Open House on Causeway Project, Sat. Aug. 8
Sunday, August 02 2009 @ 04:13 PM EDT
If you’re puzzled by the conflicting information you’re hearing about the proposed improvements to the Long Point Causeway, please attend our Open House at the Port Rowan Community Centre on Saturday, August 8 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event will feature:
• Presentations on improvements being proposed and question and answer sessions at 10:30 a.m. and again at 12:30 p.m.
• Representatives of the 16 organizations involved
• Displays and information on supporting organizations
• Our new landscape design and artist’s concepts of how the improved Causeway could look in the future
• Free refreshments
Please note that no donations or membership fees required. All are welcome.
We are committed to community involvement in this effort to restore the Big Creek Marsh-Inner Bay ecosystem, reduce wildlife road kill, improve public safety and make the Causeway a vital asset to our community. We welcome your comments, questions and ideas.
Steering Committee*
Long Point Causeway Improvement Project
* Member organizations include Bird Studies Canada, Long Point Bay Anglers’ Association, Long Point Country Chamber of Commerce, Long Point Region Conservation Authority, Long Point Waterfowlers Association, Long Point Waterfowl, Long Point World Biosphere Reserve Foundation, Nature Conservancy of Canada, Norfolk County, Norfolk Field Naturalists, Norfolk Land Stewardship Council, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Ontario Ministry of Transportation, Parks Canada, Upper Thames Valley Conservation Authority, Ruffed Grouse Society and Toronto Zoo. Individual members – Dr. Dave Ankney, Stephana Johnston, Bob Scott.
Background Information
The Long Point Causeway Improvement Project began in October 2007 to achieve the following objectives set by the volunteer Steering Committee:
• Improving ecosystem health, water quality and water movement between Big Creek Marsh and Long Point Inner Bay
• Reducing wildlife road mortality
• Creating safer roadway conditions for motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians
• Improving recreational opportunities
• Improving access between Long Point and Port Rowan
Over the past two years, the LPCIP Project has commissioned the following:
• A feasibility study on how the LPCIP objectives could be achieved based on the best current science and similar projects across North America;
• Wildlife road mortality studies;
• Installation of temporary measures to reduce road-wildlife mortalities such as fences, signage and electronic messaging;
• Installation and monitoring of artificial turtle nesting platforms; and,
• Distribution of information about the Project to the public.
Please note that the current Causeway Improvement Plan is a conceptual proposal only. Any major improvements to the Causeway will be subject to an Environmental Assessment and detailed engineering and design. This could take as long as three years, leaving plenty of time for us to work together as a community to develop the best practical solutions possible. That is why we have sought comments and suggestions from interested members of the public through surveys, comments sent to our website (www.longpointcauseway.com) and open houses.
Please join us on August 8 to participate in the development of this Project.
Over the long term, the participating organizations and individuals believe this project will:
• Boost local economy during construction phases through job creation and orders for local goods and services
• Restore water flow and fish access between Inner Bay and Big Creek and help to reduce silt and nutrient deposits in the Bay
• Make the Causeway safer and more attractive
• Reduce wildlife roadkill and preserve Species At Risk
• Improve linkages between Port Rowan and Long Point
• Enhance the reputation of Norfolk County as a “green” community
• Presentations on improvements being proposed and question and answer sessions at 10:30 a.m. and again at 12:30 p.m.
• Representatives of the 16 organizations involved
• Displays and information on supporting organizations
• Our new landscape design and artist’s concepts of how the improved Causeway could look in the future
• Free refreshments
Please note that no donations or membership fees required. All are welcome.
We are committed to community involvement in this effort to restore the Big Creek Marsh-Inner Bay ecosystem, reduce wildlife road kill, improve public safety and make the Causeway a vital asset to our community. We welcome your comments, questions and ideas.
Steering Committee*
Long Point Causeway Improvement Project
* Member organizations include Bird Studies Canada, Long Point Bay Anglers’ Association, Long Point Country Chamber of Commerce, Long Point Region Conservation Authority, Long Point Waterfowlers Association, Long Point Waterfowl, Long Point World Biosphere Reserve Foundation, Nature Conservancy of Canada, Norfolk County, Norfolk Field Naturalists, Norfolk Land Stewardship Council, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Ontario Ministry of Transportation, Parks Canada, Upper Thames Valley Conservation Authority, Ruffed Grouse Society and Toronto Zoo. Individual members – Dr. Dave Ankney, Stephana Johnston, Bob Scott.
Background Information
The Long Point Causeway Improvement Project began in October 2007 to achieve the following objectives set by the volunteer Steering Committee:
• Improving ecosystem health, water quality and water movement between Big Creek Marsh and Long Point Inner Bay
• Reducing wildlife road mortality
• Creating safer roadway conditions for motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians
• Improving recreational opportunities
• Improving access between Long Point and Port Rowan
Over the past two years, the LPCIP Project has commissioned the following:
• A feasibility study on how the LPCIP objectives could be achieved based on the best current science and similar projects across North America;
• Wildlife road mortality studies;
• Installation of temporary measures to reduce road-wildlife mortalities such as fences, signage and electronic messaging;
• Installation and monitoring of artificial turtle nesting platforms; and,
• Distribution of information about the Project to the public.
Please note that the current Causeway Improvement Plan is a conceptual proposal only. Any major improvements to the Causeway will be subject to an Environmental Assessment and detailed engineering and design. This could take as long as three years, leaving plenty of time for us to work together as a community to develop the best practical solutions possible. That is why we have sought comments and suggestions from interested members of the public through surveys, comments sent to our website (www.longpointcauseway.com) and open houses.
Please join us on August 8 to participate in the development of this Project.
Over the long term, the participating organizations and individuals believe this project will:
• Boost local economy during construction phases through job creation and orders for local goods and services
• Restore water flow and fish access between Inner Bay and Big Creek and help to reduce silt and nutrient deposits in the Bay
• Make the Causeway safer and more attractive
• Reduce wildlife roadkill and preserve Species At Risk
• Improve linkages between Port Rowan and Long Point
• Enhance the reputation of Norfolk County as a “green” community