Dune restoration and maintenance work will be carried out by truck, loader and bull dozer. Bull dozers will be used to push the top of the dunes (greater than 5.5 metres) landward. This will level off the dunes at a consistent height. Beach nourishment will then be undertaken on the seaward side as done in the past. GPS survey units and markers will be used to mark dunes at exactly 5.5 metres.

The Dune Restoration Project is vital to the ongoing beach nourishment program. These man-made dunes have grown disproportionately to the beach surface area due to years of sand being replaced each winter and other impacts. By restoring dunes to a lower and broader shape, winter storm damage will be limited and beach nourishment activities will be more manageable in years to come. Initiative taken now will preserve the beach and strengthen the department’s commitment to environmental stewardship and the ongoing community dialogue relative to climate change and coastal zone protection in the Gulf Coast and Northumberland Straight areas.

For more information:
Coastal Areas Protection Policy

• http://www.gnb.ca/0009/0371/0002/Coastal-E.pdf (English)

Climate Change Action Plan

• http://www.gnb.ca/0009/0369/0015/0001-e.asp (English)

Quick facts about the beach: Parlee Beach is rebuilt every year. Much of the beach is washed away each winter. Almost 1,000 truckloads of sand are needed to rebuild the beach – this work is known as the Beach Nourishment Program. The Parlee Beach sand dunes are human made. Due to the Beach Nourishment Program, the dunes had grown as high as they were in 1990. This was rectified during the dune restoration project that was undertaken last year. The dunes at Parlee Beach have to be periodically reshaped. The process of reshaping sand dunes to minimize winter damage to the beach is known as the Dune Restoration Program. This project was undertaken a year ago, in November 2009. This year, the beach will be maintained by bringing back sand that has eroded over the past year. It is anticipated that Parlee Beach will require annual maintenance each and every year to keep the dunes at the appropriate level and reverse the erosion damage. In order to cover the costs associated with this yearly maintenance, visitors to the park contribute $3 dollars to this work when they pay their park entrance fee.