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V. CONCLUSIONS & RECOMMENDATIONS |
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The first area of concern is water supply and quality. Although water chemistry suggested that water met drinking water guidelines, issues with supply exist. As a result, the perched aquifer is not suitable for long term water use. |
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The bedrock aquifer also yielded water that met drinking water standards. The bedrock aquifer supplies water for the living structures on the property. As such, the water extracted from this aquifer must be sampled rigorously over time to assess the level of variation that occurs in water chemistry parameters. Due to the Halifax Slate bedrock a potential exists for iron and arsenic levels to be elevated periodically. Iron content is significant for aesthetic reasons; the arsenic content is significant in terms of human toxicity. |
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In addition, the effect of water use on the bedrock aquifer must be examined further. As the main source of water for drinking and domestic use, any increase in the number of inhabitants could result in significant drawdown and also result in saltwater intrusion. As such, thorough studies of water levels in the bedrock aquifer as well as identification of the freshwater / saltwater interface must be completed. I addition, inquiries to the amount of water used per person per day is necessary in order to develop a sound sustainability plan and should be investigated in the immediate future. |
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Water use in terms of sanitation is also a concern. In order to avoid increases in total water use, alternate forms of washroom facilities should be implemented. The best case scenario involves installing composting toilets. With composting toilets, some return is gained from the composting process. At the very least, portable toilets units could be installed until something more permanent is put in place. The low permeability of the till suggests outhouses are a possibility, however it is important to invoke the precautionary principle and eliminate any possibility of fecal coliforms contaminating the perched aquifer. Although there is no consequence for drinking water from the bedrock aquifer, possibility of affecting adjacent properties must be minimized. |
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Congruent with hydrology and water quality issues is the area of recharge between drumlin axes. This area is resistant to foot traffic for research purposes, this is an area where contaminants could potentially enter the water table. As such, a moratorium on development in this area should be imposed. |
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Examination of ecosystem structure and biodiversity revealed two important and sensitive areas. The first is the small salt-marsh to the southeast of the property. The second area is the bog to on the southern boundary of the property. All care must be taken to minimize impacts on these ecosystems. In order to minimize impact, monitoring protocols should be developed to collect baseline data and detect change. |
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Species richness was evaluated effectively for terrestrial flora but a gap exists in distribution data. Although there is sufficient data on tree diversity and distribution, as well as distribution patterns in the pasture, additional data on forest floor composition and distribution is required. |
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Similarly, a gap exists concerning data on avian and mammal populations. Although a preliminary list has been assembled, rigorous sampling is required to determine what faunal elements exist on the property. This information would contribute to a more complete picture of biodiversity on the property. |
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No that a base picture of terrestrial biodiversity established, some focus must be directed at marine systems. The Morton Centre property has an unbroken shoreline of 1.6 km. This marine environment is mesotidal and, as a result, there is a significant intertidal zone (laterally, not longitudinally). There is very little baseline data concerning this environment at this location and, as such, an intertidal survey should be completed. |
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The state of the property also showed effects of adjacent property use. Large areas of windfall in the forest suggest an impact of the commercial cranberry bog through lowering of the water table. Careful monitoring of water levels in dug wells through the use of pressure transducers may identify specific times in which the water table is most affected (i.e. flooding of the cranberry bog in times of harvest). In addition, monitoring of erosion rates near the constructed seawall on the southwest corner of the property should be completed. Although air photo monitoring may be sufficient, staking a transect perpendicular to the shoreline and measuring shoreline recession would be more effective. |
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The final question relates to the present agricultural uses of the property. At the moment, there does not appear to be any negative effects attributable to the pastured cattle. In fact, alder cover is increasing, suggesting the pasture could support a few more cattle. A concern does exist, with access to the shoreline by the cattle. No barrier exists to prevent cattle from walking or defecating in the intertidal zone at the head of the property. If cattle are to be pastured, it is necessary to prevent this access. |
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How do these areas of concern affect alternatives for development? Can the preliminary data collected and identified areas of concern point to unfeasible development alternatives? Based on water supply concerns, the Conference Centre alternative can be immediately dismissed. The amount of water required to house, feed and provide sanitation for long periods of time is unlikely to be sustainable if provided by the perched aquifer or the bedrock aquifer. |
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The evaluation of other alternatives becomes more difficult. It appears that construction of structures will not significantly affect the property. Identified sensitive areas such as the bog and salt-marsh can be avoided through policy and planning decisions. It is difficult to evaluate whether water resources will be adequate for smaller small alternatives like a teaching facility or field station. As discussed previously, further investigation of the bedrock aquifer in terms of permeability, recharge rates and water usage are essential before these alternatives are accepted or dismissed. |
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The utility of strategic environmental assessment is illustrated by the success in identifying key indicators. The model used for scoping and method development could be adapted to other Acadia University field stations. Using this model, Acadia University field stations could reach their maximum potential within a sustainability framework without sacrificing environmental responsibility. |
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