Que. flood victims want action on erosion

The picturesque seaside homes along parts of Quebec's Lower St. Lawrence may need todisappear because of worsening erosion problems, say community leaders who are cleaning up after widespread flooding.

A fierce storm and high tideswashed away large sections of the shoreline along the St. Lawrence River, leaving homes perilously close to the water's edge.

Officials believe hundreds of homes may have to be destroyed.

The flooding has been a reminder, say local officials, of the erosion wearing away at the shoreline, including in towns and villages where homes and roads are often just metres from the beach.

Saint-Ulric Mayor Pierre Thibodeau said municipal and provincial officials need to develop new rules on shoreline development.

"It is clear that now, when we have to give permitsfor construction, the rules will be different. We cannot go on now with the same thinking we had before," said Thibodeau, as he surveyed the damage in his small town near Matane.

"We know now thatthose areaswe were anticipating as being risk zones, really they are. We seeing the effects right now."

The main road into the community was heavily damaged during this week's flooding.

On Friday, work crews continued hauling dozens of truckloads of rocks in an effort to rebuild the road bed.

Protecting property makes things worse: Reford

Alexander Reford has seen the effects of erosion over the years at the internationally renowned Reford Gardens in Grand-Mtis.

Part of the garden's property is a beach park, and this week's storm left the area covered with debris.

The waves also toppled over a sculpture by Canadian artist Bill Vazanthat included five massive boulders sandblasted with designs.

Reford, who also works with a local ecology group on erosion issues, said the government needs to encourage the planting of more natural vegetation.

He said people should also stop both building homes right along the river and using rock walls that can be washed away,to hold the land in place.

"The effect of property owners trying to protect their property has, I'm afraid, made it worse for many others," said Reford.

In Saint-Ulric, town workers have been planting wild roses and shrubs for years to fortify the soil.

Thibodeau said more shrubs will be planted along the town's 20 kilometres of coastline. Rock walls will be a last resort, he said.

"You must always try to think of alternative solutions before thinking of that solution. And you know what is the effect of using rocks? You just send the problem to your neighbour. So that's not a real solution," he said.