Designating a Canadian Heritage River
Nomination represents the initial step towards formally designating a Canadian Heritage River. The next step is the preparation of a document, usually referred to as the "management plan", to show how the objectives of the CHRS will be met and to demonstrate commitment by the managing government agencies.
Upon receipt of this document, the Canadian Heritage Rivers Board recommends to the responsible federal and provincial ministers that the river be designated.
Designation is achieved through a formal ceremony and joint announcement by the federal minister responsible for the CHRS and the provincial or territorial ministers responsible for the river's nomination and management.
The Grand River - A New Kind of Canadian Heritage River
The nomination of the Grand River marks the beginning of a second generation of Canadian Heritage Rivers. *Before 1990, almost all nominated rivers were either within protected areas or were short sections of larger rivers. In contrast, the Grand River flows through over sixty municipalities in the most densely populated part of Canada where almost all lands are privately owned.
The nomination includes the entire Grand River (290 km) and its four major tributaries, the Nith, Conestogo, Speed and Eramosa - a total of 627 km.
The area to be designated and managed as a Canadian Heritage River will include the entire Grand River watershed. |
* The Grand River provides the CHRS with its first representation of a Canadian Heritage River in a highly populated urban setting.