14.0 PLAN IMPLEMENTATION

Parks Canada uses its annual business planning process to identify delivery of services and improvements to its site operations. The management plan provides the strategic direction upon which a site’s business plan is based. The business plan will identify the specifics of when and how the management plan strategies will be implemented. The business plan will also ensure that priorities are based on commemorative integrity, client service, and wise and efficient use of resources.

Implementation of this management plan is the responsibility of the Superintendent of the Rideau Canal National Historic Site of Canada. Government appropriations make up the majority of resources required to implement this plan but other funding mechanisms including revenue generation and partnerships will be explored. The Superintendent will report on the implementation of the plan through the bi-annual State of the Protected Heritage Areas Report and through annual business plan implementation reporting.

The following tables outline the various projects required to achieve commemorative integrity at the site, protect the environment, maintain the integrity of the navigation system and provide quality service to visitors.
Implementation priority categories are:

The project or activity must proceed as a high priority action with funding and staff in place or earmarked in future years. The project or activity is necessary to achieve commemorative integrity, maintain the integrity of the navigation system, protect the environment, ensure public safety and provide quality service to clients, or has a significant bearing on future projects aimed at ensuring commemorative integrity.
The project has an impact on commemorative integrity, ecosystem health, navigation or on quality service to clients, and should proceed subject to results of the above, should funding become available due to savings extracted from priority 1 items or with new or re-allocated funds.
Implementation is preferable but not essential to ensuring commemorative integrity, ecosystem health or quality service to clients. Project should be considered as opportunities and funding availability permit.

CULTURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

Cultural resource Management Actions by Parks Canada (4.4.1)

Activity	Priority	Description	Timing
Ongoing monitoring and maintenance of engineering works.	1	Investment of regular operating and capital project funding on a priority basis to protect heritage fabric and ensure public safety.	Ongoing. Major capital projects identified in Business Plan. Annual update.
Ongoing monitoring and maintenance of buildings.	1	Investment of regular operating and capital project funding on a priority basis to protect heritage fabric and ensure public safety.	Ongoing. Major capital projects identified in Business Plan. Annual update.
Conserve lock station landscapes.	1	Identify cultural landscape features, protect through ongoing monitoring and maintenance and operational activities.	Ongoing. Major capital projects identified in Business Plan. Annual update.
Protect archaeological sites on Canal lands and on the bed of the Canal.	1	Update the inventory of known archaeological sites. Ongoing management of sites and monitoring of maintenance and operational activities and potential impacts. Interventions to mitigate any threats.	2004/2006 Ongoing As required
Conserve objects and archaeological artifacts.	1	Update catalogue and condition reports. Priorized mitigation of conservation issues.	2004 - 2006 Ongoing

Cultural resource Management, co-operative actions, (4.4.2)

Activity	Priority	Description	Timing
Encourage municipal actions to conserve heritage.	2	Raise awareness of heritage values among planners, municipal councils and landowners. Support and sponsor of Waterway Symposium. Interventions with the development community to protect structures and landscapes.	Ongoing Annual event As required
Establish a network of heritage interests.	2	Hold workshops with heritage interests. Support shared learning and conservation programs.	2004/2005 Ongoing
Protect lands adjacent to lockstations etc.	3	Participate in Municipal Official Plan processes. Provide technical assistance to municipalities and adjacent land owners. Review of development applications.	Ongoing As required As required
Assist the owner in protecting the Bascule Bridge NHSC (Smiths Falls, ON).	1	Negotiation of partnership agreement. Participate in partnership agreement to protect and manage the bridge.	2005 Ongoing

ECOSYSTEM MANAGEMENT

Key Parks Canada actions (5.4.1)

Activity	Priority	Description	Timing
Inventory and protect natural ecosystem features on the Canal.	1	Inventory of significant wetlands. Actions to conserve and protect ecosystem resources. Investments in studies such as species at risk, critical resources. Contaminated sites management.	2004/2006 Ongoing As required Ongoing
Monitor and ensure the environmental assessment of in-water and shoreline works.	1	Proactive assessment of Parks Canada marine works projects. Review of landowner/lessee applications for in-water and shoreline works.	As required Ongoing
Manage submerged aquatic vegetation.	1	Control vegetation in navigation channels. Study and analysis of invasive species spread in cooperation with others.	Ongoing 2004/2006

Key co-operative actions (5.4.2)

Activity	Priority	Description	Timing
Collect and Share environmental information.	2	Maintain networks with other jurisdictions, agencies and associations. Participate in Rideau River Round Table. Establish data base linkages.	Ongoing Ongoing Ongoing
Identify ecologically sensitive lands, promote their protection.	2	Work with partners such as the Rideau Waterway Land Trust. Support envrionmental stewardship initiatives through cooperative action.	Ongoing Ongoing
Ecological indicators and environmental monitoring.	3	Make progress with partners in establishing a set of environmental indicators. Initiate a monitoring program on a pilot project basis.	Ongoing 2005/2006

WATERFRONT LAND USE AND DEVELOPMENT

Key Parks Canada actions (6.3.1)

Activity	Priority	Description	Timing
Participate in municipal planning process.	1	Review and comment on official plans and other specific land use decision making processes.	Ongoing
Prepare a comprehensive guide for sustainable waterfront development.	2	Guide developed and available for property owners and stakeholders.	2005/2006

Key actions in co-operation with others (6.3.2)

Activity	Priority	Description	Timing
Identify and promote protection of scenic, historic and ecologically significant waterfront lands.	2	Provide advice to municipal governments and land owners based on Rideau Cultural Landscape study. Manage Canal lands including leased land in accordance with CIS and Landscape Study.	Ongoing Ongoing
Network with municipal planners and government agencies.	2	Establish a network of planners. Promote regular meetings and learning opportunities.	2005/2006 Ongoing

HERITAGE PRESENTATION

Key Actions by Parks Canada (7.5.1)

Activity	Priority	Description	Timing
Upgrade heritage presentation program to present messages of national significance at five lockstations.	1	Implement program upgrade at one site not completed (Merrickville) Make strategic investments in upgrading or initiating program elements.	2005 - 2006 Ongoing. Specific projects in Business Plan.
Present other heritage messages at remaining lock stations.	2	Invest in up to date interpretive media.	Ongoing. Specific projects in Business Plan.

Key actions in co-operation with others (7.5.2)

Activity	Priority	Description	Timing
Support community museums in presentation of key messages.	2	Provide technical assistance in business planning and heritage presentation.	As required
Support presentation of key messages by the Rideau Canal Museum.	1	Work with the Rideau Canal Museum as a central heritage presentation facility for the Rideau waterway.	Ongoing
Co-operate with other agencies and interests to promote stewardship and public involvement.	2	Identify and support strategic partnerships. Support public education and information initiatives.	Ongoing Ongoing. Initiative specific involvement.

VISITOR SERVICE AND FACILITIES

Key actions by Parks Canada (8.3.1)

Activity	Priority	Description	Timing
Provide a basic level of service and visitor information.	1	Information will be provided at all lockstations, using media and advertising and through internet.	Ongoing
Produce a public safety plan.	1	Plan to be written and approved.	2005/2006
Monitor client satisfaction.	2	Regular surveys and public comment.	Ongoing
Establish performance standards for services and facilities.	3	Research and analysis of industry standards and norms for tourism facilities. Coordinate standards with other Parks Canada canals. Publicize standards.	2004/2006 2005/2006 2007/2008

Key actions in co-operation with others (8.3.2)

Activity	Priority	Description	Timing
Undertake market research.	2	Research on visitor needs and market trends.	Ongoing
Encourage private sector investment in services and facilities.	2	Assist in identifying opportunities to private sector. Partner with private sector where appropriate.	Ongoing As required

HERITAGE TOURISM AND RECREATION

Key actions by Parks Canada (9.4.1)

Activity	Priority	Description	Timing
Provide lead in tourism marketing.	2	Strategic leadership in the Rideau Waterway corridor in promotion and awareness. Specific marketing actions such as advertising.	Ongoing Ongoing
Focus marketing on sustainable activities.	2	Strategic direction and actions will be based on sustainable activites and use.	Ongoing

Key activities in co-operation with others (9.4.2)

Activity	Priority	Description	Timing
Co-operate with others to address boating safety and conflict issues.	1	Work with Coast Guard and police forces to establish and enforce speed and wake controls.	Ongoing
Participate with tourism industry to market the Rideau Heritage Route.	2	Take a leadership role in specific projects. Link all marketing activities to the RHR initiative.	As required Ongoing

ADMINISTRATION AND OPERATIONS

Activity	Priority	Description	Timing
Continue to resolve land ownership issues.	2	Systematic resolution on an individual transaction basis. Provision of information to real estate industry and legal community with respect to federal government ownership.	Ongoing Ongoing
Protect the bed of the Canal from unauthorized use.	1	Provision of public information with respect to development issues. Regular inspection and enforcement action.	Ongoing Ongoing
Undertake environmental assessment of all projects.	2	Proactive application of CEAA.	Ongoing
Enforce historic canal regulations.	1	Update regulations. Provision of public information regarding regulations. Enforcement relative to mandate.	2004/2005 Ongoing

ONGOING PARTNERSHIP AND PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT

Activity	Priority	Description	Timing
Involve the public through the Rideau Canal Advisory Committee and other mechanisms.	2	Consultative activities related to specific issues and activities. Support and sponsor Rideau Waterway Symposium. Regular meetings of Advisory Committee. Inform public with respect to Management Plan approval.	Ongoing Annually Four times per year 2005/2006
Support the Friends of the Rideau, the Rideau Canal Advisory Committee and the Rideau Waterway Land Trust.	2	Active involvement on project specific basis. Provide support and assistance.	As required Ongoing
Prepare annual assessment of plan implementation.	1	To be done March of each year.	Annually
State of the Canal report every 5 years.	3	Roll up of annual reports. Evaluation of asset condition.	As required
Review the management plan every 5 years.	1	Next review to begin in 2009.	2009/2010

Previous | Index | Next

Language selection

Search