NLIS 32
March 21, 2005
(Environment and Conservation)
(Natural Resources)
(Transportation and Works)
Strategic initiatives
to safeguard our natural heritage
Government today announced several
strategic initiatives in Budget 2005 that demonstrate its continued
commitment to protecting and enhancing our environment and natural
heritage.
Environmental Clean-up
Environmental priorities in Budget 2005 include $1 million for
environmental clean-up at the former military site in St. Anthony
this year. "Addressing contaminated sites is something government
takes seriously," said Environment and Conservation Minister Tom
Osborne. "The funding announced today builds on the approximately $1
million that government spent on clean-up work at the St. Anthony
site in 2004. We will continue to take action to evaluate and
clean-up contaminated sites around the province on a priority
basis."
The $1 million will be used to complete the clean-up of PCB
contaminated material and hydrocarbon fuel contamination at the
former military site. A tender for environmental clean-up will be
issued this spring, which will outline details of the remediation
work required to be undertaken this year.
Road Salt Management
Government will also take steps to address road salt management. Tom
Rideout, Minister of Transportation and Works, said, "My department
has provided an additional $700,000 this year, for a total of $1
million, to initiate a five-year salt management plan. These monies
will provide for the construction of salt storage domes and mixing
pads, to prevent ground and groundwater contamination. Furthermore,
this will enable the province to address Environment Canada�s new
national protocol for the safe handling and use of road salt."
Addressing Climate Change
Demonstrating its commitment to doing its part to address climate
change, government has allocated $300,000 in Budget 2005 for climate
change initiatives. "Climate change is a challenging and serious
environmental issue facing us today," said Minister Osborne.
"Government is committed to taking action to lower greenhouse gas
emissions and help create a cleaner, healthier environment for
Newfoundlanders and Labradorians."
Minister Osborne said the $300,000 will be used to aid in the
implementation of various components of a provincial Climate Change
Action Plan, which government will release this spring, as well as
initiatives identified under a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)
with the federal government on addressing climate change. The
province hopes to sign the MOU with the federal government within a
few weeks.
Provincial Parks Investment
Central to ensuring the protection of our natural environment
and unique landscapes is a well-developed provincial parks system.
Recognizing this, government had announced $250,000 in Budget 2005
for upgrades to La Manche Provincial Park this year, which will
include the installation of a comfort station and related
facilities.
"This is the beginning of a long-term investment strategy for our
provincial parks," said Minister Osborne. "Government will continue
to upgrade our provincial parks on an annual and priority basis. Our
parks not only protect and conserve our sensitive ecosystems, they
also provide a high quality outdoor recreational experience for
visitors and contribute to our province�s eco-tourism industry."
Inland Fisheries Enforcement
The province�s valuable wildlife and inland fish resources are an
important part of our natural heritage � their protection and
conservation are a priority for government. As such, despite the
fact that the protection of inland waters is a federal government
responsibility, Ed Byrne, Minister of Natural Resources, announced
$800,000 to combat organized poaching operations on the province�s
rivers. (See News Release - Government
makes new investment to curb salmon poaching)
Mealy Mountains Caribou Monitoring Program
Funding has been allocated in the amount of $367,800 for a Mealy
Mountains caribou monitoring program in Labrador to ensure the
protection of the herd during the construction and operation of
Phase III of the Trans Labrador Highway (TLH). The caribou
monitoring program will involve distribution surveys, satellite
collaring and annual surveys to monitor caribou movement, migratory
behaviour, as well as population health. The monitoring program will
get underway in the spring 2005 and continue during the development
of the TLH. (See News Release - Budget 2005 affirms commitments to
Labrador development)
"Government is committed to ensuring the highest level of protection
possible for our Mealy Mountains caribou," said Minister Osborne.
"We are confident that this monitoring program will support the
preservation of this distinct caribou herd."
Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Science
Fundamental to prudent wildlife and natural resources management
decisions is a strong research program. Government has, therefore,
provided $300,000 for the Department of Environment and
Conservation�s Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Science in
Corner Brook.
"Government is committed to broadening its knowledge and research
capacity to ensure the wise use and conservation of our natural
heritage," said Minister Osborne. "The institute will help enhance
the province�s wildlife and ecosystem research programs through
partnerships with Memorial University, students, and other academic
researchers."
The institute is headquartered at Memorial University�s Sir Wilfred
Grenfell College. It will be staffed by two people in late spring
2005, at which time it will become fully operational.
Media contact:
Sonia Glover, Environment and Conservation, (709) 729-2575, 682-6612
Carmel Turpin, Natural Resources, (709) 729-5282, 685-4625
Lori Lee Oates, Transportation and Works, (709) 729-3015, 690-8403
2005 03 21
3:40 p.m. |