Public to weigh in on proposal to settle land claim in Sauble Beach

CTV London: Land claim concerns in Sauble Beach Residents in Sauble Beach are concerned about the shoreline as decision time for First Nation land claim approaches. Scott Miller has more.

The future of the Sauble Beach shoreline is in doubt.

A land claim dating back to the 1800s says the Saugeen First Nation, which borders Sauble Beach, actually own most of now municipally-operated Sauble Beach shoreline.

Seven years of mediation between the band, local council and federal government have ended with a proposed offer on the table.

South Bruce Peninsula Mayor John Close says "This will be probably one of the most significant decisions that this municipality will have to make over the next few years."

Residents will hear that offer next Wednesday, Aug. 6 at two public meetings.

If a compromise isn't reached, the future ownership of Sauble Beach will be decided by the courts, at great cost to taxpayers, Close adds.

"So we've got this agreement, because it's vitally important to this community to come forward now and listen to all of the information and give us your feedback. And I don't mean just from Sauble Beach, this will have an impact on everybody from Wiarton to Hope Bay and throughout our community...And we are certainly asking for people to look at the information, look at it with an open mind and give us their feedback."

Still many Sauble Beach residents want to fight the land claim to the highest court in order to maintain the status quo.