Index: Editorial Bonnel Cove Foundation Land Protection River Denys Basin Baddeck & Area Tourism Association Roundtable On The Environment Taking Care of the Bras d'Or PHD. Thesis Proposal Bras d'Or Watch Alice Reed Art Show The Bras d'Or Stewardship Society A View From The Skiff Notice

It would not be very original to say that necessity is the mother of invention or that out of disappointment comes new initiative and resolve. There is, however, a distinct element of truth to these expressions as they relate to the establishment of THE BRAS D'OR STEWARDSHIP SOCIETY. Clearly, in this instance, necessity should be defined as the imperative to carry out the significant work of dedicated and competent individuals who have made substantial efforts to delineate and recommend measures to protect and preserve Nova Scotia's greatest inland waterway....the Bras d'Or Lake. Disappointment triggers the adrenaline essential to refuse to accept no for an answer. Disappointment creates the resolves to find new solutions to perceived intransigence and intractable dilemmas.

The work coordinated by the University College of Cape Breton (UCCB) that led to the publication of the Report "TAKING CARE OF THE BRAS D'OR", a new approach to establishing responsible stewardship of the Bras d'Or watershed, was the culmination of approximately thirty years of work by various people and organizations. These initiatives are listed in the UCCB work and will be examined in more detail in future NEWSLETTERS. The principle thrust of the UCCB document was to describe a set of measures that when combined, constituted a reasoned and thoughtful pragmatic model for managing future stewardship of the Bras d'Or watershed.

The model was proposed to the Nova Scotia Government in the spring of 1995. In a meeting held at UCCB in May of 1997, participants who worked as volunteers to put a management model on the table were told that the Nova Scotia Government could not entertain the concept of a co-management philosophy. The Bras d'Or Stewardship Society was created by a group of concerned citizens determined to contend with all of those issues, activities and obvious lack of action that threatens the quality and long term viability of the Bras d'Or watershed. During the past six months, much effort has been mustered by those concerned to identify the most critical factors that put the Bras d'Or Lake at risk. The creation of the Bras d'Or Stewardship Society was viewed as an integral requirement to rally present support for the future protection and conservation of the Bras d'Or watershed. To date, we have a membership of eighty representing a broad cross section of people who by joining voiced their support for responsible stewardship of the Bras d'Or Lake.

As our Society commences its first work agenda, there is a focused determination to confront the core issues already identified as negatively impacting on the Bras d'Or Lake. For example, there are no regulations concerning the containment of human waste aboard recreational and commercial water craft. There are no rules about onshore pump out facilities. There is no true understanding of the cause and extent of contamination of shellfish beds. There are no policies in place to monitor current levels of phosphorous and nitrogen discharge into the Bras d'Or Lake.

There are other matters of critical importance to the long term health of the Bars d'Or watershed. There exists an on going absence of any commitment by the Provincial Government to support any form of responsible STEWARDSHIP and MANAGEMENT for the watershed. Nor is there an apparent effort on behalf of the four adjacent municipal governments to form a coordinating body to examine the impact of the permit granting procedures for responsible land development, sewage control or land use policy.

It would not be unfair to say that our challenge is greater than originally anticipated. However, it must be acknowledged that there is more encouragement for the work of the Society than expected. It appears that we have taken the health and survival of the Bras d'Or Lake for granted for too long. Again, an instance where complacency should not be mistaken for a lack of concern. Many people beyond those who have already joined the Society, have expressed satisfaction or gratitude that a vehicle has been established to act as educator, watchdog, and advocate within the public domain on behalf of the Bras d'Or Lake and surrounding watershed. Again, every indication that people are concerned and will seek positive action and solutions in all related issues once informed. Many suggestions have been received of a positive and exciting nature emphasizing the opportunities for all of us to enhance the long term health and life of the Bras d'Or Lake. In turn, focused commitment will garner huge future rewards for the protection of our environment and economy.

Pat Bates

Chairman