GBA 2023 - Spring Update

5 www.georgianbay.ca GBA UPDATE Spring 2023 The Coastal Protection Committee completed several projects in 2022 and is actively working on several more for 2023. Developed to help members understand planning regulations and requirements in their municipalities, the GBA Planning Guide https://bit.ly/GBAPlanningGuide aims to complement the excellent resources available on municipal websites but is an additional tool to help synthesize that information with Ontario Government publications and regulations. The second project that was launched in 2022 and will be published in 2023, is the Municipal Planning Comparison Project. The purpose of this project is to compare the planning documents (strategic plans, official plans, and comprehensive bylaws) of the five municipalities where GBA members reside, to determine how these municipalities align or differ. In addition to the comparison, the goal of the project is to initiate conversation between the municipalities to determine how planning regulations could help improve coastal protection. Finally, GBA began putting together a septic system guide to be published this year. This project will provide GBA members with information on their septic systems and the potential alternatives, as well as how to inspect, maintain, and manage your system. We look forward to continuing to provide you with valuable tools to help you protect your Bay and your property for future generations. By Cosette Shipman, GBA Coastal Protection Project Coordinator Coastal Protection Update – Three New Guides for Life on the Bay of Garden River First Nation, and Elder/Getzit Donna Debassige of Anishinabek Nation, to develop the name. Madhabee describes the process they went through as “unique,” bouncing back and forth several words that may have suited the initiative, but once they landed on Biinaagami, “it was like a light bulb went on,” says Madhabee. “Between the three of us, we knew that it was the perfect word: the perfect description of what has to be done and the shared responsibility to make sure the water is here for future generations and that it’s kept clean.” The word was gifted to the collective working on this initiative — and that's when the Biinaagami project truly began to form. The story of choosing one word is emblematic of how the project intends to move forward: in a good way. As it grows, Biinaagami will offer a variety of ways to learn about and inspire people to protect the Great LakesSt. Lawrence watershed. From a giant floor map with augmented reality storytelling, to a digital hub, to free lesson plans for teachers, to a threepart documentary series, to public workshops and beyond, Biinaagami will explore stories, communities, languages, and ecosystems across the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence watershed. Every step of this journey involves meaningful consultation with Indigenous Nations as decision makers, who have been the long-term stewards of the watershed. “I think this is an opportunity for some real education for the public, industries, and stakeholders to see how important water is,” says Madhabee. “But there’s also a fun side to it. I think when people see the sites that are on the big floor map that we have, and the website, they’ll see that there are places they can go where water is clean.” “We want to make sure that water is safe, water is clean,” says Nolan. “Biinaagami. So it benefits everything on this Earth, not just ourselves.” The project is continuously growing and developing. Connect with the Biinaagamii team today to join the movement and stay updated on the latest news and updates at biinaagami.org. COASTAL PROTECTION COMMITTEE Water ceremony at Biinaagami launch

RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NDA3MzU4