Municipality Climate Adaptation Case Study Report

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).
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