Bras d'Or Green Craft Challenge

This weekend marks the launch of the Bras d'Or Green Craft Challenge --a project to encourage boaters to practise clean boating habits and take steps to discharge their on-board sewage and garbage at appropriate sites.

"We want to point out the increasing damage and risks to our beautiful lake," said Pat Bates, chair of the Bras d'Or Stewardship Society. "This initiative is an effort to educate those using the lake on responsible practices."

The Bras d'Or Green Craft Challenge focuses on education and awareness of the issues and emphasizes what boaters can do to reduce their impact. It is a project of the Nova Scotia Youth Conservation Corps in the area. Youth corps members promote best management practices for sewage, solid waste, fuel handling and the use of alternative products at regattas and events across the area.

"We know the level and incidence of bacteria and contaminants in the Bras d'Or Lake is increasing, and the discharge and dumping from boats contributes to the overall problem, which also includes sewage and waste discharge from a number of other sources," said Environment Minister Michel Samson. "We don't want to discourage people from using the lake, but we do want people to be aware of their responsibility in protecting it."

The youth corps representatives will educate recreational boaters this summer by distributing information on steps that can be taken to safeguard the lake. Boaters who do not have on-board holding tanks or port-o-potties will be encouraged to equip their craft. Marina operators will be encouraged to provide dumping stations where sites are not already equipped.

The Bras d'Or Green Craft Challenge is one of dozens of community-based projects carried out this summer by the Nova Scotia Youth Conservation Corps. The projects provide valuable work experience for people between the ages of 17 and 24 and often open the doors to new career paths and opportunities. The communities hosting these crews benefit, too, through improvements to their environment.

Events to kick off the Bras d'Or Green Craft Challenge will be held Saturday, July 10, in St. Peter's, and Sunday, July 11, in Baddeck.