Newfoundland and Labrador Coastal and Inland Freshwater Wetlands Stewardship and Conservation 2009-10

Newfoundland and Labrador Coastal and Inland Freshwater Stewardship and Conservation Final Project Report 2009/2010 (pdf)

Goals and Objectives

Municipal Agreements: Stewardship and conservation agreements with municipalities 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 eighteen municipal signatories of previous agreements in the implementation of their agreements and associated wetland conservation management plans.

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 stewardship agreements with municipalities to secure 500 acres of wetland and associated upland and to influence a further 500 acres. Conduct field work required to develop associated conservation plans.

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

3) 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 over 30,000 acres secured and over 300,000 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.

4) 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 seek to secure 500 acres of wetlands and associated uplands, and seek to influence another 500 acres (Hawke’s Bay signed an agreement in 2008-2009). Discussions with prospective municipalities will determine which is conducive to an agreement at this time.

One coastal stewardship agreement will be negotiated with a coastal community seeking to influence activity occurring over 500 acres of sea duck and sea bird habitat (St. Anthony signed the first such coastal agreement in 2008-2009).

After such stewardship agreements are signed, support is provided to all of the stewardship communities through the Stewardship Extension Program. This program currently involves 18 incorporated municipalities and addresses over 300,000 acres of wetland and associated uplands. The habitat conservation message is reinforced through relationships (e.g. meetings, phone/face to face contact) with Eastern Habitat Joint Venture staff and through the Stewardship Association of Municipalities Inc. 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 are developed to assist the municipality in complying with the terms of the agreement.

Benefits to Waterfowl, Wetlands-Associated Species, and/or Other 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 and sea duck habitats. Municipal governments have jurisdiction over large areas of watersheds and wildlife habitat in general. 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. Significantly, 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 wise use 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 moulting activities of Common eider and other sea ducks/seabirds should be positively influenced by this program.

Relevance to Habitat Planning, Decision Making and/or Management

In Newfoundland and Labrador, under the Municipalities Act and the Urban and Rural Planning 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 municipal or coastal stewardship programs will influence their planning and decision making related to proposed development occurring adjacent to or within wildlife habitat. 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.

Project Location

The municipal and coastal stewardship programs are provincial in nature. The municipal program targets wetlands and associated uplands located within the jurisdiction of municipalities, normally within municipal planning boundaries. 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). The scope of the program is thus very broad and is directed at many watersheds throughout the province. Negotiations with prospective municipalities will determine which is most conducive to an agreement. The central candidate currently being considered is the Town of Bishop’s Falls which is associated with the Exploits River drainage basin.

The coastal stewardship program is associated with coastal islands and surrounding habitat associated with the Pelagic Waterfowl Conservation Region 1003 (Newfoundland and Labrador Shelf). The associated drainage region for the entire NL program is the Atlantic Ocean. Currently, the Town of Burgeo which is associated with significant Common Eider and Piping Plover populations on the south coast of NL is the central candidate for our efforts.

Project Contact

For more information on this project, please contact Jonathan Sharpe, Eastern Habitat Joint Venture Program Manager, NL Department of Environment and Conservation, Wildlife Division, Corner Brook, Newfoundland & Labrador.