Canadian Heritage Rivers System

Extracted from the Canadian Heritage Rivers System web site: www.chrs.ca

The Canadian Heritage Rivers System (CHRS) was established in 1984 by the federal, provincial and territorial governments to conserve and protect the best examples of Canada's river heritage, to give them national recognition, and to encourage the public to enjoy and appreciate them. It is a cooperative program of the governments of Canada, all 10 provinces, and the three territories. A 15-member national board administers the program. This board is made up of private citizens and senior officials from government departments responsible for the protection of the Canadian environment.

The first Canadian Heritage River was the French River in Ontario, designated in 1986. Today, there are 37 Heritage rivers across Canada, and more are being added to the system each year. They range from the Arctic barrens to southern Ontario's rich farmlands; from Newfoundland's rocky hills to the mountains and glaciers of the Yukon. The goal is to establish a system that reflects the diversity of Canada's river environments and celebrates the role of rivers in Canada's history and society. The dream is to ensure that these rivers flow into the future with their heritage features protected for generations to come.

Nominating and Designating Canadian Heritage Rivers Establishing Canadian Heritage Rivers is a two-step process, nomination and designation. Although river nominations may be submitted to the Canadian Heritage Rivers Board only by participating governments, private citizens and groups are encouraged to present submissions to their federal, provincial or territorial board member for any river they feel is worthy. To be considered, the river must have outstanding natural, cultural and/or recreational values, a high level of public support, and it must be demonstrated that sufficient measures will be put in place to ensure that those values will be maintained. Based on these criteria, the responsible government(s) decide(s) whether or not to pursue the nomination of a specific river. Once nominated, the Board reviews the nomination and, if it meets selection guidelines for the System, recommends it to the responsible Ministers.

A nominated river becomes designated once a management plan, or heritage strategy, that ensures the river will be managed to conserve its outstanding natural, cultural and/or recreational values, is lodged with the Board by the government(s) that made the nomination. Production of a management plan or heritage strategy is based on public consultation and consensus. All protective actions on Canadian Heritage Rivers depend on existing laws and regulations, and respect the rights of Aboriginal peoples, communities, private landowners, and other stakeholders.