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Riverside
communities began to participate in the protection of the St.
Lawrence during Phase II of the ction Plan under the Area of
Prime Concern (ZIP) program. Between 1989 and 1998, 10 ZIP committees
were set up to cover 10 segments of the St. Lawrence, under
the co-ordination of Stratégies Saint-Laurent, a non-governmental
organization that has been working with communities along the
river since 1989. The communities worked with local representatives
to set priorities for local action and develop an Environmental
Remedial Action Plan (ERAP).
During
Phase III, the partners will step up their efforts in order
to involve communities more and more closely. One of the means
used will be the creation of four new ZIP committees in regions
where community interest is already high.
The
dynamic process undertaken in Phase II with the mobilization
and participation of residents along the St. Lawrence has
been very effective over the years in ensuring the success of
efforts to protect and conserve the fluvial ecosystem. The population
is also well placed to take charge of local initiatives to protect
and enhance the river’s uses and resources, while constituting
an important vector of information in the dissemination of scientific
and technical knowledge on the St. Lawrence. Furthermore, in
Phase III, the 10 existing ZIP committees will oversee the implementation
of the ERAPs that they developed in Phase II in co-operation
and partnership with the communities concerned.
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