Cape Breton group considers legal action over seawall

A community groupin Gabarus is considering legal action against the federal government over the community's seawall, whichis buckling in several places.

A report released earlier this yearfrom the Department of Natural Resources stated the repair or replacement of the 65-year-old structureis an urgent situation.

The issue of who is responsible for doing the work is beingheld up by a jurisdictional dispute within the federal government.

Tim Menk, with the Friends of Gabaruscommunity group,saidwith winter weather on the way, there's a constant threat of the seawall collapsing in the next big storm.

Menk saidthe communitycan't afford to wait any longer for someone in Ottawa to make a politicaldecision.

He said if nothing is decided by December, the group will take legal action.

"We feel that there are possible infractions by the federal government breaking it's own rules andinfringing on statutes that protect public safety," he said.

Rhodena Clarke, 90, who lives in Gabarus, saidshe haswritten to the federal minister responsible for Nova Scotia, Peter MacKay, asking for his personal intervention.

"I'm afraid the seawall, if it's not repaired, will only be a memory if we don't gethelp," she said. "We would sure appreciate any help he could do for us."

Menk said the group hasalso requested a meeting with Cape Breton Regional Municipality Mayor Cecil Clarke andis asking for permission to speak at regional council.

An earthquake in 1929 caused major flooding in Gabarus, on the eastern coast of Cape Breton. Residents had to be taken out of their homes by boat.

The federal government built the seawall in the 1940s and it was repaired in the 80s.