Tree Replanting Planned for Areas Affected by Cancelled Wind Turbine Project

Date: August 15, 2023

The Municipality of Prince Edward County is moving ahead with plans to restore vegetation in areas impacted by land clearing linked to the now-cancelled White Pines industrial wind turbine project.

Vegetation removal began on April 19, 2017, when wpd Canada cleared land north of Royal Road and east of Lighthall Road as part of turbine site preparations. While nine turbines had originally received approval, only four were installed before the provincial government cancelled the project on July 25, 2018, under the White Pines Wind Project Termination Act.

Following the project’s termination, a third-party engineering assessment evaluated the extent of damage. After reaching agreement on total costs, wpd Canada will compensate the municipality for restoration expenses. These costs include, but are not limited to, tree planting, landscaping, signage, drainage features, roadside safety infrastructure, and swales.

According to Albert Paschkowiak, the County’s Environmental Services and Sustainability Supervisor, a municipal arborist reviewed disturbed areas along Crowes Road, Royal Road, and Maypul Layn Road to determine appropriate replanting strategies.

“For Royal Road and Maypul Layn Road, the recommendation is to install approximately 25 large-caliper trees (45 mm) this fall,” Paschkowiak said. He noted that tree species will meet diversity standards outlined in the County’s Tree Management and Preservation Policy and will be selected to suit local environmental conditions.

Conditions along Crowes Road, however, present greater challenges.

“Soil depth is extremely limited and growing conditions are poor,” Paschkowiak explained. “Planting larger trees there carries a high risk of failure.” As a result, the plan calls for the planting of roughly 30 bare-root saplings in spring 2024 instead.

Public Invited to Review the Plan

County residents are invited to attend an open house to review the proposed planting locations and walk through the plan with staff. The event will take place on Wednesday, August 30, between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m., with attendees asked to meet at 1071 Royal Road.