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.


SearchHomeBack to GovernmentContact Us


All material copyright the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. No unauthorized copying or redeployment permitted. The Government assumes no responsibility for the accuracy of any material deployed on an unauthorized server.
Disclaimer/Copyright/Privacy Statement