Creating the Province's Cleanest Urban River
JOINT NEWS RELEASE – The City of St. John’s, the City of Mount Pearl and the Town of Paradise have joined forces with the Waterford Valley Rotary Club to clean up the Waterford River and to improve its health at the same time.
The three municipalities, with the support of the Waterford Valley Rotary Club, have issued a request for proposals to hire an independent consulting firm to develop a watershed management plan for the river.
The organizing committee chairman, Rotarian Sandy Roche, says, “This study is a necessary first step in ensuring that the vitality of this beautiful natural asset is maintained for future generations. What is really important here is that the study has the active support of each of the three municipalities through which the river flows. This kind of cooperation will be fundamental to the success of any management plan that is developed.”
St. John’s Deputy Mayor Ron Ellsworth says, “The City of St. John's is committed to the preservation of our watercourses and their natural habitat. We are focused on a culture of cooperation and working with neighboring municipalities is key to our long term sustainability. Through exploring a watershed management plan for the Waterford River we will be in a better position to improve the integrity of our river systems." Mount Pearl Mayor Randy Simms says he is looking forward to getting this study started. “Our hope is to make the Waterford River the cleanest urban river in the country. It will be a challenge, but with our municipal and volunteer partners, I think we are up to the task,” he continues.
According to Paradise Mayor Dan Bobbett the headwaters for the Waterford are located inside his town. He wants to be a part of preserving and improving the river. “We are indeed privileged to have the unique situation of such a scenic river, steeped in history for the region, run through three major municipalities and the Town of Paradise is proud to partner on the conservation of this beautiful urban river.”
The Waterford River Watershed Study will determine the current health of the river as well as also provide recommendations on how the river’s health can be improved. Developing a common approach among the municipalities toward future development along the river will also form part of the study.
About the Request for Proposals
The terms for reference for the Request for Proposals are available at Mount Pearl City Hall, 3 Centennial Street, from Monday-Friday between 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
For information and comment:
Sandy Roche Organizing Committee Chairman 709-685-9009
Media contacts:
Maggie Hynes
Communications and Marketing Officer
City of Mount Pearl T 709-748-1009
mhynes@mountpearl.ca
Kelly Maguire
Communications & Public Relations Officer
Office of Strategy & Engagement
City of St. John’s
T 709-576-8491
kmaguire@stjohns.ca
Diane Keough
Communications Manager
Town of Paradise
T 709-782-2603
C 709-769-4212
dkeough@townofparadise.ca