Prince Edward Island’s Minister of Transportation and Public Works Ron MacKinley has announced two dredging projects aimed at making improvements to two important Island waterways. Tenders were issued last week for dredging at Corran Ban Bridge on the Winter River and Oyster Bed Bridge on the Wheatley River.
“Officials in this Department’s Environmental Management Section work very closely with local watershed groups to identify areas where improvements can be made, and where corrective action can be taken,” says Minister MacKinley. “Whether it’s building a fish ladder to improve fish passage at culverts, or studying tidal flow and water quality upstream from our bigger structures, we’re looking at ways to contribute to better quality in our watersheds.”
Area MLA’s Buck Watts and Robert Vessey played key roles in making these two projects a reality. Their close work with local watershed groups and their first hand knowledge of the watersheds helped drive the decision to move ahead with the projects.
Traditionally, the Environmental Management Section of the Department has concentrated efforts on sediment control at construction sites. But recently a stronger emphasis has been placed on watershed issues. The two projects announced this week are intended to improve tidal flow, which may help mitigate anoxic conditions in the two rivers.
Anoxic conditions occur when a bloom of marine plant life dies and removes oxygen from a watercourse. This can be very harmful to fish in a river, and the decaying remains of the plants can cause a foul smell. By removing debris and siltation below bridge structures, circulation can be improved upstream, and that can help mitigate some of the harmful effects of anoxic waterways.
“We’re not suggesting these projects will be a cure-all,” adds Minister MacKinley. ”But after several scientific studies, it is apparent that improved water flow and tidal exchange can be achieved at these two locations. The Department will follow-up to see what improvements come about after the work is complete.”