Appendix 3: Candidate Ecological Benchmark

Source Type: Ecosystem Initiatives

Source Name: Great Lakes Wetlands Conservation Action Plan

Number: 44/59

Benchmark:
Strategy 3: Secure wetlands

Workplan 1: Determine priority securement sites and the most effective techniques to secure these sites. Focus existing securement programs on priority sites.

1. Report on priority sites including description, map and information on agency/group involvement and status of landowner contact.

3. Secure 6,000 hectares of wetland.

Workplan 2: Undertake wetlands securement at priority sites involving publicly owned lands to demonstrate innovative securement strategies.

1. Create a report listing all federally owned coastal wetlands of the lower Great Lakes, including a brief site description.

3. Develop guidelines for wetland management on government-owned lands (federal and provincial).

Strategy 4: Create, reclaim and rehabilitate wetlands

1. Create a list of potential wetland rehabilitation/creation sites including a statement of the problem, suggested options and anticipated costs.

3. Rehabilitate/create 6,000 hectares of wetland by the year 2001.

Although the Action Plan's goals and projects are relevant to all wetland types in the basin, the GLWCAP has given priority to the most threatened wetland areas -- coastal marshes in the lower Great Lakes basin, between Sarnia and Cornwall.

Applies to whom: government and non-government partners

Applies to what:
All wetlands in the basin, especially coastal marshes between Sarnia and Cornwall

Applies where: Great Lakes Basin Ecosystem

Reference:
Environment Canada. 1998b. Great Lakes Wetlands Conservation Action Plan. Website. [ http://www.cciw.ca/green-lane/wildlife/glwcap/]. Accessed January 2000.

Evaluation:

Effective: 2

Effective Comments:
Products of the Plan (maps, guidelines) would be more effective in establishing benchmarks than the Plan itself; could be used in conjunction with other benchmarks; Great Lakes Basin is one of areas of severe losses; projects that have potential effects on identified priority sites should contribute to these objectives, or adverse effects resulting in loss of area, function, or attributes should be considered "significant."

Authoritative: 3

Authoritative Comments: Great Lakes Wetlands Conservation Action Plan is key delivery mechanism for Canada-Ontario Agreement Respecting the Great Lakes Basin Ecosystem

Relevant: 6

Relevant Comments: Great Lakes Basin: ecological context

Sound: 5

Sound Comments: Statements based on scientific knowledge

Straightforward: 4

Straightforward Comments:

Practical: 4

Practical Comments:

Total Effective + Authority Score: 5

Total Overall Score: 24

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