Wavyrayed lampmussel (Lampsilis fasciola) recovery strategy: appendix 1


Appendix 1: Record of Cooperation and Consultation

Fisheries and Oceans Canada attempted to engage all potentially affected aboriginal communities in Southern Ontario during the development of the proposed recovery strategy for the Wavyrayed Lampmussel. An information package, which includes a copy of the Wavyrayed Lampmussel Recovery Strategy and a summary description of the strategy, was prepared to solicit comments from potentially affected Aboriginal groups prior to the finalization of the proposed recovery strategy. This package was sent to the Chief and Council of the Chippewas of Kettle and Stoney Point, Aamjiwnaang First Nation, Caldwell First Nation, Delaware Nation Council (Moravian of the Thames First Nation), Chippewas of the Thames, Oneida Nation of the Thames, Munsee-Delaware First Nation, Mississaugas of New Credit First Nation, Six Nations of the Grand, Walpole Island First Nation and the Southern First Nations Secretariat. Information packages were also sent to Metis Nation of Ontario (MNO) Captains of the Hunt for Region 7, 8, and 9 and the MNO senior policy advisor. Members of these communities may have traveled or harvested fish or freshwater mussels from the waters of the Sydenham River, Thames River, Grand River, Lake St. Clair or Lake Erie where this mussel species was historically found. Follow-up telephone calls were made to each community office to ensure that packages were received and to ask if they would like to schedule a meeting to learn more about the proposed recovery strategy.

As a result of these calls, meetings were held with Oneida Nation of the Thames Councillor for environmental issues, Chief and council of Kettle and Stoney Point First Nation, the environment committee from Aamjiwnaang First Nation, Wapole Island First Nation – Heritage Centre Staff, and a Council meeting of the Metis of Nation of Ontario. No comments were received.

In addition to the above activities, DFO established an ongoing dialogue with the policy advisor to the Southern First Nations Secretariat and engaged the London Chiefs Council (an association of the 8 area First Nation governments in Southwestern Ontario) on several occasions. Meetings were held with the director of the Walpole Island Natural Heritage Centre and the Fish and Game Enforcement Officer from Walpole Island First Nation. During these meetings, general information on the Species at Risk Act and proposed recovery strategy development were presented and the Walpole Island Recovery Strategy, which includes the Wavyrayed Lampmussel, was discussed. Walpole Island First Nation was represented in the membership of the Ontario Freshwater Mussel Recovery Team since the formation of the recovery team in 2003. DFO also discussed SARA issues with a representative of the Six Nations of the Grand who works for the Six Nations EcoCentre and who also represents First Nation interests on the Grand River Fishes at Risk Management Plan, the Thames River Fish Management Plan and the St. Clair River Management Strategy.

The Ontario Freshwater Mussel Recovery Team had representatives from all of the Conservation Authorities responsible for managing the rivers where Wavyrayed Lampmussels are presently or were historically found. In addition to this, DFO prepared a list of non-governmental organizations and municipalities which may be impacted by the proposed recovery strategy. Information packages were prepared to inform these groups that the proposed the recovery strategy was about to be approved and inviting each group to comment on the strategy. As well an announcement was prepared and placed in newspapers with circulation in the area where these mussels are found to inform landowners and the general public about the strategy and to request their comments. These packages were sent and the announcements published at the time the proposed recovery strategy was posted on the SARA registry. Comments from McIlwraith Field Naturalists of London Ontario, Canadian Wildlife Service – Ontario, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and the City of Cambridge were received.

The province of Ontario was represented on the Recovery Team by the Ministry of Natural Resources (OMNR) and had actively participated in the development of this proposed recovery strategy. Further to their participation in the development of the recovery strategy, the OMNR conducted a thorough review of the penultimate draft (December 2004) providing valuable additional insight. Further comment on the proposed Recovery Strategy was requested from OMNR once it was posted on the SARA Registry. Comments were incorporated.

The National Water Research Institute of Environment Canada had been actively engaged in the development of this recovery strategy providing two members to the Ontario Freshwater Mussel Recovery Team. Environment Canada was invited to review and provide comment on the December 2004 draft of the Wavyrayed Lampmussel Recovery Strategy. Further comment on the proposed Recovery Strategy was requested from Environment Canada once it was posted on the SARA Registry. Comments were incorporated.

Comment on the proposed Recovery Strategy was requested from the Parks Canada Agency once it was posted on the SARA Registry. No Comments were received.

The Recovery Team contacted representatives from Resource Management agencies at the state and federal levels in the USA where Wavyrayed Lampmussel occur. This mussel is only found in Canada and the United States of America. Information packages were sent to each U.S. agency when the strategy was posted on the Sara Registry. No comments were received.

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