Basin Head barrier is not permanent, says tourism minister

Summer days are just around the corner on P.E.I. and for years Islanders and tourists have flocked to the famous singing sands in Basin Head Provincial Park near Souris toleap in the water from the wharf and bridge.

This weeksome Islanders were surprised to see a barrier at the Basin Headwharfa two-metre (six foot) barrier to be exact.

Tourism MinisterMatthew MacKay told CBC Radio: Island Morning host Mitch Cormier the fencewon't be sticking around for the summer.

"We sent a diver out there a couple days ago to do his annual inspection of the depth of the water and the water levels have dropped significantly."

Social media users voiced their displeasure with the government's lack of consulting or notifying the public before the barrier was put up.

Had to act quickly

But MacKay said his department had to act quickly.

The channel became shallow after a major storm caused it to fill with sand over thewinter months, according to a newsrelease from the province.

During low tide the water is less than a metre deep abouttwo feet and there were worries someone could get hurt if they decided to jump in, MacKay said.

The high water was measured at about 2.5 metres,making the channel half the depth it typically would be, the release said.

We just can't afford to have that closed for the summer. Matthew MacKay

"It was just too shallow, so we said we haveto do something with this right away before the season started," he said.

MacKay said the fence willbe removedonce the run is dredged, and the province is making it a priorityto have it out of the way by the time tourists start to arrive.

"We've got every department working on it right now. I know DFO is doing whatever they can to do it."

'Do what we can'

MacKay said the province should have made the public aware of the work.

"The only thing that should have happened yesterday that obviously didn't was a sign should've went up with itexplaining what took place. Which I'm guessing they're coming today."

MacKay said the whole situation happened quickly in just 24 hours and the departmentdidn't have time to alert the public.

"We just can't afford to have that closed for the summer we're going to do what we can to get it back open."

The fencing is being erected at the pier and new signs will be installed by the end of this week to warn Islanders about the extreme danger, according to the release.

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