Opposition environment critic Mike Currie says the Ghiz administration has broken its promise and is cheating Island watershed groups out of the $1.8 million that was promised to support their environmental projects.
"Premier Robert Ghiz and Environment Minister Richard Brown made a commitment to the watershed groups that all the profit that was generated from the collection of beverage containers would support these volunteer organizations. That hasn't happened."
Currie said watershed groups only received $750,000 of the $1.8 million raised by government from beverage container recycling. "All of that money should have gone to the watershed groups, as promised, " said Currie.
The Georgetown-St. Peters MLA expressed alarm that 15 rivers have gone anoxic this year due to nitrate contamination, not only killing the river systems but causing a smell that is offensive to Islanders and tourists alike.
"Our watershed groups have clearly identified actions that can be taken in these river systems that could help to alleviate some of these anoxic events. They were counting on the dollars from the beverage container program to assist them with this work."
Currie said the premier in 2008 promised he would deal with this issue, but Currie has seen little evidence of any action.
"Our watershed groups are frustrated that the Ghiz administration has failed to take action on the nitrate commission report. It's time for the premier and his environment minister to listen to our volunteer watershed groups, and recognize the urgency of taking immediate steps to alleviate the anoxic conditions that are killing our provincial waterways."
If Richard Brown wants to see a nice watershed he should take a look at the largest body of freshwater on PEI. The pond in Murray River is again closed by the Dept of Health and you are advised not to let your pets drink it. Mr Brown is in no way interested in the environment unless there is a photo op. involed. The tourists just love the green water and the smell that goes with it.