February 10, 2003
PRESS RELEASE
For immediate release:
The Friends of the Spanish River have completed the feasibility study on
their proposed "Private Buoyage/Public Dockage System" for the Lower
Spanish River.
The Township of Shedden, Sagamok Anishnawbek First Nation Community, the
Township of Sables/Spanish Rivers, the Town of Espanola and the Friends of the
Spanish River, the five partners in this exciting economic development proposed
project have agreed in principle to proceed to the next step towards realizing
this important project.
Numerous funding agencies including the Ontario Heritage Fund and FedNor have
agreed to consider funding for this project.
The feasibility study included the "Spanish River Action Plan", a
document that outlined a "blueprint" for development of this project.
It recommended that a new organization be formed representing all partners and
titled "The Spanish River Development Alliance". The "S.R.D.A."
would build and maintain the Lower Spanish River Private Buoyage/Public Dockage
System on behalf of and be responsible to all of the partners on a continuous
basis. Furthermore, the associates could include the Ministry of Natural
Resources, The Ministry of the Environment, The Canadian Coast Guard, North
Channel Marine Tourism Council Inc. and the Ontario Boating Forum.
At their latest meeting on February 5, 2003, the Friends of the Spanish River
agreed to ask the other four partners to take over the project at this time in
that the ‘Friends’ have completed the necessary preparation work on the
project and because these four partners have the human and other resources to
complete the project whereas the ‘Friends’ do not.
The Friends of the Spanish River also agreed to release their feasibility
study, support documents and economic impact report to the general public
through the local media in the interest of public awareness.
The Lower Spanish River Private Buoyage/Public Dockage System feasibility
study ( including the Executive Summary and Support Documents), The Spanish
River Action Plan, and Lower Spanish River Marine Navigation Charts were
produced by Direction Services of Massey, Ontario and funded by FedNor.
Direction Services also produced the Lower Spanish River Private Buoyage/Public
Dockage System Economic Impact Report and a new film titled "The Spanish...
a River Reborn" at no charge to enhance the project.
Attached please find a copy of the Friends of the Spanish River Private
Buoyage/Public Dockage System proposal:
- Feasibility Study (including the Executive Summary and Support Documents)
- The Spanish River Action Plan
- The Economic Impact Report
- The Year 2002 Project Highlights
Please note, every partner has a complete set of Lower Spanish River Marine
Navigation Charts that would only be usable upon completion of the Lower Spanish
River Private Buoyage/Public Dockage System.
Please note also that every partner has a copy of the new film, "The
Spanish...A River Reborn".
The Friends of the Spanish River mandate is to "Restore, Preserve and
Celebrate the Spanish River". Their role in the Lower Spanish River Private
Buoyage/Public Dockage system would be to ensure that any development of the
Spanish River would be environmentally sustainable!
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For more information contact: Bill McKenna, Direction Services, RR#1, Massey,
Ontario. P0P 1P0