MHW Stewardship Plan Phase 1

The Mabou Harbour Watershed Stewardship Plan

Phase 1

The Mabou Harbour Watershed Stewardship Plan Community Steering Committee

May 22, 2007

___________ ____________ DRAFT – Mabou Harbour Watershed Stewardship Plan: Phase One

Table of Contents

1. Project Background ...................................................................................................1

1.1 Purpose of project ..................................................................................................1

1.2 Structure and methods ...........................................................................................1

1.3 Coordination ..........................................................................................................1

1.4 Purpose of this document .......................................................................................2

2. The Mabou Harbour Watershed ..............................................................................2

3. Guiding Principles......................................................................................................3

4. Issues of Concern in the Mabou Harbour Watershed............................................4

4.1 Water quality..........................................................................................................4

4.2 Sedimentation.........................................................................................................5

4.3 Public education.....................................................................................................5

4.4 Garbage..................................................................................................................5

4.5 Sport fish populations ............................................................................................6

4.6 Water quantity........................................................................................................6

4.7 Outmigration ..........................................................................................................6

5. Visions for the Mabou Harbour Watershed............................................................6

5.1 Recreational boating..............................................................................................7

5.2 Tourism ..................................................................................................................7

5.3 Aquaculture ............................................................................................................8

6. Goals ............................................................................................................................8

7. Conclusion and Path Forward ................................................................................10

8. Contact Information ................................................................................................10

*Cover Photo Credit: Nadine Hunt. Photos throughout the document provided by Shauna Barrington, Nadine Hunt and Danielle Goff (DFO Habitat).


1. Project Background

1.1 Purpose of project The Mabou Harbour Watershed Stewardship Plan is a two-year planning project that aims to address water, coastal and aquatic resource issues in the Mabou Harbour Watershed. The main goal of the plan is to ensure that a clean water supply and a healthy watershed are present for the benefit of all users (including the agricultural, fishing and forestry sectors; residential users; and wildlife). This will be achieved by working together as a community to find positive and constructive means to maintain a healthy watershed, and a sustainable community within it.

1.2 Structure and methods Phase 1 of the project (April 2006 – March 2007) involved identifying the water, coastal and aquatic resource issues that are important to the Mabou Harbour Watershed community. To achieve this, 50 interviews were conducted during the summer of 2006 with residents from different areas of the watershed, as well as from all different sectors, occupations and interests. The main results of these interviews are presented in the following sections of this document. Next, 12 members of the watershed community volunteered to serve on the Community Steering Committee, which was formed in the fall of 2006. The role of this committee is to provide direction to the Stewardship Plan from the community’s perspective. The first meeting was held in November, and the committee has met monthly since then to work on the draft Stewardship Plan. Membership on this committee is open to anyone interested in water issues. As representatives of the watershed community, the committee has reviewed and provided advice and guidance on the Stewardship Plan. In Phase 2 (April 2007 – March 2008), a strategic operational plan will be developed that outlines specific actions to be taken to achieve the Plan’s goals. These actions will be developed by members of the community and experts. In many cases, additional information will need to be gathered. The actions that will be recommended will be appropriate to the social, economic and cultural context of the watershed.

1.3 Coordination This project was initiated by, and is coordinated and administered through, the Mabou Harbour Coastal Management Planning Committee (MHCMPC). This committee of volunteers was formed in 2004 by the Mabou & District Community Development Association. The mandate of the MHCMPC is to maintain and enhance the ecological health of the Mabou Harbour Watershed and to plan for its sustainable development.

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Since 2004, the MHCMPC has worked closely wthe federal Department of Fisheries and Ocea(DFO) and Nova Scotia Fisheries and Aquacultuto initiate an integrated management process for this watershed. The MHCMPC has implementedwater quality monitoring program and regularly participates in the Community Aquatic MonitoProgram (CAMP), which gathers information the health of the local ecosystem. A fourth-yeaF.X.U. student was interned in 2005 to write a comprehensive report for this watershed1. In 2006the MHCMPC obtained funding to coordinate

development of a Stewardship Plan. This project is funded under the Canada-Nova Scotia Water Supply Expansion Program, an initiative under the federal-provincial-territorial Agricultural Policy Framework funded by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and the NovaScotia Department of Agriculture.

1.4 Purpose of this document This is a community-scoped document that summarizes the community’s opinions, perceptions and knowledge with respect to watershed-related issues. This document summarizes the findings to date, and presents the main issues, visions, and overarching goals that were developed during the first phase of this project. We sought endorsement of this Stewardship Plan from the general public. The public provided comments, questions, concerns and suggestions by contacting the Community Watershed Coordinator (see page 12 for contact information) and/or by attending the open meeting of the Community Steering Committee held on March 1, 2007 at 7:30 p.m. at the Mabou Volunteer Fire Hall. 2. The Mabou Harbour Watershed A watershed is the area of land that drains into a body of water. It is an extensive network of streams, rivers, ponds, wetlands, surface and groundwater that all flow into a lake or ocean. The Mabou Harbour Watershed is located on the western shore of Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia. The watershed is composed of three main rivers (the Northeast, the Mull, and the Southwest Rivers). The Southwest River actually begins on the north side of River Denys Mountain. These three rivers collect water from streams and springs as they flow from higher elevations into Mabou Harbour, and eventually into the Gulf of St. Lawrence. The blue lines on the following map outline all the tributaries that drain into Mabou Harbour. This area covers about 370 km2 of land.

1 MacLean, V. 2005. Towards an Integrated Coastal Management Approach for Mabou Harbour and Watershed. Fourth year Interdisciplinary Studies in Aquatic Resources project, St. Francis Xavier University.


Besides the village of Mabou itself, the Mabou Harbour Watershed includes the following communities: Mabou Harbour, West Mabou, Southwest Mabou, Hillsborough, Brook Village, Nevada Valley, Mull River, Glencoe Mills, MacLeod Settlement, Glendyer, Smithville, and Glenora Falls.

3. Guiding Principles Open communication among watershed stakeholders is essential in order to ensure the timely exchange of information and to foster a greater understanding of each other’s perspectives. Positive working relationships between watershed community members are essential to achieving this open communication. Community members involved in this process need to be committed to participating with an open mind and a solution-orientated attitude. A few principles to guide the decision-making process (based on key words used by participants in the interviews) are outlined below:

o Respect: Interactions between stakeholders must occur in a respectful, understanding and positive manner.

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o Recognition: The historical and present contributions of the different sectoral watershed users (e.g., farmers, fishermen, foresters, businesses) to this community must be recognized.

o Collaboration: A spirit of cooperation between stakeholders will build meaningful

working relationships. This will also foster constructive dialogue about potential solutions that are feasible for the parties involved.

o Transparency: Open and ‘up-front’ communication between all parties will build

trust. o Inclusiveness: A stakeholder is any person who lives, works, or otherwise uses

the Mabou Harbour Watershed. This plan will be based on the input of all stakeholders.

o Balance: Trade-offs between the environment and the economy must always be

considered in decision-making, so that one does not always take precedence over the other.

o Cultural Integrity: The unique culture and heritage of this community must not be

negatively impacted by any decisions in this process. 4. Issues of Concern in the Mabou Harbour Watershed The following is an overview of the top concerns of stakeholders in the Mabou Harbour Watershed. It is based on the interviews with community members. Input was also sought from government representatives and experts who are familiar with this watershed.

4.1 Water quality Although many people felt that the overall water quality in the Mabou Harbour Watershed (both freshwater and marine) is good, water quality is still a top priority concern. People want to have safe, clean water to drink, and also for food production (e.g., dairy and beef production, shellfish harvesting) and for recreational purposes (such as swimming and kayaking).

The issue of quality covers a wide range of topics, but the main threat to water quality in the Harbour is seen as the sewage treatment plant in Mabou. Besides the possible environmental impact, interview participants have also identified the treatment plant as being aesthetically unpleasant. Other potential impacts to water quality included run-off from agricultural operations, malfunctioning septic tanks, or simply natural sources (e.g. wildlife).

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The presence of bacteria in both the marine environment and in drinking water supplies is a concern for interviewees. The upper part


of the Harbour is currently closed to shellfish harvesting2, and some homeowners in the watershed have detected high levels of fecal coliform and E. coli in their wells. There is also concern that there may be chemical inputs to drinking water supplies and the marine environment from the same potential sources listed above, among others. Many people expressed the opinion that there was simply not enough information about this watershed.

4.2 Sedimentation Many people have observed that the deposition of sediments in the Harbour has been causing it to fill in. For example, interview participants mentioned that there is a picture of a ship docked at the Mabou Harbour Lighthouse in the early 1900’s that is taller than the lighthouse itself. This may indicate that the Harbour was indeed much deeper than it is today, since only boats with less than a seven-foot draft are currently able to get into the Harbour. Scientific data would need to be gathered to further support these types of observations. Typically, infilling decreases water levels, making the Harbour difficult to navigate. Infilling may also have implications for fish populations. As sediment gets deposited, the type of bottom present in the Harbour may change from a rocky or gravel bottom to a soft mud bottom. This changes the type of habitat that is available for bottom-dwelling creatures (such as lobsters or oysters), which may prefer one type of substrate to the other. The erosion of shorelines in the lower watershed and stream banks in the upper watershed has contributed to this accumulation of sediments. Sedimentation can be attributed to natural causes, but there is also a concern that some of it may be related to human activities (and therefore can be improved). Particular areas in the watershed where sediment deposition has been observed are the Landing, the cove beside Mabou Bridge, the Northeast Cove, and the Channel at the entrance to the Harbour. Again, more information would need to be gathered on this topic.

4.3 Public education Many people interviewed felt that more public education about watersheds and ecosystem functioning is needed, so that the public can make informed decisions about actions that may impact the watershed. Public education (including both the general public and school-aged children) was seen as the most effective method of promoting a sense of responsibility for the watershed.

4.4 Garbage People were also concerned about the garbage that they see around the watershed. This includes the following: • litter (refuse and recyclables thrown from vehicles, boats, or washed up on our shores);

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• illegal dumpsites (abandoned cars or appliances that often accumulate at a particular spot in the woods);

2 MacArthur, D., Craig, C. & Walter, D. 2004. Re-evaluation Report: Nova Scotia Shellfish Growing Area NS-05-010-001 Mabou Harbour. Environment Canada: Environmental Protection Branch. Manuscript Report No. EP-AR-2004-10.


• oil that is spilled on the ground or in waterways (accidentally or intentionally); and • the practice of burning plastics instead of recycling them (which can release toxic

substances, such as dioxin, into the air and water).

4.5 Sport fish populations Recreational fishing for trout and salmon is a popular pastime in this watershed for both locals and tourists alike. According to many people interviewed, the salmon populations in this watershed have been declining over the last century. The main cause of this decline is felt to be habitat damage from old mills and log drives. According to those interviewed, trout populations have been improving over the last few years. The Inverness South Anglers Association has been carrying out extensive habitat restoration work in the watershed. Several people felt that this work has contributed to an improvement in both trout and salmon populations.

4.6 Water quantity The availability of a constant supply of water is a concern, mainly for the residents of the village of Mabou. According to many people interviewed, the water supply in Mabou had almost gone dry a few years ago. Also, the residents in the north end of Mabou are prone to low water pressure and completely lose their water on a regular basis. Some people on well systems were also concerned about their wells going dry, particularly if the seasons start to become drier. In general, farmers were not concerned about an adequate supply of water for their operations, since their current sources were meeting their needs, but some were concerned about an acceptable source of water for their cattle. Most people, however, agreed that they might not be concerned about water quantity right now, but that they would be if they didn’t have it. Therefore, this issue could become a higher priority in the future.

4.7 Outmigration People felt that in general there are limited opportunities for employment in this watershed. As a result, many people (particularly young people) must leave the area in order to make a living. Interview participants felt that this outmigration of people has large social and economic consequences for this area. 5. Visions for the Mabou Harbour Watershed Most people who were interviewed would like to address the above issues so that there will always be a healthy watershed for their children to enjoy. A healthy Mabou Harbour Watershed was described as one that:

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• Provides a clean, constant water supply for all users; • Supports healthy fish and wildlife populations; • Has healthy forests; • Presents enough economic opportunities for people to remain in (or return to) the

community. In essence, interviewees wanted a healthy environment, a healthy economy and a vibrant community. These three areas of concern are embodied in the concept of sustainable development. Sustainable development is usually defined as development that “meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.”3 It is a continuous decision-making process in which the environment, the economy and society as a whole are in balance with each other. Most people interviewed agreed that economic growth must be encouraged in the watershed, but not in a way that it compromises the health of the very resources that it depends upon. People felt that several small, diversified operations would be more appropriate for this area than any one large company locating here. In addition to supporting the traditional resource-based industries in the watershed, people would like to see more recreational boating, tourism and aquaculture in the future.

5.1 Recreational boating Most people would like to see the Harbour used more for recreation, particularly boating. Being out on the water gives a different perspective of the watershed, and would help foster a stronger appreciation for it. Many people felt that an emphasis should be placed on promoting the use of kayaks, canoes and sailboats, so that the peacefulness of the area is maintained. This would also lessen the environmental impacts from motorized craft (e.g., oil spills, fumes). In order for people to be able to get out on the water more, public access to the water at different points around the Harbour should be improved. For instance, the docking facility at the bridge in Mabou would need to be expanded to allow more people (particularly tourists) to dock their boats there.

5.2 Tourism In addition to the ceilidhs, square dances and other local cultural events, many tourists are attracted to the area by the natural beauty of the Mabou watershed. Many people interviewed felt that tourism is a good thing, since it supports many local businesses. However, many also

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3 Cicin-Sain, B. & Knecht, R.W. 1998. Integrated Coastal and Ocean Management: Concepts and Practices. Washington, D.C.: Island Press, p. 84.


felt that the annual influx of tourists should not compromise the cultural uniqueness of the community.

5.3 Aquaculture

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Most people interviewed were supportive of oyster aquaculture in the Harbour, as it would provide jobs and would likely help improve the water quality of the Harbour (since oysters feed by filtering the water). People felt that a few small, locally run operations would be appropriate. It would also be important to keep the amount of gear to a minimum (e.g., buoys, suspended gear), so that other uses are not unduly affected (e.g., boating). All of these potential future uses would help build appreciation for the watershed and build the economy. However, people in the interviews stressed that the area should not become ‘overrun’ with boats, tourists or aquaculture leases. Finding the right balance between the economy, the environment, and the cultural characteristics of this community, in a way that all users can benefit, is key. 6. Goals The following overarching goals will provide the future direction of the Stewardship Plan. They are based on the interviews and have been reviewed by the Community Steering Committee and the general public. Below each goal is a description of potential strategies and/or actions to reach these goals, which are presented here as examples only. These strategies will be developed further in Phase 2, as more information is gathered. Goal 1: Improve both fresh water and marine water quality for agricultural use, residential use, commercial use, and as habitat for fish and wildlife. Potential strategies to reach this goal, as suggested by interview participants, may include: • Update the sewage treatment plant. • Identify infrastructure needs desired by sectoral watershed users that will help improve

water quality. Goal 2: Reduce sedimentation in the watershed to improve accessibility of the Harbour and to improve fish habitat. Potential strategies to reach this goal, as suggested by interview participants, may include: • Identify areas of erosion that can be remediated or prevented. • Determine if and where the Harbour could be dredged.


Goal 3: Promote environmental stewardship and responsible land-use practices. Potential strategies to reach this goal, as suggested by interview participants, may include: • Educate the public about watersheds and ecosystem functioning. • Recognize and promote the positive actions that sectoral users or individuals have taken

to protect the environment (e.g., environmental farm plans, adoption of Beneficial Management Practices).

• Work with interested sectors (e.g., farming, fishing, forestry) to determine acceptable ways to implement sector-specific best management practices.

Goal 4: Reduce the amount of garbage in the watershed. Potential strategies to reach this goal, as suggested by interview participants, may include: • Organize garbage clean-up days in the watershed that include an educational component. • Determine the best strategy to address and remediate illegal dumpsites. • Public education about the effects of oil spills and burning plastics. Goal 5: Improve and maintain fish habitat, particularly habitat that supports salmon and trout populations. Potential strategies to reach this goal, as suggested by interview participants, may include: • Identify areas that need improvement. • Carry out habitat restoration projects in these areas. Goal 6: Ensure all users (including commercial and residential) have an adequate and reliable water supply. Potential strategies to reach this goal, as suggested by interview participants, may include: • Promote the conservation of water. • Determine if there are infrastructural opportunities to increase the quantity of water

available in the Mabou water supply, if necessary. Goal 7: Foster an understanding of and appreciation for sectoral activities that have made both historical and present contributions to this community. Potential strategies to reach this goal, as suggested by interview participants, may include: • Public education about where food comes from, how it is produced, and how it is

harvested (e.g., farming and fishing operations).

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Goal 8: Promote the concept of sustainable development. Potential strategies to reach this goal, as suggested by interview participants, may include: • Promote the use of non-motorized recreational vessels in the watershed, including to

outside users (e.g., sailing tourists). • Identify infrastructure needs to improve access to the Harbour for both locals and tourists

alike, such as expanding the available docking facilities. • Encourage the development of a sustainable aquaculture strategy for the Harbour. 7. Conclusion and Path Forward We have sought feedback from the public on this document, particularly on the goals described within it. Comments, questions, concerns and suggestions were forwarded to the Community Watershed Coordinator (details below). An open meeting of the Community Steering Committee was also held on March 1, 2007, at which the community unanimously approved this Stewardship Plan. This document is a summary of Phase 1 of the Stewardship Planning project. It has identified the community concerns and indicates the direction that the Stewardship Plan is moving in. In Phase 2, an overall operational strategy will be designed based on community input, scientific information and expertise. If you wish to be involved in the further development of strategies to reach any of these particular goals, please do not hesitate to join the Steering Committee. We are always open to new members. 8. Contact Information Community Watershed Coordinator Shauna Barrington Office: 945-2771 Cell: 258-5654

Fax: 945-2324 Email: [email protected]

Community Steering Committee Members Donnie Nicholson (Chair) Lynette Babin (Secretary) Bonnie Jean MacDonald Alec MacNeil Cheryl Gallant

Daniel Rankin Graham Pottinger Betty Ann MacQuarrie Nadine Hunt Robbie Sutherland

Mary MacPhee Leo Cox Suzanne Craig

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mailto:[email protected]

MHW Stewardship Plan Phase 1

Documents

Transcript of MHW Stewardship Plan Phase 1