COORDINATION Luce Chamard, Environment Canada Jean-Sébastien Fillion, Environment Canada Andrée-Anne Labrecque, Ministère du Développement durable, de l’Environnement et des Parcs Roger T. Drolet, Ministère du Développement durable, de l’Environnement et des Parcs Drafted by: Serge Beaucher Edited by: Solange Deschênes Graphic design: Deschamps Design Cover photo: iStockphoto, Marianne McEwen FOR MORE INFORMATION Coordination Office of St. Lawrence Plan 1141 Route de l’Église, P.O. Box 10100 Québec QC G1V 4H5 Tel.: 418-648-3444 Fax: 418-649-6213 Website: http://www.plans tlau rent.qc.ca [email protected] [email protected] Published by Authority of the Minister of the Environment © Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada, 2011 Published by Authority of the Minister of Sustainable Development, Environment and Parks © Gouvernement du Québec, 2011 Legal deposit – Library and Archives Canada, 2011 ISBN: 978-2-550-60927-8 Aussi disponible en français Table of Contents Note to the reader . 1 Message from Canada’s Minister of the Environment . 3 Message from the Minister of Sustainable Development, Environment and Parks of Quebec . 5 A Word from the Agreement Co-Chairs . 7 Phase IV in brief . 9 Agriculture . 11 Marsh restoration in Lavallière Bay . 13 Water purification and flow regulation ponds in agricultural areas . 14 Access to riverbanks . 15 Development of Yamachiche Point . 17 Landroche Channel reshaping . 18 Community involvement and awareness . 19 Forum on Community Involvement . 21 Halte marine de La Pocatière . 22 Ecological integrity . 23 Inventory of protected areas in southern Quebec . 25 Conservation plan for the St. Lawrence Valley and Lake Champlain . 26 Navigation . 27 Measures to adapt to climate change . 29 Dredging Activity Planning Registry . 30 State of the St. Lawrence Monitoring . 31 Second Overview of the State of the St. Lawrence River . 33 Rendez-vous St. Lawrence 2006 . 34 Integrated management . 35 Government expenses 2005–2010 . 36 Conclusion . 37 Note to the reader D M D C C , s e g a m i n e e d n o m e L , n i m e h c u a e B e g r e S : o t o h P his report outlines the activities that took place between 2005 and 2010 Tas part of the St. Lawrence Plan (SLP) for a Sustainable Development. It presents the objectives, expected results and a summary of main achievements for each of the Plan's six areas of intervention (agriculture, access to riverbanks, community involvement and awareness, ecological integrity, navigation, and state of the St. Lawrence monitoring). Two examples of actions implemented by SLP stakeholders and their partners are also presented for each area. Readers who would like more detailed information on this fourth phase of the SLP can visit www.plan saint lau rent.qc.ca . This website includes biennial reports (2005–2007 and 2007–2009), studies, fact sheets, scientific posters, articles and new releases. The site also presents broader information on the SLP as a whole since the first Canada–Québec agreement on the St. Lawrence, signed in 1988. 1 Message from Canada’s Minister of the Environment take special pride in presenting this report, which highlights the successes I achieved between 2005 and 2010 under the fourth Canada–Québec Agreement on the St. Lawrence. First ratified over two decades ago, the Agreement started out as an instrument for cleaning up the St. Lawrence. Since then, it has evolved into a much more comprehensive collaborative tool dedicated to enhancing the quality of this im - portant Canadian ecosystem. The outcomes achieved since the first Canada– Québec agreement on the St. Lawrence are reduced pollution, the protection of human health, habitat conservation for the ecosystem's flora and fauna, and greater community awareness and involvement. The objectives of Phase IV were to protect, conserve and enhance the St. Lawrence ecosystem by promoting sustainable development, fostering a better under - standing of complex interactions within the ecosystem, maintaining its ecological integrity, closely monitoring its state, and increasing community involvement. The Government of Canada has been committed to, and has very actively partici - pated in, every aspect of this plan by fully subscribing to its ecosystemic approach. The underlying approach of this interjurisdictional and interdepartmental partnership is simple and effective. It focuses on knowledge acquisition, information and expertise sharing, solution seeking, awareness raising and, lastly, the imple - mentation of actions to protect and enhance the St. Lawrence's riches. Peter Kent 3 Message from the Minister of Sustainable Development, Environment and Parks of Quebec hase IV of the Canada–Québec Agreement on the St. Lawrence came to an Pend in 2010. This important phase—focused on sustainable development— helped protect and enhance the resources of this unique ecosystem. It embodies a true model of collaboration between scientists, government partners and rep resentatives from municipalities and shoreline communities. Through productive dialogue and discourse, these dedicated stakeholders managed to find common ground for their respective interests in strategic areas: community involvement, agriculture, access to riverbanks, ecological integrity, navigation and state of the St. Lawrence monitoring. Through their efforts, they helped complete a second overview of the St. Lawrence and moved towards the integrated management of this vast watershed. Collectively, we are now more aware of the importance of protecting the St. Lawrence's biodiversity and of reducing the upstream threats to it. If we truly want to leave this magnificent body of water in the best possible condition for our children, the responsibility falls on each and every one of us, no matter how we utilize its resources. In his superb animated film The Mighty River , filmmaker Frédéric Back expressed his wish that we act to protect the St. Lawrence's vital resources. I am convinced that that wish is coming true. Pierre Arcand 5 A Word from the Agreement Co-Chairs e are pleased to present this report on the activities carried out between W2005 and 2010 as part of the St. Lawrence Plan for a Sustainable Devel opment. This report covers the work of all partners involved. The ongoing collaboration between the Canadian and Quebec governments since the 1988 signing of the first agreement has been enriched by a multitude of public and private stakeholders and their commitment to promoting the in tegrated management of the three fundamental components of sustainable development (i.e. the environmental, social and economic considerations). This period also saw greater community involvement, such as the 100 or so projects implemented through the Community Interaction Program (CIP) and the 2009 Des collectivités actives tournées vers le Saint-Laurent [active communities focused on the St. Lawrence] forum, which brought together some 150 stakeholders. In terms of outreach, youth were included among target groups, and they responded to the invitation to numerous projects designed specifically for them. Community organizations were actively involved in documenting indicators for the State of the St. Lawrence Monitoring Program. In the area of agriculture, groups of growers were involved in the fine-tuning of best farming practices. With respect to access to riverbanks, major marine infrastructures were transferred and small wharves rebuilt in collaboration with municipalities. Lastly, certain non-governmental organizations (NGOs) took on projects in the area of ecological integrity. Most notable was the development of the Conservation Plan for the St. Lawrence Valley and Lake Champlain. During Phase IV, the St. Lawrence Plan celebrated its 20th anniversary. Shoreline communities marked this anniversary through their ZIP committees, as well as through a science week called Secrets of the St. Lawrence, which was held at the Musée de la civilisation in Québec. For past and current architects of this federal-provincial agreement, it was the ideal opportunity to showcase the success of the St. Lawrence plans and to discuss the future of our collaboration dedicated to the river's protection and conservation. We can proudly say that the efforts made in this phase have led to a stronger long-term commitment by the governments of Canada and Quebec with respect to conservation and enhancement of the St. Lawrence ecosystem based on a more integrated and concerted approach. In doing so, we have come closer to attaining an ambitious vision: a St. Lawrence for everyone. Philippe Morel, Charles Larochelle, Chair for Canada Chair for Quebec 7 Phase IV in brief P E D D M , t l u a e r r e h T é n e R : o t o h P he St. Lawrence Plan for a Sustainable Development is the fourth phase of Tthe Canada–Québec Agreement on the St. Lawrence and was implemented between 2005 and 2010. The plan aimed for participation by a greater number of St. Lawrence stakeholders and was based on the three fundamental components of sustainable development, namely environmental, social and economic considerations. The objective was therefore to contribute to a sustainable development that promotes ecological integrity, environmentally responsible economic activities, community commitment, and the informed, concerted and integrated governance of the St. Lawrence . To achieve this objective, the SLP's seven federal partners and three provincial partners agreed to take action in six areas of intervention: agriculture, access to riverbanks, community involvement and awareness, ecological integrity, navigation and state of the St. Lawrence monitoring. Their contributions materialized through commitments in one or more of these areas, as presented in detail below. For each of these areas, coordination committees have seen to the achievement of these results by planning and executing activities as well as ensuring information dissemination. These committees consisted of one co-chair for Canada, one co-chair for Quebec, experts from partner departments and ministries, and NGO representatives. As for the Agreement, it was administered by a management committee, which was chaired by Environment Canada (EC) and the Ministère du Développement durable, de l’Environnement et des Parcs du Québec (MDDEP).