Breaking News. 

Those of you who have been reading my posts about the Big Pond RV Park know that I have been mystified by CBRM's position that they do not have the jurisdiction to consider the environment in their planning decisions.

A brief reminiscience: 

• After the public hearing on the Big Pond RV Park, Planning wrote a reply to the concerns expressed there: Here is a excerpt: 

"To expect a municipality whose jurisdiction covers less than 25% of the Bras d'Or Lake watershed and whose jurisdictional responsibilities don't cover the scope of concerns expressed at the public meeting and in written submissions to take on the role of environmental protector is neither fair nor realistic."

• Councillor Earlene MacMullin  - click on her name to watch a video of her comments on this topic - had this to say: ""It's [the environment] not our jurisdiction. We do zoning changes every single day." 

• Councillor Kendra Coombs - Click on her name to watch her comments on this issue. Councillor Coombs wanted to consider the environmental impacts of this development. 

• Planning  - Click on this word to hear Planning`s comments which ironically warns of a UARB overturn of Council`s decision should they consider the environment. 

• Councillor Steve Gillespie - Click on this word to hear Steve I am an RVer Gillespie`s comments - He seems to be under the impression that the "UNESCO issue" is a federal responsibilty. Start watching at around 100.03. 

So, we know that the CBRM position was, and in some cases still is, that they have no jurisdiction over the environment.

I am super pleased to announce that I finally, after almost 2 years, have received an answer to my question about whether the CBRM has the power to consider the environment when making planning decisions.

YES, they do. 

I received an email from the CBRM director of planning yesterday, Michael Ruus, in which he states that should Council request it, the recommendations and guidelines for development on the Bras d`Or Lake published by The Bras d'Or Lakes Collaborative Environmental Planning Initiative; UNESCO, The CBRM Municipal Climate Change Action Plan and other sources could be followed in the CBRM. 

You cannot separate what happens on the land surrounding the lake from the lake, environementally speaking. 

If Council wants to better protect the  Bras d'Or Lake by adopting development standards, there is nothing stopping them from doing so. 

I must say that trying to get a clear answer on this isuue should not have taken two years. 

I am thinking of a way to do 2 things, maybe some of you reading would like to help? Please send me a message here if so. 

1. Urge CBRM Council to create a transparency and accountabilty policy. 

2. Urge CBRM Council to put policies in place that protect the environmental health of our beautiful Bras d'Or Lake. They have the power.

As it turned out, the UARB ruled that the people who live near where the proposed Big Pond RV park could not be reasonably protected from its visual and sound impacts, and we will see in September whether the NS Court of Appeal thinks that the board made an error in law. 

But regardless of this controversial proposal, the lake must be protected at the municipal level.

I am counting on Council to do the right thing,