Appendix 3: Candidate Ecological Benchmark

Source Type: Laws or Policies (and related guidelines)

Source Name: Federal Policy on Wetland Conservation

Number:8/2

Benchmark:
No further loss of any remaining wetland area may be deemed essential.

Applies to whom: All federal agencies

Applies to what:
(i) on federal lands and waters, OR
(ii) in areas affected by the implementation of federal programs where the continuing loss or degradation of wetlands has reached critical levels, OR
(iii) where federal activities affect wetlands designated as ecologically or socio-economically important to a region.

Applies where:
Canada: local circumstances where wetland losses have been severe

Reference:
Government of Canada. 1991a. The Federal Policy on Wetland Conservation. Environment Canada. Ottawa, Ontario.

Evaluation:

Effective: 5

Effective Comments: Loss in prescribed circumstance would be significant

Authoritative: 5

Authoritative Comments: Federal policy

Relevant: 6

Relevant Comments: Ecological context

Sound: 5

Sound Comments:
Based on scientific studies measuring wetland loss and identifying the implications of that loss

Straightforward: 1

Straightforward Comments:

Practical: 3

Practical Comments:
Functional assessment on wetlands still challenges resource managers in Canada

Total Effective + Authority Score: 10

Total Overall Score: 25

Number:18/1

Benchmark: No net loss of wetland functions

Applies to whom: All federal agencies

Applies to what:
(i) on federal lands and waters, OR
(ii) in areas affected by the implementation of federal programs where the continuing loss or degradation of wetlands has reached critical levels, OR
(iii) where federal activities affect wetlands designated as ecologically or socio-economically important to a region.

Applies where: Canada

Reference:
Government of Canada. 1991a. The Federal Policy on Wetland Conservation. Environment Canada. Ottawa, Ontario.

Evaluation:

Effective: 4

Effective Comments: Loss in prescribed circumstances would be significant

Authoritative: 5

Authoritative Comments: Federal policy

Relevant: 6

Relevant Comments: Ecological context

Sound: 5

Sound Comments:
Based on scientific studies measuring wetland loss and identifying the implications of that loss

Straightforward: 1

Straightforward Comments:

Practical: 3

Practical Comments:
Functional assessment on wetlands still challenges resource managers in Canada

Total Effective + Authority Score: 9

Total Overall Score: 24

Number:19/4

Benchmark: No net loss of wetland functions

Applies to whom: All federal agencies

Applies to what:
All federal areas secured for conservation purposes, including National Parks, National Wildlife Areas, Migratory Bird Sanctuaries, National Capital Commission lands and other federal areas established for ecosystem conservation purposes.

Applies where: Canada

Reference:
Government of Canada. 1991a. The Federal Policy on Wetland Conservation. Environment Canada. Ottawa, Ontario.

Evaluation:

Effective: 4

Effective Comments: Loss in prescribed circumstance would be significant

Authoritative: 5

Authoritative Comments: Federal policy

Relevant: 5

Relevant Comments: Most, although not explicit

Sound: 5

Sound Comments:
Based on scientific studies measuring wetland loss and identifying the implications of that loss

Straightforward: 1

Straightforward Comments:

Practical: 3

Practical Comments:
Functional assessment on wetlands still challenges resource managers in Canada

Total Effective + Authority Score: 9

Total Overall Score: 22

Number:50/5

Benchmark:
Wetlands and their functions contribute significantly to the health and well-being of Canadians and are a desirable element of Canada's natural diversity; as such, they are a priority requirement of environmental conservation and sustainable development efforts.

Applies to whom: All federal agencies

Applies to what: Wetlands

Applies where: Canada

Reference:
Government of Canada. 1991a. The Federal Policy on Wetland Conservation. Environment Canada. Ottawa, Ontario.

Evaluation:

Effective: 0

Effective Comments:
General statements; effective in conjunction with other statements in The Federal Policy on Wetland Conservation and other practical guidelines for conserving wetlands.

Authoritative: 5

Authoritative Comments: Federal policy

Relevant: 5

Relevant Comments:
Negative effects on human health, well-being or quality of life; sustainable development

Sound: 5

Sound Comments:
Based on scientific studies measuring wetland loss and identifying the implications of that loss

Straightforward: 1

Straightforward Comments:

Practical: 6

Practical Comments:

Total Effective + Authority Score: 5

Total Overall Score: 22

Number:52/6

Benchmark:
Promote the conservation of Canada's wetlands to sustain their ecological and socio-economic functions, now and in the future.

Applies to whom: All federal agencies

Applies to what: Wetlands

Applies where: Canada

Reference:
Government of Canada. 1991a. The Federal Policy on Wetland Conservation. Environment Canada. Ottawa, Ontario.

Evaluation:

Effective: 0

Effective Comments:
General statements; effective in conjunction with other statements in The Federal Policy on Wetland Conservation and other practical guidelines for conserving wetlands.

Authoritative: 5

Authoritative Comments: Federal policy

Relevant: 5

Relevant Comments: Sustainable development

Sound: 5

Sound Comments:
Based on scientific studies measuring wetland loss and identifying the implications of that loss

Straightforward: 1

Straightforward Comments:

Practical: 3

Practical Comments:
Functional assessment on wetlands still challenges resource managers in Canada

Total Effective + Authority Score: 5

Total Overall Score: 19

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