Bras D Or Lakes Collaborative Environmental Planning Initiative (CEPI)

Bras D Or Lakes Collaborative Environmental Planning Initiative (CEPI)

Bras d’Or Lakes Collaborative Environmental Planning Initiative (CEPI)

Management Plan Task Team: Meeting # 5

Draft Minutes

Held January 24 2006 (Sydney Civic Centre, 3nd Floor Boardroom)

Present:

Naug, Jason, Chair (DFO)Livingston, Robert (Stewards of R. Denys)

Carter, Sharon (NS Environment and Labour)Porter, Shelley (CEPI Coordinator)

McReady, Rick (CBRM)

Absent:

Bates, Pat (Stewardship Society)Huston, Justin (NSDAF)

Fanning, Lucia (EC)Marshall, Albert (Elder, Eskasoni)

Forrester, Dave (CBU)MacSween, Brian, NSDNR

Simmons, Marney (RCBDPC)

Introduction:

  • The chair began the meeting with a review of the discussion and commitments made to the Senior Council during the November 23rd meeting. Although it was agreed that it may be too early to develop a draft of the overall Management Plan by March 31, 2006, we agreed that we should try to draft an outline or framework to show the direction that we are taking. Jason agreed to take on writing duties for this and prepare drafts for discussion.

Potential Model:

  • The Chair then described a potential model of how the overall management plan could be structured so that it is both a general framework relevant to the entire Brasd’OrLakes and watershed, and a way of assessing and undertaking site specific work.
  • This model of the Plan would include a number of overall agreements among all partners including those related to: vision, purpose, objectives, governance structure, principles, issue analysis, etc (largely already developed through the CEPI Terms of Reference) as well as the provision to develop sub-watershed specific plans similar to what is underway in the DenysBasin watershed.
  • The Chair described the two planning studies that have taken place in the DenysBasinsub-watershed in the past few years which have assessed issues and concerns and developed potential management actions. Some of this work involved sending questionnaires and information to all residents (both permanent and seasonal) in this area. Work is currently underway there to develop these action plans into projects and funding proposals. The CEPI could commit to undertake similar work in the other 11 sub-watersheds which would help assess and develop specific actions for these areas. This would be seen as a way of both engaging the broader community and being able to produce some tangible results.
  • Rick M felt that this approach would be a good way of engaging the broader community into the work around the lakes especially if community partnerships were developed in each of the other sub-watersheds. Rick was uncertain if this approach would prevent some big picture issues from being addressed if the focus is at a smaller scale.
  • Robert L thought that this model may be a good way of engaging local people, many of which are not well represented through CEPI. He emphasized that communication to the general public through newsletters, a website, press releases, etc. about CEPI needs to be improved.
  • Rick M. asked if we may be ready to send out a questionnaire to all residents in the watershed asking about specific environmental issues. He emphasized that the issue analysis done by SCI was broader than just environmental issues and the general public was not involved but rather selected representatives. Sharon C. suggested that the questionnaire may be part of a Communications Strategy.
  • Jason suggested that the overall Plan would likely have different aspects including: restoration plans (like what is taking place in River Denys), governance plan (like CEPI’s Terms of Reference), communication plan, issue identification plan, regulatory improvement plan (Inter-municipal Planning Strategy) but that it would all go together to make the overall plan.
  • Sharon mentioned that we need a process of identifying priority issues that become the focus of our effort
  • Rick mentioned that we need to develop some more specific goals associated with each of the objectives from our Terms of Reference.

Stewardship Society Letter:

  • Rick mentioned a letter sent from the Bras d’Or Stewardship Society to the members of the Pitu’paq Committee seeking assistance with the general issue of land-use planning. He mentioned that Pat Bates was going to address the CEPI about it the next day at the Steering Committee meeting.
  • The group discussed our previous intention to have an information session related to the Inter-municipal Planning Strategy and agreed that we should organize a presentation regarding this and land-use planning in general, including the political aspects, at the next CEPI Steering Committee meeting in February. Rick offered to do the presentation.
  • Rick mentioned that it would also be useful to have a municipal government meeting to discuss the resources and other issues regarding undertaking an Intermunicipal Planning Strategy.

Other:

  • The group agreed to meet every 2 weeks until the end of March to try to get a draft prepared. Jason will send out a potential schedule of dates.

NaugJ17/10/20181.

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