CREDA File

Welcome to the CREDA File, a monthly column on economic development issues and activities in Cumberland County from the files of the Cumberland Regional Economic Development Association - published monthly in the Citizen newspaper.

November, 2007

 

Cape Chignecto Provincial Park has won a major national award for tourism excellence. The park was presented with the prestigious Parks Canada Sustainable Tourism Award on November 5 in Victoria, BC during Canada’s Tourism Leadership Summit 2007. Presented by the Globe and Mail, the Sustainable Tourism Award recognized Cape Chignecto for making a significant contribution to practicing and promoting sustainable tourism in Canada.

I had the honour and privilege of accepting the award on behalf of CREDA, the Cape Chignecto Management Board, the Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources and most importantly, the hard working and dedicated staff that make the Park the crown jewel of the park system in Nova Scotia. The award is also shared by many other partners who have supported the park’s development over the years, including the Nova Scotia Department of Tourism, Culture and Heritage; the Nova Scotia Department of Economic Development; the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA); Service Canada; and the Municipality of the County of Cumberland.

The Park is community management and operated by CREDA and its sub-committee, the Cape Chignecto Management Board, under the terms of a Management Agreement with Nova Scotia Natural Resources.

If you are a homeowner who depends on a private water and septic system, you can participate in a free program that can protect your family’s health, help the environment, and save you money. The Environmental Home Assessment Program (EHA) offers practical education for those new to septic systems and wells and unsure of how to properly take care of them. Experienced septic/well users may also learn useful new information. The program operates across the province and aims to protect our province’s water systems through offering education to homeowners about caring for septic systems and wells.

The Department of Environment and Labour introduced the EHA program, administered by community groups across the province, last fall. Since then, assessors have visited over 500 homes. Each assessment includes a visit from a qualified home assessor who will give helpful tips and answer questions you may have. The assessor will provide a visual site inspection, a water conservation kit, a $50 rebate on your next septic tank pumping and an information package.
While homeowners are responsible for taking their water samples to a lab and paying the testing fees, the assessor can show you how to collect water samples properly and will provide information about water-testing labs in your area. The assessor will advise on septic care, including keeping harsh chemicals out of your septic system. Homeowners receive a sample of septic friendly cleaning product, and are advised of other substances that should not be flushed down into the septic system.

In the event of septic malfunction or failure, grants of up to $3000 are available to participating households where net annual household income is under $50,000 per year. The grants can be applied to any cost associated with the repair or replacement of septic system components.
The assessor will also advise you how to prevent oil tank spills. A common and avoidable reason for spills is physical damage done to an outdoor tank gauge, lines or valve system when melting snow and ice fall off the house.

Every home assessment is confidential between the homeowner and the assessor, and any contact or identifying information about your house will be held in confidence by the community group who provides the assessment. This information is not shared with any other organizations, including the government, for any reason. For more information or to book an assessment, contact the community group in this area: Clean Nova Scotia 1-800-665-5377

You can find more information about the Environmental Home Assessment Program, well-water testing and maintenance of septic systems and oil tanks at www.gov.ns.ca/enla.

If you have any questions or want further information regarding CREDA call 667-3638. CREDA is Quality System registered to ISO 9001:2000.