Terms of Reference
Land Use Assessment Report (LUAR)
Application to Acquire Crown Land for the Purposes of
Shoreline Stabilization
Civic No. 26-50, Laurel Road, Chamberlains, Conception Bay South
Background
The Geological Survey Division of the Department of Natural Resources has provided the Town with
the following information related to the coastal area in which the shoreline work is proposed.
The headland between Manuels River and Chamberlains Pond is composed of unconsolidated
gravel, sand and boulder that form a 3.5 to 11 m high cliff. The cliff is fronted by a steep, narrow
beach (13 m wide at the time of the 2014 survey), composed of gravel and sand, with some boulders
in the nearshore area. The headland is roughly northward facing into Conception Bay, although the
area is somewhat protected from open ocean waves by Bell Island. Specific wind directions (roughly
NNE) can lead to significant wave impact on the cliffs, as occurred in October 1994. This storm
caused significant damage to the coastline, the effects of which continue today.
The headland is flanked by barachois beaches, one at the mouth of Manuels River in the west, and
the other at the head of Chamberlains Pond in the east. These barachois beaches are composed
primarily of gravel, and are approximately 2 to 6 m high. The beaches receive their sediment supply
mostly from adjacent cliffs to the southeast - nearshore currents and longshore drift is counter
clockwise in Conception Bay.
This headland has been the site of monitoring of shoreline recession rates since 2002. A
Geological Survey report in 2015 indicates that between 2002 and 2014 the average cliff top
erosion rate in this area was 4.8 cm/year (i.e., 62 cm of recession). The maximum erosion rate
during that period was 20.33 cm/yr (i. e., 264 cm of recession). Other small parts accreted, likely
due to home owners depositing material along the cliff edge. The base of the cliff receded at an
average rate of 9.49 cm/yr between 2002 and 2014 (ranging from -5.33 cm/yr to 24.0 cm/yr).
This indicates a general steepening of the cliff during that period, likely as a result of wave
impact.
The headlands and beaches in Conception Bay, and elsewhere in the world, are part of a coastal
'system'. Individual parts of the coastline cannot be viewed in isolation - factors that affect one
part of the system will have impacts on other parts of the system. If, for instance, erosion rates
on headlands increase, nearby beaches will probably aggrade due to increased availability of
sediment. The opposite is also likely; decreased erosion rates will result in less sediment
available and beaches will degrade.
The coastal system in Conception Bay (and everywhere else) is constantly changing as a result of
human and natural factors. Of significance for Conception Bay is the fact that sea level is
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currently rising. It is anticipated that sea level will be about 100 cm higher in 2099 compared to
1990. There are numerous potential impacts for this rise, but of perhaps greatest significance to
the area under consideration is that it will probably lead to a narrowing of the beach and the
greater frequency of wave impacts on the cliffs. It is therefore reasonable to conclude this will
lead to an increase in the erosion rates of the cliffs.
Terms of Reference
The proponent shall identify significant impacts of the proposed shoreline stabilization and, where
appropriate, identify the measures to mitigate impacts on adjoining properties and broader area of
coastal influence. All information is to be submitted under one report in a form that can be reproduced
for public information and review. The numbering and ordering scheme used in the report shall
correspond with that used in this Terms of Reference and a copy of the Terms of Reference shall be
included as part of the report.
A list of those persons/agencies who prepared the Land Use Assessment Report shall be provided as
part of the report. Given the complexity of the coastal system in this area, the Town expects that the
analysis be performed by suitably qualified persons with expertise in coastal geomorphology and
coastal/climate change engineering.
The following items shall be addressed by the proponent at its expense:
1. A description of the coastal conditions (including reference to research studies and/or technical
experts), that were reviewed/consulted to evaluate and determine the proposed protection
solution such as reach, fetch, tidal range, wave energy, storm surge, physical conditions such as
elevation, topography and geomorphology etc. Evaluate the level of hazard risk in relation to
the areas susceptible to storm surges, erosion and flooding.
2. An assessment of the risk of the following occurring as a result of the proposed protection
approach:
a) Decreased erosion on parts of the headland.
b) Increased erosion adjacent to the protection measures. Coastal protection measures
are commonly established to protect a vulnerable part of the coastline. In this case,
the whole headland has been identified as eroding. Coastal protection measures
established on part of the headland may enhance erosion on the up-longshore drift
side of the structure (i.e., to the east in the case of the proposed work), where wave
energy is now focused. A similar situation occurred on the eastern side of the headland
when a small retaining wall was built about a number of years ago.
c) Degradation of adjacent beaches. It is likely that the major sediment supply for the
Chamberlains Pond barachois beach is the headland to the west. If part of this
headland is protected from erosion it is reasonable to assume that, over time, the
beach will degrade, leading to overtopping of the beach during storm activity.
3. A description of various protection solutions that were considered based on site/coastal
conditions, associated risks, advantages and disadvantages, and the rationale for the proposed
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approach, and specifically, how the engineering design or other measures of the proposed
protection solution will address and mitigate the risks identified in 2 above.
4. Identify potential impacts of the work on Worsley Park and Manuels River, including
a) the beach at the mouth of the river,
b) the visual impact of the proposed work from Worsley Park and the beach.
5. Describe how existing public access to and along the shoreline will be affected by the proposed
work, including any impediments/obstacles the work may result in to pedestrian movements
on/along the beach, now and in future.
6. Clearly delineate on a drawing or site plan, the portion of the work to be performed relative to
the residential property boundary and the coastal reserve. Identify how much of the work
proposed will be located within the boundaries of the residential property, and how much will
be located in the shoreline reservation.
The Land Use Assessment Report should be submitted to:
Jennifer Lake, Ec.D. (F)
Director of Planning, Economic Development and Tourism
Department of Community Development
11 Remembrance Square
P.O. Box 14040, Stn. Manuels, Conception Bay South, NL A1W 3J1
T. 709-834-6500 ext 702
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