During the period 1992-95 the Acadia Centre for Estuarine Research (ACER), in conjunction with the Atlantic Geoscience Centre (AGC) of the Geological Survey of Canada (Atlantic), the Institute of Marine Dynamics of the National Research Council of Canada (NRCC) and the Nova Scotia College of Geographical Sciences (COGS), carried out studies to assess the prospects for and appropriate design of remedial works to protect the embankments at Fort Anne National Historic Site from continuing erosion. The results of these studies (summarized by Daborn et al. 1995) were used to design a temporary stabilization structure and to initiate discussions of more long-term engineering solutions to the erosion problem.

The measures already taken to stabilize the ground beneath the southwest ravelin are of a temporary nature and cannot be relied upon as a long term solution to the problem of slope instability. At best, the improvement in static factor of safety against sliding is marginally sufficient to prevent further movements. The major improvement is of an indirect nature through the protection provided against wave undercutting of the slope.

As a result of discussions between Parks Canada, Public Works Canada and others, a number of potential long-term solutions have been identified. There was, however, a need identified for additional information and analyses prior to implementation of any of these proposed solutions. In particular, the evaluation of the effectiveness of a number of proposed remediation measures required refinement of the hydrological-sedimentological model previously developed by the NRCC. The model needed to be better validated against existing and new hydrodynamic and sedimentological data sets, and upgraded to incorporate the effect of wave activity on erosion rates.

There was also a need to more thoroughly evaluate the potential for remediation by natural processes such as restoration of the original salt marsh, to obtain information necessary for maintenance and augmentation of the temporary remedial works already carried out, and to better characterize the intertidal biological community in terms of its composition and contribution to sediment stabilization/destabilization processes.