Sault Ste. Marie Canal National Historic Site of Canada Management Plan Cover Photo: First Boat Through the New Lock, July 1998 Parks Canada/Joe Pedalino
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Sault Ste. Marie Canal national historic site of canada Management Plan Cover Photo: First boat through the new lock, July 1998 Parks Canada/Joe Pedalino Copyright Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada, as represented by the Chief Executive Officer of Parks Canada, 2006 Government of Canada Catalogue No. R64-256/2005E 0-662-40830-6 Aussi disponible en français Sault Ste. Marie Canal national historic site of canada Management Plan February, 2007 SAULT STE. MARIE CANAL NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE OF CANADA Table of Contents Management Plan TABLE OF CONTENTS 1.0 Introduction . .1 1.1 Purpose of a Management Plan . .1 1.2 The Fiscal Context for the Management Plan . .1 1.3 Parks Canada’s Role . .3 1.4 Legislative and Policy Basis for the Plan . .3 1.5 Location and Regional Context . .3 1.6 National Context . .6 1.7 Current Facilities, Operations and Programming . .6 1.8 Cultural Resources . .8 1.9 Natural Resources . .9 2.0 Policy Direction . .11 2.1 National Historic Sites Policy . .11 2.2 Commemorative Integrity . .11 2.3 Cultural Resource Management . .12 2.4 Federal Heritage Buildings Policy . .12 2.5 Agreements to Reconstruct and Operate a Recreational Lock . .12 2.6 Agreement with the Batchewana First Nation . .13 2.7 Agreement with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans . .13 3.0 Current Situation Analysis . .14 3.1 Cultural Resource Management . .14 3.1.1 The National Historic Site . .14 3.1.2 Level 1 Cultural Resources . .14 3.1.3 Presentation of Level 1 Messages . .14 3.1.4 Level 2 Cultural Resources . .14 3.2 Visitor Use Issues . .15 3.3 Operational Issues . .15 4.0 Vision and Strategic Direction . .16 4.1 A Vision for the Sault Ste Marie Canal National Historic Site of Canada . .16 4.2 Strategic Direction for Achieving the Vision . .18 5.0 Actions in Support of Commemorative Integrity . .19 5.1 Protection of the Designated Place . .19 5.2 Conservation of Level 1 Cultural Resources . .19 5.3 Presentation of Level 1 Messages . .20 5.4 Conservation of Other Heritage Features . .20 5.5 Presentation of Other Heritage Values . .21 page iii SAULT STE. MARIE CANAL NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE OF CANADA Table of Contents Management Plan 6.0 Heritage Presentation . .22 6.1 Heritage Presentation Audiences and their Needs . .22 6.2 Heritage Presentation Concept . .23 6.3 Heritage Presentation Strategy . .23 7.0 Visitor Use, Services and Facilities . .25 8.0 Marketing Direction . .26 8.1 Market Positioning Statement . .26 8.2 Relationship Building . .26 9.0 Administration and Operations . .27 9.1 General Works Function . .27 9.2 Department of Fisheries and Oceans . .27 9.3 Natural Resource Management . .27 9.4 Revenue . .27 9.5 Commercial Activities . .28 10.0 Partnerships and Public Involvement . .29 11.0 Plan Implementation . .30 12.0 Summary of the Environmental Assessment of The Mangement Plan . .33 Appendix A . .35 Maps Map 1: Regional Setting . .page 2 Map 2: Local Setting . page 4 Map 3: Existing Conditions . .page 7 Map 4: Opportunities and Issues . .page 10 Map 5: Management Plan Actions . .page 17 page iv SAULT STE. MARIE CANAL NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE OF CANADA Introduction Management Plan 1.0 INTRODUCTION of operational issues, and as a framework to assess the merits of any future use or The Sault Ste. Marie Ship Canal officially development proposals. opened for traffic in September 1895. It completed the last link in an all Canadian 1.2 THE FISCAL CONTEXT FOR THE waterway along the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence MANAGEMENT PLAN River system. As part of an important In applying the policies of Parks Canada, and commercial highway the canal facilitated the incorporating public knowledge, expertise, movement of raw materials from the west to and suggestions, the management plan sets markets in the east and beyond, as well as the out a long term vision for the site and actions movement of people and products westward. to achieve that vision. This is in recognition The Canal was operated as a commercial that much still needs to be done to transform facility for over 80 years until 1979 when it was the Sault Ste. Marie Canal from a commercial transferred to Parks Canada in recognition of transportation facility to a national historic site its value as a heritage canal. It was designated with a recreational lock. The reconstruction of a national historic site in 1987. the lock was the first step. Conserving the 1.1 PURPOSE OF A MANAGEMENT PLAN site’s cultural resources and providing a high quality visitor experience is the next priority. This management plan establishes long term strategic direction for the management of the During the next 5 years there is no expectation Sault Ste. Marie Canal National Historic Site of of resources beyond the existing field unit Canada. budget being received to implement the management plan. Progress will be made The purpose of the management plan is to towards ensuring commemorative integrity ensure the commemorative integrity of a and providing quality service through existing national historic site and the application of resources and partnerships with others. The cultural resource management principles and implementation table in section 11 of the plan practices in decision making. It is a commitment by the Minister responsible for Parks Canada that the site will be protected and presented to the public. The direction established in a management plan for a national historic site, responds to Parks Canada’s fundamental responsibilities to ensure the protection and presentation of cultural resources and messages of national significance, to provide quality service to visitors, and to use funds in a wise and efficient manner. As well, the plan provides Lock nearing completion, 1894. direction for greater community involvement, Sault Ste. Marie Canal National Historic Site of Canada marketing, revenue generation, the resolution Photo Collection page 1 page 2 SAULT STE. MARIE CANAL NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE OF CANADA Introduction Management Plan how the federal government carries out its national programme of natural and cultural heritage recognition and protection. 1.5 LOCATION AND REGIONAL CONTEXT The Sault Ste. Marie Canal National Historic Site of Canada is located in the heart of the City of Sault Ste. Marie, an industrial and administrative centre with a population of 80,000. Located on.