New tool helps Islanders identify wetlands and know where development is restricted

The provincial Department of Environment has released a new, updated mapping tool to help Islanders identify areas where development is not allowed due to environmental concerns.

The Potential Development Restrictions map, along with accompanying guides and checklists, now includes additional information to help developers determine whether a property contains mapped or unmapped wetlands.

Environmentally sensitive areas, such as watercourses, wetlands, buffer zones and sand dunes, are protected under P.E.I.'s Environmental Protection Act, even if those features are seasonal.

Hannah Jenkins, a manager with the Department of Environment who oversees the environmental land management section, said the new tool was created in response to increasing development in areas that haven't typically seen it — such as rural areas that were traditionally forested or farmed.

"The purpose of this tool is to raise the alarm for individuals about knowing that they may want to reach out to the department to have us come out and do a site inspection to determine if there are environmental features on their property that may need to be protected from development," Jenkins told CBC News.

Jenkins said the province already had the P.E.I. Wetland Inventory map, which is updated regularly. The new tool builds on that foundation and includes additional detail for some areas that might not have been previously noted on mapping tools available.

She hopes the tool will be useful to property owners who are considering development, people looking to sell land, and prospective buyers evaluating whether a property suits their plans. Real estate agencies could also use the tool to better advise clients.

Flood risks and ecosystem protection

Jenkins said wetlands play a crucial role on Prince Edward Island and across Canada.

"We want to ensure we are protecting these sensitive habitats that can help with flood risk, providing ecosystems to wildlife as well as the species that we want to see thrive in these areas."

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She added that under the Environmental Protection Act and the Watercourse and Wetland Protection Regulations, legal restrictions are significant for properties that include wetland features. Any proposed activity within these areas requires provincial permits.

"Typically, we don't want to see new development going on in these areas," she said.

If a developer has bought a property that has a wetland or buffer zone, that section is hands-off, but other parts of the property could be strategically developed, Jenkins said.

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If a property shows signs of environmentally sensitive features, owners can request a site visit from provincial staff. These assessments help determine the size and boundaries of protected zones, the province said in a release.

The review process is available from June to September, when vegetation and hydrology can be properly evaluated during the peak growing season. The process usually takes two to eight weeks.

In time-sensitive situations and for properties larger than an acre, people are encouraged to hire an environmental consultant to inspect a property for a fee. The province can provide a list of qualified consultants upon request.