 |
Notice Board Souris & Area Wildlife Branch Hosts Public Meeting to Improve the Recreational Fishing Experiences within Souris River
If anyone seeks further information prior to this meeting feel free to contact the Souris & Area Branch Watershed Coordinator Fred Cheverie at 687-3436 or by email at fredc@isnhighspeed.car ----------------------------- January 21, 2009 PROVINCE AND WATERSHED ALLIANCE MEET TO DEVELOP VISION FOR WATERSHED PROTECTION CHARLOTTETOWN, PEI -- Partnership between government and the recently-organized Watershed Alliance will strengthen the protection of water quality and aquatic habitat on Prince Edward Island says Environment, Energy and Forestry Minister Richard Brown. Minister Brown spoke in New London Saturday where earlier in the day the Alliance had approved its bylaws. "Government has some serious work to do in preserving water quality and we are glad to have the Island's many watershed groups to take on some of that challenge of water protection," the minister said. "There are people here who represent what I would call the users of watersheds - anglers and boat owners. There are people who represent farmers and landowners who want to manage land in a way that supports healthy water systems and wildlife habitat. And there are people who have gotten involved in watershed management because they understand that healthy watersheds and healthy environments add up to healthy communities." During Saturday afternoon, Department employees and members of the Watershed Alliance took part in a facilitated session with the aim of developing a strategic watershed plan with a vision and goals for all of Prince Edward Island. Rob Sharkie, chairperson of the Watershed Alliance, said members look forward to their community-based groups working with the province on protection of watersheds right across the province. "We expect this strategy will encompass all watersheds on Prince Edward Island, outline a clear plan for the support of watershed groups, and lay out measurable targets for improving environmental health and especially the health of our water resources while taking into account the needs of our communities." -30- For more information, contact Ron Ryder, Environment, Energy & Forestry by email at Ron Ryder or phone (902) 368-5286. ----------------------------- January 20, 2009 CONTRACTOR LICENSING PROGRAM CHARLOTTETOWN, PEI -- Contractors who carry out work in or near Prince Edward Island's watercourses or wetlands will be offered the opportunity to train for and participate in a licensing program that will streamline the process for work in these areas, Environment, Energy and Forestry Minister Richard Brown says. "After a successful pilot project, my department is now ready to offer training that will allow contractors to be licensed for wetland and watercourse work. Licensed contractors will be able to carry out certain kinds of work without direct approval or supervision of the department. The licensed contractors will then have the responsibility for maintaining project quality and upholding environmental safeguards in their work," the minister said. "This approach lets government maintain its environmental protection of watercourses and wetlands while removing some of the administrative burden from business." The Department of Environment, Energy and Forestry will offer the new Contractor Licensing Program training session in the winter of 2010. Contractors wishing to participate in the contractor licensing program must complete the training in order to be eligible; contractors participating in the current pilot program must update their training by taking the new Contractor Licensing Program training in order to participate in the contractor licensing program. The pilot program is no longer operational. Participation in the Contractor Licensing Program is optional. Unlicensed contractors are still able to apply for Watercourse, Wetland and Buffer Zone Activity Permits through the regular permitting process. The Contractor Licensing Program is included in the Environmental Protection Act, Watercourse and Wetland Protection Regulations available online at www.gov.pe.ca/law/regulations What's required: An individual or business that employs at least one person who has been granted a Watercourse, Wetland and Buffer Zone Activity Certificate is eligible to apply for a Watercourse, Wetland and Buffer Zone Activity Business License, which is necessary to participate in the program. The cost of the Business License is also $200. Both a Watercourse, Wetland and Buffer Zone Activity Certificate and a Watercourse, Wetland and Buffer Zone Activity Business License are required. The minimum cost for inclusion in the program is $400. An all-day training session will be held on February 9, 2010 at the Dutch Inn, Cornwall. The deadline for registration is February 2. For additional information or to register, contact the Department of Environment, Energy and Forestry at 368-5000. -30- For more information, contact Ron Ryder, Environment, Energy & Forestry by email at Ron Ryder or phone (902) 368-5286.  Copyright Souris Branch of the P.E.I. Wildlife Federation 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.
|
