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What is the Bras d’Or Collaborative Environmental Planning Initiative (CEPI)?

The Bras d’Or Collaborative Environmental Planning Initiative (CEPI) represents a cross-section of government departments (First Nation, federal, provincial and municipal), as well as local industry, academics, NGOs, and community members with a role or interest in the environmental management of the Bras d’Or. The CEPI strives to lead this unique collaboration of partners and incorporate both traditional and western perspectives. The intent of the CEPI is to develop an overall management plan for the Bras d’Or lakes and watershed lands and to facilitate its implementation by government departments and other relevant interests. A balance of environmental, social, cultural, and institutional objectives will be pursued in the development of this plan to ensure the health and sustainable use of the Bras d’Or lakes and watershed. The CEPI does not represent a new level of government nor does it have any legislative authority on its own, but relies on the existing government partners to act under their respective jurisdictions. The Unama’ki Institute of Natural Resources (UINR), a group representing the five First Nation Bands on environmental issues, are playing a lead role in facilitating this process, with support from various partners. For more information on the CEPI, please contact: Shelley Porter or Anthony Morris, CEPI Coordinators, Unama’ki Institute of Natural Resources (902) 379-1343/1496.

What are some of the key environmental issues being considered by the CEPI?

Based on a review of previous workshops, projects, and consultations that have taken place, a series of key environmental issues have been identified for the Bras d’Or lakes and watershed lands. The key issues include:

  • Forestry (clear cutting and logging roads)
  • Sewage (on-site, central, boats)
  • Land Use (mining, agriculture, shoreline development, landfills, roads)
  • Invasive Marine Species (MSX, Green Crab, Tunicates)
  • Declining Fish Stocks (Oysters, Lobster, Herring)

While these have been some of the key environmental issues raised and discussed, work to validate and examine ways to better address them continues. The CEPI would also like to ensure that other issues, whether occurring in your local community or across the whole Bras d’Or area are not missed. Feel free to contact us to let us know if we’ve missed anything.

How long has the CEPI been in existence and what has it done to date?

The CEPI arose in 2003 in response to the First Nation Chiefs in Cape Breton requesting to develop an overall management plan for the Bras d’Or Lake and watershed lands. It was recognized that while there were a number of government departments working in the Bras d’Or relating to the environment, that many of the issues were not being addressed and some appeared to be worsening. Initial efforts involved reaching a common understanding and agreement to work toward an overall management plan among the various levels and relevant departments of government. This has been a challenging but beneficial task given the complexity of jurisdictions involved. There are few examples of similar initiatives, where such a complex mix of government departments at all levels willingly sit around the same table. Subsequent efforts involved some initial engagement of the broader community into this planning process, which continues. Since this time, the CEPI has been making progress in laying the foundation for an overall management plan and has accomplished a number of significant things including:

  • Securing financial and in-kind support from a wide range of partners;
  • Holding two large engagement workshops with approximately 250 attendees;
  • Developing a Bras d’Or Lakes CEPI website and various communication materials;
  • Drafting a Framework document for an overall management plan;
  • Drafting a sub-watershed management plan for the River Denys sub-watershed;
  • Supporting the Collaborative Salmon Initiative to address salmon stock issues as they pertain to the Bras d’Or;
  • Completing a comprehensive ecological and human use overview of the Bras d’Or Lakes and watershed;
  • Holding a two day Traditional Ecological Knowledge workshop;
  • Completed reports on Marine Water Quality and Freshwater resources in the Bras d’Or;
  • Completing a Management Analysis related to how the major issues are addressed;
  • Completing a compendium of Development Standards to assist with land-use planning within the watershed
  • Creating The Spirit of the Lakes Speaks, an innovative management process plan.

How is the Collaborative Environmental Planning Initiative organized?

The CEPI has organized itself to assist in developing this overall management plan and ensuring that the right players are at the table and part of the process. There is a Steering Committee that meets monthly to direct the process with representatives of the relevant government departments from First Nations, federal, provincial and municipal levels, industry, NGOs, community groups, and the local university. There are also issue specific task teams that undertake projects and the general work of the CEPI for approval by the Steering Committee. A Senior Council made up the senior government officials meets annually to provide endorsement and support for the direction taken and to ensure that their departmental priorities are aligned with the CEPI’s priorities. Part of this support includes the funding of a Secretariat to coordinate these efforts as well a First Nation Elder Advisor to provide advice and a Traditional Perspective and serve as a link to the other Elders.

What is a Management Plan for the whole Bras d’Or Lakes and watershed going to look like?

Any plan that covers such a large and diverse area as the Bras d’Or Lakes and watershed would necessarily be broad in scope and approach. As such it will help identify priority issues and methods by which they can be better addressed, whether through organizational and regulatory change, education, communication, or further assessment and monitoring. The CEPI has been discussing this and also envisions a series of smaller sub-watershed plans be developed that will help address specific local issues. These sub-watershed plans will be at a small enough scale that local groups and individuals can be involved in projects that are relevant to them and their communities. A good example has already been advanced in the River Denys Sub-Watershed where a draft Management Plan has been developed and is currently being implemented. It is envisioned that these smaller scale plans be developed for all twelve sub-watersheds at the same time as the overall management plan is being developed.

What are the benefits of developing an overall management plan?

The environmental issues in the Bras d’Or could be approached in two ways. The first would be by pursuing projects on an ad hoc basis based on the interests and resources available. The second way would include projects that are strategic in nature and developed within the context of overall priorities and a plan. The CEPI is taking the latter approach. There are several benefits to pursuing an overall management plan for the Bras d’Or Lakes and watershed. These benefits include that it:

  • Clarifies the vision, purpose, goals, objectives, and principles for improved management;
  • Engages and communicates with all relevant parties (residents, government, industry, NGOs, academics, etc.) on the issues, options, and progress being made;
  • Addresses the existing environmental issues and anticipates and plans for the prevention of other issues;
  • Supports the sharing of issues, information, expertise, research capacity, and financial resources among all relevant governments departments and interests;
  • Supports the coordination of common objective setting, work-planning, policy setting, communications, enforcement, and monitoring among all relevant government departments and interests; and,
  • Clarifies to funding bodies and others the linkages between any individual project or initiative and the overall goals and objectives established for the Bras d’Or.

How can I learn more about the CEPI and possibly get involved?

This website is one way that we are trying to better communicate information to all interested parties about the CEPI and the Bras d’Or Lakes. If after reviewing the material here you still have questions please feel free to contact our CEPI Coordinator, Shelley Porter at (902) 379-1343, or shelley@brasdorcepi.ca to find out more. The CEPI will be seeking feedback from all residents in the watershed through directed mailings in the near future and will rely on your input and involvement to direct our path forward. We look forward to hearing from you.