Long Point Causeway Improvement Project

News

Map of wildlife culverts

Click image to see full size map Constructed in 2012 — H1 large hydraulic, T2 open grate terrestrial, T1 concrete box terrestrial/hydraulic (HSP funded) Under Construction in 2014-15 (now) – T8,T7 and T5 open grate terrestrial (HSP funded);T6 and T4 concrete box terrestrial/hydraulic (NWCF funded) Proposed for 2015-16 – H2 large hydraulic (NWCF funding requested); T3 open grate terrestrial and exclusion fencing (HSP funded) Proposed for 2016-17 – H3 large hydraulic (NWCF funding requested); T9 open grate terrestrial and exclusion fencing (HSP to be requested) Potential sources of matching funding – US Fish and Wildlife Foundation; Ontario Species at Risk[…]

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Taking action to protect Long Point’s wildlife and wetlands

Here is what we have accomplished to date: Initiated, funded and commissioned comprehensive feasibility study on how to reduce wildlife road kill, restore historic aquatic connections between the Big Creek Marsh and Inner Bay, improve public safety and enhance the natural attractiveness of the Causeway Consulted widely with community and government agencies on project, including two complete Environmental Assessments Initiated, funded and carried out several measures to reduce wildlife road mortality including the installation of 4,500 metres of wildlife barrier fencing, artificial nesting mounds for turtles, seven terrestrial and two aquatic wildlife culverts and signage to alert drivers to watch[…]

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Supporters

The LPCIP would like to gratefully acknowledge the following organizations that have provided nearly $2.5 million in funding and about $500,000 in in-kind support to the project since it began in 2006. Environment Canada – Habitat Stewardship Program for Species at Risk, Environment Canada – National Wetlands Conservation Fund Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources – Species at Risk Stewardship Fund, US National Fish and Wildlife Foundation – Sustain Our Great Lakes program Norfolk County Canada-Ontario Agreement on Great Lakes Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Aylmer District Nature Conservancy of Canada Shell Canada — Fueling Change Environmental Fund TD Friends of[…]

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LPCIP status update

Five more culverts were installed under the Long Point Causeway this winter to provide safe passage for wildlife and potential aquatic connections between the Big Creek Marsh and Long Point Bay. Initial plans called for only three culverts to be installed but two extra were added to the construction contract thanks to $120,000 in funding from the new National Wetlands Conservation Fund launched by the federal government last year. Funding for the initial three culverts came from Environment’s Habitat Stewardship Program for Species at Risk and Ontario’s Species at Risk Stewardship Fund. To date, the Long Point World Biosphere Reserve[…]

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Committee members

The Long Point Causeway Improvement Project began in October 2006 when representatives of several local community groups, non-government organizations and provincial and federal agencies volunteered to serve on a Steering Committee to guide the project. As well, several individual citizens agreed to serve. These people set terms of reference for the project, retained the Ecoplans consulting firm to undertake the improvement study and continue to oversee the on-going development of this ambitious long-term project. A Science subcommittee was also formed to advise the Steering Committee on scientific issues related to the project’s implementation. Many of the people serving on these[…]

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Causeway Culvert Construction Completed

January 12, 2016 — Construction of the first of two large aquatic culverts on Long Point Causeway near the former mouth of Big Creek was completed in December. A second culvert will be installed at the north end of the Causeway in 2016. Dredging to connect the new culvert of open water areas of the Big Creek Marsh has been delayed until August due to environmental concerns. When completed, dredging will restore water flow and fish spawning habitat in the Marsh. The construction was carried out by Bre-Ex Construction Inc., of London, the low bidder on a tender issued by[…]

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Culverts aim to boost up fish habitat

By Daniel R. Pearce, Simcoe Reformer Tuesday, July 21, 2015 4:21:14 EDT PM Fish spawning grounds in Long Point marsh will be given a boost once two culverts are built underneath the causeway dividing the wetland from the inner bay, says the head of the project. The passageways will allow the marsh to be “flushed” regularly as storms push water underneath the roadway and it flows back into the bay days later, said Rick Levick, project manager for the Long Point Causeway Improvement Project. “We’re putting (the marsh) back to the way nature designed it,” said Levick. “It’s deteriorating. It’s[…]

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Council green-lights causeway project; Long Point culverts to help sensitive species move

Norfolk News By Ben Forrest Simcoe, Jul 17, 2015 — A project aimed at helping sensitive species get across the Long Point Causeway can enter its next phase, pending funding allocations and other approvals. Norfolk council has approved the third phase of the project, which would create aquatic culverts designed to help species get from one side of the causeway to the other, without crossing the road. This phase of the project has an estimated $920,000 price tag but would be paid for entirely with funding from the Long Point World Biosphere Reserve Foundation. The foundation has secured $580,000 from[…]

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Harper Government Announces Funding for New Wetland Restoration Project in Port Rowan

July 14, 2015 – Simcoe,ON Today, Diane Finley, Member of Parliament for Haldimand-Norfolk, announced federal funding through the National Wetland Conservation Fund to support a new project in Port Rowan by the Long Point World Biosphere Reserve Foundation (LPWBRF). A total of $580,000 in funding will go to support the installation of two large culverts on the Long Point Causeway that will restore historic aquatic connections between the Big Creek Marsh National Wildlife Area and Long Point Bay, provide safe passage for wildlife under the road and open up large areas of the marsh as fish spawning habitat. “I’m pleased[…]

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More aquatic wildlife culverts for Long Point Causeway

Safe Passage: A Midland Painted turtle enters one of the new culverts that were installed under the Causeway in the fall of 2014 to enable wildlife to pass safely under the busy road. Port Rowan, July 17, 2015 – Two more aquatic wildlife culverts could be installed on the Long Point Causeway over the next two years thanks to a grant of $580,000 from Environment Canada’s National Wetlands Conservation Fund. The culverts would restore historic aquatic connections between the Big Creek Marsh National Wildlife and Long Point Bay, and provide safe passage for wildlife under the road. The project was[…]

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