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     ,msawfix9 Heritage Rivers Background Study Underway 
     
    
   
   
    
       
     
    
   
   
    
     In 1991 a “systems study" was carried out on 17 Prince Edward Island rivers to 
     
     assess their potential of becoming Canadian Heritage Rivers. Included in the 
     
     study'were the Brudenell, Cardigan, Dunk, Fortune, Hillsborough, Hunter, Kildare, 
     
     Mill, Montague, Morell, Murray, Southwest, Stanley, Trout, Vernon, West (Eliofi) 
     
     and Wheatley rivers.) Of these rivers three were selected for further study 
     
     including the Hillsborough, WeSt.(Eliot) and the Morell. Of consideration in 
     
     selecting these rivers were natural, recreational and human heritage values as 
     
     well-as management feasibility. The natural history is perhaps less significant, 
     
     there being far less wilderness on our rivers as compared to many other Canadian 
     
     naminees. With this in.mind we are inviting submissions from members of the. 
     
     Natural History Society who have recorded observations on the natural history 
     
     of the West (Eliot), Hillsborough or Morell Rivers. ‘ ' 
     
    
   
   
    
     This summer is the seCond year of what could be a 4 to'6 year process. It will_ 
     
     involve a more in-depth study of the three selected rivers in order to determine 
     
     the best candidate(s) for nomination as a heritage river. If a nomination 
     
     occurs, it will most likely be in recognition of extensive cultural (human) 
     
     heritage and/or recreational values. Observations on their natural history are 
     
     nonetheless encouraged and surprises cannot be ruled out completely. ' 
     
    
   
   
    
     The National Canadian Heritage Rivers Board met on Prince Edward Island for the 
     
     first time on the week of June 21, 1992. They visited the West (Eliot), 
     
     Hillsborough and Morell River watersheds. The Board reviews nominations and 
     
     recommendations of rivers. The Government of Canada, eight provinces and both 
     
     territories from the co-operative program. .Doug Murray, Director of the Parks 
     
     Branch of' the Provincial Department of Tourism and Parks, is the board 
     
     representative for the Island. He currently serves as Chair for the board. 
     
    
   
   
    
     Once nominated, a management plan'for the river is designed to conserve and 
     
     improve those values for which the river is nominated in the first place. On 
     
     P.E.I. nominations of any river or part of a river will very likely be based on 
     
     cultural (human) heritage values and/or recreational values. Community, group 
     
     and individual participation in the process is being encouraged this summer at 
     
     the background study level. vathe program is to succeed, this participation 
     
     will have to be ongoing beyond the 4 to 6 years when actual designation might 
     
     take place. - ‘ ' 
     
    
   
   
    
     -If you feel that you would like to assist, your observations on the natural, 
     
     recreational and human heritage of these rivers may be forwarded. (Interested 
     
     persons or organizations are invited to contact Fred Horne at the Island Nature 
     
     Trust, P.O. Box 265, Charlottetown, CIA 7K4, 56Q-9150, (368-4283 summer months), 
     
     FAX 566-7279. ‘ . 
     
    
   
   
    
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