Contractors who carry out work in or near Prince Edward Island’s watercourses or wetlands will be offered the opportunity to train for and participate in a licensing program that will streamline the process for work in these areas, Environment, Energy and Forestry Minister Richard Brown says.

“After a successful pilot project, my department is now ready to offer training that will allow contractors to be licensed for wetland and watercourse work. Licensed contractors will be able to carry out certain kinds of work without direct approval or supervision of the department. The licensed contractors will then have the responsibility for maintaining project quality and upholding environmental safeguards in their work,” the minister said. “This approach lets government maintain its environmental protection of watercourses and wetlands while removing some of the administrative burden from business.”

The Department of Environment, Energy and Forestry will offer the new Contractor Licensing Program training session in the winter of 2010.

Contractors wishing to participate in the contractor licensing program must complete the training in order to be eligible; contractors participating in the current pilot program must update their training by taking the new Contractor Licensing Program training in order to participate in the contractor licensing program. The pilot program is no longer operational.

Participation in the Contractor Licensing Program is optional. Unlicensed contractors are still able to apply for Watercourse, Wetland and Buffer Zone Activity Permits through the regular permitting process. The Contractor Licensing Program is included in the Environmental Protection Act, Watercourse and Wetland Protection Regulations available online at www.gov.pe.ca/law/regulations.

What’s required:

• A Watercourse, Wetland and Buffer Zone Activity Certificate will be issued upon successful completion of the training session and receipt of the $200 fee.

• An individual or business that employs at least one person who has been granted a Watercourse, Wetland and Buffer Zone Activity Certificate is eligible to apply for a Watercourse, Wetland and Buffer Zone Activity Business License, which is necessary to participate in the program. The cost of the Business License is also $200.

• Both a Watercourse, Wetland and Buffer Zone Activity Certificate and a Watercourse, Wetland and Buffer Zone Activity Business License are required. The minimum cost for inclusion in the program is $400.

An all-day training session will be held on February 9, 2010 at the Dutch Inn, Cornwall. The deadline for registration is February 2. For additional information or to register, contact the Department of Environment, Energy and Forestry at 368-5000.