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Environmental Assessment (EA) for TCH Realignment Project
Environmental Protection Plan for TCH Realignment Project
Environmental Management Information for TCH Realignment Project
Environmental Background Information
Contact for environmental issues:
gateway@gov.pe.ca
(902) 675-7490
Prince Edward Island is known for its beautiful landscapes, rolling hills and rural countryside. The environmental protection plan for the realignment goes above and beyond all legal requirements and those used in public and private sector projects. The project also means the land surrounding the highway can now be protected for generations to come.
The environment will be protected by:
- A project-specific environmental protection plan, including a detailed erosion and sediment control plan. This includes:
- Sediment collection ponds
- Silt fences
- Buffer zones
- Soil stabilization methods and materials
- Response procedures for unplanned events
- A full federal-provincial Environmental Assessment was approved by the provincial and federal governments. This assessment included noise monitoring, bird, fish, plant, and wildlife studies, wetland assessment, heritage and archaeological resources. Other considerations included landscape, topography and work methods.
- The EA process included a legislated public review and feedback component and a public session.
- Park land and environmentally-protected lands will be avoided.
- There will be continual monitoring during construction to ensure that environmental controls are working as planned.
- The ecological significance of all forested land is appreciated and valued. Government is striving to avoid and, where avoidance is not possible, to minimize the impact of this project on forested land. Most recently, the alignment has been adjusted to significantly minimize the footprint of the alignment on an important old growth hemlock forest stand.
- The Department looks forward to working with stakeholders, such as community groups or local watershed groups, to develop and complete meaningful environmental enhancement projects. These enhancement projects may include: tree planting, stream restoration, bird nesting boxes and platforms, and improved recreational access.
- Environmental awareness training will be provided for on-site employees.
- Dedicated on-site staff will oversee the implementation of environmental protection controls.
- There will be daily communications between the department and contractor on environmental protection through the life of the project.
