From “Port Rowan Good News” community newspaper — December 2010

Norfolk County has issued a request for proposals (RFP) for engineering and environmental services for three wildlife culverts, or ecopassages, to be constructed under the Causeway at Long Point. The closing date for tenders is November 30. The project will be awarded on December 21, 2010 with the final report due to Council on June 14, 2011.

It’s the first step in addressing problems related to the Causeway, from wildlife mortality to siltation in the Inner Bay to public safety.

After the Causeway Improvement Committee received confirmation of nearly $400,000 in funding from Environment Canada and the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources in July 2010, spokesman Rick Levick went to Norfolk Council in August to ask for their assistance: “Levick asked Norfolk County Council to assume the lead in the design, engineering and approvals for 3 ecopassages under the Causeway, to provide interim financing and to direct County staff to work with the Causeway Improvement Committee on a tree planting and landscaping plan. Levick said the Committee had secured all of the funding “at no cost to Norfolk County.” (Port Rowan Good News, August 2010).

Following Levick’s presentation in August, Council voted overwhelmingly in support. Mayor Travale commented that, with respect to the proposed changes to the Causeway road, “I’ve been firm from day one. That’s our roadway. We should take care of that road as we see fit… the installation of these ecopassages will do nothing but improve the life that’s there in the marsh.”

Specifically, the proposal calls for an examination of the feasibility, costs and regulatory requirements for the “Installation of two terrestrial wildlife culverts that are not required for drainage purposes” i.e. ecopassages for wildlife and “Installation of a new larger aquatic culvert/structure to re-establish historic hydraulic connections (between Inner Bay and wetland)”.

Proposal requirements include consultation with all relevant regulatory agencies including Fisheries & Oceans Canada, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Environment Canada (CWS) and Long Point Regional Conservation Authority. In addition, consultation with local stakeholder organizations as well as non-regulatory and not-for-profit agencies is required.