Irrigation
Agriculture on PEI gets federal investment
Eight new wetland and water resource projects will share nearly $400,000 in joint funding from the federal government and the province of Prince Edward Island, as part of an effort to improve and protect water resources on the Island.
February 17, 2009 By Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
February 16, 2009
Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island –Prince Edward Islanders will be able to count on safer, more reliable water supply thanks to eight new wetland and water resource projects announced by the Governments of Canada and PEI today.
The Honourable Gail Shea, PC, MP for Egmont and Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, today announced support for eight projects in Prince Edward Island that will improve and protect the province’s water resources and wetlands.
"A safe and secure water supply is important to all Islanders and it is critical to the future of the province’s farmers and agriculture industry," said Minister Shea who made the announcement on behalf of Federal Minister of Agriculture Gerry Ritz. "Projects like these increase access to safe and reliable water sources which helps farmers make their living, while contributing to the protection of the environment."
Federal funding of $397,280 for these projects will be made under the Canada-Prince Edward Island National Water Program (CPEINWP), which focuses on environmental training, soil and water conservation projects, research on nitrogen leaching and better identification of the province’s wetlands.
The PEI Department of Agriculture and the PEI Department of Environment Energy and Forestry will provide $68,500 in in-kind support.
"Prince Edward Island's groundwater resources are vital to our agriculture industry and to our residents," said George Webster, provincial Minister of Agriculture. "We all rely on quality water for drinking, for cleaning, for recreation and for industry. This partnership with the federal government will allow Prince Edward Island to better understand its water resource and to better protect that resource."
The projects are being funded under Tier Three of the CPEINWP. Tier Three projects support feasibility and environmental studies, expanded water infrastructure and increased knowledge of groundwater sources. For more information on the program, please visit www.agr.gc.ca/nwsep.
