Borden-Carleton lies within two watersheds. The part of the community lying between the Seven Mile Bay Road (Highway #7) and the coastline drains directly to the Northumberland Strait. The remainder of the Community drains into the Cape Traverse River, which opens into the Strait and is the only significant watercourse found within the boundaries of the community. Watercourses play a significant role in draining the countryside and as habitat for small mammals, birds and some fish. Excessive runoff into the streams is a critical issue. To ensure that the drainage system functions satisfactorily and habitat maintained, it is important to avoid excessive runoff into the streams. This may be done by maintaining vegetative buffers along stream banks and avoiding disruptive development activity nearby.

There are two main wetland areas found within the community. Noonan's Marsh is a rich salt and fresh water marsh with an abundance of waterfowl and protected nesting areas. It has been the site of substantial waterfowl habitat improvement work. The marsh is readily accessible and offers potential for nature interpretation through connection to the Island-wide Confederation Trail system. Its location immediately adjacent to the bridge approach makes it highly visible and the marsh contributes significantly to the first impressions of Island visitors. Noonan's Marsh is the receiving water body for the community sewage lagoon.

Adjacent to Noonan's Marsh across the original bridge approach road an extension to Noonan's Marsh, sometimes referred to as ARollie's Marsh has been constructed to replace wetlands lost in the development of the Confederation Bridge. This area is intended specifically as waterfowl habitat and should be protected in the development plans for PEI #3.

The second major wetland is the saltmarsh emptying into Amherst Cove and adjoining the Strait Crossing fabrication yard. This marsh extends inland to the TCH near the Dickey Road intersection and serves as a buffer between the SCI lands and much of the rest of the community.

Objectives

• To protect watercourses for drainage, habitat and other natural functions.

• To protect and provide interpretive opportunities in the major wetland areas.

• To protect the fragile shoreland areas from erosion and the negative effects of development.

Policies

1. Borden-Carleton shall seek partners to add day-use facilities and maintain the beach north of the bridge and adjacent to the fisherman's wharf. Except for minimal improvements for interpretive use, Borden-Carleton shall not permit development within the established boundaries of the marshes.
2. Borden-Carleton shall require that with new development, surface water runoff directed into the marshes is not detrimental to the marshes either in quality or quantity.
3. Borden-Carleton shall encourage that the banks and shores of streams not be altered and vegetation along the edges of streams be left undisturbed.
4. Borden-Carleton shall require setbacks from the edges of the streams and wetlands for any development including subdivision and building construction.
5. Borden-Carleton shall require that all construction activities use siltation control measures to prevent run-off to adjacent wetlands and neighbouring properties.