State of the River 2004-2005

Detroit River,Ontario,
A Unique International Heritage
Designated in 2001

The Detroit River received international recognition on July 19, 2001 when it became the first river with both Canadian and American Heritage River designations. The Honourable Sheila Copps, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Deputy Prime Minister Herb Gray were joined by other Canadian and America dignitaries during the Parade of Tall Ships along the Detroit River. Thousands of people enjoyed the Detroit Canadian Heritage River Exhibition, a four day event following the official Canadian Heritage River designation which featured numerous activities, entertainment and speakers highlighting the human heritage, natural heritage and recreational values of the Detroit Heritage River.

The Management Strategy for the Detroit River as a Canadian Heritage River was published in July and since that time, a number of strategic actions to conserve, interpret, enhance and appreciate the Detroit River and its watersheds have taken place. Several substantial restoration projects in the City of Windsor improved fish habitat and stabilized more than 1 km of the Detroit River shoreline. Through the Essex Region Conservation Authority, approximately $300,000 of water quality improvement projects such as buffer strips, soil erosion control structures and septic system upgrades were conducted in the Detroit River and its watersheds. 'Friends of Watersheds' groups involved over 1,000 members of the community in conducting more than one dozen tree planting and cleanup projects in Detroit River watersheds.

In October, an International Memorial to the Underground Railroad was unveiled. The Gateway to Freedom and Tower of Freedom monuments are magnificent additions to the river landscape on both the American and Canadian (respectively) sides of the river. These stunning bronze sculptures represent the freedom seekers who bravely crossed the Detroit River on a quest for their freedom. World renowned sculptor Ed Dwight has outdone himself in this moving tribute that once again demonstrates the key role the Detroit River plays in our human heritage.

Some specific projects carried out include:

• 450 metres of Detroit River Shoreline were rehabilitated and stabilized using soft shoreline engineering practices. Fish habitat was also enhanced through this stabilization process. Additionally, trails around the Detroit River were enhanced as a part of this project. The recreational values of the Detroit Canadian Heritage River were also impacted in a positive manner with the enhancement of the recreational trails along the shoreline. This will further encourage thousands of residents and tourists to appreciate the river as they have further opportunities to run, walk, cycle and rollerblade along the beautiful riverfront.
   
• A two (2) acre wetland was constructed in the Canard River, one of the Detroit River watersheds. The river's natural heritage was enhanced through this constructed wetland project which will improve water quality and fish and wildlife habitat.
   
• Two projects completed last year entered their 2nd year of monitoring since project completion. Shoreline stabilization projects were completed in the year 2000 at Goose Bay Park and St. Rose Parks in the City of Windsor. The river's natural heritage was enhanced as demonstrated by the measurable increase in fish abundance over the control year at both sites. Aquatic macrophyte vegetation has been established. As well, both projects incorporated trail enhancements, thereby also improving the recreational values of the river.
    
• The most significant vegetation project that was completed within the Detroit River watershed this year was one hundred (100) acre reforestation project within the Canard River, a sub-watershed of the Detroit River. 56,000 native species trees and shrubs were planted, uniting a currently fragmented woodlot to create a 300 acre forest.
   
• Other reforestation and restoration projects include:
  • 16 acres in the Little River
  • 5 acres in the Canard River
  • 3 acres in Turkey Creek

These restoration projects are public/private partnerships restoring habitat in these subwatersheds of the Detroit River.

• This year, approximately fifteen (15) wild turkeys were released in the Canard River watershed, in the former Town of Colchester North. Biologists believe that this wild turkey release is sufficient to re-establish the population of this bird which historically naturally occurred in the Detroit River watersheds. This will enhance the natural heritage values of the river.

The Tall Ships(tm) docked for five days along both the Canadian and America sides of the Detroit River. Nearly 30 tall ships promoted our human heritage as thousands of residents and tourists had the opportunity to board these magnificent ships from July 18 - July 22, 2001, and briefly experience the lives of our ancestors.

These ships were brought to the Detroit River as an aspect of the 'Detroit 300' celebrations which took place throughout the year of 2001. On Thursday, July 19, the Detroit River was designated as a Canadian Heritage River. The Tall Ships(tm) were also a key aspect of the four day celebrations surrounding the Detroit Canadian Heritage River designation.

From July 19 to July 22, the Detroit Canadian Heritage River Exhibition drew thousands to learn about the human heritage, natural heritage and recreational values of the Detroit River. Several historical re-enactments were conducted, such as Canada Customs boarding a Tall Ship(tm), rum-running days, and a military re-enactment. As well, the Walpole Island Native Singers were key in demonstrating First Nations culture, while various displays also highlighted the plight of our ancestors as they made their flight to freedom via the Underground Railroad.

The Tall Ships(tm), cultural re-enactments promoted the human heritage of the Detroit Canadian Heritage River. As well, thousands of residents and visitors were drawn to the river to experience many of its recreational values.

The Designation Document for the Detroit River as a Canadian Heritage River was released to the public on July 19, 2001. Distribution has included local school boards, municipalities along the Detroit Canadian Heritage river, Members of Parliament and Members of Provincial Parliament, regional libraries and other partners.

Educating residents about the significant human heritage, recreational values and unique natural heritage of the Detroit River will increase pride in and use of the river, while also acting as a catalyst to promote further clean up and restoration of the river. This document will have positive impacts on all values of the Detroit Canadian Heritage River.

In addition to the thousands of residents and tourists who visited the Detroit Canadian Heritage River Exhibition in July of 2001, hundreds of volunteers also participated in watershed cleanup and tree planting events throughout the year. The Essex Region Conservation Authority (ERCA) coordinated six tree planting events and 2 clean up events within Detroit River watersheds. These events attracted approximately 350 and 100 residents, respectively.

Additionally, ERCA launched its 'Yellow Fish Road' project last year - a project whereby children from elementary schools mark storm drains with painted yellow fish to remind residents about the dangers of improperly disposing of hazardous materials. They also deliver yellow fish-shaped flyers to homes surrounding their school to inform residents about the alternatives to dumping these hazardous materials down drains. In 2001, two (2) schools in the Detroit River watersheds participated in this pilot project, marking two hundred (200) drains and delivering six hundred (600) flyers.

Additionally, as education is the most effective way of ensuring environmental improvements are made, these 'grass roots' type programs involve the public and receive a great deal of media attention, thereby solidly spreading the message about the importance of protecting and restoring the Detroit Heritage River and its watersheds.

One of the most significant achievements for the Detroit River in 2001 was the first bi-national 'Conservation Vision for the Lower Detroit River Ecosystem'. Released in December, this important document is a result of the joint effort of representatives of US state, federal and provincial representatives. The strategy presents a binational conservation vision which will strive to protect the unique habitats and ecological features of the river. Protection of the remaining coastal wetlands and rehabilitation of degraded sites are key components of the strategy which urges all stakeholders to champion binational and regional cooperation and stewardship.

The Detroit River Remedial Action Plan (RAP) has noted that over 95 percent of the historical, coastal wetlands of the Detroit River have been lost to development. As stated in the Conservation Vision, "it is urgent to protect the remaining coastal wetlands and other ecological features before they are lost to further development, and to rehabilitate degraded ones".

The Essex Region Conservation Authority along with partners have inventoried and developed maps and databases to identify the unique and significant ecosystem features of the river. This will allow for determining priority areas for conservation and rehabilitation. The Conservation Vision will serve to encourage stakeholders to manage inland watersheds which impact on the quality of the Detroit River and protect fish and wildlife through increasing bi-national efforts. Further, the Conservation Vision will provide the rationale to introduce local conservation policies through land use planning initiative

Important research was carried out to identify the source, transport and fate of contaminants in the Detroit River. This will aid in the cleanup and restoration of the Detroit Canadian Heritage River by allowing cleanup efforts to be focussed and concentrated in the areas which the most benefit will be derived.

This year, the Essex Region Conservation Authority released its first ever water quality report card. Thirty five (34) stations were monitored for water quality over the past two years. Data was collected and analysed for physical, biological and chemical parameters. Ratings were assigned to the stations based on protocol developed with the University of Windsor.

This research has proved integral in helping to secure funds for restoration work within Detroit River watersheds. In addition to large scale restoration projects, funding from the Federal and Provincial governments have permitted incentive grants to be offered to landowners in the Detroit River watersheds to implement water quality improvement projects such as septic system upgrades, buffer strip installations, tree planting projects and others.

This year, the Windsor Archaeological Master Plan (AMP) was created to recognize and preserve local archaeological heritage in the City of Windsor. Due to a lack of research in the past, the archaeological wealth of the Windsor Area has largely been neglected and misunderstood. The Archaeological Master Plan is a major step in the process of recognizing and protecting the heritage resources of the Windsor Area. As many of these resources are related to the historic use of the waterfront, the AMP plays a major role in the recognition and protection of Detroit River heritage resources.

Indeed, 2001 marked a year of tremendous success for the Detroit Canadian Heritage River. As envisioned, heritage river designation will continue to act as a catalyst to stimulate further cleanup and restoration of this river that is so rich with history. Thanks to the vision and commitment of its surrounding community, exciting plans to build on these Detroit River successes are well underway for 2002.

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