Erosion and sediment on PEIControlling erosion of sediment from development sites is an ongoing issue across Prince Edward Island (PEI). The fine particulate nature of PEI’s soil makes it particularly susceptible to erosion. Sediment is defined as a contaminant in the Environmental Protection Act (EPA) (Environmental Protection Act, 2022, Section 1, Part B).What are the negative impacts of erosion and sediment?When sediment enters a watercourse or waterbody in high concentrations it causes negative impacts, including smothering benthic organisms, reducing egg-laying habitat, blocking sunlight from aquatic plants, excessive nutrient loading, damage to fish gills, reducing visibility in water, reducing water quality, and creating costly restoration projects for future generations. Our project to rehabilitate the Pondside watershed system is a direct result of several years’ worth of heavy sedimentation from upstream development sites entering and settling in the system.Controlling erosion and sedimentThe Town of Stratford, in partnership with the Stratford Area Watershed Improvement Group (SAWIG), have created a set of guidelines (.pdf) that developers and contractors should follow, which lays out best practices for control structures and methods and explains the current regulatory environment relating to sediment and erosion control. We have also created a brochure (.pdf) to act as a quick reference guide for contractors and construction workers to follow best practices on site.Types of projectsThere are two types of projects, with different requirements depending on size and proximity to critical areas. A critical area refers to all areas that can be negatively impacted by sedimentation, including but not limited to existing developments, public roadways, watercourses and other natural ecosystems and habitats.
We have also created a pre-disturbance checklist (.pdf) and a weekly checklist (.pdf) to use to identify control structures that they have put in place prior to beginning development, and to regularly check the condition of these structures at least once per week and prior to heavy rainfall events.Further guidance on runoff eventsSAWIG regularly monitors runoff after heavy rain events downstream of development sites within the Town of Stratford and communicates with developers and contractors to provide guidance on erosion and sediment control measures and reminders to repair structures when they are damaged due to runoff events.Example of water quality monitoring for sedimentation:The Water Act Public Consultation Report released in May 2016 states that, following the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment (CCME) guidelines, human activities should not increase suspended sediment concentrations by more than 25 mg/L above background levels during any short-term exposure period. Applying this guideline to PEI would mean a province-wide maximum permitted level of 29 mg/L of total suspended solids (TSS) in watercourses (Water Act Public Consultation Report, 2016, p.24). Runoff comparison (2021):
Poor Control Structures:
If you have any questions or concerns at any time, please all the Town of Stratford front desk at 902-569-1995 and someone from our Erosion and Sediment Control Team will get back to you as soon as possible.
Additional Resources:
Sources:Environmental Protection Act, RSPEI 1988, c.E-9. Current May 2022. https://www.princeedwardisland.ca/sites/default/files/legislation/e-09- environmental_protection_act.pdfWater Act Public Consultation Report. May 2016. Environmental Advisory Council. http://www.gov.pe.ca/photos/original/CLE_EAC_WARep.pdf
