Prince Edward Island Bans Frac’ing (First Reading Today)!

Long-awaited Water Act tabled in P.E.I. legislature remains silent on deep-water wells by Teresa Wright Teresa, Nov. 23, 2017, The Guardian.pe.ca

The province’s long-awaited Water Act has been tabled in the P.E.I. legislature.

While it will impose bans on fracking and export of bottled water, it remains silent on the controversial issue of deep-water wells,

The bill has been over three years in the making, after concerns about P.E.I.’s water supply became the topic of heated public debate throughout much of 2014.

Since then, the province has issued a white paper and draft legislation and held two rounds of public consultation to gather input on how P.E.I.’s groundwater supply should be monitored and regulated.

“This is an historic day for Prince Edward Island,” said Environment Minister Robert Mitchell.

“One thing we all know that Islanders are very concerned and passionate about – water supply, water quantities on Prince Edward Island, how we treat our water, where we’re using our water. And I think all of those elements will be reflected in the Water Act.”

The act will prohibit hydraulic fracturing, or “fracking” for oil or natural gas exploration or production purposes. It also bans the removal of water from the province, such as the export or sale of bottled water.

The bill does not, however, deal with the current moratorium on high-capacity wells for agriculture. Mitchell says this will be dealt with in the bill’s regulations, which have not yet been released. No decisions have yet been made on the issue, as the department is awaiting the results of a scientific study that will measure the effects of deep-water wells on the province’s water table.

“We do not know the effects of withdrawal levels and to what degree that will affect aquatic life in our waters; that’s the most important piece,” Mitchell said.

“Once we have that figured out, we’ll bring it back, we’ll talk to Islanders and say, ‘What do you think of this and where should we move to next?’ ”

The question of whether to allow deep-water wells to be drilled and used for farm crops sparked intense debate over water use in P.E.I in 2014 and beyond, with environmental advocates and the agricultural industry groups waging a public relations battle over the question of whether P.E.I. has enough groundwater to support industrial irrigation of Irving-owned Cavendish Farms, which is one of the largest employers in the province. The P.E.I. Potato Board has openly lobbied government to lift the moratorium on high-capacity wells.

Mitchell says he is awaiting the results of the scientific study before any decision is made on whether to lift the moratorium.

But Opposition environment critic Brad Trivers says he is concerned about the fact this will not be enshrined into legislation and only placed in the regulations, which could be changed by government without the scrutiny of the legislature.

“When it comes to regulations, typically the minister has the power to change those at any time,” Trivers said.

“We’re looking to see what ministerial powers are in the Water Act, how much is going to be in the legislation and how much is going to be in the minister’s hands.”

Overall, Mitchell says the Water Act is aimed at ensuring P.E.I.’s groundwater is protected from contamination and monitored to ensure it is not withdrawn at higher levels than its natural rate of recharge.

“We will know, as Islanders, where water is being used. Those will be recorded, the data will be online,” he said.

“From that, we can determine how much water we have, how much is being used, how much recharge is coming back so we know exactly at every point in time, where our water situation is.” [Emphasis added]

Fracking is now prohibited on PEI! by Don’t Frack PEI, November 23, 2017

The Prince Edward Island Water Act, released today as a first reading in the legislature, includes a prohibition on hydraulic fracturing.

We need time to study the exact implications of the legislation, which can be seen here: www.princeedwardisland.ca/wateract

One of the documents issued by the government today states that saying NO to hydraulic fracturing addresses a key public concern. Quite right! [Emphasis added]

[Refer also to:

Congratulations to the people of PEI standing up for their health, families and communities, and getting frac’ing added to the Water Act, and prohibited!

Super smart and successful that PEI groups did not ask for frac regulations under the guise of asking for a public inquiry!

2017 04 14: PEI Draft Water Act: ‘How come fracking isn’t in the legislation?’ Because the PEI government lied, like all governments in Canada lie when it comes to fracking, federally and provincially?

2017 02 21: Frack ban coming to PEI?

2017 05 21: New Brunswick extends fracking ban indefinitely & The Environmental Advisory Committee, established by PEI govt to create new Water Act, recommends banning fracking

2015 03 31: “The one red line we must not cross” PEI ban on fracking is overdue; Looks like PEI government setting up to copy the dastardly Charter violating, legally immune, “no duty of care” Alberta Energy Regulator

2014 01 25: Even Islanders working in oilfields out West oppose fracking in PEI: “We don’t want home to look like it does where we work”

2011 08 03: Fracking Fears Fuel Protests in NB, PEI ]

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