7377

• UCREFRP Catalog Number: 7377
• Author: Kusler, J. A. and S. Daly.
• Title: Wetlands and River Corridor Management.
• USFW Year: 1989.
• USFW - Doc Type: \
• Copyright Material: NO

indicate Canada has experienced a severe loss of
wetlands. Up to mid-1983, only a few uncoordinated
regional studies existed on trends in wetland loss
relating to conversion by drainage for agricul-
ture, forestry and urbanization. At that time, the
federal government established the Prime Wetlands
Project within the Canada Land Use Monitoring
Program of Environment Canada. The Project
synthesized existing knowledge, established stan-
dardized regional wetland conversion studies, and
identified some of the nation's most valued
wetlands.
This monitoring revealed that major regional
variation exists, from coastal to boreal to
prairie environments, with the most severe losses
of wetlands in areas of major urban concentration
and rapid agricultural development. A national
fact sheet, published in 1986, and regional case
study reports attracted press and public attention
to the fact that wetlands are a valuable national
resource that is being lost at severe rates and is
worthy of conservation (Environment Canada 1986).
Monitoring succeeded in highlighting where the
losses are greatest and what the issues are that
must be faced. In total, over 20 million ha of the
original wetland area in Canada are estimated to
have been lost.
Since settlement in Canada, up to 65% of
coastal salt marshes in the Atlantic region, 70%
of all wetlands in southern Ontario -- Canada's
most populated area, and 71% of wetlands in
prairie agricultural areas have been drained or
converted to other uses. It is estimated overall
that over 75% of the wetlands in southern settled
portions of Canada have undergone alteration or
conversion since settlement. Wetland loss in the
vicinity of several major Canadian cities is as
high as 80 to 98%.
Many factors have caused wetland decline; these
vary in intensity and geographical focus. The
sectors of major loss are concentrated in the
southern prairies, Pacific coastal estuaries, St.
Lawrence Valley, Atlantic coastal salt marshes and
estuaries, southern Ontario and Quebec, and near
major urban centres. As Figure 2 indicates, 85% of
these losses can be attributed to drainage for
agriculture, ongoing since settlement periods.
Expansion of urban and industrial lands represents
9%, and development of leisure and recreational
properties represents another 2%. Reservoirs for
hydro-electricity production and water level
management of major lake systems (e.g. the Great
Lakes) are responsible for further impacts.
Drainage for forestry products and peat harvesting
for horticulture are also important factors. The
influence of continent-wide factors such as
climate change and acid rain remain largely
unknown.
THE CANADIAN GOVERNMENT RESPONSE TO
WETLAND DECLINE
The Government of Canada has taken decisive
actions in four areas to promote wetlands conser-
vation and sustainable utilization of the nation's
wetland resources. These actions include:
1. The drafting of a Federal Policy on Wetland
Conservation (FPWC);
The development and implementation of the
North American Waterfowl Management Plan;
3. Support for and leadership of wetland
research and science networks regionally,
nationally and internationally; and
4. Support for and leadership of numerous
regional wetland habitat acquisition, en-
hancement, and conservation projects. These
are generally undertaken in association with
other provincial or territorial governments
and private and public organizations.
THE FEDERAL POLICY ON WETLAND CONSERVATION:
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT EVOLVING FROM
THEORY TO PRACTICE
Background
As outlined above, wetlands provide essential
ecological functions that contribute to the health
of our nation's ecosystems and substantially
support elements of our national economic output.
The continuing loss of wetlands, particularly in
an array of critical geographic areas, led the
Government of Canada to initiate the Federal
Policy on Wetland Conservation (FPWC) in late
1986. The objective of the FPWC is "to promote the
conservation of Canada's wetlands to sustain the
ecological and socio-economic functions of
wetlands now and in the future".
A series of national advisory meetings and
workshops with non-government organizations and
federal, provincial and territorial land resources
management agencies led to a first draft of this
document in 1988. Currently, a revised draft and
proposed implementation plan are undergoing
further national consultation. Upon acceptance by
the Federal Government, the proposed implementa-
tion period for this Policy is in 1991.
Goals and Sustainable Development Principles
of the Federal Policy on Wetland Conservation
The federal government, in cooperation with the
provinces/territories and the Canadian public,
will strive to achieve the following four goals:
The maintenance of wetlands throughout
Canada, and the enhancement of wetlands in
those geographic areas where the continuing
loss or degradation of wetlands or wetland
functions have reached critical levels;
2. The recognition of wetland functions in
resource planning and management, and in the
economic decision-making process;
3. The protection of wetlands of national sig-
nificance; and
4. The utilization of wetlands in a manner that
enhances prospects for their sustained and
productive use by future generations.
The Federal Policy on Wetland Conservation
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