Fisheries and Oceans Canada Update. Karen Ralph Partner Workshop January 23, 2007

Transcription

1 Fisheries and Oceans Canada Update Karen Ralph Partner Workshop January 23, 2007

2 Organization Three Districts: Southern Ontario: Burlington, London Eastern Ontario: Prescott, Peterborough Northern Ontario: Parry Sound, Sudbury, SSM, Thunder Bay & Kenora Sarnia office has relocated to London: 73 Meg Drive Phone:

3 Environmental Process Modernization Plan DFO Deputy Minister commitment to modernize and streamline regulatory programs 6-Point EPMP Action Plan 1. Risk Management Framework 2. Streamlining of Referral Process 3. Improved Coherence and Predictability 4. Emphasis on Partnership 5. New Governance Models for EAs and Major Projects 6. Compliance Modernization

4 Partnerships Partnership Agreement renewals Updating agreements to reflect current policies & references Risk Management Framework, Species at Risk Act Renewed 5 Parks Canada Agreements Level 1 Agreement with Sault Ste. Marie Region CA to be signed in February Pilot Project Level 3 CA Self-Assessment

5 Partnerships Files Reviewed by Agency 11% 39% 50% OGLA Conservation Authority Parks Canada Agency

6 Streamlining Implementation of 16 Operational Statements since August 2005: Beach creation Beaver dam removal Bridge maintenance Clear-span bridges Culvert maintenance Dock & boathouse construction High-pressure directional drilling Ice bridges Isolated ponds Overhead line construction Underwater cables Beach Maintenance Log Salvage Maintenance of Riparian Vegetation in Existing Rights-of-Way Moorings Punch & Bore Crossing

7 Streamlining Operational Statement Notification Forms received since August 2005 = 500 DFO has provided 224 OS in response to a referral

8 Streamlining Streamlining review of routine water crossing projects: Type Authorizations Culvert extensions Clear span structures requiring channel alteration Spanning Structures requiring in-water infrastructure Channel crossings less that bankfull requiring small amounts of infill Replacement Class Screening Report - CEAA

9 Fisheries Act Renewal Fisheries Act tabled in December 2006 Main Elements of a renewed Fisheries Act Stated in its most general terms, the goal of this initiative is: to provide a modern, transparent, effective and accountable legal framework for the sustainable development of fisheries and fish habitat, undertaken in co-operation with fishers, provinces, territories, Aboriginal groups and other Canadians.

10 Fisheries Act Renewal The purpose of the Act is: to provide for the sustainable development of Canada s seacoast and inland fisheries, through the conservation and protection of fish and fish habitat and the proper management and control of fisheries.

11 Fisheries Act Renewal The preamble recognizes the following key values: conservation and protection of fish habitat and pollution prevention sustainable fisheries management for the benefit of all Canadians importance of a clear Ministerial framework for accountability to Parliament interjurisdictional cooperation and public engagement the constitutional protection of existing Aboriginal and treaty rights and the importance of fisheries to many Aboriginal communities goal of stable access and allocation importance of maintaining the public character of fisheries and fish habitat management public participation importance of deterring illegal fishing

12 Conservation and Protection Update Ray Thibadeau Partner Workshop January 23, 2007

13 C&P Renewal As of April 1, 2007 FHM will be the lead on taking information and tracking occurrences (pilot is ongoing and has been since last summer). C&P staff still remain available to assist with FHM staff, but will focus on prosecutions

14 How will this impact service to partnerships: Will not have C&P responding to all occurrences. Still will have a response to occurrences (FHM). No reason to expect # of files that C&P prosecutes will reduce (should increase). Officers will have more time to focus on the files they do have.

15 Service Continued New process should allow turn around time on prosecutions to be quicker. C&P will have the time to focus on being proactive (public speaking, partnership meetings, presentations).

16 Staffing C&P will be staffed with 3 officers in each of the three District head offices.

17 Southern District Burlington Office Field Supervisor - Jacob Barkley Fishery Officer - Jeff MacDonald Fishery Officer Ron Mueller

18 Eastern District Peterborough Office Field Supervisor - Brian Round Fishery Officer - Ray Thibadeau Fishery Officer - Vacant

19 Northern District Parry Sound Office C&P Supervisor - Ron Beirnes Field Supervisor - Graham Gordon Fishery Officer - Jeff Schuyler Fishery Officer - Vacant

20 Staffing Continued C&P has a Cadet troop in training that will be graduating this spring. The two vacant positions will be filled with Cadets from this troop. C&P will be fully staffed by summer 2007.