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Wetland to Improve Quality of Annapolis Royal Wastewater 
Industry Unites with Conservation to Construct Water Treatment Wetland
Amherst, Nova Scotia, September 10, 2002 - Ducks Unlimited Canada and its industry partners will roll out the "reed" carpet today on a new 37-acre wetland constructed at Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia, to serve as the last cleaning stop for wastewater before entering the Annapolis River.
Michelin North America Ltd., The Kings Mutual Insurance Company and Minas Basin Pulp & Paper Company have each committed $25,000 towards the $200,000 construction of the project and the monitoring and research that will occur over the next several years. All partners will have representatives at today's project opening according to Ben McCrea of Halifax, a Ducks Unlimited Canada director who was instrumental in working with the corporate community to develop funding for the project.
"Our corporate sponsors on this project are investing in the health and well-being of their employees and this community where they live," McCrea said. "We are pleased to be sharing this opportunity with environmentally conscious businesses in this region.
"The quality of effluent from Annapolis Royal already meets environmental standards but it is high in phosphorous and nitrogen. Mark Gloutney, Atlantic manager of field operations, said that when these two nutrients are abundant they reduce water quality and degrade habitat.
"Natural biological processes in the marsh will remove impurities and excess nutrients. The quality of water entering the Annapolis River will improve and the nutrients flowing through the wetland will enrich and enhance the area for wildlife," Gloutney said. The area will also feature trails to encourage public use and enjoyment of the area.
Constructed wetlands have been used in Europe and North America for many years as a natural, cost-effective method of treating wastewater. Nova Scotia's River Hebert Marsh, another DUC led wetland project, has been treating that town's wastewater for eight years.
Other funding partners in the creation of Annapolis Royal Marsh include Environment Canada and partners under the North American Waterfowl Management Plan's (NAWMP) Eastern Habitat Joint Venture that include the Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources and the Canadian Wildlife Service. NAWMP is an agreement that unites government wildlife agencies and nonprofit conservation organizations in Canada, the United States and Mexico under common goals for the conservation of waterfowl populations and their habitats.
Since 1959, Ducks Unlimited Canada has been conserving, restoring and managing Atlantic Canada's wetlands and associated habitats for waterfowl. These habitats - nature's water filters - also benefit other wildlife and people. DUC has completed more than 600 habitat conservation projects in the region and invested over $65 million in Atlantic Canada habitat enhancements over the past 43 years.
