Another St. Anne’s Mission has come and gone and, thanks to the dedication of the teams of workers organized by the Pitu’paq partnership, it was cleaner both during the Mission and afterwards.

Once again, students from the Nova Scotia Youth Corps were involved in the recycling and waste disposal program. They worked weeks before the Mission began to get the site ready, clearing debris and sprucing up the Island and putting a recycling program in place. Boatload after boatload of garbage was removed from the Island to be properly disposed of.

This year, there was also a forestry program in place that removed diseased and fallen trees from the Sacred Path, service roads and cabins.

UINR’s Laurie Suitor co-ordinated the project, organizing the Youth Corps team, other students from Chapel Island and staff provided by Membertou, Eskasoni and Chapel Island: This year was quite a challenge. Thanks to all the teams that worked tirelsessly to make sure we achieved all our targets and to all of the companies and people who donated goods, services and funding to the success. A special thanks to Nova Scotia Environment, Parks Canada and the Aboriginal Forestry Program for assisting us with funding and, of course, the Pitu’paq partnership.

laurie@uinr.ca

Unama’KIDS got off to a productive start this year participating in the TD Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup. They joined nearly 60,000 volunteers from across the country who helped clean up almost 1,600 different sites.

While picking up debris and garbage along the Whycocomagh shoreline, they counted every piece of garbage and catalogued it to add to the cross-country totals. They found everything from cigarette butts to plastic hose, styrofoam cups and plastic bags. While all the totals aren’t in yet, last year participants removed 135,467 kg of litter from shorelines across the country!

The shoreline cleanup gave Unama’KIDS a chance to be a part of an activity that has a real, measurable effect on the environment. Unama’KIDS Coordinator, Serena Paul explains: The cleanup was more than just collecting trash, is was a great example of communities working together to create solutions that ensure our oceans and waterways are kept clean.

Next year, we hope to expand the cleanup to other Unama’ki communities and involve whole classes in the activity. It’s a great way to spend a beautiful fall day by the Bras d’Or Lakes, helping make a cleaner environment.

serena@uinr.ca

Cape Breton Explorations Ltd.’s plan to erect up to 44 wind turbines has passed the Cape Breton Regional Municipality’s zoning process. This approval includes pumping water from Lake Uist to a reservoir constructed a mile away in the bog on the top of the mountain. There was some opposition to the project expressed at the Council meeting that approved the re-zoning, and a First Nations’ request to be included in the process was considered unnecessary. The re-zoning clears the way for the proponent to clearcut the area and do preliminary work on the project before environmental assessment.

There are concerns that depletion of Lake Uist could result in warming of the waters, leading to algae blooms and a possible anoxic state. Lake Uist is the headwaters for Loch Lomond Lake and Grand River, as well as many small brooks and streams.

Residents have raised concerns that similar projects in the US have had serious consequences, one with repeated breakdowns of the penstock, and the other resulting in a major tragedy when a computer error caused the turbine to keep pumping water up to the reservoir even though it was full, resulting in a 25′ wave that destroyed the forests below and flooded homes.

The site of the proposed reservoir is in a bog on the top of the mountain. It would be two kilometres long, one kilometre wide and about 75 metres deep–the largest “dug” lake in North America. Studies have shown that flooding in a bog area causes the release of a form of mercury, held in the bog, that could contaminate the entire waterway. Backflow is not uncommon with these systems, and could cause a substantial backflow into the Bras d’Or Lakes.

Power from this project will be sold to New England and other US markets and, while available for Nova Scotia Power to purchase, the utility cannot presently use large amounts of power because of technology constraints.

Mi’kmaq concerns, environmental realities, community members fears, and the impact on the adjoining Richmond County environment are issues of concern in the proposed development.

laurie@uinr.ca

From UINR Marten – Vol.3. Issue.4 – Winter 2007

Garbage is a concern in every community and Eskasoni’s is major. At first, the problem seemed insurmountable. Then they came up with the Spring Cleanup Derby involving the whole community. Nearly 450 residents participated, collecting over 3000 bags of garbage in only two days!

Prizes were added incentive. The adults’ grand prize of a 37-inch LCD TV went to Peter Denny who collected 125 bags. The kids’ grand prize of a giant waterslide went to Byson Young. Honourable mention must also go to Joe Allan Francis and Joe Marshall who each collected over 100 bags. All the bags collected went to Guysborough to be incinerated.

A Tire Rally was also held, where people could drop off tires for recycling. Tommy Simon donated his tire de-rimmer and the team took off 200 rims in two days. 1845 tires were hauled away for recycling by Morris Trucking.

Through these efforts, the team has identified illegal dumping areas as a major concern, with Mountain Road as a prime example of putting the community at risk. Through public awareness, the team hopes to stop illegal dumping in Eskasoni with everyone taking responsibility for their own garbage and disposing of it properly.

George Paul sums it all up, “We practice our rights, let’s practice our ways, be responsible, please do not litter.”

From UINR Marten – Vol.3. Issue.2 – Summer 2007