Executive Summary

The Detroit River is very much a part of our lives and our heritage. This unique international waterway flows through a metropolitan region of over 5 million people, binding the communities along its banks together, both culturally and economically. These communities are also mutually dependent upon the ecologically rich yet fragile Detroit River watershed, one that is not defined by political boundaries.

The Detroit River was nominated to the Canadian Heritage River System (CHRS) in 1999 because of its outstanding human heritage and recreational values. Thousands of years of First Nations use and 300 years of European settlement have endowed the Detroit River with exceptional historical character, and the recreational opportunities offered by the River are second to none in North America. Complementing these values is a growing dedication by Detroit River communities to work towards restoring the natural beauty of the Detroit River watershed.

The Detroit River will join an elite group of the most historical and beautiful rivers in Canada, and will play a very unique role in the CHRS, where river managers will need to address unique and difficult challenges presented by a highly urbanized and industrialized watershed. The Detroit River will also contribute to the system as the first river on the continent to receive both Canadian and American heritage river status, as the Detroit River has already been designated as an American Heritage River (1998).

The purpose of designation is simple - get people interested in the River and enable them to experience its values - then they are more likely to do something for the good of the River. The designation of the Detroit River and its Canadian watershed as a Canadian Heritage River will act as a catalyst for motivating governments, community organizations, businesses and individuals alike to work together in developing strategic and sustainable directions and actions for conserving, interpreting and appreciating the River's exceptional heritage values.

As part of the process of designating the Detroit River as a Canadian Heritage River, a Management Strategy has been completed. This strategy is a 'living document' which will evolve over time to respond to management opportunities, and will serve as an inspiring guide for the community to voluntarily develop and undertake actions for the good of the watershed. The strategy will also serve to encourage and foster a growing relationship between Canadian and American Heritage River initiatives, as we join our American neighbours in furthering cooperative efforts for the betterment of our great river on a watershed-wide basis.

Mission Statement

The following mission statement identifies the overall direction of the Management Strategy:

As an international community, we will work together to conserve, enhance, interpret and appreciate the outstanding human heritage, natural heritage and recreational values of the Detroit River and its watershed.

Strategic Directions

A series of strategic directions for the management of the Detroit River as a Canadian Heritage River follow this goal, and are as follows:

Promote the continued importance of the Detroit River's values, and stimulate further community interest in these values by providing increased opportunities for participation in Detroit River related actions.
Recognize and support present and future actions undertaken by the local and international community to conserve, interpret, enhance and appreciate the human heritage, natural heritage and recreational values of the Detroit River and its watershed.
Support and stimulate further local and international environmental clean-up and enhancement efforts for the Detroit River and its watershed.
Develop partnerships for planning and undertaking integrated local and international river-related actions.
Encourage and support policies and legislation which respect and protect the human heritage, recreational and natural heritage values of the Detroit River and its watershed.

River management actions have been developed which directly respond to the Strategic Directions, and provide a framework for the community to carry out efforts to conserve, enhance, interpret and appreciate the heritage values of the Detroit River watershed.

Overarching Actions

Over-arching Actions - applying to Human Heritage, Recreational and Natural Heritage Values

Establish a Detroit River Council
Hold community workshops to develop local and international partnerships
Establish a Detroit River newsletter and maintain a web site
Install signage recognizing Canadian and American Heritage River designations
Establish a Detroit River Day
Develop a Registry of Actions
Develop Detroit River heritage value-based educational programs

Human Heritage Actions

Identify historical resources as a first step in developing a human heritage conservation strategy.
Ensure human heritage values are reflected in municipal policies, Official Plans and zoning by-laws.
Ensure human heritage values are integrated into recreation, transportation and other plans.
Develop local and international tours and other activities such as web sites.

Recreation Actions

Plan and develop a River front 'parkway'.
Develop and implement the Essex Region Ecotourism Strategy with a Detroit River component.
Develop joint international recreational activities and events.

Natural Heritage/Environmental Clean-up Actions

Expand implementation of water quality remediation work plans.
Continue habitat restoration projects.
Coordinate and expand watershed wide water quality monitoring.
Recognize and support environmental clean-up efforts undertaken by industrial interests.
Protect natural features through municipal planning documents and other policies.
Encourage greater public involvement in environmental clean-up activities.
Co-ordinate and expand watershed wide air quality monitoring and remediation programs.

This Management Strategy reflects a consensus of a broad cross section of community stakeholders from both sides of the River, and is a testament to the community's willingness to get involved with the Detroit River. The strategy will be an advisory document only, and will not affect any treaties and/or rights accruing to First Nations peoples.

Since the Management Strategy is a 'living document', it will continue to evolve and respond to the changing needs of the watershed community. This will enable the community to maintain an ongoing role in building a sustainable future for the Detroit River watershed, a future that is environmentally sound, culturally vibrant and economically prosperous.