Long Point World Biosphere reserve
Long Point World Biosphere reserve
Long Point World Biosphere reserve
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<strong>Long</strong> <strong>Point</strong><br />
Causeway Improvement Plan<br />
2 nd Scientific Conference North Vidzeme <strong>Biosphere</strong> Reserve<br />
Valmiera, Latvia 081113<br />
Brian Craig, Geoffrey Gartshore, Gillian Thompson, Charlotte<br />
Cox, Alex Harrington, Martin Scott, Rick Levick and Paula Jongerden
Presentation Outline<br />
Background on <strong>Long</strong> <strong>Point</strong> <strong>Biosphere</strong> Reserve<br />
<strong>Long</strong> <strong>Point</strong> Causeway Issues<br />
Steering Committee formation<br />
Implementation Plan process and<br />
recommendations<br />
Success / Challenges / Lesson Learned – Path<br />
forward<br />
long <strong>Point</strong> Causeway improvement plan<br />
long <strong>Point</strong> Causeway improvement plan
<strong>Long</strong> <strong>Point</strong> <strong>Biosphere</strong><br />
Reserve
<strong>Long</strong> <strong>Point</strong> <strong>World</strong> <strong>Biosphere</strong> <strong>reserve</strong><br />
Volunteer Board of Directors<br />
members representative of the diverse interests<br />
of those living in the community<br />
Business, municipal planner, biologists,<br />
teachers, naturalists, health professionals,<br />
mechanic, hunters, anglers, cottagers<br />
Board members sit on the board in a personal<br />
capacity<br />
long <strong>Point</strong> Causeway improvement plan<br />
long <strong>Point</strong> Causeway improvement plan
<strong>Long</strong> <strong>Point</strong> <strong>World</strong> <strong>Biosphere</strong> <strong>reserve</strong><br />
The <strong>Long</strong> <strong>Point</strong> <strong>World</strong> <strong>Biosphere</strong> Reserve<br />
Foundation promotes research, monitoring,<br />
education and appropriate projects that support the<br />
goals of conservation and sustainable use in the<br />
<strong>Long</strong> <strong>Point</strong> <strong>World</strong> <strong>Biosphere</strong> Reserve<br />
long <strong>Point</strong> Causeway improvement plan<br />
long <strong>Point</strong> Causeway improvement plan
www.longpointbiosphere.org
CONTEXT<br />
Nationally and Globally important wetland –<br />
RAMSAR, Important Bird Area – Birdlife<br />
International, Canadian National Wildlife Area<br />
One of 15 <strong>Biosphere</strong> Reserves in Canada<br />
A habitat oasis in an otherwise fragmented<br />
landscape<br />
Causeway is a vital community and recreational link<br />
Photo: S. Gillingwater<br />
Photo: S. Gillingwater<br />
Photo: S. Gillingwater<br />
long <strong>Point</strong> Causeway improvement plan<br />
long <strong>Point</strong> Causeway improvement plan
CONCERNS<br />
Causeway isolates Big Creek Marsh habitat<br />
from shoreline and nearshore habitat of Inner<br />
Bay<br />
Hinders wildlife movement, fish passage and<br />
reduces hydrological connections (reducing<br />
flow and nutrient exchange)<br />
Photo: Ecoplans<br />
Significant wildlife road mortality including<br />
Species at Risk.<br />
5 th deadliest road in the world for turtles<br />
including Species at Risk<br />
Community concerns include safety of<br />
motorists, residents, pedestrians and cyclists<br />
Photo: S. Gillingwater<br />
long <strong>Point</strong> Causeway improvement plan<br />
long <strong>Point</strong> Causeway improvement plan
Causeway Improvement Stakeholders
Steering Committee<br />
Photo: S. Gillingwater<br />
long <strong>Point</strong> Causeway improvement plan<br />
long <strong>Point</strong> Causeway improvement plan
FEASIBILITY STUDY - PURPOSE<br />
Identify and develop practical solutions to:<br />
Reduce wildlife road mortality<br />
Improve hydrological connection between Big<br />
Creek Marsh and the Inner Bay<br />
Provide for safe wildlife movement between Big<br />
Creek Marsh and Inner Bay<br />
Photo: S. Gillingwater<br />
Beginning of a process – not the end<br />
Subsequent design stages required<br />
Public/agency input to continue in future<br />
Photo: S. Gillingwater<br />
<strong>Long</strong> <strong>Point</strong> Causeway improvement plan<br />
<strong>Long</strong> <strong>Point</strong> Causeway improvement plan
OPPORTUNITIES RELATED TO ROADWAY IMPROVEMENTS<br />
Safer conditions for motorists, pedestrians, cyclists<br />
Enhanced recreational and tourism opportunities (biking,<br />
birding, fishing)<br />
Requires unified vision – joint efforts with Norfolk<br />
County Planning, Transportation, Servicing<br />
Photo: S. Gillingwater<br />
<strong>Long</strong> <strong>Point</strong> Causeway improvement plan<br />
<strong>Long</strong> <strong>Point</strong> Causeway improvement plan
Feasibility Study Process – Developing the Plan<br />
Phase 1 – Understand Problem and Implementation Priorities<br />
Questionnaire survey to local community<br />
Consultations with Steering Committee<br />
August 2007 Informal Public Meeting – Port Rowan<br />
Literature review and case study review<br />
Phase 2– Review Mitigation Options<br />
Consider comments provided through public input<br />
Further review with Steering Committee (fall 2007 and winter 2008)<br />
Finalized list of options prepared for development in the Improvement<br />
Plan<br />
<strong>Long</strong> <strong>Point</strong> Causeway improvement plan<br />
<strong>Long</strong> <strong>Point</strong> Causeway improvement plan
Feasibility Study Process – Developing the Plan<br />
Phase 3 – Develop and Present Improvement Plan<br />
Visual Plan elements and roadway zone descriptions<br />
Fact sheets – technical aspects<br />
Implementation phasing and temporary measures<br />
Preliminary cost estimates<br />
Conformity with general objectives of Draft Lakeshore Special Policy<br />
Area Secondary Plan of our local municipality (Norfolk County)<br />
Final plan presented at public open house<br />
<strong>Long</strong> <strong>Point</strong> Causeway improvement plan<br />
<strong>Long</strong> <strong>Point</strong> Causeway improvement plan
Improvement Plan Recommendations<br />
<br />
Create an Ecopassage System<br />
<br />
Restore Hydraulic Connectivity<br />
<br />
<br />
Wildlife Habitat Enhancement<br />
Enhance the Recreational Experience<br />
Photo: kiroastro.com<br />
<br />
Signs for Awareness<br />
<br />
<br />
Calm Traffic<br />
Provide Temporary Measures<br />
Photo: S. Gillingwater<br />
<br />
Monitor<br />
Photo: S. Gillingwater<br />
Photo: S. Gillingwate<br />
<strong>Long</strong> point causeway improvement Plan<br />
<strong>Long</strong> point causeway improvement Plan
1) Create an Ecopassage System<br />
<br />
A permanent ecopassage system is the cornerstone of the<br />
recommended mitigation strategy. The ecopassage system will<br />
increase road permeability and reconnect habitat east and west<br />
of the causeway.<br />
Photo: eem.pcc.gov.t<br />
<br />
The ecopassage system consists of two elements:<br />
<br />
Series of ecopassages (culverts/bridges) designed for safe<br />
wildlife movement under roadway<br />
<br />
Funnel system (wall or fence) – excludes wildlife from<br />
roadway and directs wildlife to ecopassages<br />
Photo: herp.ne<br />
<strong>Long</strong> point causeway improvement Plan<br />
<strong>Long</strong> point causeway improvement Plan
Concept - Ecopassage and Funnel Wall<br />
<strong>Long</strong> point causeway improvement plan<br />
<strong>Long</strong> point causeway improvement plan
2) Restore Hydraulic Connectivity<br />
<br />
Pre-Causeway: Marsh and Inner Bay shared ebb and flow of water<br />
<br />
Historical outlets under Causeway that provided water circulation were closed<br />
<br />
Currently, only outlet to Inner Bay is Big Creek<br />
<br />
Re-create openings through Causeway that allow for seasonal exchange of<br />
bay water with marsh<br />
Photo: Ecoplans<br />
Photo: S. Gillingwater<br />
Photo: Ecoplans<br />
long point causeway improvement Plan<br />
long point causeway improvement Plan
3) Wildlife Habitat Enhancement<br />
<br />
Indirect role in reducing turtle road mortality<br />
<br />
Safe access to greater variety of habitats not fragmented<br />
by the causeway<br />
<br />
Ideally located near confirmed existing nesting sites and<br />
based on knowledge of local population movement<br />
<br />
Consider substrate, moisture, temperature, ground cover<br />
Photo: S. Gillingwater<br />
Photo: S. Gillingwater<br />
Photo: S. Gillingwater<br />
Photo: S. Gillingwater<br />
long point causeway improvement Plan<br />
long point causeway improvement Plan
4) Enhance the Recreational Experience<br />
<br />
Multi-use trail system – west side<br />
<br />
Connects to points of interest (Big Creek Bridge, Big<br />
Creek Marsh, Canadian Wildlife Service, Inner Bay<br />
observation deck)<br />
<br />
Viewing platforms<br />
<br />
Linked via pedestrian cross walks<br />
<br />
Maintain existing parking facilities – promote trail use<br />
long point causeway improvement Plan<br />
long point causeway improvement Plan
5) Sign for Awareness<br />
Raise profile of <strong>World</strong> <strong>Biosphere</strong> Reserve and Project<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Gateway sign/entrance features<br />
Eye catching and attractive, showcase local artisan work<br />
Highlight significance of area and conservation efforts<br />
Raise Driver Awareness<br />
<br />
Seasonal mobile signs with distinct messages<br />
<strong>Long</strong> point causeway improvement plan<br />
<strong>Long</strong> point causeway improvement plan
<strong>Long</strong> <strong>Point</strong> Causeway Signage<br />
<strong>Long</strong> <strong>Point</strong> Causeway improvement plan<br />
<strong>Long</strong> <strong>Point</strong> Causeway improvement plan
<strong>Long</strong> <strong>Point</strong> <strong>World</strong> <strong>Biosphere</strong> Reserve<br />
long <strong>Point</strong> Causeway improvement plan<br />
long <strong>Point</strong> Causeway improvement plan
6) Calm Traffic<br />
<br />
Vehicle speeds and traffic volume have correlation with wildlife<br />
road mortality<br />
<br />
Speed limit management under review by County – Reduction in<br />
Speed Limit passed by County Council last week!<br />
<br />
Digital speed signs – reminder for drivers<br />
<br />
Rumble strips in strategic locations (not at residences)<br />
<strong>Long</strong> point causeway improvement plan<br />
<strong>Long</strong> point causeway improvement plan
7) Provide Temporary Measures<br />
<br />
Temporary wildlife exclusion fencing – south zone of Causeway<br />
(May to Oct 2008)<br />
<br />
Assess wildlife presence, activity, species, numbers, movement<br />
direction<br />
<br />
Provide mortality reduction<br />
Photo: lakejackson.org<br />
<br />
Integrate information in future design<br />
<br />
Volunteer assistance – daily/weekly monitoring<br />
Photo: Ecoplans<br />
<strong>Long</strong> point causeway improvement plan<br />
<strong>Long</strong> point causeway improvement plan
Photo: Ecoplan<br />
8) Monitoring<br />
<br />
Multi-year monitoring of mitigation measures and installed<br />
ecopassages<br />
<br />
<br />
Pre and post-construction road mortality surveys (walking)<br />
Remote camera monitoring of selected installed ecopassages<br />
Photo: Ecoplan<br />
<br />
Monitoring of funnel wall zones – wildlife presence, species<br />
and activity<br />
<br />
Crucial to evaluating success of improvements and directing<br />
any future refinements/improvements<br />
Photo: Ecoplan<br />
<strong>Long</strong> point causeway improvement plan<br />
<strong>Long</strong> point causeway improvement plan
Feasibility Study Process – Developing the Plan<br />
<strong>Long</strong> <strong>Point</strong> Causeway improvement plan<br />
<strong>Long</strong> <strong>Point</strong> Causeway improvement plan
Preliminary Cost Estimates - Summary<br />
Minimum<br />
Typical<br />
Enhanced<br />
Ecopassage<br />
System<br />
(culverts and<br />
funnel wall)<br />
Road<br />
Improvements<br />
Ecopassage<br />
System<br />
(culverts and<br />
funnel wall)<br />
Road<br />
Improvements<br />
Ecopassage<br />
System<br />
(culverts and<br />
funnel wall)<br />
Road<br />
Improvements<br />
Zone 1<br />
$1, 800, 000<br />
$506, 250<br />
$1, 880, 000<br />
$592, 500<br />
$1, 910, 000<br />
$723, 750<br />
Zone 2<br />
$3, 875, 000<br />
$1, 012, 500<br />
$4, 075, 000<br />
$1, 185, 000<br />
$4, 150, 000<br />
$1, 447, 500<br />
Zone 3<br />
$2, 470, 000<br />
$877,500<br />
$2, 575, 000<br />
$1, 027, 000<br />
$2, 635, 000<br />
$1, 254, 500<br />
Subtotal<br />
$8, 145, 000<br />
$2, 396, 250<br />
$8, 530, 000<br />
$2, 804, 500<br />
$8, 695, 000<br />
$3, 425, 750<br />
Combined<br />
Subtotal<br />
$10, 541, 250<br />
$11, 334, 500<br />
$12, 120, 750<br />
Engineering<br />
(15%)<br />
$1, 581, 188<br />
$1, 700, 175<br />
$1, 818, 113<br />
Contingency<br />
(20%)<br />
$ 2, 108, 250<br />
$2, 266, 900<br />
$2, 424, 150<br />
Top layer paving<br />
$150,000<br />
$150,000<br />
$150,000<br />
Total<br />
$14, 380, 688<br />
$15, 451, 575<br />
$16, 513, 013<br />
Rounded<br />
Grand Total<br />
$ 14, 400, 000<br />
$ 15, 500, 000<br />
$ 16, 600, 000<br />
<strong>Long</strong> point causeway improvement plan<br />
<strong>Long</strong> point causeway improvement plan
Conclusions<br />
Causeway setting and wildlife mortality problem of international interest –<br />
project covered in Canadian National Newspapers<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Installation of fencing is reducing road kill – but is it to late - and<br />
temporary fencing does pose problems – annual fall migration from bay to<br />
marsh<br />
Government agencies and non-governmental organizations are united<br />
and seeking a long-term solution<br />
Minister of Environment (federal) and local Member of Parliament have<br />
been given tours of the causeway and both have publically stated a<br />
commitment to the project<br />
Local Municipality - Norfolk County – has endorsed the plan is<br />
incorporating it into their capital plan budget<br />
Some resistance by several local citizens – spreading misinformation –<br />
but have lost credibility with politicians and steering committee<br />
<br />
Engage / Consult / Inform / Engage / Consult / Inform …<br />
<strong>Long</strong> point causeway improvement plan<br />
<strong>Long</strong> point causeway improvement plan
<strong>Long</strong> <strong>Point</strong><br />
Causeway Improvement Plan<br />
2 nd Scientific Conference North Vidzeme <strong>Biosphere</strong> Reserve<br />
Valmiera, Latvia 081113<br />
Brian Craig, Geoffrey Gartshore, Gillian Thompson, Charlotte<br />
Cox, Alex Harrington, Martin Scott, Rick Levick and Paula Jongerden
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