Goals and Objectives

Municipal Agreements: A stewardship and conservation agreement with a municipality will secure 500 acres of wetland and other wildlife habitats within their jurisdiction through the municipal planning process. A further 500 acres of wetland habitat will be influenced through informed decision making during the review of potential developments.

Coastal Stewardship: Agreements with coastal communities will influence activities throughout 500 acres of eider habitat.

Stewardship Extension: The Stewardship Extension Program will provide assistance to the signatories of previous agreements in the implementation of their agreements and associated wetland management plans. These existing agreements account for 31,124 acres secured and 312,353 acres influenced under the municipal program, 61,000 acres under corporate agreement and 2,800 coastal.

Activities
1) 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.

2) Stewardship
Municipal Stewardship Program: Negotiate a stewardship agreement with a municipality to secure 500 acres of wetland and associated upland and to influence a further 500 acres. Conduct field work required to develop a conservation plan.

Coastal Stewardship Program: Negotiate a stewardship agreement with a coastal community to influence 500 hectares of sea duck and colonial seabird habitat. Field-work will be conducted to provide information for the development of a conservation plan which will outline best stewardship practices that would be appropriate for the area.

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.

3) Coordination
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.

Specific Habitat Products/Results to be Supported by WHC's Contributions
One municipal wetland stewardship agreement will be negotiated that will secure 500 acres of wetlands and associated uplands, and influence another 500 acres. Discussions 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. A minimum of one coastal stewardship agreement will be negotiated with a coastal community to influence activity around 500 acres of sea duck and sea bird habitat. After the agreements are signed, support is provided to all of the stewardship communities through the Stewardship Extension Program. This program currently involves 17 incorporated 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.

Benefits to Wildlife
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. The Coastal Stewardship Program will encourage the adoption of best stewardship practices as they relate to sea ducks and sea birds and their habitat by traditional resource users, eco-tourism companies, etc. Nesting, brood rearing and molting activities should be positively influenced by this program.

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. Eco-tourism operators will be encouraged to follow the best practices guidelines being developed under the Coastal Stewardship Program to ensure minimal disturbance to sea ducks and sea birds during sensitive parts of their life cycle.

Project Location
Wetlands and associated uplands located within the jurisdiction of municipalities. These municipalities are located within the Taiga and Boreal Shield Ecozones which correspond with Bird Conservation Regions 7 and 8, Waterfowl Conservation Regions 7, 8 (Labrador), 8.2 (Island of Newfoundland). Coastal program would be associated with coastal islands and surrounding habitat associated with the Pelagic Waterfowl Conservation Region 1003 (Newfoundland and Labrador Shelf).

Some of the water basins being addressed are: Churchill River (Labrador), Codroy River, Southwest Brook, Harry’s River, Gander River, Indian Brook, Shearston Brook, Island Pond Brook, Tides Brook and Rocky River. Possible municipality candidates are associated with the Conne River and the Upper Salmon River drainage basins.

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.