WHAT ARE WATER TRAILS?
For those of you new to the idea, a water trail is a continuous trail for recreational boaters of all sorts on fresh or coastal waters. Water trails provide access to camping and day use sites, and information on launch sites, safe havens and waterfront services for boaters. Water trails can include both public and private land and are often organized by local volunteers with help from public officials and private landowners. Water trails also promote low impact travel and stewardship of the lands and waters being used.

Water trail groups have been emerging all over North America. The North American Water Trail Inc. (NAWT) is a coalition of groups in Canada and the US working to develop and maintain water trails in their local areas. NAWT can be reached at staff@watertrails.org or (202)232-8354.

THE NOVA SCOTIA PILOT PROJECT
The Nova Scotia Coastal Water Trail is the first in Atlantic Canada. Nova Scotia has only 25% public land and little public access to the coast. With the rapid increase of both recreational boating and coastal development, it is important to develop a water trail now to ensure that recreational boaters have continued access as shorelines become more developed.

In 1997, the Ecology Action Centre, a not for profit provincial organization, solicited public opinion on the idea of a water trail in Nova Scotia. Unanimous support prompted a pilot project to plan and develop a water trail along the coast between Halifax and Lunenburg Harbours. The pilot has the following objectives:

• to provide safe and adequate facilities and accommodations for recreational boaters in coastal Nova Scotia;
• to maintain and enhance public access to the coast for visitors and residents;
• to protect the ecological and aesthetic characteristics of coastal Nova Scotia;
• to contribute towards the economic development of coastal communities in Nova Scotia; and
• to serve as a prototype for developing and managing water trails in other parts of Nova Scotia.

In our first year (1999), we gathered a huge amount of information on the pilot project area. This includes launch sites, waterfront services and accommodations, attractions, water safety considerations, low impact concerns and natural and cultural features. This web site and a small free map provide basic details on the project area. Some sites have conditions attached to their use. Specific information is provided in a guide book available to members of our association (see below). The pilot project ends July 31, 2000 and work to extend the trail around Nova Scotia will continue after that.

TRAIL LAUNCH
We plan to launch the trail on July 1 in Lunenburg Front Harbour. Join us for a sail/paddle/motor on a week-long trip to Halifax and help celebrate recreational boating in Nova Scotia. All boaters are welcome to join or leave the trip at any point so organize a group and come along. To get on board, CONTACT US.

JOIN THE ASSOCIATION
What will happen after July 2000? There is still much to be done setting up agreements with landowners for wilderness campsites. We will be organizing volunteers and working with community groups to monitor sites and update information as part of on-going trail management. Our long-term vision is to have a water trail around Nova Scotia possibly connecting with the Maine Island Trail through New Brunswick.

For this reason we will be setting up an association. Boaters and others are encouraged to join for a small yearly fee to support the future of recreational boating and contribute to coastal conservation in Nova Scotia. Members will receive newsletters and a detailed guide book. The book promotes coastal communities by providing extensive information on launch sites, water accessible services and accommodations, and areas of interest. It also supplies details on safety considerations, useful marine contacts, and low impact use of wilderness areas.

As well, members and community groups can get involved in the creation and on-going management of the trail for the use of present and future generations. Our Association will be a member of NAWT.

Here is a brief generic sample from our guide book featuring takeouts, attractions, accommodations and services.

Take outs
Sandy Beach – A Provincial beach. Small boats can pull up on shore. Parking on extended shoulder.

Boatsville Harbour Authority
John Doe
(902) 555-0000
Fax 555-0001
A high government wharf. Docking is available for three larger boats up to 30 ft. Lots of room for smaller boats. Lights, wooden slipway, power/water hookup. Kayaks and canoes can pull up on a small nearby beach.

Day and overnight parking available in nearby parking lot. Overnight berthing fees of $XX for boats over 25 ft, free for smaller boats and day berths. Remember that Harbour Authorities have a commercial clientele to serve so park and dock with extreme consideration & look carefully for any relevant signage.

Attractions
Sandy Beach - The Provincial beach is public, and popular for swimming with fine white sand.

Accommodations
Oceanside Inn and B&B
(902) 555-0000
email@server.ca
www.website
A two-minute walk from Sandy Beach. Pool, Jacuzzi. Cart available for canoes and kayaks plus storage. More info in Doers and Dreamers guide book.

Services
Seaside Rentals
Jane Doe
(902) 555-0000
Located at Sandy Beach. Rental business including windsurfers, snorkeling gear and kayaks..

Seaview Restaurant
Joan Doe
(902) 555-0000
xxx Sea View Road
Located 100 metres from Boatsville Harbour Authority Wharf, with indoor and outdoor dining on a large deck overlooking the water.

CONTACT US
For more information or to share your experience and needs, contact us at:
Nova Scotia Coastal Water Trail
1596 Prospect Road, Prospect, NS B3T 2B2
(902)852-3082 E-mail: seatrail@istar.ca

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The Nova Scotia Coastal Water Trail Pilot Project receives direction from a steering committee of representatives from the Ecology Action Centre, the provincial departments of Tourism and Culture, Natural Resources, Municipal Affairs, and Environment, the Sport and Recreation Commission and the outfitter Coastal Adventures.

We thank our funding sponsors including the ELJB Foundation, the Millennium Bureau of Canada, Human Resources Development Canada, the NS Sport and Recreation Commission, the Lunenburg/Queens Regional Development Authority, Labatt's People in Action, Department of Fisheries and Oceans, and Alberta and Donnie Martin.

We also extend gratitude to all other contributors including Sally Hilton, Dan MacMillan, Kim Belyea, Laura Barkhouse, Peter Young, Sean Smith, Mahone Bay Adventures, Sea Sun Kayaking, Bluenose Atlantic Canada Action Program, the Nova Scotia Sea School, shunpiking, Atlantic Boating News, DHM Communications, P. Jacobs Ltd., the Halifax Regional Municipality, the Halifax Regional Development Agency, the Municipality of the District of Lunenburg, the Nova Scotia Museum, the Canadian Hydrographic Service, the Canadian Coast Guard, the Canadian Wildlife Service, the Geological Survey of Canada(Atlantic), and the many community groups, coastal businesses, residents and boaters who have helped make this happen.

Special thanks for the substantial help received from staff at the NS Geomatics Centre of the NS Department of Municipal Affairs.

Our photographers/photo contributors are: Oliver Maass, Department of Environment; Sue Browne, Sheena Masson and Caroline Cameron – Nova Scotia Coastal Water Trail; Laura Barkhouse, Lunenburg County Trails Coordinator; NS Tourism; Hugh Munroe and Bob Taylor, Geological Survey of Canada (Atlantic); Sundancer Air Shows Ltd. and the South Shore Tourism Association

(Note: Toll free numbers may change depending on your location.)

GENERAL:
Call 911 For emergencies on shore

Nova Scotia directory assistance 1-902-555-1212

Nova Scotia tourist information 1-800-565-0000 (Toll free)

Environmental Emergencies
(Including sea mammals in distress) 1-800-565-1633 (Toll free)

COAST GUARD:
Marine Emergencies on water -24hr 1-800-565-1582 (Toll free ) In Halifax 427-8200
Radio Channel - VHF channel 16 (distress and ship to shore calls)

Office of Boating Safety 1-888-670-0771 (Toll free) In Halifax 426-6362

Halifax Traffic and Coast Guard Radio 1-902- 426-9750

INDUSTRY CANADA:
Radio Communications Circulars 1-888-385-8848 Halifax 426-3810

http://strategis.ic.gc.ca/spectrum

CANPASS 1-888-CAN PASS (226-7277) (Toll free)
Marine Customs 1-902-426-2071

WEATHER:

• Environment Canada Marine Weather Forecasts 1-902-426-9600 www.ns.ec.gc.ca
• Weatheradio VHF-FM frequencies -162.55, 162.40 or 162.475 MHz
• Halifax Coast Guard Continuous Marine Broadcast VHF-FM frequencies 161.650 or 161.775 MHz and channels 21B or 83 B
• Department of National Defense Weather Broadcast (24 hour text bulletins) frequencies LF 122.5 KHz, HF 4.271, 6.4964, 10.536 and 13.510 MHz

Tides 1-877-775-0790 (Toll free)
Tide tables are available from yacht shops - strongly recommended

NAVIGATIONAL AIDS:
Marine charts, Sailing Directions, The Canadian Aids to Navigation Systems and other marine publications are available from marine and boating suppliers (see Yellow Pages of local phone books). Strongly recommended.

Notice to Mariners (corrections to charts)
Canadian Hydrographic Services, Environment Canada http://www.chs-shc.dfo-mpo.gc.ca

Topographic maps, local sailing and paddling guides, natural and cultural history information available through local bookstores and the NS Government Bookstore at 1700 Granville St., Halifax or phone 1-800-670-4357 (Toll free).

RELATED WEB SITES:
NAWT (North American Water Trail Association) - http://www.watertrails.org
Natural History of Nova Scotia - http://museum.gov.ns.ca/mnh/nature/nhns/
EAC - Ecology Action Centre - www.ecologyaction.ca
CRCA (Canadian Recreational Canoe Association) - www.crca.ca
Paddle Lunenburg-Queens - www.trails.gov.ns.ca/nscwt/book/paddlecover.html
NS Tourism and Culture - www.gov.ns.ca/dtc
Office of Boating Safety -www.tc.gc.ca/BoatingSafety/menu.htm
Lifesaving Society -www.lifesavingsociety.ns.ca

- What Are Water Trails? - The Nova Scotia Pilot Project - Trail Launch - Join The Association - Contact Us - Acknowledgements - Useful Contacts - Articles -

ARTICLES
shunpiking
NAWT newsletter