Cavendish Grove Stream & Watershed Restoration – Public comments invited from May 10 to June 13, 2022

May 10, 2022 – Parks Canada must decide whether the proposed project Cavendish Grove Stream & Watershed Restoration, located in Prince Edward Island National Park is likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects. Parks Canada will be assessing this project using a Detailed Impact Assessment.

To help inform this decision, Parks Canada is issuing this notice of intent to make a determination and inviting comments from the public on the project's potential effects on the environment as the public consultation for this proposal. All comments received will be considered public. For more information on the public nature of your comments, individuals should consult the Privacy Notice on the Registry website.

In order to submit comments or request a copy of the draft Detailed Impact Assessment report, contact:

Prince Edward Island National Park
2 Palmers Lane
Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island C1A 5V8
Telephone: 902-672-6350
Email: cavendish@pc.gc.ca

Comments must be submitted by June 13, 2022.

Project Summary: Prince Edward Island National Park proposes to conduct stream and watershed restoration activities in the Cavendish area of the Park. At present, natural water flow and fish passage through the property is impeded by landscape changes made by the now defunct Rainbow Valley Amusement Park. Through the removal of the existing earthen dams, culverts, and associated structures within Cavendish Grove Stream and Balsam Hollow Brook, as well as the implementation of natural stream design principles, Parks Canada aims to restore the stream and associated riparian zone to a functioning watershed with adequate water flow, unimpeded fish passage, and restored ecological connectivity. The project involves the alteration of a localized watercourse and therefore has the potential to impact ecological integrity, visitor experience, and cultural resource values. The proposal will be assessed through Parks Canada's detailed impact assessment pathway.

Scope of Assessment: This Detailed Impact Assessment will evaluate the interactions of the proposed Cavendish Grove Stream and Watershed Restoration project with natural resource, cultural resource, and visitor experience values. Hydrology, freshwater quality, fish and fish habitat, archaeological resources, and visitor experience/access to the Cavendish Grove property were identified as being at a moderate level of risk from the project. As such, these interactions are examined in detail in the DIA.