Portobello Creek National Wildlife Area Management Plan: chapter 5

5 Management Approaches

This section and the following table contain a description of all the possible approaches that could be used in the management of Portobello Creek National Wildlife Area (NWA). However, management actions will be determined during the annual work planning process and will be implemented as human and financial resources permit.

Table 4: Management Approaches for Portobello Creek NWA
Management Challenge or Threat	Goal and Objective(s)	Management Approaches (actions, including level of priority)^Footnotee
Tourism activities such as camping, campfires and high-horsepower boating may become a cumulative environmental effect.	Goal 3: Human activities do not negatively impact the habitat and/or wildlife of Portobello Creek NWA. Objective 3.a: Manage visitor activities, such as motorboat use, so that waterfowl and waterbirds are able to feed and roost without disturbance from human activities. Objective 3.b: Inform visitors about waterfowl and waterbird ecology and conservation so they can become stewards of our natural heritage.	Communicate with local tourism operators and the provincial tourism department in order to inform them of the protected status of Portobello Creek NWA, and to provide material outlining the ecological values of the area. (1) Collaborate with other conservation organizations to deliver a consistent message towards minimizing disturbance to habitat and wildlife. (1)
Tourism activities such as camping, campfires and high-horsepower boating may become a cumulative environmental effect.	Goal 4: Unauthorized and prohibited activities, such as the use of off-road vehicles and large-horsepower watercraft, do not negatively impact the habitat and/or wildlife of Portobello Creek NWA. Objective 4.a: Document and report the occurrence of illegal activities within Portobello Creek to the Wildlife Enforcement Division and, where evidence is sufficient, seek enforcement action, thereby reducing or eliminating the occurrence of such activities in the NWA.	Document and report the number, nature and evidence of illegal activities within the NWA to the Wildlife Enforcement Division. (1)
Off-road vehicles (ORVs), and especially amphibious vehicles, cause extensive and long-lasting damage to the fragile wetland habitats within the NWA.	Goal 4: Unauthorized and prohibited activities, such as the use of ORVs and large-horsepower watercraft, do not negatively impact the habitat and/or wildlife of Portobello Creek NWA. Objective 4.a: Document and report the occurrence of illegal activities within Portobello Creek to the Wildlife Enforcement Division and, where evidence is sufficient, seek enforcement action, thereby reducing or eliminating the occurrence of such activities in the NWA. Objective 4.b: Inform potential visitors to Portobello Creek NWA of the regulations governing the NWA.	Communicate with ORV rider associations regarding the regulations pertaining to Portobello Creek NWA and damage caused by inappropriate use of ORVs. (1) Maintain regulatory signs. (1) Contribute to communication products highlighting the impact of indiscriminate ORV use. (1)
The wake from large-horsepower recreational boats can cause bank erosion and destroy nests of over-water nesting birds.	Goal 3: Human activities do not negatively impact the habitat and/or wildlife of Portobello Creek NWA. Objective 3.a: Manage visitor activities, such as motorboat use, so that waterfowl and waterbirds are able to feed and roost without disturbance from human activities. Objective 3.b: Inform visitors about waterfowl and waterbird ecology and conservation so they can become stewards of our natural heritage.	Communicate with local tourism operators and the provincial tourism department in order to inform them of the protected status of Portobello Creek NWA, and to provide material outlining the ecological values of the area. (1) Collaborate with other conservation organizations to deliver a consistent message on minimizing disturbance to habitat and wildlife. (1)
The wake from large-horsepower recreational boats can cause bank erosion and destroy nests of over-water nesting birds.	Goal 4: Unauthorized and prohibited activities, such as the use of off-road vehicles and large-horsepower watercraft, do not negatively impact the habitat and/or wildlife of Portobello Creek NWA. Objective 4.a: Document and report the occurrence of illegal activities within Portobello Creek to the Wildlife Enforcement Division and, where evidence is sufficient, seek enforcement action, thereby reducing or eliminating the occurrence of such activities in the NWA.	Document and report the number, nature and evidence of illegal activities within the NWA to the Wildlife Enforcement Division. (1)
The biological implications and overall cumulative environmental effects for the NWA from commercial fishing, forestry and agriculture in the vicinity are largely unknown.	Goal 3: Human activities do not negatively impact the habitat and/or wildlife of Portobello Creek NWA. Objective 3.c: Monitor and mitigate potential impacts of human activities in the vicinity of the NWA.	Provide industry interests with information as required in support of management decisions that minimize impacts on wildlife and wildlife movement. (1) Assist in developing industry standards for development projects outside the NWA that could result in impacts on flora or fauna. (2)
Climate change could result in changes to flooding regime of floodplain wetlands. Climate change may increase colonization by non-native species.	Goal 3: Human activities do not negatively impact the habitat and/or wildlife of Portobello Creek NWA. Objective 3.c: Monitor and mitigate potential impacts of human activities in the vicinity of the NWA.	Understand potential impacts of climate change and how the valued ecosystem components of the protected area can be maintained. (2) Conduct long-term annual monitoring (ortho-rectified aerial photography) to retain a historical record of habitat changes as well as to document significant tidal and climatic events. (1)
Habitat fragmentation is a concern within Portobello Creek NWA due to forestry activities within the proposed boundaries of the NWA as well as adjacent lands.	Goal 1: Conserve a large contiguous block of habitat, particularly for migratory birds and species at risk within the Saint John River ecosystem. Objective 1.a: Subject to the availability of acquisition funds and willing vendors, complete the acquisition and consolidation of all 4000 ha originally identified for inclusion within the area proposed as an NWA.	Secure lands from willing vendors at fair market value, subject to an independent appraisal at highest and best use. (2)
Habitat fragmentation is a concern within Portobello Creek NWA due to forestry activities within the proposed boundaries of the NWA as well as adjacent lands.	Goal 2: Restore and manage important habitat and ecosystems, particularly for migratory birds and species at risk within the Saint John River ecosystem. Objective 2.a: Reforest recently acquired sites that have been cut through planting and other site management activities.	American Elm, Eastern White Cedar, Silver Maple and Red Oak will be planted in areas where they formerly existed and natural regeneration has not been sufficient. Exclosures will be used as needed to protect saplings from damage from herbivores. (2) Butternut that is disease resistant will be planted in suitable locations when it becomes available. (2)
Habitat fragmentation is a concern within Portobello Creek NWA due to forestry activities within the proposed boundaries of the NWA as well as adjacent lands.	Goal 3: Human activities do not negatively impact the habitat and/or wildlife of Portobello Creek NWA. Objective 3.c: Monitor and mitigate potential impacts of human activities in the vicinity of the NWA.	Assist in developing industry standards for development projects outside the NWA that could result in impacts on flora or fauna. (2)

5.1 Habitat Management

5.1.1 Forests

Large-scale forest management within the Portobello Creek NWA is not desirable or anticipated. American Elm, Eastern White Cedar, Silver Maple and Red Oak will be planted in areas where they formerly existed and natural regeneration has not been sufficient. Exclosures will be used, as needed, to protect saplings from damage from herbivores.

5.1.2 Wetlands

The large floodplain wetlands within Portobello Creek NWA are highly dependent on large-scale hydrological processes. Wetland management will consist of removing anthropogenic barriers to the natural flow of water across the landscape such as undersized road culverts, dikes and water control structures.

5.2 Wildlife Management

5.2.1 Species at Risk

No significant management anticipated; however, protection of Butternut may include re-planting of disease-resistant trees when they become available.

5.2.2 Invasive Species

Purple Loosestrife, although present in the NWA, is not widespread or abundant. Control measures, such as the introduction of herbivorous beetles, in the lower Saint John River basin are considered adequate at present. The management of exotic fish species such as Smallmouth Bass and Muskellunge will be done in cooperation with provincial and federal fisheries managers if deemed necessary. Coordinated regional management would need to be conducted because the waterways of Portobello Creek NWA are continuous with the Saint John River system.

5.3 Monitoring

Most monitoring within the NWA consists of periodic habitat evaluation by conducting botanical inventories and mapping. Other studies, either by the Canadian Wildlife Service or in cooperation with researchers from universities and other institutions, are conducted as required and where resources permit.

Effective and efficient monitoring requires careful planning and a coordinated approach. Monitoring will be carried out in a manner that contributes to the goals of recovery documents generated in support of the federal and/or the New Brunswick species at risk Acts. Ongoing monitoring needs are as follows:

Monitoring of the distribution and abundance of waterfowl, marsh birds, such as Pied-billed Grebe, American Coot, Yellow Rail, Sora and Virginia Rail every 5 years.
Monitoring of songbird distribution and abundance within the wooded floodplain interior of the NWA every 5 years.
Distribution and density of alien invasive plant species within the NWA every 5 years.
Monitoring or survey of reptiles and amphibians within the NWA every 5 years.
Monitoring for Skillet Clubtail within the NWA every 5 years.
Monitoring of species at risk (to confirm distribution or occurrence) within the NWA every 5 years.
Muskellunge and bass monitoring within the NWA every 5 years.
Air photo acquisition and habitat mapping annually.

5.4 Research

Research activities will be considered for permitting when the research results have the potential for the following:

Protecting, maintaining, restoring or enhancing naturally occurring habitats.
Recovering species at risk or conserving migratory birds.
Reducing the encroachment of invasive species in the NWA.
Assessing the trends in species populations (especially species at risk) and habitats of concern.
Maintaining wetlands in a state most beneficial to wetland-dependent wildlife.
Reducing illegal activities within the NWA.
Reforestation techniques for Red Oak, Silver Maple, Eastern White Cedar and American Elm.

To obtain a permit in order to conduct research in Portobello Creek NWA and to receive instructions concerning guidelines for a research proposal, please contact:

National Wildlife Area - Research Request
Environment and Climate Change Canada, Canadian Wildlife Service
17 Waterfowl Lane, P.O. Box 6227
Sackville NB E4L 1G6
Permit requests should be directed to: Permit.Atl@ec.gc.ca

5.5 Public Information and outreach

Public access for recreational purposes within the Portobello Creek is subject to the federal Wildlife Area Regulations of the Canada Wildlife Act. Activities such as overnight camping and open fires are not permitted. Activities such as hunting, fishing, trapping, canoeing and birdwatching are allowed by virtue of a public notice posted at all main entrances to the protected area. Hunting, fishing and trapping activities require the applicable provincial and/or federal permits.

The unique character of Portobello Creek NWA and its significance as an important wetland complex has been highlighted in a national “Protected Area” poster series. A limited number of these are available to educators, students and the general public on request. Information on Portobello Creek NWA can be found on the Environment and Climate Change Canada website.

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Date modified:: 2017-07-20

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