Community Based Initiatives - Protecting the Environment

Wetlands Management and Land Use Plans

Objectives:

The Walpole Island marshes consititute one of the largest naturally occurring wetlands in the Great Lakes and contributes significantly to the First Nation's ability to maintain a traditional way of life. While various forms of pollution have threatened the environmental integrity of WI, changes in land use pose a problem as well, particularly the expansion of agricultural land use into the wetlands. Between 1963 and 1978, 508 ha of marshes were drained for agriculture, representing a 4.5 percent loss, while other marsh areas were also dyked. While the First Nation has attempted to reverse this situation, at least with regard to its own Tahgahoning Farm activities, private leaseholders continue to threaten wetland areas by blocking drainage and expanding agricultural development.

Description:

In 1991 a Draft Wetlands Management Plan was developed in response to the recognition that the marsh is being threatened and will require some measure of human intervention. This plan was developed for a wetlands area of 17,000 acres located within WIFN. The plan outlined efforts not only to maintain the current status quo but to assist in enhancing current features through ongoing monitoring and corrective measures.

The objective of the plan was defined as follows: The wetlands of Walpole Island will be managed for the conservation and maintenance of the unique habitats of this area's plant, insect, fish, wildfowl and wildlife species. By maintaining and managing our wetlands on a more formalized level through the auspices of this Plan, we can continue to reinforce the unique heritage that is the ‘Anishnaabeg', and continue our legacy as a hunting-based society. As much as humanly possible, natural, dynamic forces will be allowed to run their course. Where these fragile physical and biological balances are in danger of being upset by the activities of man, management actions may be implemented to counteract their adverse effects. These actions could include fire control, removal of exotic species, reintroduction of species which formerly occurred, or the introduction of a natural predator species.

Outcome:

Though the plan was completed, it was never adopted by the First Nation. In general, development plans have been less than successful in Walpole Island. It has not been easy to reconcile restrictions on individual behaviour (as zoning and similar controls tend to) with the desire for consensus that characterizes decision-making in First Nations. Secondly, the emphasis on the close relationship between humans and their environment and the need to ensure that the earth's resources are passed on to future generations is more compatible with aboriginal thinking than the human-focused, ‘all things are possible' philosophy that is at the root of many development plans.

Support:

Development of the management plan was supported by DIAND and Environment Canada.