Port Rowan, Sept. 24, 2014 – The Long Point Causeway Improvement Project (LPCIP) will be installing three more wildlife culverts this fall to reduce road mortality of Species at Risk turtles and snakes under the 3.6 km. roadway. Since the Project began in 2008, road kill of reptiles on the Causeway has been reduced by more than 50 per cent.
The LPCIP will be paying all of the $307,000 in costs related to this construction project thanks to funding from Environment Canada’s Habitat Stewardship Program for Species at Risk and Ontario’s Species at Risk Stewardship Fund.
“We’ve received tremendous support from the federal and provincial governments to protect all kinds of wildlife that were regularly killed by vehicles on the Causeway,” said Paula Jongerden, chair of the LPCIP. “Our work has made significant progress in ensuring that Species at Risk reptiles will continue to thrive in the Long Point area, one of Canada’s 16 World Biosphere Reserves.”
A large snapping turtle exiting one of the wildlife culverts installed by the Long Point Causeway Improvement Project in 2012. (photo courtesy of LPCIP)
Jongerden noted that the LPCIP has worked with staff at Long Point Waterfowl to set up motion sensor-triggered cameras to monitor wildlife using the culverts installed in 2012. “We now have photographic evidence that all kinds of wildlife – turtles, snakes and all kinds of mammals – are using the culverts to pass safely under the road”. (Photos are available for publication).
To date, about $140,000 has been spent on this project to secure the necessary approvals including a full Environmental Assessment, conducting various studies, completing the design and engineering of the culverts and preparing the construction tender. Norfolk County has awarded a construction contract of about $141,000 to Gary D. Robinson Contracting Ltd. of St. Thomas to install the culverts. Another $28,000 will be paid to Stephen Burnett and Associates, the consulting engineers on the project, to administer the construction contract.
No funds will be required from Norfolk County to complete the culvert construction. However, the County will be spending about $6,500 to install guardrails at an aquatic culvert installed in 2012. The LPCIP has indicated that it has no objections to people fishing at the culvert, as long as they do so safely.
The LPCIP plans to install six more wildlife culverts provided it is able to secure the necessary funding and the continued cooperation of Norfolk County, which owns the road.
The Long Point Causeway Improvement Project is managed by a Steering Committee comprised of representatives from 16 government agencies and local organizations and several individuals well-known in the community. The LPCIP receives financial and administrative support from the Long Point World Biosphere Reserve Foundation, which promotes research, monitoring, education and projects that support the goals of conservation and sustainable use in the Biosphere Reserve.
To learn more about the Long Point Causeway Improvement Project, please visit longpointcauseway.com