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Introduction | 2001-2002 | Caring for our Coast Established in 1992, the St. Croix Estuary Project (SCEP) is one of the original sites of the Atlantic Coastal Action Program (ACAP), an initiative sponsored by Environment Canada. SCEP is unique from other ACAP sites in that it is located on an international river and represents the interests of both Canadian and American residents of the St. Croix Valley. SCEP maintains its office in St. Stephen, New Brunswick, directly across the St. Croix River from Calais , Maine. Directors of the Board come from both Washington County, Maine, and Charlotte County, New Brunswick. The organization is a not-for-profit, charitable organization which, on behalf of its members, strives to promote the wise environmental management of the St. Croix Estuary and western Passamaquoddy Bay area. SCEP's early work focused on surveying the resources of the estuary area, monitoring water quality, and identifying environmental and social issues. This effort culminated in the development of a Comprehensive Environmental Management Plan (CEMP) for the St. Croix Estuary and surrounding areas.This document has provided the guidelines for SCEP throughout much of the last decade. Building on a valuable information base, SCEP is now moving towards the establishment of sustainable community developments based on remedial efforts. Current initiatives are focused on establishing criteria for classification and the development of monitoring technology which will give researchers the mechanisms required to measure changes in the Estuary on an annual basis. With this assessment system in place, SCEP will move to remedial projects designed to restore the Estuary area and enhance economic potential and the quality of life. The intention has always been to use the internet in order to provide a so-called "living document". This effort is now underway with assistance from ACAP, Science Horizons, the International Joint Commission, New Brunswick's Environmental Trust Fund, and HRDC funding. Over the next few months, this web site will become an increasingly valuable resource. The St. Croix Estuary Project, Inc. - 2001-2002 The St. Croix Estuary Project, Inc. (SCEP) is currently entering its second decade as a community-based, environmental group. Activities include: 1) Assessing the Health of the St. Croix Estuary This is the final year of a two year program designed to assess the environmental health of the St. Croix Estuary and western Passamaquoddy Bay. The program includes three phases designed to: 1. Determine historical environmental trends, Based on the field work to date, it is clear that there are many areas of need if the Estuary is to be returned to a semblance of its original environmental viability. A list of sites requiring remediation is being compiled and will be used in the development of future restoration programs. 2) International Stewards Training Course and Watershed Forum SCEP is cooperating with the Maine Coastal Program to provide an International Steward Training course. Focusing on the Estuary and Passamaquoddy Bay, this course is designed to provide a broad information base about all aspects of the area. Speakers are well known experts in their fields. Information can be obtained at: http://www.scep.org/stewardtraining . A Watershed Forum will be held in November. It is anticipated that a series of meetings will be held on a variety of topics such as set-backs, quarries, sewage, industrial pollution, remediation, commercial and recreational fisheries, tourism, etc. The objective is to identify issues and the solutions which may be used in the remediation process. 3)The Ganong Nature Park A SCEP initiative to raise funds for the purchase of this magnificent 350 acre property was successful and the property was acquired in March, 2002. the Park officially opened on June 8, 2002. 4 student guides were hired shortly thereafter and numerous events and programs were held over the summer period. Additional development of educational and community programs will be developed over the winter and it is expected that a professional management plan will be developed for implementation during 2003.
4) The St. Croix Estuary Access Centre The SCEP office has recently been moved to larger quarters and will be used to provided office and laboratory space as well as expanded services to the public, including: an extensive library of publications on the Estuary and surrounding areas, computer access to property information, events booking, meetings, etc. A display area has been established for development over the winter months. Art MacKay, Executive Director Caring For Our Coast: A Plan for Community Management of the St. Croix Estuary Area We are currently working on placing the document Caring for Our Coast on this web site. In the meantime, a summary of the 50 recommended actions is given below. How are we doing? We will try to bring you up-to-date over the next few months.
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