Goals and Objectives

• Agreements: Conservation Agreement with the forest industry will secure 275 acres of high quality wetlands and associated uplands within their forest management area. An agreement with a municipality will secure 500 acres of wetland and other wildlife habitats within their jurisdiction.

Activities
Securement

• Municipal Conservation Agreements: Conservation agreements are an integral part of the Municipal Stewardship Program and will provide securement of 500 acres of wetland and associated upland for the purpose of conservation and future enhancement.
• Corporate Conservation Agreement: A long-term conservation agreement with a forestry company for 275 acres of wetland and associated upland will balance the habitat needs with the commercial forestry activities.

Stewardship

• Municipal Stewardship Program: The municipal stewardship program will influence attitudes and activities on an additional 500 acres of wetlands and associated uplands within municipal jurisdiction.
• Conservation & Stewardship Extension Program: This activity will provide for the continued reinforcement of the stewardship concept with the signatories of previous stewardship agreements. These agreements account for 30,683 acres secured and 301,353 acres influenced. Professional biological and habitat advice and direction will be provided to assist the signatories in fulfilling the terms of their agreements and the implementation of their wetland management plans. Activities will include regular contact and meetings with the executive of the Stewardship Association of Municipalities, town councils, rural development associations, environmental committees, corporations, private landowners etc.

Enhancement

• Eider Nest Structures: Eider nesting habitat on coastal islands will be improved. The delivery agent will work with the Labrador Inuit Association and/or local development associations to construct and install 110 eider nesting shelters (110 acres) to reduce nest depredation by gulls.

Management

• Existing NAWMP projects (water control structures, eider nest structures and common goldeneye nest boxes) will be inspected, operated and/or maintained resulting in maximum use and efficient operation.

Evaluation

• Directed Studies: Field studies and monitoring programs will be implemented to provide data required to support the development and maintenance of the enhanced landform associated with the "Tailings to Biodiversity Project."

Recon and Design

• Conceptual engineering design required for the implementation of the "Tailings to Biodiversity Project." In conjunction with the Iron Ore Company of Canada, an adaptive approach to habitat design will be developed that will allow for each stage of landscaping of the deposited tailings to benefit from the results and lessons learned from the previous construction and design work to ensure that maximum habitat and ecological benefits are achieved.

Coordination
(NAWCA funds will not be used towards the delivery of this activity.)

• The EHJV Provincial Program Manager will coordinate the planning, implementation and monitoring of this project to ensure consistency with procedures, policies and plans of the EHJV.  DU will incur the approved allocation of direct and indirect national conservation expenditures. 

Specific Habitat Products/Results to be Supported by WHC's Contributions

• One municipal wetland stewardship agreement will be signed that will secure 500 acres of wetlands and associated uplands, and influence another 500 acres. Negotiations with prospective municipalities will determine which is conducive to an agreement at this time. Possible candidates are associated with the Conne River and the Upper Salmon River drainage basins with the associated municipalities being Conne River, Milltown and St. Albans.
• After the agreement is signed, support is provided to all of the stewardship communities through the Stewardship Extension Program that is supported by WHC's contribution. This program currently involves 16 municipalities and addresses a total of 332,036 acres of wetland and associated uplands. 
• The habitat conservation message is reinforced through relationships (e.g. meetings, phone/face to face contact) with the EHJV conservation staff and the Stewardship Association of Municipalities. Support and advice is provided to the municipalities on development proposals, and a Conservation Plan specific to the wetlands and associated uplands identified within the agreement will be developed to assist the municipality in complying with the terms of the agreement.

Wetland Habitat and/or Waterfowl Achievements/Benefits

• The nature of human settlement in Newfoundland and Labrador has resulted in many municipalities being associated with what has also been identified as prime waterfowl habitats. Municipal governments have jurisdiction over large areas of watersheds. Drinking water and flood control have been the primary reasons for wetland conservation, however, wildlife values and sustaining biodiversity are not usually addressed. Developments with a footprint less than 10 hectares are normally not required to undergo an environmental assessment. Municipal governments are susceptible to being pressured to allow development that could result in the degradation of productive wetlands. The cumulative effect of such development may eventually render these wetlands and associated uplands unsuitable for waterfowl and other wildlife. The Municipal Wetland Stewardship Program increases the profile of wetlands and waterfowl within the municipal planning process. 
• Land/water planning and uses are subject to the terms of the agreement and reinforced through an increase in awareness and sense of responsibility. 
• Important wetlands and associated uplands will be protected from adverse development through designation as protected under the municipal planning process. 

Relevance to Habitat Planning, Decision Making and/or Management

• Under the Municipalities Act, municipal governments are given the primary responsibility to manage and control development within their jurisdictional boundaries. Much development can take place without triggering the environmental review process. Development on crown lands within municipal boundaries may be subject to interdepartmental review, however, it could proceed in spite of concerns being expressed by some departments.  Involvement by the municipal governments in the wetland stewardship program will influence their planning, and decision making related to proposed development adjacent to or within wetlands. This will impact on any individuals or agencies that have plans to develop within the town's jurisdiction. 
• The program also encourages developers to consider options to reduce impact on sensitive wetland areas where development may be beyond the town's control. Cooperating with industry has resulted in major contributions to wetland conservation and stewardship. 
• Corner Brook Pulp and Paper identifies the Upper Humber Wetlands Complex as one of its special places. The Iron Ore Company of Canada supports the Municipal Wetland Stewardship Program in Labrador West and manages its tailing sites as part of a biodiversity project that is serving as a good example to the rest of the mining industry.

Project Location

Project Contact
For more information on this project, please contact Gerry Yetman, Eastern Habitat Joint Venture Program Manager, Newfoundland and Labrador Dept. of Environment and Conservation, Inland Fish and Wildlife Division, Corner Brook, Newfoundland.