Newsletter 10

The first mobile "Nitrate Clinic" held on PEI was at Souris Striders Ski Club on Nov.17, 2007. It was deemed a terrific success with a total of 210 water samples analysed.

Souris & Area watershed co-ordinator Fred Cheverie gave a brief overview of the website illustrating its main purposes: (1) educational (2) documentation of the activities and accomplishments of the Souris & Area Branch.

It was reported that this site is ongoing and will be continually updated on a regular basis. This website is receiving triple the traffic that was expected in the first year with visits from all over the world.

Since this was our first clinic some valuable lessons were learned, as we only expected approximately 100 people. People must be thanked for being so patient as we had to do some innovative "on the job training".
We were impressed with the fact that we had people from almost every community within the Souris Regional High School District and some from distances farther away.
Ten (10) milligrams per litre (10mg/l) is the Canadian Drinking Water Guideline for Nitrate. Nitrate levels from 0 to 10mg/l in drinking water are safe for all humans. Nitrate levels over 10mg/l are not safe for infants younger than six months of age. Infants consuming formula made with tap water containing high amounts of nitrate may develop Methaemoglobinaemia, a condition often called "blue baby syndrome." While no cases have ever been reported on PEI, this is a potentially serious but readily treatable illness.
Because of uncertainties about other potential effects of nitrate on human health, Health Canada recommends that the guidelines be applied to all age groups.
The results of the Souris Clinic are as follows: 210 samples tested. Fifteen (15) samples (7%) were sent for retesting. Six (6) samples (2.9%) were above 10 mg/l.

These results are very similar to the Montague area but these levels are approximately half of the levels at Westisle Composite High School and New London areas.

The Kinkora area was much higher with 4 to 5 times the levels reported in our area.

These results indicate that the Eastern Kings area is definitely impacted by nitrates but probably not to the levels that was anticipated.

It will be important that all stakeholders do the best that they can in the short term to hold these levels and in the long term find solutions to improve these levels.

Early in 2008 almost every home in the general Souris Regional High School District will receive a survey in the mail. This survey will require some time to complete. A research team that has been hired by the Souris & Area Wildlife Branch prepared it. This survey is part of the PEI Ecological Goods & Services Pilot Project that the Souris Branch is sponsoring.

The purpose of this survey is gather information on the views of the public about the importance of issues in our environment.

This year's wildlife dinner was different with the two main dishes limited to buffalo and salmon.
Approximately 100 people attended in blustery weather and everyone was very complimentary over the quality of our dinner.
Once again we had lots of door prizes, raffle items and auction items. We strongly urge you to visit our website and find our list of donors and a series of photos taken by our Webmaster Waldron Leard.
This event is our main fundraiser and monies raised goes towards improving the environment in our area.

Souris & Area Wildlife Branch 2008 Photo Contest

We are very pleased to announce that Souris Home Hardware Main Street Building Centre has generously offered to donate the grand prize in the Souris & Area 2008 Wildlife Photo Contest.

Prizes will be awarded in four categories: adult, college/university, high school and elementary. All photos must be digital and taken in a geographical area slightly larger than the Souris Regional High School district.

People have already began submitting photos. We have approximately fifty entries to date. If you take a photo and desire to enter it, email it to: whleard@ekpei.ca.

To view the complete criteria for this contest or view present photos submitted, visit our website at Photo Contest - 2008.

It appears that we are already off to a very busy year with many important meetings coming forward.

I would encourage all anglers and interested people with a desire to participate in the development of a Recreational Fisheries Policy for PEI to attend an upcoming meeting. This is your opportunity to offer your ideas and concerns at this public meeting at Rollo Bay Inn on Jan. 29, 2008 (Storm date is Jan. 31st).

The Souris & Area Wildlife Branch would like to get some "new blood" involved in their organization. If you are interested in getting involved with an organization that involves our environment, feel free to contact Fred Cheverie, Paul Campbell, Jeannie Jenkins or Paul Gallant.

On December 1st, 2007 Cavendish Farms Ltd. held its annual growers banquet and awards presentation. Awards are presented each year to the top 10 potato growers on Prince Edward Island, for quality. These awards/rankings are based on very specific criteria including: color, total defects before tolerance, specific gravity, size 10oz and above, dirt & stones, housekeeping & attitude, volume, and period of delivery. Among this year's top 10, were three farms that crop land within the Souris watershed. Those honored were Arthur Mooney & Sons Ltd., Lily Pond Farms Ltd., and Paul & Colin MacAulay
All three farms are involved in the Prince Edward Island EG&S (Ecological Goods & Services) Pilot Project taking place in the Souris Watershed, and has implemented many environmentally friendly practices. All farms also have an Environmental Farm Plan (EFP).
After next year's cropping season Merlin, David, and Andy Mooney (Arthur Mooney & Sons) will have a number of acres under a four-year crop rotation. This is quite significant, as it can be hard to implement even a three-year crop rotation in some parts of Prince Edward Island.
Within the Souris watershed, this farm has over 10 acres of grassed waterways and a number of acres of enhanced buffer (above what is legislated). They also have properties containing diversion terraces.
Kevin and Blair MacIsaac (Lily Pond Farms) have chosen to leave close to five acres of enhanced buffer (above what is legislated) surrounding watercourses, and also have implemented diversion terraces in fields with the highest erosion potential. The majority of their potato fields include grassed headlands, and they have a number of acres of hedgerows. Lily Pond Farms has been on a three-year crop rotation for some time now, and were named as a Soil and Water Conservation Farm.
Paul, Colin, and Chris MacAulay are involved in a number of practices within and outside of the Souris watershed. Mulch as been applied to potato land totalling 75 acres in the watershed and they have also cover-cropped land outside of the watershed. In addition to this they use a "Dammer Diker", an apparatus with paddles that inserts divots into the soil when cultivating. The purpose is to decrease runoff from the potato fields into watercourses, ditches, etc. The MacAulay's also have a number of acres of hedgerows and follow a three-year crop rotation, with some acreage in a four-year crop rotation. This farm has also been named as a Soil and Water Conservation Farm in the past.
All three farms should be recognized, not only for their rankings within Cavendish Farms, but also for growing award winning, quality potatoes while helping to promote environmental sustainability. Environmentally friendly practices are often proportional to increased financial costs, and these producers should be applauded for establishing environmental priority.
Erica MacIsaac

Merlin, Andy & David Mooney

Blair & Kevin MacIsaac

Colin, Paul & Chris MacAulay

It seems that I'm spending too much time in recent months in front of a computer attempting to secure funding or justifying monies received.

I would encourage everyone that has an interest in recreational fishing attend the meeting scheduled at Rollo Bay Inn on Jan.29. This is your opportunity to ask questions, give suggestions, etc.

I strongly suggest that everyone that has access to a computer should visit our website. It is simply terrific.

Waldron Leard is our Webmaster and he coordinates the development of this website. Needless to say, he is doing a fantastic job with over 100 pages of data on this website at the present time. This site is educational and also gives a regular update of the activities of the Souris Branch. We are receiving visits from all over the world at rate of over four times what we projected.

The skiing is great at the Souris Striders Ski Club on a well-groomed trail. It is great way to relieve the stress, get some exercise and appreciate the outdoors.

On behalf of all the Souris River Watershed Committee I hope that you and yours had a great 2007 and wish you an even better 2008!

In 2007 there has been many great things happen in our watershed. The Souris Watershed has become the model for other watersheds. I know that our coordinator has been requested to speak to other watershed groups across the province. There are also some cool things happening that shows what a great area we live in. Our website came on line and we ran a super successful photo contest last fall.

The photo contest was a huge success, so much so, that we are running another one and all entries will be accepted until sometime late next fall.

I am encouraging you to get out with your camera and take advantage of what natural beauty we have in our area. Send your digital photos to: whleard@ekpei.ca.

All pictures appearing on this site or its associated flickr account are the property of the photographers and the Souris & Area Branch of the P.E.I. Wildlife Federation.
They may not be copied without permission of the photographer and the Souris & Area Branch of the P.E.I. Wildlife Federation.