The Concept

Background

In 1973 the community of Arcata in Northern California were faced with a dilemma - whether to join a regional sewer system, at a cost of approximately $25 million, or go it alone. They were fortunate in having a renowned researcher Dr Bob Gearheart at their disposal. His specialty is in constructed treatment wetlands. He had done some research work previously on treating sewage using constructed wetlands - essentially mimicking natural processes of decomposing pathogens and other sewage pollution. So they decided to use this process to treat their sewage. In doing so they also provided a natural sanctuary for many types of wildlife that were drawn by the extensive series of wetlands. It is now a major tourist attraction, drawing over 150,000 bird-watchers per year, and is no longer considered a sewage treatment plant, but a wildlife sanctuary. They also built an interpretive center that guides visitors through the history and present wildlife at the sanctuary.

Cumberland has an opportunity to capitalize on the natural asset of the Trent/Maple Creek wetland integrated with the vision put forward in the Liquid Waste Management Plan (LWMP) to build a constructed wetland for sewage treatment. Arcata could serve as a model for what we do here.


The Vision

The LWMP will be a jumping off point for a much larger vision.. The overall site would include a series of the sewage treatment wetlands. They would be designed in a manner that would be safe for public access. As in Arcata, the primary treatment would be closed to the public, with the wetlands serving as "polishing" or cleaning up. The man-made wetlands would augment the natural marshes already there, and designed in a manner that would be the least disruptive. A series of trails and boardwalks and viewing platforms would be constructed that would guide visitors through the whole site, providing opportunities to view the wildlife as well An interpretive centre would be built early on in the plan so that visitors could be guided through the site while it develops. The area would be designed as low-impact so as to disturb the natural environment as little as possible. With Cumberland's close proximity to the highway this could be a major tourism draw, providing a natural gateway into the Village, and pointing to Cumberland's other assets, both natural and built.

The Process.

The Village would retain ownership of the whole. A portion of the Village's Infrastructure funds will be used to start development of the wetland. This will be in the form of putting together an overall master site plan, which would then direct the overall site development, including all aspects - tourism, interpretive centre and sewage treatment specifics. A planning group of Cumberland citizens will advise council throughout the project, ensuring appropriate public involvement. This group would then have working sub-committees, consisting of people interested in certain specifics of the project.


The Village envisions the interpretive centre to be built on a high spot adjacent to the existing marsh and be connected via an extensive trail system to other natural features of Cumberland such as the proposed Chinatown site. The Chamber of Commerce has expressed interest in providing a presence in this facility, thus encouraging visitors to enjoy other Cumberland amenities. Various cultural groups would also be incorporated into the project, so that Cumberland's rich ethnic diversity would be represented. Direct economic benefits would be realized in the staff required to run the bookstore and concession located in the Centre. Many spin-offs would be created in the booming bird watching and eco-cultural tourism.