Environment: Watercourse, Wetland and Buffer Zone Activity Permit

Environment

Watercourse, Wetland and Buffer Zone Activity Permit

Before undertaking many activities in a watercourse, wetland, or buffer zone, you must obtain a Watercourse, Wetland, and Buffer Zone Activity Permit. Activities requiring a permit include, but are not limited to, the following:

dredging
stream enhancement
impoundment maintenance
installing culverts/bridges
temporary stream crossings (forestry)
constructing ponds
surface water irrigation
wharf/breakwater repair or construction
slipway repair or construction
tree cutting in a buffer zone
landscaping in a buffer zone

Please ensure the application is signed by the registered property owner, and allow a minimum of four weeks for processing.

Applications must include sufficient detail to allow for a complete evaluation of the environmental impact of the proposed activity. Applicants should refer to the Watercourse, Wetland and Buffer Zone Activity Guidelines for details on the information required for their proposed activity. It is important to provide a map or diagram that clearly shows the location of the proposed activity. Representatives from the department will visit the site to perform an assessment. Incomplete applications cannot be processed and will be returned.

Effective June 01, 2012, a processing fee will be charged for most Watercourse, Wetland and Buffer Zone Activity Permits. Applications will not be processed until the required fee is received. Fees may be paid by cheque (made payable to the Minister of Finance, Energy and Municipal Affairs and attached to the application), or in person at any Access PEI Office or at the Department of Environment, Labour and Justice office at 11 Kent Street, 4^th Floor, Jones Building, Charlottetown.

Applicants should refer to the fee schedule included as part of the Watercourse, Wetland and Buffer Zone Activity Permit Application for information on the required fee for proposed activities.

The application is available online as a PDF and at all Access PEI locations, and at the Depatment of Environment, Labour and Justice office at 11 Kent St., 4th Fl, Jones Building, Charlottetown.

Watercourse, Wetland and Buffer Zone Activity Guidelines:

Introduction
General Planning Considerations and Guidelines
Guidelines for Specific Watercourse Alteration Types
Glossary & Working Group Membership
Appendix A - Habitats and Behavioural Patterns
Appendix B - Applicable Legislation
Appendix C - Fisheries Act
Appendix D - Fisheries and Oceans Policy for the Management of Fish Habitat
Appendix E - Application for a Watercourse, Wetland and Buffer Zone Activity Permit
Appendix F - Agricultural Irrigation Policy
Appendix G - Environmental Protection Act
Appendix H - Wetland Conservation Policy
Appendix I - Beaver Policy
Appendix J - Impoundment Guidelines