Habitat Conservation Plan Habitat Conservation Plan for the Town ...

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10 Habitat Conservation PlanSection 4: General Policies for WetlandConservationThe Town’s Commitment to StewardshipIn signing a Municipal Wetland Stewardship Agreement, the Town has made a publiccommitment to join an international network of important wetland habitat areascontributing to waterfowl presence and abundance in North America. Further, the Townhas committed to using this Conservation Plan as a guide to best management practicesin/around wetlands within its Stewardship Zone(s) and Management Unit(s). It is hopedthat a stewardship ethic will be fostered within the community since the conservation ofwetlands depends not wholly on Conservation Plans or regulations, but on theconservation/stewardship ethic of residents and of visitors to the Town.The Stewardship Zone(s) and Management Unit(s) will be managed to ensure themaintenance and possibly enhancement of wetland habitat and waterfowl populations.Managing bodies will include the Town Council and the Department of Environment andConservation, Wildlife Division, through staff of the Eastern Habitat Joint Venture.Benefits for ResidentsThe strategies outlined in this Habitat Conservation Plan can provide many long termrecreational and "quality-of-life" benefits for local residents. Wetland habitats are ideallysuited to a variety of consumptive and non-consumptive recreational activities, includingfishing, hiking, photography and bird-watching. The Town may wish to use theseopportunities to increase tourism to the region. In developing recreational and tourismopportunities, careful consideration for the wildlife populations must be included in theplanning process. Otherwise, human activities may result in negative impacts to the veryresource that is providing the attraction.Surely the most important benefit that people receive from stewardship is the opportunityto increase their knowledge of wetlands and nature in general. Programs such as theWildlife Division’s "Project Wild" foster an increased environmental ethic in youth andadults alike. Many of the enhancement and restoration strategies outlined in this Plan canbe easily conducted by local community interest groups, thereby allowing "hands on"involvement in conservation efforts.Management of the Stewardship ZonesActivities within the stewardship zone(s) should be managed on a “sustainable use” or“wise use” basis, whereby permitted activities are implemented so as to minimizeimpacts on wetlands, waterfowl or wildlife populations. Development proposals which,
Habitat Conservation Plan 11in the view of council, may negatively impact wetland habitat, waterfowl or wildlifewithin the stewardship zone(s) should be forwarded to staff of the EHJV for commentwith a thirty day notice period.Management of the Management UnitsActivities within the management units will be managed on a sustainable use basis,whereby permitted activities do not result in the loss of wetland or waterfowl populations.As such, wetland habitat will be at the forefront of management decisions. Efforts willbe made to reduce pre-existing habitat degradation within Management Units. Onlyactivities that have no negative or adverse impact upon wetland habitat andwaterfowl/wetland-associated wildlife using those habitats should be permitted within themanagement units. Development proposals which, in the view of council, may impactwetland within the Management Units should be forwarded to staff of the EHJV forcomment with a thirty day notice period.Incorporation of Management Units in Municipal PlansThe Town Council, in preparation of a draft Municipal Plan or during the process ofsubsequent Municipal Plan Reviews shall incorporate the agreement into any resultingMunicipal Plan. Specifically, the Management Unit(s), and any future ManagementUnit(s) as may be desirable from time to time, shall be declared or zoned “conservationareas”, or if outside municipal planning boundaries, may seek to have them designated“Protected Areas” under subsection 31(1) (f) of the Urban and Rural Planning Act, 2000.In passing regulations or by-laws related to the area’s designation within a MunicipalPlan, or any amendments to a future Municipal Plan, which could affect the ManagementUnit(s), the Town Council will consult with staff of the EHJV providing a thirty daywindow of notice for comment.Riparian Buffers in the Stewardship Zones and Management UnitsRiparian buffers are generally strips of untouched vegetation occurring between uplandareas and wetlands, lakes, rivers, ponds and streams. They are composed of trees, shrubs,grasses, cattails and sedges and possess a high level of wildlife use, generally as“corridors” for travel, for protection from predators and against inclement weather.These areas filter and reduce surface water runoff from upland areas, trapping sedimentand filtering out excess nutrients, pesticides and bacteria. Vegetation in riparian areasalso affects how readily water enters soil and has a positive effect over the replenishingof local groundwater. They also serve to anchor soil with its roots, helping to buildstream banks and prevent erosion. They are often important in controlling flood levelsand are critical to a variety of plants and animals. Fish habitat quality is also influencedby the amount of riparian edge left along shorelines. Treed buffers provide shade and
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