Environmental Standards

Waste Management

Waste, litter and other forms of garbage must be properly disposed of in the manner prescribed by the Island Waste Management Corporation.

Equipment Maintenance and Leak Prevention

Equipment must be well maintained and be inspected for leaks daily by the equipment operators. If leaks are found, they are to be fixed immediately. Fuel or lubricant spills and leaks must be contained, immediately cleaned up and reported.

Daily Equipment Inspection Checklist:

• Check all hydraulic lines and connections
• Inspect fuel tanks and fuel lines
• Check engine oil levels and condition
• Examine ground under equipment for signs of leaks
• Ensure spill response materials are available on site

Erosion and Soil Protection

All forest management treatments must be done in a manner to minimize erosion, rutting, soil compaction or puddled soils, as outlined in the road and water diversion construction section.

Key Soil Protection Measures

• Avoid operations during wet conditions - Wait until soil can support equipment without damage
• Use appropriate equipment - Match machine size and ground pressure to site conditions
• Minimize travel routes - Use designated trails and avoid unnecessary soil disturbance
• Prevent rutting - Stop operations if ruts ≥15 cm deep are forming
• Protect sensitive areas - Identify and avoid wet areas, steep slopes, vernal pools

Soil Damage Definitions:

• Soil Compaction: Soil particles squeezed together reducing space for air and water, limiting seedling establishment and root growth
• Puddled Soils: Repeated mixing of wet soil resulting in degraded, dense, structureless medium
• Rutting: Depression in soil surface ≥15 cm deep and ≥2 m long caused when soil strength is inadequate to support applied load

Permits and Regulatory Compliance

All necessary permits (e.g. watercourse and wetland activity permit) must be obtained before work begins.

Common Permits Required

• Watercourse and Wetland Activity Permit - Required for any work within 15 m of watercourses or wetlands, including: Stream crossings Road construction near water Harvesting in buffer zones
• Pesticide Application Permits - For chemical site preparation or maintenance
• Other Permits - As required by federal, provincial, or municipal regulations

Key Environmental Legislation

• Environmental Protection Act (PEI)
• Wildlife Conservation Act (PEI)
• Pest Control Products Act (Canada)
• Pesticide Control Act (PEI)
• Watercourse, Wetland and Buffer Zone Activity Guidelines

Buffer Zone Requirement:

A 15-meter buffer zone surrounds all watercourses and wetlands on PEI. Heavy equipment is prohibited within this zone without a permit. This buffer protects water quality, aquatic habitat, and riparian ecosystems.

Timing Restrictions

New water course crossing work shall normally be confined to the period between June 1st and September 30th unless work is required to mitigate an existing erosion problem (e.g. bridge failure or road rutting).

Seasonal Considerations

• Wet Season Operations: Minimize soil disturbance during spring thaw and periods of high soil moisture
• Frozen Ground: Some operations may be better conducted on frozen ground to minimize soil compaction
• Wildlife Breeding Seasons: Consider timing of operations to avoid disturbing nesting birds or other wildlife
• Stream Flow Conditions: Water crossing work during low flow periods (summer/fall) minimizes sediment disturbance