The City of Charlottetown, Ellen's Creek Watershed Group Inc. and Wright's Creek Environmental Committee have announced the completion of the City of Charlottetown Brook Trout Conservation and Protection Plan. The plan identifies key goals and objectives to improve the health of City streams and support the health of the City's brook trout population.
City Council formally accepted the Plan through resolution during its public meeting on August 10, 2015.
Environment Canada provided $26,000 in funding to complete the plan and involved consultation with the City, the watershed groups and the provincial Department of Communities, Land and Environment. The goals laid out in the plan include reducing sedimentation, minimizing habitat fragmentation, improving water quality and protecting water quantity. These goals will be achieved in partnership with watershed groups and will involve changes to the City's planning practises and stormwater management.
Work has already begun on implementing the objectives of the plan including remediation in the stream near the Sherwood Road crossing, monitoring siltation at Andrews Pond and an upcoming riparian zone enhancement project at West Royalty Community Centre.
Members of the City's management team from the Planning, Public Works and Utility Departments have been involved throughout the development of the Plan and have formed a working group that includes representatives from the watershed associations. The working group will be tasked with the implementation the Plan.
City of Charlottetown Brook Trout and Conservation Protection Plan Final Report
Individuals looking to get involved as a volunteer can contact either of the urban watershed associations.
About Ellen's Creek Watershed Group Inc.:
Ellen's Creek Watershed Group Inc is a non-profit community group dedicated to the preservation and restoration of the Ellen's Creek Watershed which contains Ellen's Creek, the only remaining stream system within the City of Charlottetown that sea run fish such as smelts and brook trout can still access the headwaters to spawn. For more information, visit the Ellen's Creek Watershed Group website.
About Wright's Creek Environmental Committee:
The Wright's Creek Watershed Environmental Committee is a member of the Hillsborough Area Watershed Cooperative and is dedicated to restore, protect and promote one of Charlottetown's most beautiful, historic, and environmentally significant natural areas - the Wright's Creek Watercourse. For more information, visit the Hillsborough River Association website.