Apr 29, 2023

RAMSAR -- Niagara River - Is this designation problematic for private property owners?

 There was no opposition to the RAMSAR designation of Sackville New Brunswick... but should there have been? Why? Why not? Was the public ever consulted? Why not? Who worked to see this designation applied:  Ron Kelly-Spurles, Town of Sackville Manager of Tourism.  Should he be reprimanded for his efforts? Yes.  Will he be? No.


Ramsar designation is acquired when advocates are successful at having property owners, agencies, and local and provincial governments agree to designate a wetland, lake, river, bog or some other water-based ecosystem as a Ramsar site. The proposed sites only need to meet one of nine defining criteria



[September 2020]

The Niagara Independent

"The Niagara Parks Commission did their due diligence on a proposal to affix a Ramsar designation to the Niagara River and in the end withdrew as a potential nominator of the designation.

A Ramsar designation is acquired when advocates are successful at having property owners, agencies, and local and provincial governments agree to designate a wetland, lake, river, bog or some other water-based ecosystem as a Ramsar site.  The proposed sites only need to meet one of nine defining criteria.  The name and regime behind the designation stem from the Ramsar Convention signed by number of countries in Ramsar, Iran in 1971.

Local environmental advocates launched their own Niagara River Ramsar Designation Steering Committee six years ago in an attempt to have the Niagara River designated as a Ramsar site.  They have made presentations to municipalities, the Niagara Region, Ontario Power Generation (OPG), the Peace Bridge Board, the Niagara Falls Bridge Commission, Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority and most importantly the Niagara Parks Commission which is the principal ‘property owner’ of Canadian lands along the Niagara River."


Ramsar designation for Niagara River gets Region committee’s OK | NiagaraFallsReview.ca

[March 11, 2021]

"The designation has run into opposition on the Canadian side.

“No disrespect for those who aren’t too happy about this, but there are a bunch of things being read into it that certainly don’t exist,” Lincoln Coun. Rob Foster said. “The reality is that this is a very special area, and this recognizes that internationally ... This is the least we can do as a Region.”

Both the City of Niagara Falls and Niagara Parks Commission withdrew their support. The parks commission was, in fact, the lead sponsor. Both reversed course after closed-session legal reviews they haven’t made available to the public.

The Ramsar Convention is a global treaty supporting the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands and related waters. The treaty’s framework is voluntary and was first signed in Ramsar, Iran, in 1971."

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