Municipal Stewardship Agreement signed with Town of Channel-Port aux Basques

Julie Bettney, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation, with Minister Kelvin Parsons, MHA for Burgeo-LaPoile, announced today the signing of the Municipal Stewardship Agreement with the Town of Channel-Port aux Basques.

"Channel-Port aux Basques contains a wide range of wetland types on which waterfowl depend," said Minister Bettney. "Its bogs, ponds, streams, salt marshes, and barachois are used by ducks and geese for staging, wintering, nesting and brood rearing. It is important that we work cooperatively to ensure these wetlands remain environmentally healthy and biodiverse."

The Eastern Habitat Joint Venture focuses on habitat conservation in the six eastern provinces of Canada. Its goals are to directly secure, enhance and restore important wetlands. It achieves this through partnerships between communities, governments, landowners and businesses. Through its Municipal Stewardship Program, the Newfoundland and Labrador chapter of the Eastern Habitat Joint Venture works with communities to conserve important wetlands within our province.

The endangered species, the piping plover, nests in the Grand Bay West Beach area within the boundaries of Channel-Port aux Basques. This beach also hosts some of the best remaining examples of sand dunes on the island portion of the province. Furthermore, the area also contains an excellent habitat for a number of bird and waterfowl species, as well as significant salt marshes.

"This agreement provides the opportunity for these stewards of our wetlands to share experiences related to the area," said Kelvin Parsons. "These areas are now designated as management units and are protected from destruction and degradation. Our complex sand dunes, endangered species and important salt marshes are part of our community - a community that prides itself on doing its part so that future generations can also appreciate these natural wonders."

The Eastern Habitat Joint Venture will provide Channel-Port aux Basques with consultation on wetland habitat enhancement; wetland interpretation; impact assessment and mitigation of wetland development; and alternatives to wetland development. The town will also receive a habitat inventory and management plan for the zone.

Media contact: Melony O�Neill, Communications, (709) 729-0928

2003 08 20                                     11:00 a.m.