St. Lawrence Vision 2000 (1993-1998), the second phase, focuses on the river and, according to priority, seven of its tributaries. Its long-term objectives are to:
reduce liquid toxic effluents and virtually eliminate
discharges of persistent toxic chemicals;
prevent or reduce agricultural pollution;
restore degraded sites;
preserve biodiversity;
encourage citizens to help in protection and restoration;
protect the health of people along the river; and
improve knowledge of the system and disseminate information
to decision-makers.
Some specific objectives have been identified under each of the long-term objectives.
In 1994, the community interaction program was launched as part of St. Lawrence Vision 2000. Under this program, citizens in environmental groups get involved in restoring habitats, cleaning up riverbanks, and conserving fragile ecosystems. To date, 79 such projects have obtained $2.11 million in government support, and it is estimated that about the same amount has been contributed by citizens' groups............
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