Coastal Restoration Fund: Quebec Projects

Restoration of habitat connectivity for American eel

Recipient: Conseil de la Nation huronne-wendat

Project achievements: Together with partners, the project team:

• collected data specific to the downstream migration of eels on the South River
• increased knowledge of the American eel's distribution
• restored free passage for eel between the St. Lawrence Estuary and several coastal watersheds in Quebec.

In total, approximately 3,800 ha of habitat for the American eel was restored over the length of the project.

Fund allocation: $1,450,000 over 5 years

Partners:

• Ministère des Forêts, de la Faune et des Parcs
• Québec City
• Corporation du bassin de la Jacques-Cartier
• Organisme des bassins versants de la Capitale
• Organisme de bassins versants Charlevoix Montmorency
• Organisme de bassin versant du Saguenay
• Corporation d'aménagement et de protection de la rivière Sainte-Anne
• Société d'aménagement et de mise en valeur du bassin de la Batiscan
• Bassin Versant Saint-Maurice
• Conseil de bassin de la rivière Etchemin
• Organisme de bassins versants de la zone du Chêne
• Organisme des Bassins Versants de la Côte-du-Sud

Media announcement:

The Government of Canada is making a significant investment in restoring free passage of American eel between the St. Lawrence Estuary and several coastal watersheds in Quebec through the Coastal Restoration Fund under the Oceans Protection Plan

Monitoring and restoration of capelin habitats on the North Shore of the Gulf of St. Lawrence

Recipient: Comité ZIP Côte-Nord du Golfe

Project achievements: The project team completed the restoration of 2 sites:

1. Val-Marguerite
2. Pointe-aux-Anglais

The team also conducted biological capelin spawning ground monitoring.

Together with partners, the project restored and developed approximately 27,000 m² of beach on both sites. This allows improved accessibility and passage of fish species (capelin).

Improved knowledge of capelin breeding areas and the restoration of disturbed habitats over the length of the project promoted species reproduction and juvenile growth.

Fund allocation: $756,000 over 5 years

Partners:

• L'Agence Mamu Innu Kaikusseht
• Université du Québec à Rimouski
• St. Lawrence Global Observatory
• World Wildlife Fund Canada

Media announcement:

The Government of Canada makes a significant investment to restore capelin breeding areas on the north shore of the Gulf of St. Lawrence through the Coastal Restoration Fund under the Oceans Protection Plan

Restoration of the natural bed of two branches of the Petite Rivière Cascapédia

Recipient: Comité ZIP Gaspésie

Project achievements: The project team developed and implemented a restoration plan, which included the:

• dismantling of structures and removal of embankments
• restoration of the vegetation on the surrounding river banks within the region

The restoration and revegetation created shade, reduced runoff to the river and subsequent erosion. It also improved the biodiversity of 2 branches of the Petite Rivière Cascapédia to their natural state.

Together with partners, the project restored over 4,000 m² of aquatic habitat allowing for the significant improvement in the quality of the estuary's ecosystem.

Fund allocation: $526,029 over 4 years

Partners:

• The Town of New Richmond
• Organisme de bassin versant Matapédia-Restigouche
• The Mi'gmaq Maliseet Aboriginal Fisheries Management Association
• ZEC Cascapédia (Association des pêcheurs sportifs des rivières Cascapédia inc.)
• ZEC Bonaventure (Association des pêcheurs sportifs de la rivière Bonaventure)
• Conseil régional de l'Environnement Gaspésie-Îles-de-la-Madeleine
• The Rotary Club
• Activa Environnement Inc.
• Rhéal Pitre Sports
• Stratégies Saint-Laurent

Media announcement:

Government of Canada makes a significant Coastal Restoration Fund investment in coastal habitat restoration in the Gaspé through the Oceans Protection Plan

Fish restoration plan in the coastal habitats of the Charlevoix region

Recipient: Fondation de la Faune du Québec

Project achievements: For forage species (smelt and capelin) within the Charlevoix coastal area, this project focused on the development of a restoration plan for:

• intertidal marshes
• river estuaries
• breeding habitats

Together with their partners, the project researched contemporary documentation and conducted interviews with the Huron-Wendat community.

These project activities allowed the team to:

• consolidate historical data collected
• develop the restoration plan based on the identified issues and action priorities

Fund allocation: $45,060 over 2 years

Partners:

• Comité ZIP Saguenay-Charlevoix
• OBV Charlevoix-Montmorency
• MRC de Charlevoix
• MRC de Charlevoix-Est
• First Nations communities
• Group for Research and Education on Marine Mammals
• Saguenay–St. Lawrence Marine Park

Media announcement:

The Government of Canada is investing in restoring the coastal habitats of Charlevoix through the Coastal Restoration Fund under the Oceans Protection Plan

Interventions on the Matane shoreline

Recipient: Groupe environnemental Uni-Vert région Matane

Project achievements: The project stabilized coastal habitats in the Matane regional county municipality. To do so, the team used natural techniques to address the problem of soil erosion affecting the habitats of forage fish species (capelin).

Together with partners, the project stabilized a total area of 7,749 m² between the:

• east of Grosses Roches and the west of Les Méchins
• east of Baie-des-Sables and the Tartigou River

Fund allocation: $371,122 over 4 years

Partners:

• Comité ZIP du Sud-de-l'Estuaire
• Conseil régional de l'environnement du Bas-Saint-Laurent
• Firme Parages
• Municipalité régionale de comté de la Matanie

Media announcement:

Government of Canada makes a significant Coastal Restoration Fund investment in coastal habitat restoration in the Matane region through the Oceans Protection Plan

Restoration of coastal habitats on the south shore of the St. Lawrence Estuary

Beneficiary: Comité ZIP du Sud-de-l'Estuaire

Project achievements: The project cleaned and restored 5 ha of aquatic coastal habitat within 5 regions of the south shore of the St. Lawrence Estuary:

1. Isle-aux-Grues
2. Rivière-Ouelle
3. Notre-Dame-du-Portage
4. Trois-Pistoles
5. Saint-Ulric

The restoration process included the planting of sand ryegrass, cordgrass and more than 12,000 willow cuttings.

These project activities provided direct habitat benefits for fodder fish species (capelin).

Funds invested: $2,377,503 over 5 years

Partners:

• Université du Québec à Rimouski
• Ministère des Forêts, de la Faune et des Parcs
• Environment Canada
• Nature Conservancy of Canada
• The municipalities of Rivière-Ouelle, Notre-Dame-des-Neiges, Notre-Dame-du-Portage and Saint-Ulric
• Uni-Vert environmental group, Matane region

Press release:

Government of Canada makes a significant investment to restore the coastal habitats of five sectors on the south shore of the St. Lawrence Estuary

Joint action plan on coastal habitat restoration in Innu communities on the North Shore of the Estuary and the Gulf of St. Lawrence

Recipient: L'Agence Mamu Innu Kaikusseht

Project achievements: The project focused on the restoration of degraded coastal habitats deemed important or of interest to Innu communities on the north shore of the Estuary and Gulf of St. Lawrence. Targeted projects:

• supported the participating communities
• focused on coastal and estuarine habitats
• restored key habitats:
  • salt marshes
  • zoster groves
  • shell banks
  • forage beaches
• served to reduce habitat threats to species at risk and important local species

Fund allocation: $1,188,909.34 over 4 years

Partners:

• Première Nation des Innus d'Essipit
• Innus de Pessamit
• Innus Takuaikan Uashat mak Mani-Utenam
• Innus de Ekuanitshit
• Innus de Nutashkuan
• Innus d'Unamen Shipu
• Innus de Pakuashipi

Media Announcement:

Government of Canada invests in the North Shore of Quebec through the Oceans Protection Plan

Restoration of important coastal habitat for the Mi'kmaq communities of Gespeg and Gesgapegiag and the Maliseet community of Viger in the Lower St. Lawrence and the Gaspésie area

Recipient: Association de gestion halieutique autochtone Mi'gmaq et Maécite

Project achievements: The project identified and prioritized restoration sites within targeted areas of the region. Installation of eel ramps on existing dams and the construction of thresholds onto perched culverts resulted in the restoration and enhancement of over 2,000 ha of key habitats for several fish species, including:

• forage species, namely:
  • stickleback
  • rainbow smelt
  • herring
  • capelin
• predatory species, like:
  • striped bass
  • Flounder
• migratory species, such as:
  • salmon
  • American eel

The project also increased the Association de gestion halieutique autochtone Mi'gmaq et Malécite's habitat restoration capacity within the communities of:

• Gespeg
• Gesgapegiag
• Viger

Fund allocation: $800,000 over 4 years

Partners:

• Nation Mi'gmaq de Gespeg
• Micmacs of Gesgapegiag
• Première Nation Malécite de Viger

Media Announcement:

The Mi'gmaq Maliseet Aboriginal Fisheries Management Association is forging ahead with sustainable, innovative management of marine resources

Wetland construction, restoration and monitoring in the Restigouche River Estuary

Recipient: Listuguj Mi'gmaq Government

Project achievements: The project offset the impacts of urban run-off by:

• reducing urban shoreline erosion
• increasing available habitats for fish species

Willows and more than 5,000 different aquatic plants were planted to fill the holes in the vegetation within the region. This will continue to provide healthier wetlands and promote a diversity of species, including the American eel, a species threatened in Canada. These healthier wetlands continue to help slow the flow of water to the surface and help prevent flooding and increase the stability of the soil.

Fund allocation: $130,529.02 over 3 years

Partners:

• Gespe'gewaq Mi'gmaq Resource Council
• Listuguj Mi'gmaq Government beautification department
• PESCA Environment

Media Announcement:

Government of Canada invests in aquatic habitat through the Oceans Protection Plan

Rehabilitation of the Comeau Creek Estuary: planning for restoration work

Recipient: Comité Zone d'interventions Prioritaire de la Rive Nord de l'Estuaire

Project achievements: The project collected additional data to finalize a development concept plan for restoration work within the salt marshes of the region.

The goal of the plan is to boost the biological productivity of the Comeau Creek Estuary to serve as a spawning, nursery and feeding area for various forage fish species, including:

• sticklebacks (3 species)
• banded killifish, which are an important food source for predators inhabiting the St. Lawrence

Species of importance forage in the estuary channels and include:

• American eel
• striped bass
• Atlantic salmon

The restoration of the Comeau Creek Estuary will enhance the site located in the historic core of the city of Baie-Comeau.

Fund allocation: $30,025 over 1 year

Partners:

• Quebec Department of Sustainable Development
• Quebec Department of Environment and the Fight Against Climate Change
• Comité Zone d'interventions Prioritaire de la Rive Sud de l'Estuaire
• Derek Lynch, botanist
• Quebec Department of Forests, Wildlife and Parks
• Mario Heppell, planning biologist
• Cégep de Baie-Comeau

Media Announcement:

Government of Canada invests in aquatic habitat through the Oceans Protection Plan

Integrating local and scientific knowledge into the restoration of ecologically valuable coastal ecosystems in the estuary and Gulf of St. Lawrence

Recipient: University of Quebec Rimouski

Project achievements: The project team completed:

• analyses of:
  • eelgrass beds
  • coastal marshes
  • sandy ecosystems (spits and tombolos with dunes)
• mapping of degraded coastal ecosystems in the Gulf of St. Lawrence (Magdalen Islands)
• a portrait of the evolution of the state of eelgrass beds
• a document of 63 maps accompanied the project analysis

Together with partners, the project team:

• established restoration structures within the dune of an area equivalent to 7,786 m²
• mitigated the massive and random circulation of sand and sediment within the region
• characterized and restored an area of 10,416 m² of dune systems in Clarke Bay, which ensures that sand and sediment has been captured and stabilizes the region

Fund allocation: $555,000 over 3 years

Partners:

• University of Quebec Chicoutimi
• Attention FragÎles
• Magdalen Islands Maritime Community

Media Announcement:

Government of Canada invests in aquatic habitat through the Oceans Protection Plan

Development of the Saguenay Coastal Ecosystem Restoration Plan, intertidal shorelines and marshes

Recipient: Comité ZIP Saguenay–Charlevoix

Project achievements: The project established preparatory steps for the planning of restoration work on the banks of the Middle Saguenay. These banks are located between the mouth of the Rivière aux Sables and the coastal spire located on the territory of the municipality of Saint-Fulgence.

Together with partners, the project assessed and targeted 5 priority areas of intervention for restoration:

1. Barrage Chute-à-Caron
2. Centrale Shipshaw
3. Arrondissement Chicoutimi (Ville de Saguenay)
4. Saint-Fulgence
5. Arrondissement La Baie (Ville de Saguenay)

Fund allocation: $54,913 over 1 year

Partners:

• City of Saguenay
• Fjord du Saguenay Regional Council Municipality
• University of Quebec Chicoutimi

Media Announcement:

Government of Canada invests in aquatic habitat through the Oceans Protection Plan

Restoration of fish habitat in the St. George Canal in Port-Menier, Anticosti Island

Recipient: Comité ZIP Côte-Nord du Golfe

Project achievements: Restoration of fish habitat of Canal Saint-Georges in Port-Menier, Anticosti, re-established connectivity between the Gulf of St. Lawrence and Lake Saint-Georges.

Further restoration was made to the artificial channel that runs through the village and to aquatic habitats of rivers, such as the Trois Milles.

The project's community partner, the Municipality of Anticosti Island, and public works staff continue a medium-term monitoring program. This monitoring builds capacity and helps to clarify the direction of future projects.

Fund allocation: $565,000 over 3 years

Partners:

• Municipality of Anticosti Island
• Laboratory of geomorphology and river dynamics of the Université du Québec à Rimouski
• St. Lawrence Action Fund through the St. Lawrence Maritime Biodiversity Program

Media Announcement:

Government of Canada invests in aquatic habitat through the Oceans Protection Plan

Mitigation of the impacts of coastal squeeze by the restoration of a contained coastal marsh

Recipient: Comité ZIP Sud-de-l'Estuaire

Project achievements: The project:

• reconstituted maritime marsh
• controlled the presence of common reed
• restored the connectivity of fish habitat within the coastal region by the direct transplantation of Spartine alterniflore

Together with partners, the project team recovered 4.3 ha of coastal habitat in the region for:

• rainbow smelt
• striped bass
• American Eel
• American shad
• Atlantic sturgeon

They increased the environmental resilience of the entire coastal ecosystem in its adaptation to climate change.

Fund allocation: $399,313 over 3 years

Partners:

• Kamouraska Regional Council Municipality
• Saint-André Municipality
• Kamouraska, L'Islet and Rivière-du-Loup Watershed Organization
• University of Quebec Rimouski
• Southern Middle Estuary GRC
• Regional Committee on Invasive Alien Plants in Kamouraska
• Ducks Unlimited Canada
• Maliseet First Nation - Viger

Media Announcement:

Government of Canada invests in aquatic habitat through the Oceans Protection Plan