Funds Available For Disaster Debris Cleanup Plan.
As Nova Scotians experience more climate-change related storms, wildfires and flash floods, having a plan to clean up and dispose of the debris that these events can create is essential. People living in Cape Breton Regional Municipality (CBRM) will soon have such a plan.
Timothy Halman, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, announced funding today, October 11, to help CBRM develop a disaster debris management plan, which will improve event debris cleanup and disposal, making communities safer and cleaner after the event.
“We know from our climate risk assessment that we will experience more climate events, which means our communities need to be prepared, proactive and resilient,” said Minister Halman. “When these events strike, we all want our lives and our communities to return to normal as fast as possible. A debris management plan helps speed up the return to normalcy, reduces impacts to people and our environment, protects human health and minimizes the impacts after an event.”
The municipality is receiving funding from the Sustainable Communities Challenge Fund for this work, which will also include restoring and protecting ecosystems that protect natural habitats and wildlife, as well as educating the public about how to manage debris. The funding amount is $162,836.
Quotes:
“The Nova Scotia Federation of Municipalities is pleased to support the Cape Breton Regional Municipality through the Sustainable Communities Challenge Fund. Funded under the adaptation stream, their disaster debris management plan will develop a comprehensive strategy to guide the removal, disposal, recycling and management of debris resulting from an emergency event. Municipalities are on the front lines when it comes to dealing with climate emergencies and the aftermath. This project will help them respond quickly and efficiently, minimize environmental impact and promote resilience in the face of extreme climate events.”
— Juanita Spencer, CEO, Nova Scotia Federation of Municipalities
Quick Facts:
- examples of debris that can be created by storms, wildfires and flooding include displaced or damaged oil and propane tanks, uprooted trees and tree limbs, mud, gravel, sand bags, asphalt from roads, vehicles, spoiled food, household appliances such as fridges and freezers, hazardous household waste such as paint and pool chemicals, dead birds and animals, syringes and other infectious waste, and construction and demolition materials such as lumber, glass, drywall, shingles, insulation and pipes
- a disaster debris management plan sets out procedures, steps and roles to clean up and dispose of waste after an event so the community can return to normal as quickly as possible: – it helps ensure debris does not interfere with emergency services and personnel such as ambulances, utility repair, firefighters or relief teams
- following a cleanup plan can lessen the environmental impact of the debris
- such plans help municipalities control and minimize costs of cleanup and allow for more effective use of resources
- the Sustainable Communities Challenge Fund provides grant funding to municipalities, non-profit and community organizations, post-secondary institutions, and Mi’kmaw communities to help them respond to and prepare for climate change impacts, and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
Additional Resources:
More information on the Sustainable Communities Challenge Fund is available at: https://nschallengefund.ca/
Source : Provincial Release
