More than half a million dollars has been awarded to 27 community-based watershed groups across Prince Edward Island, the Department of Environment, Energy and Forestry announced today.
Under the 2008 Watershed Management Fund Awards, the department’s water division is supporting local watershed improvement efforts that range in scale from stream clean-ups to soil and water protection efforts that take in the entire northeastern tip of Prince Edward Island.
“Across this province, communities are getting involved in the protection of their local watersheds. What began in some cases as a stream-improvement group has evolved into an understanding that the entire watershed, even people living far from the banks of their local stream, has a role to play in protecting and restoring the watershed environment,” said George Webster, Minister of Environment, Energy and Forestry.
“The health of Prince Edward Island’s water is everyone’s concern, we want to encourage and support community groups that are making a difference for the better in their local environment.”
A total of $520,000 was awarded to watershed groups in 2008/09, continuing a pattern of increase. Watershed work received $120,000 in 2006/07, $120,000 in the spring budget of 2007/08 and an increase of $350,000 in the fall of 2007 – making a total of $470,000 for the 2007/08 budget year.
The Watershed Management Fund assists community groups with the costs of labour, insurance, planning, professional services and materials for watershed improvement projects. Eligible projects can range from research and organization to habitat enhancement and run-off control measures.
In this year’s funding, much of the money is being directed towards engaging the community in watershed planning and management.
Community involvement in watershed planning was a key recommendation of the Environmental Advisory Committee’s 2007 report on watershed protection for Prince Edward Island.