The Souris and Area Branch of the PEI Wildlife Federation has recently secured funding from the Canada - PEI National Water Program to undertake watershed planning for Souris River. The watershed planning process is an opportunity for stakeholders (all people who live, work, visit and have a general interest) in the watershed to be involved. This process will allow stakeholders the opportunity to determine the future of their watershed.

Local resident, Fred Cheverie has been hired to act as co-ordinator of this process. Fred has a keen interest in the environment and is interested in listening to your concerns.

A series of public meetings will begin in mid - September and will be announced through various media outlets.

The Souris River Watershed Boundaries The western boundary of the Souris River Watershed extends to the St. Charles Rd.. The eastern boundary extends to the Chepstow area. The watershed extends northward along the New Harmony Rd. and then swings westward with its most northern point at Sandy Leslie's Hill. The watershed boundary then runs westward crossing New Zealand Rd., at the farm of Jerrid Hanlon and the Bear River Rd., at the home of Virginia Gallant. The watershed curves southward and reaches the St.Charles Rd. with it's northern boundary just south of the Sheehan Rd. The watershed extends eastward with its southern boundary crossing Bear River Rd. at the home of Gerard Whalen. The watershed continues eastward crossing Highway #2 just east of St. Alexis Church. The boundary extends southward on an angle crossing the Lower Rollo Bay Rd. at the intersection of the Sheep Pond Rd. and then angles south to Colville Bay.

Summer Work

The Souris And Area Wildlife Branch has four students working this summer cleaning streams under the Environmental Futures Program. Students Rob MacPherson, Nick Mallard, Jamie Kelly and Brent MacAdam are pictured below cleaning the east branch of Souris River. This is hot work wearing chest waders while battling flies at the same time.
At the end of July our workers have completed approximately 7 km of streams. These streams were badly choked by windfalls and abandoned beaver dams. We have also installed several brush mats near the Gowan Brae Causeway that will assist in collecting silt. Pictured above, right is Monique Jesso and Tim Brothers cutting trees for brush mats. Monique is employed through our EDA program while Tim is employed through a summer work program through HRDC.

Volunteer Evenings

It will be impossible for our crews to get all streams that flow into Souris River functioning this season. We are looking for volunteers (male and female) to assist us in getting the Danny Grant stream working. This will be done in evenings with the Souris Wildlife Branch supplying the necessary equipment. Phone Fred Cheverie 687-3436 regarding the date and time.

Planning Committee

The Souris Watershed Planning Committee is composed of many interested individuals from various occupations. The chairperson is Paul Gallant, a long time community activist. Membership includes: Tommy MacDonald, Cameron Ross, Paul Deveau, Colin MacAulay, Trent MacPhee, Allan Arsneault, Dale Thompson (Province of PEI) Walter Townshend, David MacAulay, Brian Deveau, Johnny Flynn, Graham Townshend, Brian Cheverie, Ryan Keenan and Billy Trenholm (Town Of Souris)

Historical Tidbits

In 1864 a grist and saw mill was started in Gowan Brae by John MacGowan. This mill served the settlers and the booming shipbuilding trade. It was then bought and operated by the Hickey Family. In 1911 it was taken over by Jim Henry Mallard and eventually operated by his son Edward (Ned).

Pictured above is Mallard's Mill as it looked in the 1940's.

Ned Mallard was very much an environmentalist in his day and made a bold prediction in the 1960's when the "Development Plan" was introduced. He stated, " If they take all those hedgerows out, you'll be able to walk across Souris River in 40 years".

Proud parent Our Bald Eagle population on Souris River boasts a new eaglet. The eaglet is approximately 11-13 weeks old and now takes short flights from its nest. The eaglet was spotted on several occasions by our stream workers

Environmental Information Series

In order to understand the problems associated with Souris River Watershed, a series of environmental presentations are being scheduled. The first presentation will be entitled "Quality Drinking Water". This presentation will cover all topics that can be associated with well water, such as: (e-coli, earwigs, nitrates, pesticides, chlorination, etc.). This presentation will be done by George Somers, groundwater specialist with Dept. of Environment. This presentation will take place on Wednesday, Sept.14 , 7:00 pm at the Souris Striders Ski Club.

The purpose of these presentations is to provide watershed residents and other interested parties the opportunity to learn more about environmental issues that influence the Souris River Watershed and other areas of Prince Edward Island. The objective is to supply the citizens with environmental information and as they become more educated on environmental issues they will be better equipped to bring positive environmental influences to the Souris River Watershed. If you live in the watershed, this will be your opportunity to have input. We expect a full house.