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 TABLE OF CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 1.0 INTRODUCTION 1.1 Why Watersheds? 1.2 History of the Basin Head Watershed 1.3 Importance of the Basin Head Watershed 2.0 PROTECTED AREAS 2.1 The Basin Head Marine Protected Area 2.1.1 The Oceans Act and Marine Protected Area Program 2.1.2 Basin Head Marine Protected Area Description 2.1.3 Objectives for the Basin Head MPA Initiative 2.2 PEI Natural Protected Area 3.0 WATERSHED CHARACTERISTICS 3.1 Land Use 3.2 The Lagoon 3.3 Dune System 3.4 Wildlife 3.5 Aquatic life 4.0 WATERSHED MANAGEMENT ISSUES 4.1 Excess nitrate, Eutrophication and Anoxic Events 4.2 Bacterial Contamination 4.3 Sedimentation 4.4 Invasive Species 4.5 Irish Moss 5.0 PLANNING PROCESS 6.0 VISION STATEMENT, GOALS, OBJECTIVES, AND STRATEGIES 7.0 IMPLEMENTATION 8.0 GLOSSARY 9.0 REFERENCES APPENDIX A EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The Basin Head Watershed Management Plan was prepared to provide a framework for action in protecting the unique ecological characteristics of the Basin Head Watershed while continuing to promote environmental, social and economic sustainability. This management plan is based upon the discussions of members of the community and represents their views as of 2010. This is not a static report and it will require updates as changes occur in the community and the watershed. The document consists of 6 sections. Firstly, Introduction defines a watershed and emphasizes its importance in holistic environmental management, provides a brief history of the Basin Head watershed from its settlement to the present day, and discusses the importance of the Basin Head Watershed to the various communities within it. Secondly, Background Information describes the establishment of the Basin Head Marine Protected Area and PEI Natural Protected Area, two zones of special environmental significance to the Basin Head Watershed. Furthermore, a summary of the characteristics of the Basin Head Watershed including land use, the lagoon, the dune systems, and the wildlife community are presented in this section. Thirdly, Watershed Management Issues outlines the major issues facing the Basin Head Watershed, as identified by the community in the consultation process. Included are: The next section, The Planning Process, details the procedure followed to develop a plan that accurately represents the ideas, concerns, and desires of the community. Next, Goals, Objectives and Strategies presents the main management goals as outlined by the community and the ways in which the management plan should be implemented to achieve these goals. This section is the core of the document, and contains the framework that will guide the management of the Basin Head Watershed into the future. The following vision statement was developed by the watershed stakeholders: “A healthy, sustainable community supporting environmental, educational, economic and social values that encourages the responsible use and enjoyment of the watershed while working in harmony to enhance resource based activities.” The following goals were identified by the watershed stakeholders and reflect the specific management priorities required to meet the conditions described in the Vision Statement: 1 - Improve and Protect Ground and Surface Water Quality 2 - Restore and Protect Ecosystem Integrity 3 -Promote Active Living and Increase Recreational Opportunities 4 - Enhance Communication and Educational Opportunities 5 - Increase Understanding of the Impacts of Climate Change The last section, Implementation, emphasizes that to achieve the stated goals, management of the Basin Head Watershed must adopt a hands-on approach and will require the cooperation of the community, environmental groups, and all levels of government. As an additional resource, a glossary is provided to define important terms contained within the document. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Basin Head Watershed Planning Steering Committee: Donna Campbell-Dixon (Stakeholder/Co-Chair of BHMPAAB), Sheila Eastman (Stakeholder/Chair of the Eastern Kings Community Council (EKCC), Troy Bruce (Stakeholder/ Commercial Fisherman), Anne Garrett, (Stakeholder/Site Director of the Basin Head Fisheries Museum), Ashley Ching (Stakeholder/Farmer), Marvyn Robertson (Stakeholder/Farmer), Candy MacDonald (Dept. of Environment, Energy & Forestry), Waldron Leard, (Stakeholder/Souris & Area Branch of the PEI Wildlife Federation), Garry Gregory (Stakeholder/ Graduate Student, Souris & Area Branch of the PEI Wildlife Federation), Randy Power (BHMPAAB/Fisheries And Oceans Canada), Delly Keen (BHMPAAB/Fisheries and Oceans Canada) and Fred Cheverie (BHMPAAB)/ Souris & Area Branch of the PEI Wildlife Federation). Basin Head Marine Protected Area Advisory Board: Donna Campbell-Dixon, Co-Chair (Stakeholder), Anne Garrett (Stakeholder/Site Director of the Basin Head Fisheries Museum), Delly Keen (Fisheries & Oceans Canada), Shane Arbing (PEI Dept. of Tourism), Jackie Waddell (Island Nature Trust), Randy Angus (MiKmaq Confederacy of PEI), Randy Power (Fisheries & Oceans Canada), Rosemary Curley (PEI Dept. of Environment, Energy & Forestry), Fred Cheverie (Souris & Area Branch of the PEI Wildlife Federation), Bill Drost (Fisheries & Oceans Canada), Dr. David Cairns (Fisheries & Oceans Canada), Mark Rose (Commercial Fisherman), Dr. Mike Van den Heuvel (University of PEI, Biology Dept.), Ashley Ching (Farmer), and Sheila Eastman (Stakeholder/Eastern Kings Community Council). Community Involvement Special thanks to the many community members that attended the two public meetings. The purpose of the initial meeting was to present the following: (1) an explanation of a watershed plan, (2) an overview of the Basin Head Watershed, (3) the benefits of a watershed plan and (4) experiences of a neighboring watershed with such a plan. It also gave an opportunity for the stakeholders to give input on priority issues and to establish the Basin Head Watershed Plan Steering Committee. The second public meeting was held to view the watershed draft plan, suggest areas of improvement or revision and obtain community approval of this plan. A continuous update of the watershed planning procedure is available at www.souriswl.ca provided by the Souris & Area Branch of the PEI Wildlife Federation. This website also includes a history section of the watershed and a video on this watershed entered in the Souris Wildlife 2009 Photo Contest. It is felt by the authors that this plan well represents the views put forth by the stakeholders and the steering committee of the watershed. Additional contributors: Allie MacLellan – Photography Watershed Plan Writers In 2004, Robert Sharkey wrote an initial draft watershed plan for the Basin Head Lagoon Ecosystem Conservation Committee. This plan was updated by Sarah Nebel in 2008. Both were well written, but little was done with the engagement of the community. In the fall of 2009, the Souris & Area Branch of the PEI Wildlife Federation agreed to partner with Fisheries & Oceans Canada to develop a watershed plan with community involvement for the Basin Head Watershed. Many sections of this plan are based on the previous work of Robert Sharkey and Sarah Nebel. Much of the plan, especially, goals, objectives and strategies, were developed from the input of the steering committee and stakeholders of Basin Head. This process was guided and the final plan written by Garry Gregory (UPEI Graduate Student) and Fred Cheverie (Souris Wildlife Federation), with assistance from Tim Brothers (STU Student), Anne Garrett, and Waldron Leard. Key Partners  1.0 INTRODUCTION 1.1 Why Watersheds?
1.2 History of the Basin Head Watershed The Basin Head region has been utilized extensively by humans for thousands of years, dating back to around 9000 years before present. Several artifacts have been found that indicate Palaeo-Indian occupation, and surrounding lands have provided evidence from late Archaic and late Prehistoric cultures. More recently, descendants of these cultures, the Mi'Kmaq peoples, used Basin Head as a location for seasonal hunting and fishing. Around 1719, French settlers arrived in the area and by the early 1800's Scottish settlers were arriving. In 1808 Basin Head was settled by two immigrant families from Scotland; the Kennedys and the Robertsons. Due to the prominence of Black Spruce in the area, Basin Head was originally given the name Black Hill by pioneer Donald MacDonald; the inlet's name was later changed to West River. As there was another West River, James MacDonald applied the name Kingsboro for his Laird's home property Kingsburgh, Scotland. Local residents named the area Basin Head due to the wide, hollow, bowl shaped form that resembled a basin. For many years prior to the construction of the current Basin Head harbour, many people fished directly off the shore. Most fisherman owned shacks to salt and store their fish. The cured fish left the area to be exported. In 1938 the harbour and wharf were completed. The natural harbour to the east, situated south of the present day Munns Road, was closed off. The majority of the sand dune hill was formed by unloading the sand from scoops. The harbour was dredged in 1959.
1.3 Importance of the Basin Head Watershed The Basin Head Watershed is central to the communities that depend upon its resources in their daily lives. The watershed plays a vital environmental, economic and social role in the prosperity of the communities it encompasses. The watershed is home to a wide range of plants and wildlife, supporting species diversity essential to environmental health. Notable among these species is a rare form of free-floating Irish moss (Chondrus crispus L.). Since the discovery of this unique strain in the 1960's, Basin Head has been considered a site of environmental significance. The lagoon serves as a popular tourist location that is important from both economic and social perspectives. Basin Head privileges locals and visitors to the Island with a beautiful site to spend warm summer days. The lagoon and the singing white sand beach provide people with memorable recreational opportunities such as swimming, canoeing and exploring and learning about nature. These outdoor activities require that the natural environment be maintained in the best possible quality to ensure they can continue to be enjoyed in future generations. Perhaps the most important way that the watershed affects communities is through ground water, the source of drinking water for all watershed residents. The quality of ground water, which depends heavily upon the health of the watershed, has a direct link to the well being of those who consume it. PEI's drinking water quality is naturally high, and efforts should be made to ensure this resource is properly protected.  Figure 1: Boundaries of the Basin Head Watershed and sub- watersheds contained within (from Bugden et al.). Recognizing its importance to their everyday lives, it is the hope of the communities within the Basin Head Watershed that this plan will help to guide individuals and groups in the management and enhancement of the watershed's natural resources. Table 1. Watershed areas and estimated average annual discharge in litres per second (L/s).
2.0 PROTECTED AREAS 2.1 The Basin Head Marine Protected Area 2.1.1 The Oceans Act and Marine Protected Area Program Canada's Oceans Act was passed in 1997 and set up a framework for present and future ocean management plans. Within the Act, the Fisheries and Oceans Canada was given the authority and mandate to establish a national network of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). Marine Protected Areas are developed to protect and conserve a variety of different ecosystems that contain endangered or threatened marine species, important fish and marine mammal habitats and unique features, as well as areas of high biodiversity or productivity. The process of establishing Marine Protected Areas involves the identification of areas of interest, evaluations of the region including an ecological assessment, creation of regulations indicating the boundaries, development of a management plan and ongoing monitoring. Due to the diversity of protected ecosystems, management plans for these areas are prepared on an individual basis and are developed with the participation of local resource users, and interested/affected parties. The Basin Head Lagoon Ecosystem Conservation Committee was formed in 1999 to facilitate the process of establishing the Basin Head MPA. Members of the committee represented a wide range of interests within the community and developed a proposal nominating the basin as an “Area of Interest” under the Ocean's Act. The site was designated as a Marine Protected Area in October of 2005. DFO is the sole authority responsible for administering the regulations governing human activities in the Basin Head MPA. However, a Basin Head MPA Advisory Board has been established to help DFO effectively manage the area. This Advisory Board is comprised of members that represent the community, industry, aboriginal peoples, academia, conservation/non-governmental organizations, municipal, provincial and federal governments with knowledge and experience relating to the ecology, management, conservation and use of the area. 2.1.2 Basin Head Marine Protected Area Description There are only seven (7) Marine Protected Areas in Canada with five (5) on Canada's East Coast. Basin Head is one of only two that are accessible by land and is the only one in the Gulf of St. Lawrence Region. The Basin Head Marine Protected Area covers an area of 2277 hectares, which includes three management zones: The Inner Channel (Zone 1) - This zone extends from the main Lagoon eastward for approximately 3 km to the eastern limit of the ecosystem. Zone 1 has the highest level of protection given that it provides the unique habitat for Irish moss within the ecosystem. The Lagoon (Zone 2) - This zone extends from the inner channel west to the limit of lagoon and south to the mouth of the Basin. This is the main Basin area or lagoon and acts as a buffer zone for the more sensitive Zone 1 area. The Outer Coast (Zone 3) - This zone extends from the mouth of the lagoon to 1 nautical mile south and covers 3 nautical miles east to west, adjacent to the eastern end of the lagoon. This zone is a buffer to protect the integrity of the dune structure.  Figure 2: Basin Head Marine Protected Area The lagoon itself is approximately 5 km in length and covers 60 hectares. The deeper section of the lagoon is about 0.5 km in diameter and is attached to a shallower channel about 3 km long and 200 metres wide. The unique strain of Irish Moss is found only within this channel. Sandy substrate dominates in the center of the channel and eelgrass fringes the shallows. The mouth of the lagoon and the 100 metres of the entrance channel are highly energetic, with current speeds reaching 2 knots or more. 2.1.3 Objectives for the Basin Head MPA Initiative The objectives for the Basin Head MPA, as listed in the Operational Management Plan are to: · Maintain the quality of the marine environment supporting Chondrus crispus; 2.2 PEI Natural Protected Area Approximately 179 hectares of the Basin Head dune system, incorporating the area east of the main run to immediately east of the Bothwell Beach road, has been designated for protection under the Prince Edward Island Natural Areas Protection Act. This includes 9.6 hectares of upland buffer and 169.4 hectares of dunes. Interesting plant communities inhabit the slacks between the ridges and on the crests of the dunes, and a survey by D. Griffin in 1973 revealed the presence of several unique plant communities and provincial rarities. A large area of the dune system is covered by a distinctive lichen community, including a low health plant known as broom crowberry, (Corema conradii). It is one of only seven such coastal dune communities in the world. Also among the rare dune plants are the low pine barren goldenheather (Hudsonia ericoides) and seacoast angelica (Angelica lucida).
 Figure 3: PEI Natural Protected Area in the Basin Head Watershed 3.0 WATERSHED CHARACTERISTICS 3.1 Land Use
 Figure 4: Land Use in the Basin Head Watershed (in hectares)
3.3 Dune System
3.4 Wildlife The Basin Head Watershed supports a variety of species of resident and migrant birds. Common woodland birds such as red-eyed vireo (Vireo olivaceus), ovenbird (Seiurus aurocapillis) and black throated green warbler (Dendroica virens) reside in the steeply-sloped, mixed woodland, which is dominated by red maple (Acer rubrum), white spruce (Picea glauca), white birch and yellow birch (Betula sp.). A few waterbirds use the lagoon, especially migrant Common and Red-breasted Mergansers (Mergus sp.), Canada geese (Branta canadensis), and the occasional Double-crested Cormorant (Phalacrocrax auritus). The change in tidal amplitudes leaves the bottom exposed for Greater Yellowlegs (Tringa melanoleuca). Great Blue Herons (Ardea herodias) feed along the lagoon but not in any great numbers. Diving birds, such as the Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon) can occasionally be spotted and the surrounding trees are home to a pair of Bald Eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus). The dunes are home to few breeding birds; Yellow-rumped Warblers (Dendroica coronata) are plentiful in the conifer habitats while the Nelsons Sharp-tailed Sparrows (Ammodramus nelsoni) occur in the Prairie cordgrass (Spartina pectinata) community at the head of the basin.
Basin Head is part of a network of beaches on the south-eastern shore of PEI that is crucial to the health of the species in the province. Conservation and education efforts by the dedicated staff of the Island Nature Trust are ensuring that the piping plover continues to grace Basin Head beach for generations to come. Further seaward it is not uncommon to see flocks of gulls; Bonapartes, Herring and Great Black-backed Gulls (Larus sp.) as well as sea ducks and other waterbirds. Long-tailed ducks (Clangula hyemalis), Common Eiders (Somateria mollissima), scaup (Aythya sp.) and three scoter species (Melanita sp.) occur during migration, but few ducks winter in the area. Northern Gannets (Morus bassanus) can also be observed in the coastal zone. Resident dune mammals include snowshoe hare (Lepus americanus) and red fox (Vulpes vulpes), though it is likely that raccoons (Procyon lotor), coyotes (Canis latrans) and mink (Mustela vison) are transient visitors. The Watershed also supports a variety of species of small mammals. 3.5 Aquatic life Basin Head supports a variety of species of fish and invertebrates, while the coastal area provides habitat for several marine mammals. The most common fish species are sticklebacks (Gasterosteus spp., including 3-spine, 4-spine, 9-spine and black-spotted), but mummichogs (Fundulus heteroclitus), smooth flounder (Pleuronectes putnami) and American eels (Anguilla rostrata) are prevalent. Brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) inhabit the freshwater streams. The most abundant shellfish species is the soft- shell clam (Mya arenaria), although blue mussel (Mytilus edulis), American oyster (Crassostrea virginica) and periwinkles (Littorina spp.) are common. Rock crabs (Cancer irroratus), lobsters (Homarus americanus) may be found in the lagoon and the invasive green crab (Carcinus maenas) is plentiful (Section 4.4). Sand shrimp (Crangon septemspinosa) and grass shrimp (Palaemonetes vulgaris) are abundant. Marine mammals occur in the coastal waters within the MPA, most likely including harp (Phoca groenlandica), harbour (Phoca vitulina), grey (Halicoerus grypus) and hooded (Cystophora cristata) seals. In this decade and the last, a few whales have come ashore on the Basin Head sandspit, including sperm (Physeter marcocephalus), minke (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) and pilot whales (Globicephala sp.). Common marine plants in the lagoon include Irish moss (Chondrus crispus), bladder wrack (Fucus vesiculosis), kelp (Laminaria spp.), sea lettuce (Ulva lactusa), marsh grass (Spartina alterniflora) and knotted wrack or more commonly called rockweed (Ascophyllum nodosum). The number and abundance of fish and crustacean species in the lagoon is studied annually through sampling from mid-spring to early fall. This is carried out under the Community Aquatic Monitoring Program (CAMP), which is carried out across PEI and the Southern Gulf Region. Biological data is collected with beach seines that capture and release live small fish and crustaceans. Information collected through this DFO-sponsored program includes:  Figure 6: CAMP sampling locations within the Basin Head Lagoon 4.1 Excess nitrate, Eutrophication and Anoxic Events
Water quality has been an issue in the Basin Head Watershed for many years and it has been determined that nutrient inputs into the lagoon are higher than the PEI average (Connolly 2002). The primary sources of these excess nutrients are the principal streams that empty into the lagoon (Figure 8). Excessive nutrient inputs build up nitrogen and phosphate to levels that stimulate primary (vegetative) production, resulting in phytoplankton and macrophyte blooms. Algal blooms impair growth rates in other aquatic flora as they often reduce water clarity or shade other species. In the case of sea lettuce (Ulva lactuca L.), of which there are annual blooms in the lagoon, high biomass can reduce water flow by clogging waterways. Clogging results in habitat changes including increased temperature, lowered dissolved oxygen and lowered salinity (Sharp et al. 2003). When algae die and decay, it leads to the build up of deleterious substances, such as hydrogen sulfide, ammonium, methane and carbon dioxide (Sharp et al. 2003). Oxygen in the water is depleted, suffocating fish, shellfish and other aquatic life. Algal blooms may also contain species with toxic effects that make the system uninhabitable for many organisms. This effect is most pronounced in upper estuaries with a relatively small tidal exchange and high water residence time. Basin Head is vulnerable to anoxic events as it has low flushing rates, high water temperatures, high nutrient levels and restricted access to ocean waters. The basin and lower arm flush reasonably well, however in late-summer, an annual anoxic event occurs in the upper reaches of the eastern arm. In more recent years this anoxic condition has extended to the upper edge of the Irish moss bed, approximately to the mouth of Foul Bay.  Figure 7: Percent of watershed in agricultural production, with average nitrate concentrations in drinking water
4.2 Bacterial Contamination Bivalve shellfish in contaminated waters and sediments will accumulate contaminants, such as pathogenic micro-organisms, within their tissues. In high concentrations, these contaminants become toxic and can result in health hazards if consumed. High levels in the water can also pose a health risk to bathers and can result in beach closures. In aquatic environments, bacterial contamination occurs most commonly in areas where water accumulates at a common point. The standard method of evaluating bacterial contamination is to test for fecal coliform, primarily because these bacteria are easy to culture. Coliforms are natural organisms and most are relatively harmless. In most instances, coliforms are not the cause of sickness, but their presence indicates that other pathogenic organisms may be present. Since 1995, bacteriological surveys have been conducted at 5 stations within the Basin Head Lagoon. Two stations have been considered areas of concern; the main basin and the north shore of the main basin. Within the main basin the level of fecal coliform bacteria was marginal at a maximum recorder level of 350 MPN*/100ml and approximately 10% of samples collected had levels greater than 43 MPN/100ml. The north shore of the main basin has, in the past, had higher than acceptable levels of fecal coliform at a maximum recorded level of 1600 MPN/100ml and approximately 13% of samples were above 43 MPN/100ml. For shellfish harvest areas, overlay waters cannot exceed, on average, 88 MPN/100ml and no more than 10% of the samples can exceed 260 MPN/100ml, according to recommendations by Environment Canada. Due to the levels at Basin Head, a shoreline sanitary survey was conducted which identified 9 potential contaminant sources from the Basin Head Watershed, including cattle access to streams, runoff from agricultural practices and cottage and tourism development. To some extent, fecal coliform contamination is associated with high water temperatures, poor water circulation, large amounts of particulate organic matter and eutrophication. The high levels of fecal coliform within the lagoon led to the closure of the soft-shell clam fishery for 3 years between 1998 and 2003. Environment Canada (EC) tests the water quality under the Canadian Shellfish Sanitation Program. EC has signed a memorandum of understanding with PEI and the Province does the testing on EC's behalf. Testing intervals for the program are a minimum of every three years. Basin Head is currently tested each year. 4.3 Sedimentation Wind and water action result in natural erosion, which removes sediment at approximately the same rate as it is formed. Accelerated soil erosion, which is when removal rate is faster than formation rate, has become a widespread environmental concern. Eroded soil that enters watercourses affects water quality biologically, physically and chemically. Sediment may stay suspended for long periods of time within the water column, depending on the particle size, with smaller soil grains taking longer to settle on the bottom. Suspended sediments reduce water clarity, which reduces the amount of sunlight reaching aquatic flora and alters the productivity of the affected area. Sedimentation, which is when the particles settle on the bottom, clogs waterways and destroys fish spawning beds by altering the bottom type or by suffocating eggs laid beneath the gravel. As well, chemicals, organic matter, and animal or industrial wastes are often carried along with the eroded soil and can result in bacterial contamination, eutrophication and fish kills, although a fish kill has never been reported in the Basin Head Watershed. Erosion has been an issue in some of the main streams that empty into the lagoon, primarily because agriculture and tourism development are so prominent in the watershed. 4.4 Invasive Species
Green crab populations in the Basin Head estuary are monitored both through the Community Aquatic Monitoring Program, larvae collector plates, and trapping, and research is regularly conducted there by Dr. Pedro Quijon of the University of Prince Edward Island. Other important invasive species affecting the Basin Head watershed include Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria – bottom right), a wetland plant species and Japanese Knotweed (Fallopia japonica – bottom left), also known as elephant ear. Both these species can form thick, dense colonies that completely crowd out and replace other important native plant species.
4.5 Irish Moss One of the main reasons that Basin Head was designated an MPA is due to the presence of a unique strain of Irish moss, Chondrus crispus. Irish moss is a commercially important aquatic plant, but the fact that this strain has not been found anywhere else in the world has meant that it has been granted protection from commercial harvest. It is considerably larger than the normal plant that is found elsewhere and it does not attach to the bottom, but is held within the lagoon by the byssal threads of bivalves. This strain also yields a higher concentration of kappa carrageenan, which is a thickening agent used in items such as ice cream and puddings. The Irish moss population in the lagoon is declining and has been reduced drastically from approximately 6900 m2 in 2000 to 1767 m2 in 2007 (Bob Semple, personal communication). The source of this decline is yet unknown but ongoing research is trying to determine the cause. Some potential factors include eutrophication, green crabs, declining mussel beds, disease, or a combination of these factors. 5.0 PLANNING PROCESS This watershed management plan is built upon a document prepared by Fisheries and Oceans Canada specifically focused on the management of the Basin Head Lagoon. In fall 2009, it was decided to expand the scope of this plan to incorporate the whole watershed. An open meeting was held in which community members had the opportunity to express their thoughts and concerns, and a steering committee consisting of community members, Fisheries and Oceans Canada officials, and representatives from the Souris and Area Branch of the PEI Wildlife Federation and the Department of Environment, Energy, and Forestry, was formed to guide the development of this document. A series of meetings of the steering committee were held throughout the winter of 2009/10, and the vision statement, goals, objectives, and strategies were discussed and incorporated into the present plan. After a series of revisions, a draft of the document was approved by the community on March 30th, 2010. 6.0 VISION STATEMENT, GOALS, OBJECTIVES, AND STRATEGIES During the Basin Head Watershed planning process the steering committee developed a mission statement and a set of clear goals, objectives and strategies that reflect the views of the stakeholders. These may need to be revisited and updated based on the dynamic requirements of the community or the state of the watershed through time. In this section, each goal is followed by the objectives needed to meet that particular goal, and strategies suggested to accomplish each objective. The strategies vary in terms of the timelines in which they can or should be accomplished, and as such they have been subcategorized into 3 headings; immediate (1-3 years), short term (3-5 years) and long term (5-15 years). Many are critical issues that need to be addressed immediately. Any that can be suitably dealt with in the near future are defined as short term. Lastly, there are some strategies that will require a longer period of time to apply and have therefore been termed long term projects. Long term projects include those that require extensive consultation with other groups, such as government agencies, and continuing projects. Vision Statement: “A healthy sustainable community supporting environmental, educational, economic and social values that encourages the responsible use and enjoyment of the watershed while working in harmony to enhance resource based activities.”
Objective 1 – Identify and address sources of water siltation and areas prone to erosion (agriculture, clay roads, etc). Immediate Strategies (1-3 years) (1) Conduct an annual watercourse survey to document problem areas Short Term Strategies (3-5 years) (1) Explore methods of monitoring and documenting siltation and turbidity in the main tributaries (eg. HydroLab) Long Term Strategies (5-15 years) (1) Monitor forestry operations to ensure that they comply with buffer zone legislation, and encourage good stewardship practices (harvesting at the appropriate times of year, etc) Objective 2 – Identify and address sources of bacterial contamination Immediate Strategies (1-3 years) (1) Recommend the bacteriological surveys conducted in the lagoon by Environment Canada continue on an annual basis Short Term Strategies (3-5 years) (1) Lobby government for incentives to assist with upgrades to septic systems Long Term Strategies (5-15 years) (1) Consult with the Department of Environment, Energy, and Forestry (DEEF), Environment Canada, and other involved government agencies to determine the steps required to re-open the lagoon to shellfish harvesting Objective 3 – Identify and address sources of nutrient enrichment Immediate Strategies (1-3 years) (1) Continue the ongoing nutrient monitoring program conducted by Fisheries and Oceans Canada, and have the data made available to the public Short Term Strategies (3-5 years) (1) Explore opportunities for agricultural producers to participate in projects that use lysometres or similar technology to determine specific sources of nitrate contamination Long Term Strategies (5-15 years) (1) Work closely with the PEI Dept. of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada to keep abreast of new technology and strategies to reduce the nutrient load Objective 4 – Identify and address additional sources of water quality degradation Immediate Strategies (1-3 years) (1) Encourage the continued good stewardship practices of agricultural producers with regards to the application of pesticides Short Term Strategies (3-5 years) (1) Work with the appropriate agencies to ensure that non-toxic materials are used in the maintenance and/or replacement of stream crossing structures and wharf structures Long Term Strategies (5-15 years) (1) Educate the public on the harmful aesthetic and ecosystem effects of litter on watercourses and wildlife habitat
Objective 5 – Restore habitat for anadromous fish Immediate Strategies (1-3 years) (1) In conjunction with the Souris &Area Wildlife Branch, initiate electro-seining to determine benchmark data of quantities and species of fish within its tributaries Short Term Strategies (3-5 years) (1) Develop and implement a beaver management plan Long Term Strategies (5-15 years) (1) Promote improvements to fish habitat and any increases in fish populations that may result Objective 6 – Monitor, enhance and protect habitat for other wildlife species Immediate Strategies (1-3 years) (1) Obtain and publish results of annual bird counts conducted in the watershed Short Term Strategies (3-5 years) Long Term Strategies (5-15 years) (1) Partner with organizations such as Pheasants Forever, Ruffed Grouse Society, Ducks Unlimited, and the PEI Trappers Association to evaluate and explore opportunities for habitat and population enhancement Objective 7 – Restore and maintain riparian/buffer zones Immediate Strategies (1-3 years) (1) Maintain the riparian demonstration sites that have been established Short Term Strategies (3-5 years) (1) Provide landowners with information explaining the importance of riparian zones to ecosystem health Long Term Strategies (5-15 years) (1) Advocate the benefits of healthy riparian zones (2) Acknowledge landowners, through local newsletters and a local website, that demonstrate good stewardship practices within riparian/buffer zones Objective 8 – Restore and protect Irish Moss in the Marine Protected Area Immediate Strategies (1-3 years) (1) In partnership with Fisheries and Oceans Canada, continue to monitor the health and distribution of the Irish Moss bed Short Term (3-5 years) (1) Educate the general public with brochures and other interpretive materials outlining the importance and uniqueness of this strain of Irish Moss Long Term Strategies (5-15 years) (1) In consultation with Fisheries and Oceans Canada, use the results of the research to develop strategies to enhance the Irish Moss bed Objective 9 – Evaluate and mitigate the impacts of invasive species Immediate Strategies (1-3 years) (1) Work closely with the Fisheries and Oceans Canada and the University of Prince Edward Island to conduct research on the impact of green crab on aquatic ecosystems (2) Continue to use larvae collector plates, live-trapping, and CAMP to monitor green crab populations in the lagoon (3) Using GPS, inventory the current distribution of Purple Loosestrife and Japanese Knotweed and document any expansion that occurs (4) Conduct research on the biology and impacts of Purple Loosestrife and Japanese Knotweed on wetlands Short Term Strategies (3-5 years) (1) Explore the efficiency of population control methods for green crabs in the lagoon Long Term Strategies (5-15 years) (1) Investigate potential commercial uses for green crabs harvested from the lagoon
Objective 10 – Encourage recreational activities that utilize opportunities offered by the watershed Immediate Strategies (1-3 years) (1) Assess and evaluate the currently available recreational opportunities Short Term Strategies (3-5 years) (1) Partner with government agencies that promote recreation and healthy living to develop new programs and opportunities Long Term Strategies (5-15 years) (1) Through brochures and other materials, promote healthy, outdoor lifestyles involving regular activity within the watershed Objective 11 – Develop and market Eco-Tourism within the watershed Immediate Strategies (1-3 years) (1) Promote business initiatives that have a limited impact on the health of the watershed, including popular eco-tourism like kayaking, bird watching, guided nature tours, wildlife photography, etc. Short Term Strategies (3-5 years) (1) Produce brochures that promote the watershed as a pristine area with many activities that engage the natural environment Long Term Strategies (5-15 years) (1) Collaborate with neighboring watersheds that have environmentally sensitive areas to develop methods to attract visitors to the Eastern Kings Area
Objective 12 – Increase Environmental Awareness Immediate Strategies (1-3 years) (1) Incorporate article(s) regarding issues that are prominent in the Basin Head Watershed into the existing newsletter published by the Souris and Area Enhancement Committee (or a similar publication) and a local website Short Term (3-5 years) (1) Develop an educational video depicting the environmental qualities offered of the Basin Head Watershed to be posted on local websites and made available for distribution on DVD Long Term Strategies (5-15 years) (1) Develop and promote farm and wildlife habitat tours
Objective 13 – Gain Knowledge on the Effects of Climate Change in the region Immediate Strategies (1-3 years) (1) Invite speakers with expertise on climate change to present to stakeholders Long Term Strategies (5-15 years) (1) Work closely with governments, universities, and environmental groups to gain insights into the effects of climate change on wildlife habitat Objective 14 – Adequately Prepare to Reduce the Impacts of Climate Change Immediate Strategies (1-3 years) (1) Consult the document “Prince Edward Island and Climate Change: A Strategy for Reducing the Impacts of Global Warming” and adopt key recommendations Short Term Strategies (3-5 years) (1) Develop a plan in consultation with the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal to mitigate the effects of coastal erosion on the main road Long Term Strategies (5-15 years) (1) Work in close consultation with the Department of Environment, Energy, and Forestry to develop climate change strategies specific to Basin Head 7.0 IMPLEMENTATION Watershed Planning is an ongoing process that requires stable, community driven organizations and continuing sources of funding. Implementation will need the guiding force of the Basin Head Marine Protected Area Advisory Board, full support of the Eastern Kings Community Council, and the expertise of Souris & Area Branch of the PEI Wildlife Federation. This plan will also require participation at both the federal and provincial levels. Fisheries and Oceans Canada and Environment Canada will be the leaders at the federal level. The Departments of Environment, Energy & Forestry, Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal, Agriculture, Tourism and Culture, and Fisheries, Aquaculture and Rural Development all have a role to play to ensure that the goals of this plan are fulfilled. This plan will also need to be regularly reviewed as changes take place within the watershed as the community continues to evolve. Although the involvement of all three levels of government (federal, provincial and community council) is essential to the success of this management plan, it is equally important that community members get involved and participate actively in its implementation. The Basin Head Watershed is a natural resource, so it becomes the responsibility of the people to support, nurture and protect it. 8.0 GLOSSARY Algae - seaweeds; aquatic, plant-like organisms that do not have roots, stems or true leaves. Algal bloom - a rapid increase or accumulation in the population of algae in an aquatic system. Anoxia - refers to a condition in a body of water where oxygen levels are low or absent. Such conditions are detrimental to most forms of aquatic life. Bacterial contamination - the presence of potentially dangerous levels of bacteria in an estuary, resulting in the closure of the area to shellfish harvesting. Benthic - living on the bottom of the ocean. Crustaceans - group of animals which includes crabs, lobsters, crayfish, shrimp, krill and barnacles. Estuary - the coastal area of a watershed where salt water from the sea and freshwater from tributaries mix to create a brackish environment. Estuaries are the location of anoxic events. Eutrophication - the process whereby a body of water becomes rich in nutrients, promoting a proliferation of plant life, especially algae, which reduces the dissolved oxygen available for aquatic life forms. Fecal coliform - a group of bacteria that are passed through the fecal excrement of humans, livestock and wildlife and used as an indicator of water quality.Fish habitat - spawning grounds and nursery, rearing, food supply, over-wintering and migration areas on which fish depend either directly or indirectly in order to carry out their life processes. Invasive species - a species not native to an area, which upon introduction establishes a viable population and has harmful effects on native habitats and other species. Macronutrients - chemical elements humans consume in the largest quantities are carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, phosphorus, and sulfur. Mollusks - animals belonging to belong to the animal phylum Mollusca; another name for a shellfish. Nitrate - the water soluble form of nitrogen and one of two primary limiting nutrients to aquatic productivity. Nitrate enters groundwater primarily through percolation, eventually returning to the surface as base flow (from springs and seeps) in our streams and ending up in the estuary. High levels of nitrate contribute to eutrophication of a body of water. Pathogenic Microorganisms - tiny organisms, such as bacteria and viruses, that can cause disease in wildlife and humans. Phosphate - one of two primary limiting nutrients to aquatic productivity. Unlike nitrate, phosphate is not water soluble. Rather, it enters surface waters bound to soil particles. Salinity - a measure of the salt concentration of water, usually measured in parts per thousand (ppt). Higher salinity means more dissolved salts. Open ocean would generally have a maximum of 35 ppt. Sedimentation/erosion - the loss of soil from an area of land to a watercourse. Excessive amounts of sediment in watercourses can have harmful habitat effects. Turbidity - a measure of the cloudiness of water. Highly turbid (cloudy) water is a result of a high concentration of suspended particles, such as soil and organic matter. Watershed - all of the land that drains surface water and groundwater to a particular river system. Watershed boundaries are high points of land where water flows into distinct watersheds at lower elevations. 9.0 REFERENCES Audet, D., Davis, D.S., Miron, G., Moriyasu, M., Benhalima, K., and R. Campbell. 2003. Geographical expansion of a nonindigenous crab, Carcinus maenas (L.) along the Nova Scotian shore into the southeastern Gulf of St. Lawrence, Canada. Journal of Shellfish Research 22: 255-262. Blue Revolution Consulting Group. 2008. Shellfish Quality Resource: Sanitation Management. http://www.shellfishquality.ca/Management/sanitation.html Accessed May 21, 2008. Central Queens Branch, PEI Wildlife Federation. 2008. West River Watershed Management Plan. Commission on Nitrates in Groundwater. 2008. Report of the Commission on Nitrates in Groundwater. Hon. J. Armand DesRoches, Chair. 56 p. Connolly, K. 2002. Baseline limnology and nutrient study of Basin Head lagoon, PEI with management implications. MSc thesis, Wilfred Laurea U. 134 p. Congleton, W.R. Jr., T. Vassiliev, R.C. Bayer, and B.R. Pearce. 2005. A survey of trends in Maine soft-shell clam landings. Journal of Shellfish Research 24: 647. Cook, M. G., Zublena, J. P., Hodges, S. C. and G. C. Naderman. 1994. Soils and Water Quality. http://www.soil.ncsu.edu/publications/Soilfacts/AG-439-01/ Accessed May 21, 2008. Favis-Mortlock, D. 2008. What is soil erosion? http://soilerosion.net/doc/what_is_erosion.html Accessed May 21, 2008. Fisheries and Oceans Canada. 2008. Operational Management Plan: Basin Head Marine Protected Area. 34pp + iv. Fisheries and Oceans Canada. 2006. Basin Head Marine Protected Area Regulations. http://gazetteducanada.gc.ca/partI/2005/20050618/html/regle2-e.html. Accessed May 21, 2008. Fisheries and Oceans Canada. 2008. Marine Protected Area: Basin Head. http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/oceans-habitat/oceans/mpa-zpm/factsheets-feuillets/bhead_e.asp. Accessed May 21, 2008. Garbary, D.J., and A.G. Miller. 2006. Green crabs (Carcinus maenas) as the grim reaper: Destruction of eelgrass beds in Nova Scotia. Journal of Shellfish Research 25: 728 Griffin, D. 1973. An Ecological Study of the Basin Head Sand Dune System. Department of Biology, Acadia University. Health Canada. 2008. Canadian Water Quality Guidelines. http://www.ec.gc.ca/ceqg-rcqe/English/ceqg/water/default.cfm Accessed August 28, 2009. Island Nature Trust, 2001. Community Use of the Basin Head lagoon, PEI. Island Nature Trust (Tracy MacDonald and Shannon MacDonald, primary authors). 2009. Prince Edward Island Piping Plover Atlas. Jiang, Y. 2007. State of Water on PEI. Dept. of Environment, Energy and Forestry Power Point Presentation. Klassen, G. and A. Locke. 2007. A biological synopsis of the European green crab, Carcinus maenas. Can. Man. Rep. Fish. Aquat. Sci. No. 2818. Mackinnon, C. 1997. Impact of the introduced European green crab, (Carcinus maenas) on Tasmanian bivalve populations, B.Sc. Honours Thesis, University of Tasmania, Hobart. MacMillan, K. W. 2007. Feeding and disturbance by the invasive European green crab (Carcinus maenas) on intertidal sediments of Basin Head, Prince Edward Island (Thesis). University of Prince Edward Island. PEI Enhanced Environmental Farm Plan. 2006. http://peiefp.ca/. Accessed May 21, 2008. Planning on a Watershed Basis: http://www.gov.pe.ca/roundtable/index.php3?number=69496&lang=E Accessed May 21, 2008. Rossong, M.A., P.J. Williams, M. Comeau, S.C. Mitchell, and J. Apaloo. 2006. Agonistic interactions between the invasive green crab, Carcinus maenas (Linnaeus) and juvenile American lobster, Homarus americanus (Milne Edwards). Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 329: 281-288. Sharp, G., Semple, R., Connolly, K., Blok, R., Audet, D., Cairns, D., and S. Courtenay. 2003. Ecological assessment of the Basin Head lagoon: A Proposed Marine Protected Area. Can. Man. Rep. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 2641: vi + 70p. Savard, M. and G. Somers. 2007. Potential impacts of adaptation of some agricultural practices on nitrate losses to groundwater. Report submitted to the Commission on Nitrate Contamination of Groundwater. Souris River Watershed Management Committee. 2006. Souris River Watershed Management Plan. Trout River Environmental Committee Inc. n.d. Stanley/Hope Stewardship Plan. Williams, P.J., T.A. Floyd, and M.A. Rossong. 2006. Agonistic interactions between invasive green crabs, Carcinus maenas (Linnaeus), and sub-adult American lobsters, Homarus americanus (Milne Edwards). Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 329: 66-74. Yamada, S. B., B.R. Dumbauld, A. Kalin, C.E. Hunt, R. Figlar-Barnes, and A. Randall. 2005. Growth and persistence of a recent invader Carcinus maenas in estuaries of the northeastern Pacific Biological Invasions 7: 309-321. APPENDIX Physical and Chemical Characteristics of the Basin Head lagoon Structure of the Basin Head Ecosystem The Basin Head ecosystem comprises 59 ha of water with three distinctive areas; Channel Entrance (a 0.5 km channel connecting to the ocean), Main Basin (a large 24 ha basin), and the Northeastern Arm (a narrow 30 ha, 20 - 50 m wide arm extending 2.9 km northeast. The lagoon is enclosed by gently sloping fields on two sides and the third side is the low lying (< 8m) series of sand dunes that form the main barrier to the ocean. The lagoon is subjected to northerly winds in the winter and prevailing southerly winds in the summer. The surrounding land elevations of up to 30 m on the northwest and southwest side shelter the Main Basin which is only exposed to strong easterly winds. The total watershed (1750 ha) is used primarily for agricultural purposes (40%) while forested areas contribute to 31% of the land use (Island Nature Trust 2001). The barrier dune system has grown over the past 67 years due to additional lines of dunes being stabilized by vegetation. The sand bars and sand beach associated with the entrance to the lagoon can constantly shift throughout the year. Sand is carried by storm waves over the channel liner during the winter, and in the summer this sand is carried out to the outlying sand bars (Fig. 4 & 5). The integrity and shape of the artificial entrance is critical to the tidal flushing of the lagoon. Bathymetry Basin Head ecosystem is very shallow with an overall average depth of less than 1 metre above the chart datum. The Main Basin is shallow except for a deep narrow channel on the eastern side as a result of water flow from the Northeastern Arm. The Northeastern Arm is not navigable at low tide except by canoes or similar shallow draft vessels. On the higher high-tides, the low-lying inner portion of the sand dunes is flooded creating a salt marsh with frequent tide pools. Bottom Extensive intertidal sand and mud flats surround the Main Basin and there are narrow sand flats on parts of the northern shore of the eastern arm (Fig. 1). There is a dynamic shifting of the sand bottom both in the high-energy entrance of the main channel to the basin and the ocean side inter-tidal area There are large quantities of organic sediment deposition and soft sediments held by eel grass (Zostera marina L.) root systems in the Main Basin. The bottom at the entrance to the Northeastern Arm is a mixture of coarse sand and shells which stabilise the finer sediments. Rapid currents, which continue to a distance of a kilometre into the arm, reduce the deposition of fine sediments. Beyond this point of the arm, the sediments are highly organic and frequently anoxic. Water Movement The mean water volume of the lagoon is 254,280 m³, and at high tide, the volume is 1,103,900 m³. The majority of water is tidal ocean water which enters from the narrow Channel Entrance. Depending on the amplitude of the tide, the lagoon may completely flush on one tide cycle but it can take over 6.82 days for turnover of the total water volume under other tide series. The mean residence time for Basin Head water was 2 days. Streams are the second major water source for the lagoon. There are 3 major streams that flow year round as well as many in-flows that are seasonal or related to rain events. Measurements of stream flow identified Stream 3, near the highway bridge at the northwest end of the Main Basin, as the major source of fresh water. Stream discharge per day over the summer was recorded at 10% of the total lagoon water volume and peaked at approximately 15%. Circulation Temperature Salinity Nutrients Oxygen Suspended Solids
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