What is sustainable development?
Sustainable Development is a process which emphasizes a better future through the harmonization of two essential elements in our society: the economy and the environment.
Why create the Bathurst Sustainable Development Project?
Environmental protection has become a growing interest to us all. In the past few years, the environmental quality of our watershed, especially water quality, has caused concern for citizens in the region.
As a result of these concerns, the New Brunswick Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, with financial aid from the Environmental Trust Fund, founded the Bathurst Sustainable Development Project in August 1995. The overall objective of the project is to set up a long-term mechanism for communication and action among government, business and the community.
The project also encourages residents to take an active part in improving the environmental quality of the Nepisiguit Watershed so that everyone can enjoy a bright and clean future!
Similar projects in different parts of New Brunswick
The Bathurst Project is not the only one of its kind. Throughout the province a number of similar projects have been established. The Bouctouche Sustainable Development Project was created to alleviate pollution problems in their oyster fishery. The project was extended to include the Cocagne Bay and is now looking at integrating the Richibucto area. The Caraquet Sustainable Development Project was also created to improve shellfish harvesting in Caraquet Bay. This project is currently creating a management plan for users of the Bay and will be expanding to include the Shippegan area. Although every project is different, they each seek to achieve one goal: Sustainable Development.
What do we hope to achieve?
Sustainable Development and public participation in Bathurst Sustainable Development Project decision-making! It's you, the public, who determine what initiatives we undertake. Therefore, the more people who contact us with issues, concerns or for more information, the better! If you contact us with a concern, we make it our #1 priority to find out about the problem, who is responsible for it, and what can be done about it. If concerns are addressed and problems are alleviated, we feel we are improving the quality of the life in our watershed. A small step toward Sustainable Development!
Accomplishments
Sanitary shoreline survey
A visual inspection of the Nepisiguit Watershed shorelines took place in the summer and fall of 1995. The overall objective of this study was to establish a database of potential pollution sources possibly affecting our Watershed. This database was created for background in subsequent initiatives.
Resource Centre
A Resource Centre has been open to the public since August 1995 and is always being updated. Documents, photographs, databases, studies, videos, etc. relating specifically to the Nepisiguit Watershed, as well as to general environmental concepts are just some examples of what can be found for public use.
Awareness and education
Our goal for Sustainable Development Awareness and Education is to effectively inform both the general public as well as students in school. A Communications Plan was developed which outlines programs focusing on Sustainable Development for use in the community and in schools.
Beach clean up
One more step toward a cleaner place to live, 500 kg of waste was picked up from the shorelines of the Nepisiguit Watershed.
Household hazardous waste survey
Our project undertook a survey of local automobile dealers, auto part business, garages etc. to determine what they do with their hazardous waste and whether or not they were official recipients of other people's wastes. The result of this survey has been used in conjunction with other useful information to develop an information brochure and newsletter.
Middle River water and septic survey
To assure good water quality for the municipality of Bathurst and Beresford, a survey of water and septic facilities was distributed to the residents of the Middle River Area. The goal of the survey was to create awareness among residents living along the Municipality's drinking water source. Following the survey, well and septic system information leaflets were distributed.
Youghall Beach and Carron Point water and septic survey
A similar initiative to the Middle River Survey, a survey was distributed to residents to find out information on their wells and septic systems. This initiative resulted in numerous complaints from residents in both areas. The survey was followed by an information sheet and a draft report with recommendations has been circulated to Working Group Members.
Partnership with Daly Point Reserve
The Bathurst Sustainable Development Project teamed up with the Daly Point Nature Reserve to update the display board with fauna and flora found in the reserve. We also added information sheets on the Reserve with different themes touching the Reserve. Comments on the display board have been very good.
Decision support system
The NB Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture has retained ICOIN Industries Inc. to design and develop a computer based information management and decision support system for the Nepisiguit River watershed and adjacent coast area.
Gravel pit inventory
Our project undertook an inventory of all abandoned gravel pits, as well as those that were used for other uses (i.e., car cemeteries). The inventory was used to determine if proper closure practises had been undertaken at each of the gravel pits. Gravel pits that are abandoned can cause sedimentation into rivers which in turn could affect fish populations!
Working Group meetings
Every second month our Working Group meets to discuss issues touching the quality of life in our Watershed. The Working Group is made up of local residents, associations, industry, the municipality as well as government agencies. You too are invited to participate and voice your concerns! Your input means a great deal. Everyone is welcome to participate in our meetings.