited in-house resources 

D. van Proosdij’s and T. 

Webster’s work will help 

21

development 


Freshwater and Riparian Zone 

Planning Study 

Risk Assessment for Critical 

Infrastructure 

Review Emergency 

Preparedness Plans for 

Hydroelectric Systems (Avon 

and St. Croix River Systems) 

Storm Water Management 


Description 

changed/increased from 

original marsh boundaries and 

amend MPS/LUB to reflect 

changes. 

Identify areas currently 

subject to flooding or at 

increased risk as a result 

of climate change, and 

land use planning 

methods to address 

development in these 

areas. 

Identify ways of better 

protecting important 

freshwater resources 

(including wetlands). 

Identify (or confirm) flood 

risk to roads that provide 

access to existing 

important facilities such as 

hospital and schools; 

Review and revise, if 

necessary, emergency 

response plans 

Appears to be strong risk 

of serious flooding of 

homes and infrastructure if 

dam system is 

compromised. Need to 

determine extent of risk 

and measures that can be 

taken to address it. 

Existing problems with 

Inland flooding in 

developed and developing 

areas will increase as 

extreme storms and 

precipitation events 

become more frequent. 

Investigate alternative 

ways of reducing postdevelopment 

storm runoff 

and increasing water 



Required 

with this, but we will require 

further scientific and 


expertise 


Requires scientific and 


expertise 


Should be able to 

accomplish this in-house 

Partner with Nova Scotia 

Power, Minas Basin Pulp & 

Power, Regional 

Emergency Management 

Office. 

Outside technical expertise 

may be required to assess 

risk. 


22


Water Conservation Program 


Description 

infiltration, and consider 

implementing new 

standards in municipal 

specifications. 

Consider undertaking a 

Storm Water Management 

Study for the Growth 

Centres. 

Program intent is to 

ensure that municipal 

water supply is 

sustainable during periods 

of low rainfall (drought) 

and ensure habitat 

conservation of the source 

water supply is 

maintained. Plan could 

include requirement for 

Water Conservation Bylaw 

that allows for a 

conservation order 

restricting water use 

depending on withdrawal 

amounts and recharge 

rates. 

Implementing 

conservation practices inhouse; 

e.g., scheduling 

activities such as water 

main flushing for times 

outside of predicted low 

rainfall periods. 



Required 

Program can probably be 

developed in-house; Public 

Works Department is currently 

reviewing draft Water 

Conservation Program. Staff 

is already implementing 

certain conservation practices 

in scheduling work activities. 

6. Conclusions and Lessons Learned 

For West Hants, participating in the ACAS program has forced Council and staff to move away 

from vague ideas and preconceptions about “global warming” toward a focus on the climate 

change issues that directly affect our area. This focus will give us an important head-start on 

the work needed to complete our Municipal Climate Change Action Plan (MCCAP) required in 

2013 under the 2010-2014 Federal Gas Tax Municipal Funding Agreement. 

23

In addition, the products—research reports and GIS data—resulting from the ACAS program will 

be a useful resource for years to come. The high resolution LiDAR data for the coastal areas 

provides much more accurate elevation information than was previously available. This has 

utility, not only for flood risk assessment, but also for other land use planning analyses. 

The challenge for the Municipality of West Hants will be in interpreting and analyzing the 

technical and scientific research we have received and identifying the most effective ways to 

use it. While the project has provided some very valuable science, the municipality will be hard 

pressed to move on to the next step, given its very limited in-house resources. At the beginning 

of the program, municipal planners from the target communities emphasized the need for the 

scientific data to be presented in a format that is understandable and usable for those outside 

the scientific community. Although not all of the reports were available as of the date of writing 

this report, it was apparent from those that had been received, as well as the presentations 

made at the March 5-6 conference, that there is still a large gap between the scientific and 

technical information and the analysis that will be needed prior to implementing changes in 

policies and regulations. 

24

7. Bibliography 

Cann, D.B., Hilchey, J.D., and G.R. Smith. Soil Survey of Hants County, Nova Scotia. Report 

No. 5, Nova Scotia Soil Survey. Truro, NS: Canada Department of Agriculture and Nova 

Scotia Department of Agriculture, 1954. 66 pp. 

Dawson, Joan. Nova Scotia’s Lost Highways: The Early Roads That Shaped the Province. 

Halifax, NS: Nimbus Publishing Limited, 2009. 

Environment Canada. Canadian Climate Normals 1971-2000. Retrieved from 

www.climate.weatheroffice.gc.ca/climate_normals/results_e.html?stnID=65... 

Minas Basin Pulp and Power Company Ltd. St. Croix River System Emergency Preparedness 

Plan. November 2011. 

Nova Scotia Department of Environment and Labour. Protected Areas Branch. Natural 

Landscapes of Nova Scotia: Summary Descriptions. January 2002. 85 pp. Retrieved from 

http://www.gov.ns.ca/nse/protectedareas/docs/landscapes_report.pdf. 

Nova Scotia Department of Finance. Community Counts web page, data modeled from 

Statistics Canada, Census of Population, 2006. 

Nova Scotia Power Inc. Emergency Preparedness Plan-Avon Hydro System, Issue Date: 

November 2010. 

Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations. Patterns of Demographic Change, 2001-06. 

Presentation to Nova Scotia Planning Directors Conference, May 16, 2008. Retrieved 

from http://www.gov.ns.ca/snsmr/muns/plan/. 

Shand, Gwendolyn Vaughan. Historic Hants County. Halifax, NS: Petheric Press Ltd., 1979. 

Statistics Canada. 2006 Census of Agriculture: Agriculture Community Profiles, West Hants 

(CCS 120208001). Retrieved from www.statcan.gc.ca. 

Statistics Canada. 2007. West Hants, Nova Scotia (Code1208001) (table).2006 Community 

Profiles. 2006 Census. Statistics Canada Catalogue no. 92-591-XWE. Ottawa. 

Released March 13, 2007. 

http://www12.statcan.ca/census-recensement/2006/dp-pd/prof/92-591/index.cfm?Lang=E 

(accessed January 11, 2012). 

West Hants Historical Society. History of Hants County. Retrieved from 

http://www.westhantshistoricalsociety.ca/hants_history.html. 

West Hants Planning Department. Non-Farm Development on Dykelands. Staff Report to Planning 

Advisory Committee, August 17, 2000. 

25

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