The Department of Land and Environment provides responsible land stewardship based on efficient and sustainable land use planning and protection of the natural and built environment. The department also takes action to safeguard the environment, to protect the province’s air, land, and water resources, and to increase resilience to the impacts of climate change. The department is also responsible for conservation, sustainable management and wise use of our forests, fish, and wildlife resources.
Some of the priorities include:
- Leading a government-wide response to address the current and anticipated impacts of climate change
- Protecting wetlands from development and degradation
- Supporting the protection and responsible use of our water resources
Structure and Employees
What services does the Forests, Fish and Wildlife division provide?
- managing public forest lands
- assisting private forest owners
- producing Acadian Forest tree and shrub species for planting programs
- licensing anglers, hunters and trappers
- training for firearms safety, hunter safety and trapper education
- offering wildlife management programs and services
- collecting data and mapping Island forests, and
- overseeing wildfire suppression on P.E.I.
Provincial Forest
The Provincial Forests section is responsible for the sustainable management of 18,700 ha of publicly owned forest. This is done through monitoring of the growth and health of the Provincial Forest, modeling of forest management options, delivery of forest management treatments to achieve multiple benefits from the forest through tenders or Provincial Forest section crews, building partnerships with community groups, and periodic public consultations. In addition, the Section provides leadership in forest fire management for all lands, manages provincial forests, delivers forest education and technical information programs for youth and the general public, and provides public access to maps at the district offices.
Production Development
The Production Development section works to improve the quality and growth of selected tree species through intensive selection and breeding programs at the J. Frank Gaudet Tree Nursery in West Royalty. Tree and shrub seedlings are produced for reforestation programs on private and provincial forest lands, landscaping projects and watershed enhancement. Insect and Disease analysis and research is also conducted by nursery staff.
Resource Inventory and Modelling
The Resource Inventory and Modeling program provides inventory and mapping support for the agriculture and forestry community. This involves the acquisition of aerial photography, the production of land use and land cover mapping products, and the establishment and measurement of forest management plots. Other activities included monitoring forest growth and conducting special forestry projects.
Fish and Wildlife
The Fish and Wildlife section issues hunting, trapping and fishing licences and conducts training courses for trappers, firearms users and hunters. Staff work to conserve Natural Areas, Wildlife Management Areas and ponds and wetlands, conduct wildlife surveys and studies, manage freshwater fisheries and species at risk programs and provide information on Island wildlife to the public, wildlife user groups and national agencies.
Field Services
The Field Services program provides technical advice and financial assistance to Island land owners who want to manage their forest lands for any number of goals and values through the Forest Enhancement Program.
Public lands such as Provincial Forests and Wildlife Management areas are managed through Field Services to address a variety of public benefits. These benefits include but are not limited to the conservation of wildlife habitats, production of high value forest products, creation of places for outdoor recreation and the establishment of long term forest research.
Field Services also coordinates wildfire suppression programs across PEI.
Private Forest
The Private Forest program provides financial and technical assistance to woodlot owners for management of private owned woodlots.
Administration
Environment Regulatory services oversee a wide range of programs, services and activities that protect our environment as well as public health and safety.
Waste Reduction, Recovery and Recycling
This section provides direction and management advice for programs that support waste reduction objectives to help reduce the amount of waste generated in communities, recycle materials not already collected through an Island-wide recycling program, increase awareness about of the importance of reducing waste, and encourage environmental stewardship of waste resources.
Drinking Water and Wastewater Management
The Drinking Water and Wastewater Management section provides regulatory oversight for the construction and operation of central water supply and wastewater collection and treatment in the province, including as key components, drinking water quality monitoring programs and providing advice or assistance to municipal water utilities operators and private well owners, the approval of water and wastewater system construction and up-grades, certification of system operators, monitoring of system performance and related compliance activities. In addition, the section administers the on-site sewage disposal program and its technical aspects.
Environmental Land Management
The Environmental Land Management section oversees a wide variety of administrative responsibilities under the Environmental Protection Act and its associated regulations. The scope of these responsibilities includes environmental impact assessments, watercourse, wetland and buffer zone alteration approvals, petroleum/pollution prevention activities, contaminated site management, environmental record reviews, issuance of Special Waste permits for the disposal of hazardous materials and the approval of excavation pits and recycling facilities. The section also provides a dedicated Environmental Emergency Response Team (EERT) which attends all environmental emergencies.
PEI Analytical Laboratories
PEI Analytical Laboratories is a full service laboratory that offers a variety of chemical and microbiological testing services. The major focus at PEI Analytical Laboratories is environmental and agricultural testing. This includes water, dairy, feed, compost, manure, plant tissue, seed and soil samples. The laboratory is accredited by the Standards Council of Canada (SCC) and meets the international standard and general requirements for competence of testing and calibration laboratories, ISO/IEC 17025.
Water and Air Monitoring
The Water and Air Monitoring (WAM) Section is responsible for the management of groundwater, inland surface waters, and coastal estuaries. The major program areas include groundwater quantity and quality assessments and issuance of permits, streamflow monitoring and issuance of surface water permits, water quality and quantity programs, publication of groundwater and surface water quality and quantity information, ground water and surface water pesticide monitoring; as well as providing public education and information sessions. The section also administers programs, legislation, and activities to preserve, control, or enhance outdoor air quality including the Air Quality Health Index Management; and the National Air Pollution Surveillance.
This section provides front line service delivery and assists the public with questions related to changes of use, subdivision and development permit applications.
Development Control
Development Control is responsible for administering the Planning Act Subdivision and Development Regulations providing front-line services for the review and processing of subdivision, development, and change-of-use applications across approximately 71% of Prince Edward Island’s land mass. Working in close collaboration with the Department of Transportation, Infrastructure and Energy, as well as other divisions within the Department of Land and Environment, this section helps applications comply with the Roads Act Highway Access Regulations and the Environmental Protection Act. Through this collaborative approach, the section supports orderly land use planning, sustainable development, and regulatory compliance across the province.
Land Use Planning
This section is responsible for implementing the Planning Act and its various regulations, and for the interpretation and application of the Prince Edward Island Lands Protection Act and its Land Identification Regulations as they relate to applications to vary identification imposed under that Act. This section supports individuals and groups in the public and private sectors to achieve sustainable land use strategies and development practices. This section also reviews and provides recommendations on municipal applications requiring ministerial approval. This includes municipal rezoning applications, amendments to Official Plans, and the creation of new Official Plans.
The Finance and Corporate Services section is responsible for the fiscal management of the department including budget development, management & oversight, program evaluation & audit, contract & agreement management and the delivery of various corporate service functions.
The Climate Adaptation Section leads and coordinates a government-wide response to the current and anticipated impacts of climate action. The section contributes to the development of climate policy, supports Federal/Provincial relations, and coordinates government-wide action.
Inspection Services
The Inspection Services section is responsible for the provision of a coordinated and integrated delivery of regulations and codes aimed at protecting public health, safety and the natural environment. The subject areas involved include Acts and regulations for the adoption of the Canadian Electrical Code, Canadian Elevator Safety Code, Amusement Device Codes, National Plumbing Code, National Building Code, National Energy Code for Buildings, and American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) codes for boiler and pressure vessels safety.
Administration
This section provides front line service delivery and assists the public with questions related to building, subdivision and development, septic, electrical, plumbing, boiler, petroleum storage, elevator and lifts, and amusement rides.
Agencies, Boards and Commissions
- Environmental Advisory Council
- Natural Areas Advisory Committee
- Wildlife Conservation Fund Advisory Committee
Hon. Darlene Compton
- Sous-ministreRyan Neale
- Executive Administrative Assistant to the Minister and Deputy MinisterEmily Koughan
- Senior Communications OfficerMorgan Martin