Environment Canada: Atlantic Region News Releases

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New Brunswick:

Development and Implementation of a Nutrient Management Plan: $24,154
Fédération des Agriculteurs et des Agricultrices Francophones du Nouveau-Brunswick - Club-conseil agroenvironnemental du Nord-Ouest Northwestern Region, New Brunswick

Nutrients, including nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, trace minerals and lime, come from both chemical and natural fertilizers. The Club-conseil agroenvironnemental du Nord-Ouest will work with 28 farms in northwestern New Brunswick to adopt and implement nutrient management plans. Each nutrient management plan will include three points of assessment, including crop fertilization, the use of fertilizers for prescribed purposes, and fertilizer storage systems. As a result, the use of nutrients will be maximized to reduce chemical fertilizer dependence, nutrients will be stored in an environmentally sound manner, and practical solutions will be offered to nutrient management problems faced by farmers.

Local Contact: Paul-Emile Soucy, President, (506) 263-8721

Newfoundland and Labrador:

Project Clean Water: $15,500
Corduroy Brook Enhancement Association Grand Falls - Windsor, Newfoundland

As the town of Grand Falls - Windsor developed and expanded, the Corduroy Brook watershed became more and more degraded. Today, one of the main sources of pollution is storm water runoff, affecting water quality and aquatic habitat. To help combat this problem, the Corduroy Brook Enhancement Association will implement a storm water management project to educate the community about keeping storm drains clean. The commercial sector will be targeted and business operators asked to enter into stream stewardship agreements. Other activities will include; water sampling, marking storm drains and public education. This will reduce the amount of storm water pollutants entering the Corduroy Brook watershed, improve water quality and fish habitat.

Local Contact: Terry Paul, Project Coordinator, (709) 489-3900

Nova Scotia:

Working and Living by Water Project: $40,000
Clean Annapolis River Project Annapolis River Watershed, Nova Scotia

The Annapolis River watershed needs a helping hand. Uncontrolled cattle access to waterways and non-point source pollution is contributing to poor water quality and degraded aquatic habitats in the watershed. To help combat this problem, the Clean Annapolis River Project (CARP) will work with farmers and residents to restrict cattle access to waterways and implement pollution prevention programs on nine targeted riverside properties. The project will support reforestation with the planting of native trees and shrubs on 25,700 m2 of stream banks, fence livestock from 3,500 m of streams, construct three engineered wetlands, and undertake 25 riparian audits.

Local Contact: Stephen Hawboldt, Executive Director, (902) 532-7533

Flush-Less Pilot: $40,000
Clean Nova Scotia, Kingswood Subdivision, Halifax Regional Municipality, Nova Scotia

Did you know that 45% of Nova Scotians rely on septic systems to treat their wastewater? Many of these systems aren't working properly due to improper operation and maintenance, poor soil conditions and/or inappropriate design. Failing septic systems contaminate the environment and our water supply through bacterial contamination, excess nutrients, organic compounds, heavy metals, endocrine disrupters and viruses. Clean Nova Scotia will implement a pilot project in the Kingswood Subdivision of Halifax Regional Municipality to educate 200 homeowners on septic system design, placement, maintenance and usage. The project will reduce the chance of septic system failure in these homes, reduce water consumption by 25% through the installation of water saving devices, and reduce by 30% the amount of household hazardous waste generated per household.

Local Contact: Angela Griffiths, Executive Director, (902) 420-3476

The Coastal Conservation Project: $65,000
Nova Scotia Nature Trust, Halifax, Nova Scotia (province-wide)

Although Nova Scotia has often been referred to as Canada's ocean playground, only 5% of its coastline is formally protected. The Nova Scotia Nature Trust will help protect coastal land through a coastal conservation initiative. Through this project, at least 2 coastal properties will be formally protected through conservation easements, which are voluntary legal agreements between a landowner and a qualified conservation agency. As well, conservation programs will be adopted for at least 6 other coastal properties, and a coastal conservation ethic will be promoted at the community level.

Local Contact: Jennifer Pinks, Land Stewards Coordinator, (902) 425-5263

Prince Edward Island:

Enviro Church Conservation Project Phase II: $37,000
Environmental Coalition of Prince Edward Island, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island (province-wide)

Energy conservation, pollution prevention, waste reduction and water conservation all help to reduce our impact on the environment. Although Prince Edward Island is Canada's smallest province, it faces unique environmental challenges. It depends entirely on groundwater for drinking water and is the most densely populated province in Canada. The Environmental Coalition of Prince Edward Island will work with 80 churches to lead by example and adopt good stewardship practices by reducing energy use, water consumption, wastewater production, and use of household hazardous wastes within their church buildings and properties. Educational materials will be supplied to parishioners to increase their awareness of the initiatives undertaken by their local church and to encourage similar efficiency in their own homes.

Local Contact: David MacKay, Project Coordinator, (902) 566-4696