Fisheries and Environment Minister, Honourable Kevin J. MacAdam reminds beach goers that the operation of any motor vehicle, including all terrain vehicles, motorcycles and four wheel drive vehicles, is prohibited on beaches and sand dunes under the Environmental Protection Act.
Mr. MacAdam explains that, "Operation of a motor vehicle on a beach is allowed only for the conduct of activities related to the legal harvest of a fishery resource or the legal removal of beach material." Operation of a vehicle on a sand dune or beach is only allowed in special cases, and only with a permit from the Minister.
The beach is defined as that area of the shoreline extending toward the sea a distance of three miles from the base of the bank, cliff or slope, or from the seaward extremity of a sand dune. A sand dune is described as a sand formation resulting from wind or wave deposits generally lying parallel and inland of the beach.
The operation of motor vehicles on beaches and sand dunes can destabilize the often fragile shoreline features causing increased risk of erosion by wind and wave action. These concerns are compounded during the summer months by safety factors. On those beaches where swimming lessons are held, and for families with small children, the vehicles are a major safety problem.
While encouraging people to visit and enjoy Island beaches, the Minister also advises that during the summer months staff from the Department of Fisheries and Environment will be stepping up enforcement activities related to the operation of motor vehicles on beaches and sand dunes.
For more information contact: Clair Murphy at 368-5036