The Province is moving forward on a number of initiatives to help protect and enhance the Island environment with more than half a million dollars funding committed in the 2003/2004 budget.
"With the fall Speech from the Throne, we laid out a blueprint for government to work in cooperation with Islanders to take action on the larger environmental issues of water, soil and air quality. This budget provides the resources to move forward," said Minister of Environment Chester Gillan. "In particular, we see significant additional resources for water protection, increased funding for pesticide monitoring, and resources to hire a freshwater fisheries biologist."
An additional $343,500 has been committed to manage, protect and enhance groundwater and surface water resources. Minister Gillan noted the province has taken a proactive approach to protect drinking water in Prince Edward Island. A total of $650,000 has been invested in the Drinking Water Strategy over the last two years; government has strengthened regulations in place to protect drinking water; upwards of $20 million has been committed to water and wastewater infrastructure projects since 2001; and more than $300,000 is invested in community-led watershed enhancement projects each year.
"Funding in the new budget provides resources to more effectively meet the increased demand for water testing, allow the provincial laboratories to complete the accreditation process, continue work to develop a strategy for municipal wellfield protection, and extend the term of watershed management coordinators," the minister said.
The Watershed Management Coordinators work closely with organizations and community groups involved in conservation and enhancement projects. With provincial funding support and other contributions from federal and private funding agencies, these groups carry out more than one million dollars worth of enhancement work on approximately 75 watersheds each year. Minister Gillan said the watershed management coordinators provide critical technical support to these groups. Extending their terms will significantly strengthen that support, he added.
Another highlight of environment spending in the budget is resources to hire a freshwater fisheries biologist, one of the last outstanding recommendations of the Round Table on Resource Land Use and Stewardship. The hiring of a freshwater fisheries biologist will enhance the capacity of the Department of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Environment to respond to fish kills and better understand the short and long-term impacts of land use activities on aquatic life and aquatic habitat.
"We recognize that human activity has a great impact on our water quality, both groundwater and surface water, as the two are so closely interrelated. In addition to fish kills, soil erosion remains a major environmental concern, and many streams suffer from excessive nutrient loading," said Minister Gillan. "A freshwater fisheries biologist will help analyze the effects of land use activities so that, ultimately, we can minimize negative impacts."
Another budget initiative that will help measure human impact on the environment is commitment of an additional $75,000 for increased pesticide monitoring. This will allow the province to establish a broader database of information to better assess the impacts of pesticide use and identify long-term trends.
"Whether it's cosmetic, agricultural or industrial pesticides, Islanders want to know what impact these products are having on their health and the environment. This additional funding represents a commitment to ongoing, long-term monitoring of pesticide residues in the PEI environment," said Minister Gillan.
Other funding in the environment budget will allow the province to address climate change, enhance air quality monitoring, continue education efforts on home heat tanks, and promote the sport fishery.
"Islanders are concerned about the environment and they are taking action to protect our environment. As government, we share their concern and we are committed to do our part," said Minister Gillan. "I look forward to continuing to work with Islanders to ensure that our legacy to future generations is a clean, healthy environment."