Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Fish farms ask for another study on pesticide
Lobsters died after being placed in a pen with pesticide
Last Updated: Friday, October 29, 2010 .
CBC News
The Atlantic Canada Fish Farmers Association is asking Environment Canada to launch a second study on lobster exposure to deltamethrin in the Bay of Fundy.
The chemical is the active ingredient in the pesticide Alphamax, which had been approved for use for a limited time on fish farms in New Brunswick.
Earlier this week the federal department shut down use of the pesticide in open fish farm cages after some lobsters died on the first day of a trial.
Environment Canada officials carried out their own study in which they released lobsters in a tarped cage undergoing pesticide treatment, then towed the lobsters through the water as the pesticide dissipated.
Some lobsters died in the trial, and as a result the federal department halted the use of Alphamax treatments in open water.
Pamela Parker, the executive director of the Atlantic Canada Fish Farmers Association, said the test scenario they put the lobsters through isn't realistic.
"I was frankly shocked that they put lobster directly in the net pen, and not surprised they died," Parker said.
As well, Parker said, the lobsters weren't properly assessed for their health.
This development comes just days after groups from new Brunswick and Nova Scotia came together to form the Atlantic Coalition for Aquaculture Reform.
While the pesticide can no longer be used in the salmon cages, Environment Canada is still allowing Alphamax treatments of farmed fish to be done in contained areas called well boats.
Scientists with the provincial government have also been monitoring the tests and the use of the pesticide.
Matthew Abbott, a spokesman for the Fundy Baykeeper, an environmental organization, said he's concerned about the effects on smaller lobsters, considering the result of the testing.
"If large adult lobster are killed by this, one can imagine what it can do to lobster larvae," Abbott said.
The fish farmers association wants Environment Canada to try the experiment again by placing lobsters in a more realistic scenario, underneath and around the cages during treatment.
There's no word on whether the federal department might grant that request.
Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/new-brunswick/story/2010/10/29/nb-alphamax-pesticide-aquaculture-1024.html#ixzz147875AR6
Fish farm slowdown urged by East Coast group
The New Brunswick and Nova Scotia governments should declare a moratorium on licensing new salmon farms, says the Atlantic Coalition for Aquaculture Reform.
The alliance of fishermen and environmental groups from Nova Scotia and New Brunswick was formed earlier in October to protest the direction of government aquaculture policies.
They're concerned about a proposal for New Brunswick-based Cooke Aquaculture to build a 208-acre salmon farm in St. Marys Bay, near Digby, N.S. It would be the largest salmon farm in the province, and is expected to the first in a series of large-scale aquaculture projects.
Coalition spokeswoman Karen Crocker says the group is concerned about the scale of the project, as well as the recent decision to use a marine pesticide for sea lice on New Brunswick salmon farms.
They say large-scale farms will displace fishermen and change the marine environment. Crocker said there are risks if aquaculture develops "uncontrollably" in Canada's coastal waters.
Crocker says groups in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick are also talking with like-minded people in British Columbia, in an effort to get federal and provincial officials to hear their concerns.
Shannon Arnold, with the Ecology Action Centre in Halifax, said there is often conflict in Nova Scotia when there is new development.
"And often that arises out of a feeling that people haven't been properly consulted as the plans were being developed," she said.
Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/new-brunswick/story/2010/10/31/nb-ns-aquaculture-coalition-lice.html#ixzz1474rqdo0
The alliance of fishermen and environmental groups from Nova Scotia and New Brunswick was formed earlier in October to protest the direction of government aquaculture policies.
They're concerned about a proposal for New Brunswick-based Cooke Aquaculture to build a 208-acre salmon farm in St. Marys Bay, near Digby, N.S. It would be the largest salmon farm in the province, and is expected to the first in a series of large-scale aquaculture projects.
Coalition spokeswoman Karen Crocker says the group is concerned about the scale of the project, as well as the recent decision to use a marine pesticide for sea lice on New Brunswick salmon farms.
They say large-scale farms will displace fishermen and change the marine environment. Crocker said there are risks if aquaculture develops "uncontrollably" in Canada's coastal waters.
Crocker says groups in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick are also talking with like-minded people in British Columbia, in an effort to get federal and provincial officials to hear their concerns.
Shannon Arnold, with the Ecology Action Centre in Halifax, said there is often conflict in Nova Scotia when there is new development.
"And often that arises out of a feeling that people haven't been properly consulted as the plans were being developed," she said.
Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/new-brunswick/story/2010/10/31/nb-ns-aquaculture-coalition-lice.html#ixzz1474rqdo0
Grindstone Island now a nature preserve
Announcement to be made today at Cape Enrage during annual meeting
A13
BY YVON GAUVIN
TIMES & TRANSCRIPT STAFF
A historic partnership between Nature Trust of New Brunswick, the Parish of Sackville and the Anglican Diocese of Fredericton has ensured the preservation of Grindstone Island, the only island in the upper Bay of Fundy and a bird sanctuary, for generations to come.
The creation of the Grindstone Island Nature Preserve will be announced officially today at the Cape Enrage Nature Preserve during the annual meeting of the Nature Trust of New Brunswick.
The 50-acre island that once served as an important stone quarry for building projects as far away as Moncton and acts as site of an important lighthouse station is also recognized as ecologically unique. The island is recognized internationally as a component of the Shepody Bay Important Bird Area, the Shepody Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network and the Shepody Wetland of International Significance.
It serves a nesting area for the peregrine falcon population that has been restored to the Bay of Fundy and home to the largest great blue heron colony in the province of New Brunswick as well as a small colony of nesting eider ducks, breeding herring gull, great black backed gull and double-crested cormorant, said wildlife biologist Colin MacKinnon.
The partnership comes after years of negotiation and discussion to conclude with a conservation easement agreement with the Nature Trust that requires development of a management plan to monitor the fragile environment and set limits on activities on the island.
A portion of the island is already protected by Environment Canada's Canadian Wildlife Service and the adjacent Shepody National Wildlife Area.The Parish of Sackville retains ownership of the island.
"From the beginning of our negotiations with the Nature Trust, the Parish of Sackville was motivated by the concept of stewardship. The Parish took the view that stewardship takes many forms and that we are called to be active in environmental preservation as well as the pastoral, social justice and spiritual work with which the Church is more frequently associated," said Reverend Canon Kevin Stockall.
A13
BY YVON GAUVIN
TIMES & TRANSCRIPT STAFF
A historic partnership between Nature Trust of New Brunswick, the Parish of Sackville and the Anglican Diocese of Fredericton has ensured the preservation of Grindstone Island, the only island in the upper Bay of Fundy and a bird sanctuary, for generations to come.
The creation of the Grindstone Island Nature Preserve will be announced officially today at the Cape Enrage Nature Preserve during the annual meeting of the Nature Trust of New Brunswick.
The 50-acre island that once served as an important stone quarry for building projects as far away as Moncton and acts as site of an important lighthouse station is also recognized as ecologically unique. The island is recognized internationally as a component of the Shepody Bay Important Bird Area, the Shepody Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network and the Shepody Wetland of International Significance.
It serves a nesting area for the peregrine falcon population that has been restored to the Bay of Fundy and home to the largest great blue heron colony in the province of New Brunswick as well as a small colony of nesting eider ducks, breeding herring gull, great black backed gull and double-crested cormorant, said wildlife biologist Colin MacKinnon.
The partnership comes after years of negotiation and discussion to conclude with a conservation easement agreement with the Nature Trust that requires development of a management plan to monitor the fragile environment and set limits on activities on the island.
A portion of the island is already protected by Environment Canada's Canadian Wildlife Service and the adjacent Shepody National Wildlife Area.The Parish of Sackville retains ownership of the island.
"From the beginning of our negotiations with the Nature Trust, the Parish of Sackville was motivated by the concept of stewardship. The Parish took the view that stewardship takes many forms and that we are called to be active in environmental preservation as well as the pastoral, social justice and spiritual work with which the Church is more frequently associated," said Reverend Canon Kevin Stockall.
Riverview contemplates wetlands regulations
Development creates challenges in protecting wetlands
A9
BY JESSE ROBICHAUD
TIMES & TRANSCRIPT STAFF
The tricky issue of development near wetlands is almost never cut and dry.
Just ask the Town of Riverview, where the province's regulations regarding wetland and waterway alterations are having the unintended effect of promoting urban sprawl and an even broader environmental footprint according to a top official.
Town administrator Dave Muir said the intent of the province's rules against development in or within 30 metres of a wetland is sensible and necessary, but he thinks there could be more flexibility given to municipalities.
"Of course the issue within a developed area is you might have a wetland but you have three streets going by it and development all around it," he said.
"The province will still require you to keep it as a wetland, even though it might not make a lot of sense. It is becoming more and more of an issue within municipal boundaries."
In addition to creating headaches for developers and municipalities that are searching for new tax revenues, it can also lead to more sprawl, said Muir.
"What it does is if a developer can't develop land within a municipality, so there is a lot more land outside the municipality so it is leading to municipal sprawl. You are forcing people to go beyond municipal boundaries."
Muir said the result is more untouched lands are encroached upon.
"That is land that is not close to services that would have to have things like sewage lagoons added nearby," he said.
He said there is an example of such a wetland on the corner of Pinewood Road and Findlay Boulevard in the town.
"My understanding is that is classified as a wetland by the province and can't be touched," said Muir.
"But on the other side of the streets you have a parking lot and everything, and in my mind it doesn't make a lot of sense that that can't be filled and developed."
Muir said he would like to see the province recognize the differences between municipal and non-incorporated areas.
"I think that certainly within municipal boundaries and developed areas there should be a different set of regulations," said Muir.
"It seems what the province is trying to do is to use one brush to paint the whole province."
Bernie Doucette, of the Department of Environment, said some municipalities do have bylaws regarding wetlands, but he said that legislation can't conflict with the province's rules.
In other words a municipality can't loosen wetland protection within its boundaries.
He added that urban sprawl is a complex issue that is impacted by a variety of factors.
"I think sprawl would be way too complex to blame it on one factor," he said, noting taxation and people who prefer to live in the country.
He said the complaint he most often hears from developers and municipalities is that the location of wetlands is too often a mystery.
"The feedback we are receiving from municipalities is not about the regulations, it's the fact they don't know (wetlands are) there. If every wetland in the province was mapped clearly they might have an easier go at it."
Due to the resources that would be required to map all the wetlands in the province, Doucette admits that will likely never happen, but he said the province is working with new technologies to map as many as possible.
"I don't think we will ever get to the point we can map every wetland in the province, but as the technology improves we are getting better and better."
He said the analysis of aerial photographs is becoming a more useful tool in locating wetlands.
As it pertains to development, developers who are building near wetlands have the responsibility of paying a provincially-certified consultant who can mark exactly where a wetland or waterway is located.
Doucette said the department takes feedback from municipalities and developers and tries to improve its processes while protecting important wetlands.
"I think municipalities and developers can say there are factors that are complex here and where we are at the province is we are working under the umbrella of continuous improvement."
Muir said he isn't suggesting that rules regarding wetlands should be scrapped within municipalities, but he said there could be more flexibility.
"Every municipality should strive to maintain green spaces and that type of thing," said Muir.
"There is a whole bunch of stuff that wetlands are good for; drainage is a perfect example."
He said there are new technologies that help mitigate the loss of wetlands within municipal limits.
"If that wetland was filled in you would have to come up with some plan to handle rain water that would usually flow into that and go away by natural means."
A9
BY JESSE ROBICHAUD
TIMES & TRANSCRIPT STAFF
The tricky issue of development near wetlands is almost never cut and dry.
Just ask the Town of Riverview, where the province's regulations regarding wetland and waterway alterations are having the unintended effect of promoting urban sprawl and an even broader environmental footprint according to a top official.
Town administrator Dave Muir said the intent of the province's rules against development in or within 30 metres of a wetland is sensible and necessary, but he thinks there could be more flexibility given to municipalities.
"Of course the issue within a developed area is you might have a wetland but you have three streets going by it and development all around it," he said.
"The province will still require you to keep it as a wetland, even though it might not make a lot of sense. It is becoming more and more of an issue within municipal boundaries."
In addition to creating headaches for developers and municipalities that are searching for new tax revenues, it can also lead to more sprawl, said Muir.
"What it does is if a developer can't develop land within a municipality, so there is a lot more land outside the municipality so it is leading to municipal sprawl. You are forcing people to go beyond municipal boundaries."
Muir said the result is more untouched lands are encroached upon.
"That is land that is not close to services that would have to have things like sewage lagoons added nearby," he said.
He said there is an example of such a wetland on the corner of Pinewood Road and Findlay Boulevard in the town.
"My understanding is that is classified as a wetland by the province and can't be touched," said Muir.
"But on the other side of the streets you have a parking lot and everything, and in my mind it doesn't make a lot of sense that that can't be filled and developed."
Muir said he would like to see the province recognize the differences between municipal and non-incorporated areas.
"I think that certainly within municipal boundaries and developed areas there should be a different set of regulations," said Muir.
"It seems what the province is trying to do is to use one brush to paint the whole province."
Bernie Doucette, of the Department of Environment, said some municipalities do have bylaws regarding wetlands, but he said that legislation can't conflict with the province's rules.
In other words a municipality can't loosen wetland protection within its boundaries.
He added that urban sprawl is a complex issue that is impacted by a variety of factors.
"I think sprawl would be way too complex to blame it on one factor," he said, noting taxation and people who prefer to live in the country.
He said the complaint he most often hears from developers and municipalities is that the location of wetlands is too often a mystery.
"The feedback we are receiving from municipalities is not about the regulations, it's the fact they don't know (wetlands are) there. If every wetland in the province was mapped clearly they might have an easier go at it."
Due to the resources that would be required to map all the wetlands in the province, Doucette admits that will likely never happen, but he said the province is working with new technologies to map as many as possible.
"I don't think we will ever get to the point we can map every wetland in the province, but as the technology improves we are getting better and better."
He said the analysis of aerial photographs is becoming a more useful tool in locating wetlands.
As it pertains to development, developers who are building near wetlands have the responsibility of paying a provincially-certified consultant who can mark exactly where a wetland or waterway is located.
Doucette said the department takes feedback from municipalities and developers and tries to improve its processes while protecting important wetlands.
"I think municipalities and developers can say there are factors that are complex here and where we are at the province is we are working under the umbrella of continuous improvement."
Muir said he isn't suggesting that rules regarding wetlands should be scrapped within municipalities, but he said there could be more flexibility.
"Every municipality should strive to maintain green spaces and that type of thing," said Muir.
"There is a whole bunch of stuff that wetlands are good for; drainage is a perfect example."
He said there are new technologies that help mitigate the loss of wetlands within municipal limits.
"If that wetland was filled in you would have to come up with some plan to handle rain water that would usually flow into that and go away by natural means."
New coalition wants major changes to aquaculture methods
A1
BRETT BUNDALE
TELEGRAPH-JOURNAL
Fishermen, environmentalists and coastal residents on the Bay of Fundy have banded together to voice serious concerns about the impacts of fish farming on marine life.
The Atlantic Coalition for Aquaculture Reform is calling for wholesale change in the way the aquaculture industry in the region operates to lessen its impact on traditional fisheries and the marine environment.
"Large-scale salmon aquaculture in the Bay of Fundy is known to have a negative impact on the water through excess waste, fish feces and excess food with antibiotics and colour," said Matthew Abbott, project co-ordinator with Fundy Baykeeper.
The current sea lice outbreak in New Brunswick salmon cages has also added toxic pesticides to the mix, he said.
"We're concerned about the impact these pesticides have on traditional fisheries and the marine environment," Abbott said.
The coalition aims to raise awareness about the possible side effects of fish farming and encourage sustainable reform in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.
"We're not trying to sink the aquaculture industry," he said. "But we can't allow it to operate to the detriment of the marine environment and others on the water."
Pamela Parker, executive director of the Atlantic Canada Fish Farmers Association, said she welcomes the collaboration of stakeholders.
"We have been operating in the Bay of Fundy for over 30 years," she said. "During that time we have managed to work closely with the traditional fishing sector, tourism and others that share our working waterfront and we're proud to be recognized as world leaders in sustainable and environmentally responsible salmon production."
Parker said there is a misconception that the stocking density of salmon is too high.
"We grow our fish in the most natural way possible," she said. "Salmon, as any fish, are schooling animals and we farm them in a way that they are comfortable with because salmon simply will not grow if they are stressed. So our stocking density is based on fish health and environmental sustainability."
"We're criticized for being too intensive, but the entire production capacity of our industry would fit into an area about the size of Yankee stadium," she said.
Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries Minister Mike Olscamp said the traditional fisheries and aquaculture industry are both important to the Bay of Fundy region and to the province's economy as a whole.
"We are committed to ensuring that the two sectors operate in a manner that supports a sustainable co-existence," he said on Monday. "I have had the opportunity to speak to representatives from both industries and it is paramount that channels stay open so that we can continue the dialogue as we move forward."
According to the Department of Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries, the aquaculture industry generates an estimated $159 million in farm gate sales a year. There are a total of 95 fish farms in the province that provide up to one in five jobs in the Fundy Iles - more than 1,500 positions in total.
Melanie Sonnenberg with the Grand Manan Fishermen's Association said the fish farming industry is hurting traditional fishing. Last year the association reported dead and dying lobsters in their traps to Environment Canada.
"We would like to all co-exist," she said. "But if they need to use toxic chemicals to continue to survive that is a tremendously big problem."
Sea lice outbreaks do require the use of pesticides, Parker said, but she said New Brunswick companies only use chemicals that have been approved for use.
Use of the illegal pesticide cypermethrin found recently in the Bay of Fundy is under investigation.
Last week Health Canada's Pest Management Regulatory Agency to approve deltamethrin, sold commercially as AlphaMax, to kill sea lice in floating salmon cages delighted fish farmers but angered traditional fishermen.
The move flew in the face of a request by the Traditional Fisheries Coalition, including the Grand Manan Fishermen's Association, to suspend the use of chemicals in the bay.
BRETT BUNDALE
TELEGRAPH-JOURNAL
Fishermen, environmentalists and coastal residents on the Bay of Fundy have banded together to voice serious concerns about the impacts of fish farming on marine life.
The Atlantic Coalition for Aquaculture Reform is calling for wholesale change in the way the aquaculture industry in the region operates to lessen its impact on traditional fisheries and the marine environment.
"Large-scale salmon aquaculture in the Bay of Fundy is known to have a negative impact on the water through excess waste, fish feces and excess food with antibiotics and colour," said Matthew Abbott, project co-ordinator with Fundy Baykeeper.
The current sea lice outbreak in New Brunswick salmon cages has also added toxic pesticides to the mix, he said.
"We're concerned about the impact these pesticides have on traditional fisheries and the marine environment," Abbott said.
The coalition aims to raise awareness about the possible side effects of fish farming and encourage sustainable reform in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.
"We're not trying to sink the aquaculture industry," he said. "But we can't allow it to operate to the detriment of the marine environment and others on the water."
Pamela Parker, executive director of the Atlantic Canada Fish Farmers Association, said she welcomes the collaboration of stakeholders.
"We have been operating in the Bay of Fundy for over 30 years," she said. "During that time we have managed to work closely with the traditional fishing sector, tourism and others that share our working waterfront and we're proud to be recognized as world leaders in sustainable and environmentally responsible salmon production."
Parker said there is a misconception that the stocking density of salmon is too high.
"We grow our fish in the most natural way possible," she said. "Salmon, as any fish, are schooling animals and we farm them in a way that they are comfortable with because salmon simply will not grow if they are stressed. So our stocking density is based on fish health and environmental sustainability."
"We're criticized for being too intensive, but the entire production capacity of our industry would fit into an area about the size of Yankee stadium," she said.
Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries Minister Mike Olscamp said the traditional fisheries and aquaculture industry are both important to the Bay of Fundy region and to the province's economy as a whole.
"We are committed to ensuring that the two sectors operate in a manner that supports a sustainable co-existence," he said on Monday. "I have had the opportunity to speak to representatives from both industries and it is paramount that channels stay open so that we can continue the dialogue as we move forward."
According to the Department of Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries, the aquaculture industry generates an estimated $159 million in farm gate sales a year. There are a total of 95 fish farms in the province that provide up to one in five jobs in the Fundy Iles - more than 1,500 positions in total.
Melanie Sonnenberg with the Grand Manan Fishermen's Association said the fish farming industry is hurting traditional fishing. Last year the association reported dead and dying lobsters in their traps to Environment Canada.
"We would like to all co-exist," she said. "But if they need to use toxic chemicals to continue to survive that is a tremendously big problem."
Sea lice outbreaks do require the use of pesticides, Parker said, but she said New Brunswick companies only use chemicals that have been approved for use.
Use of the illegal pesticide cypermethrin found recently in the Bay of Fundy is under investigation.
Last week Health Canada's Pest Management Regulatory Agency to approve deltamethrin, sold commercially as AlphaMax, to kill sea lice in floating salmon cages delighted fish farmers but angered traditional fishermen.
The move flew in the face of a request by the Traditional Fisheries Coalition, including the Grand Manan Fishermen's Association, to suspend the use of chemicals in the bay.
Monday, October 25, 2010
Marsh Creek project receives international attention
Environment: Government officials join Alexandra Cousteau in getting close-up look at filth that pollutes waterway
C3
MARY-ELLEN SAUNDERS
TELEGRAPH-JOURNAL
SAINT JOHN - The plan to convert Marsh Creek from a sewage dump to a community treasure lined with trails attracted international attention on the weekend, says Tim Vickers.
Vickers, executive director of Atlantic Coastal Action Program Saint John (ACAP), played host to Alexandra Cousteau, granddaughter of French explorer and filmmaker Jacques-Yves Cousteau, and her international Expedition Blue Planet Team that is on a 23,000-kilometre trek across North America to investigate global water issues.
"The fact they are here today is huge for us," Vickers said. "It's a chance to get international exposure on our city and some of the good things I think are about to happen." Vickers said ACAP's vision for Marsh Creek fits the ideals held by Cousteau's team.
"Marsh Creek being physically a feature that could be the backbone of our community dovetails perfectly with the message they are trying to say throughout North America. These water courses aren't just something you have to beat back and manage and control, they are actually part of our lives and what we are proposing for Marsh Creek speaks to the exactly same message."
On Saturday, Vickers took members of the team on a bus and canoe tour of Marsh Creek before joining them for an open house and benefit dinner. He said the best way to get people on board ACAP's plan to expand wetlands and carve walking and cycling trails through the Marsh Creek area from Harbour Station to Rothesay is to let them see first-hand the environmental problems facing the area now and the potential they hold for the future.
Margaret-Ann Blaney, minister of environment, and Dorothy Shephard, MLA for Saint John Lancaster, joined the bus tour as it made its way through the flood plains in the commercial district and stopped to peer at the sewage outfalls in Marsh Creek.
"I don't think anyone who sees it or understands it wouldn't agree that this has to be cleaned up, it has to, we cannot be living where we live, in such an incredible part of the world, and have this garbage, and having literally waste, human feces, sitting in brown water in the middle of the city," Blaney said. "We can change this, we can fix this and that's what Tim's message is today and I think it's a very good one to hear."
C3
MARY-ELLEN SAUNDERS
TELEGRAPH-JOURNAL
SAINT JOHN - The plan to convert Marsh Creek from a sewage dump to a community treasure lined with trails attracted international attention on the weekend, says Tim Vickers.
Vickers, executive director of Atlantic Coastal Action Program Saint John (ACAP), played host to Alexandra Cousteau, granddaughter of French explorer and filmmaker Jacques-Yves Cousteau, and her international Expedition Blue Planet Team that is on a 23,000-kilometre trek across North America to investigate global water issues.
"The fact they are here today is huge for us," Vickers said. "It's a chance to get international exposure on our city and some of the good things I think are about to happen." Vickers said ACAP's vision for Marsh Creek fits the ideals held by Cousteau's team.
"Marsh Creek being physically a feature that could be the backbone of our community dovetails perfectly with the message they are trying to say throughout North America. These water courses aren't just something you have to beat back and manage and control, they are actually part of our lives and what we are proposing for Marsh Creek speaks to the exactly same message."
On Saturday, Vickers took members of the team on a bus and canoe tour of Marsh Creek before joining them for an open house and benefit dinner. He said the best way to get people on board ACAP's plan to expand wetlands and carve walking and cycling trails through the Marsh Creek area from Harbour Station to Rothesay is to let them see first-hand the environmental problems facing the area now and the potential they hold for the future.
Margaret-Ann Blaney, minister of environment, and Dorothy Shephard, MLA for Saint John Lancaster, joined the bus tour as it made its way through the flood plains in the commercial district and stopped to peer at the sewage outfalls in Marsh Creek.
"I don't think anyone who sees it or understands it wouldn't agree that this has to be cleaned up, it has to, we cannot be living where we live, in such an incredible part of the world, and have this garbage, and having literally waste, human feces, sitting in brown water in the middle of the city," Blaney said. "We can change this, we can fix this and that's what Tim's message is today and I think it's a very good one to hear."
Friday, October 22, 2010
Marsh restoration project near Sackville first of its kind in region
A1
ADAM HURAS
TELEGRAPH-JOURNAL
The restoration of salt marshes may help prevent Bay of Fundy shoreline communities from being washed away by the rising threat of coastal erosion and flooding caused by climate change.
A project on the marsh near the Nova Scotia-New Brunswick border is hoping to protect agricultural land and transportation infrastructure by restoring a salt marsh that disappeared when Acadian farmers built a dike in the mid-1800s.
It may have reapplication potential throughout the bay and provide at least a short-term answer to rising sea levels.
"We just can't keep retreating as water levels rise," said Wade Lewis, Ducks Unlimited manager of restoration services for the Atlantic region.
"But if we retreat in a manner where we are actually creating salt marshes in some of these areas, that may help over the long term to reduce the amount of erosion and help mitigate against rising sea levels."
Salt water marshes can also dissipate some of the energy that heads toward shore in daily tides or even greater threats to land such as storm surges.
"With the formation of salt marshes we can hopefully show that nature habitats can help buffer against these types of scenarios, reduce erosion and hopefully protect dike infrastructure and hopefully not have Nova Scotia become an island," Lewis said. "There hasn't been a project of this sort in the region."
Three breaches will be made this week in a 900-metre stretch of dike near the New Brunswick-Nova Scotia border to flood a 16-hectare parcel of former farmland, then the site will be monitored for three years to see how the marsh develops.
The dike has been repaired over the years, but the repairs were not a permanent solution.
The government built a new dike in this area farther inland, leaving a 16 hectare parcel of land between the new dike and the old dike. The breaches in the old dike will allow water to flood in between the dikes during high tide, then out again during low tide.
"The dikes in the Tantramar area are all about eight metres in height," said meteorologist Réal Daigle, who has written extensively on rising sea levels for Environment Canada.
"One has to look at future scenarios of sea level rise and storm surge flooding to see at what point do these elevations continue to protect."
Daigle authored a 2006 report that found that major storm surges will hit the coast every five to 10 years during the next century. In the past, major flooding has occurred once or twice every 100 years.
He also predicts that sea levels are expected to rise one metre by 2100.
"It's part of a solution in the sense that any place where this a decent salt marsh in front of a dyke the maintenance costs on that dyke are going to be lower and the erosion on the dyke will be less," said Jeff Ollerhead, dean of science at Mount Allison University, who is also a member of the project.
"In and of itself, it doesn't solve the long-term problem because the dike still needs to be high enough to overcome a storm surge event to protect the infrastructure in behind.
"What the salt marsh does is stop the day-to-day beating of the dike."
This is the first time something like this has been attempted in the upper Bay of Fundy region. It could be applied to other areas if conditions are right.
The Sackville professor said a multitude of approaches will be tried to protect the coastal shores of the province.
"It's a public policy decision that we are going to have to make as communities over the next couple of decades," Ollerhead said.
"This dike project is one little component of trying to raise a section of dike and restore a section of marsh in front of it, but it doesn't change the fact that the majority of the CN Rail line between the Port of Halifax and the rest of Canada if we had the right storm say next month that we would probably lose sections of that."
A separate $8.2-million program was announced in April to help safeguard the four Atlantic provinces from threats of coastal erosion and flooding cause by climate change.
The program, Atlantic Climate Adaptation Solutions, is a three-year plan that includes seven New Brunswick projects.
ADAM HURAS
TELEGRAPH-JOURNAL
The restoration of salt marshes may help prevent Bay of Fundy shoreline communities from being washed away by the rising threat of coastal erosion and flooding caused by climate change.
A project on the marsh near the Nova Scotia-New Brunswick border is hoping to protect agricultural land and transportation infrastructure by restoring a salt marsh that disappeared when Acadian farmers built a dike in the mid-1800s.
It may have reapplication potential throughout the bay and provide at least a short-term answer to rising sea levels.
"We just can't keep retreating as water levels rise," said Wade Lewis, Ducks Unlimited manager of restoration services for the Atlantic region.
"But if we retreat in a manner where we are actually creating salt marshes in some of these areas, that may help over the long term to reduce the amount of erosion and help mitigate against rising sea levels."
Salt water marshes can also dissipate some of the energy that heads toward shore in daily tides or even greater threats to land such as storm surges.
"With the formation of salt marshes we can hopefully show that nature habitats can help buffer against these types of scenarios, reduce erosion and hopefully protect dike infrastructure and hopefully not have Nova Scotia become an island," Lewis said. "There hasn't been a project of this sort in the region."
Three breaches will be made this week in a 900-metre stretch of dike near the New Brunswick-Nova Scotia border to flood a 16-hectare parcel of former farmland, then the site will be monitored for three years to see how the marsh develops.
The dike has been repaired over the years, but the repairs were not a permanent solution.
The government built a new dike in this area farther inland, leaving a 16 hectare parcel of land between the new dike and the old dike. The breaches in the old dike will allow water to flood in between the dikes during high tide, then out again during low tide.
"The dikes in the Tantramar area are all about eight metres in height," said meteorologist Réal Daigle, who has written extensively on rising sea levels for Environment Canada.
"One has to look at future scenarios of sea level rise and storm surge flooding to see at what point do these elevations continue to protect."
Daigle authored a 2006 report that found that major storm surges will hit the coast every five to 10 years during the next century. In the past, major flooding has occurred once or twice every 100 years.
He also predicts that sea levels are expected to rise one metre by 2100.
"It's part of a solution in the sense that any place where this a decent salt marsh in front of a dyke the maintenance costs on that dyke are going to be lower and the erosion on the dyke will be less," said Jeff Ollerhead, dean of science at Mount Allison University, who is also a member of the project.
"In and of itself, it doesn't solve the long-term problem because the dike still needs to be high enough to overcome a storm surge event to protect the infrastructure in behind.
"What the salt marsh does is stop the day-to-day beating of the dike."
This is the first time something like this has been attempted in the upper Bay of Fundy region. It could be applied to other areas if conditions are right.
The Sackville professor said a multitude of approaches will be tried to protect the coastal shores of the province.
"It's a public policy decision that we are going to have to make as communities over the next couple of decades," Ollerhead said.
"This dike project is one little component of trying to raise a section of dike and restore a section of marsh in front of it, but it doesn't change the fact that the majority of the CN Rail line between the Port of Halifax and the rest of Canada if we had the right storm say next month that we would probably lose sections of that."
A separate $8.2-million program was announced in April to help safeguard the four Atlantic provinces from threats of coastal erosion and flooding cause by climate change.
The program, Atlantic Climate Adaptation Solutions, is a three-year plan that includes seven New Brunswick projects.
Doing their part to reduce waste and help the environment
Westmorland Albert Solid Waste landfill continues to be a leader in its field
B7
Times & Transcript
In the beginning, there was wood, cardboard, newspaper and scrap metal recycling. Then came paper, plastic, milk cartons, sneakers, tires, cell phones, rechargeable batteries, electronic devices, ink cartridges, paint, household hazardous waste, Christmas tree mulching and Tim Hortons coffee cups.
Everyday items that people discard after use and that normally end up on the garbage heap.
But visionary people saw the wisdom of recycling and inch by inch, managed to divert so much recyclable waste from today's landfill sites.
The Westmorland Albert Solid Waste landfill outside Moncton has been a leader in the effort to recycle goods and materials, not just to alleviate the amount of waste going into the landfill but to ease the demand for raw new materials for manufacture. The recycling also brings in money to help offset operating costs.
The introduction of the wet/dry garbage system in 1999 and creation of composting at the landfill were two more innovations to reduce waste and help the environment.
This week is Waste Reduction Week across Canada and also marks the launch of the Recycle My Cell Challenge, aimed at recycling cell phones and wireless devices and accessories across Canada. The challenge is on until Nov. 30.
"The Recycle My Cell Challenge is a great opportunity for Canadian youth to further their environmental leadership skills," said Bernard Lord, president and CEO of the Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association (CWTA). "I encourage all young people - and their families - to lend a helping hand in keeping old cell phones out of their local landfills."
The Westmorland-Albert Solid Waste Corporation (WASWC) was formed in April 1992 to serve a number of communities in the two counties and eliminate 21 polluting dumps in the area by the end of 1993.
That year, the landfill operation was able to divert over 6,500 tonnes or seven per cent of the total waste coming in for burial.
Most of the wood dumped is used to heat the facility or as compost enhancer or as cover for wet waste.
In its mission statement, the corporation recognizes the importance of environmental protection and enhancement, and is committed to providing leadership in solid waste management for the communities in which it serves. It acts as an advocate for responsible waste management in the context of environmental protection, social acceptability and economic feasibility.
----
Following are figures provided by the corporation for recycling efforts at the landfill:
1999 - 1,136 tonnes of cardboard recycled; 2007 - 3,661 tonnes;
1999 - 434 tonnes of newsprint recycled; 2007 - 3,991 tonnes;
1999 - 2,342 tonnes of paper recycled; 2007 - 4,262 tonnes;
1999 - 130 tonnes of plastic and 19,000 beverage containers diverted; 2007 - 770 tonnes of plastic and three million containers;
2001 - 600,000 milk cartons diverted; 2007 - 3.6 million;
2002 - 22,600 sneakers recycled; 2007 - 50,000 sneakers;
1999 - 133 tonnes of tires recycled; 2007 - 252 tonnes;
2002 - Tim Horton's Corporation and WASWC team up to recycle coffee cups, recycling bins set up at coffee shop outlets;
2006 - 731 cell phones recycled; 2007 - 1,700 phones;
2002 - 1,363 pounds of rechargeable batteries recycled; 2007 - 30,200 pounds;
2004 - 70 tonnes of electronics diverted; 2007 - 90 tonnes, and
1999 - 605 tonnes of metal diverted; 2007 - 1,400 tonnes.
B7
Times & Transcript
In the beginning, there was wood, cardboard, newspaper and scrap metal recycling. Then came paper, plastic, milk cartons, sneakers, tires, cell phones, rechargeable batteries, electronic devices, ink cartridges, paint, household hazardous waste, Christmas tree mulching and Tim Hortons coffee cups.
Everyday items that people discard after use and that normally end up on the garbage heap.
But visionary people saw the wisdom of recycling and inch by inch, managed to divert so much recyclable waste from today's landfill sites.
The Westmorland Albert Solid Waste landfill outside Moncton has been a leader in the effort to recycle goods and materials, not just to alleviate the amount of waste going into the landfill but to ease the demand for raw new materials for manufacture. The recycling also brings in money to help offset operating costs.
The introduction of the wet/dry garbage system in 1999 and creation of composting at the landfill were two more innovations to reduce waste and help the environment.
This week is Waste Reduction Week across Canada and also marks the launch of the Recycle My Cell Challenge, aimed at recycling cell phones and wireless devices and accessories across Canada. The challenge is on until Nov. 30.
"The Recycle My Cell Challenge is a great opportunity for Canadian youth to further their environmental leadership skills," said Bernard Lord, president and CEO of the Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association (CWTA). "I encourage all young people - and their families - to lend a helping hand in keeping old cell phones out of their local landfills."
The Westmorland-Albert Solid Waste Corporation (WASWC) was formed in April 1992 to serve a number of communities in the two counties and eliminate 21 polluting dumps in the area by the end of 1993.
That year, the landfill operation was able to divert over 6,500 tonnes or seven per cent of the total waste coming in for burial.
Most of the wood dumped is used to heat the facility or as compost enhancer or as cover for wet waste.
In its mission statement, the corporation recognizes the importance of environmental protection and enhancement, and is committed to providing leadership in solid waste management for the communities in which it serves. It acts as an advocate for responsible waste management in the context of environmental protection, social acceptability and economic feasibility.
----
Following are figures provided by the corporation for recycling efforts at the landfill:
1999 - 1,136 tonnes of cardboard recycled; 2007 - 3,661 tonnes;
1999 - 434 tonnes of newsprint recycled; 2007 - 3,991 tonnes;
1999 - 2,342 tonnes of paper recycled; 2007 - 4,262 tonnes;
1999 - 130 tonnes of plastic and 19,000 beverage containers diverted; 2007 - 770 tonnes of plastic and three million containers;
2001 - 600,000 milk cartons diverted; 2007 - 3.6 million;
2002 - 22,600 sneakers recycled; 2007 - 50,000 sneakers;
1999 - 133 tonnes of tires recycled; 2007 - 252 tonnes;
2002 - Tim Horton's Corporation and WASWC team up to recycle coffee cups, recycling bins set up at coffee shop outlets;
2006 - 731 cell phones recycled; 2007 - 1,700 phones;
2002 - 1,363 pounds of rechargeable batteries recycled; 2007 - 30,200 pounds;
2004 - 70 tonnes of electronics diverted; 2007 - 90 tonnes, and
1999 - 605 tonnes of metal diverted; 2007 - 1,400 tonnes.
WASWC proud of its work
Times & Transcript:
After two decades of hard work, the Westmorland Albert Solid Waste Corporation is finally getting the recognition it deserves.
The vast facility - built off the Berry Mills Road a few miles outside Moncton city limits to dispose of waste from two counties - has shifted focus from landfill to diversion with more than half of all refuse trucked for burial being diverted and recycled.
It's a proud achievement, said corporation general manager Bill Slater. Other New Brunswick communities are looking to the WASWC for guidance and as a model for their own landfill operations. And now WASWC is sharing knowledge and techniques with Central Newfoundland communities to build a landfill operation there.
WASWC is the likely leader in total conversion for the province, said Slater. The other communities and solid waste organizations are "using us as a model" for success, he said.
Not only is the landfill operation diverting 27 different items from the disposal cell, it's doing it efficiently.
The WASWC has the lowest cost per household for waste disposal in all of Canada at less than $1 a week, he said. Revenue from recyclables help offset costs.
The landfill is recycling 58 per cent of all milk cartons in the province, he said proudly. And as part of Waste Reduction Week, WASWC has launched recycling of styrofoam, which is sent to China to manufacture mouldings.
"It's unbelievable" how much styrofoam, including packaging material, ends up at the landfill, material that does not biodegrade, he said.
The corporation employs 130 people, including those on the recycling lines diverting the many different items from the landfill.
Diverting 100 per cent of all waste will never happen, Slater said.
There will always be waste.
However, the goal is to limit the waste as much as possible, benefiting the environment and cutting costs of operation with less material buried.
The move to wet/dry garbage separation at the consumer level was a necessary step in achieving such a high success in the diversion program.
The site is open to the public Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
After two decades of hard work, the Westmorland Albert Solid Waste Corporation is finally getting the recognition it deserves.
The vast facility - built off the Berry Mills Road a few miles outside Moncton city limits to dispose of waste from two counties - has shifted focus from landfill to diversion with more than half of all refuse trucked for burial being diverted and recycled.
It's a proud achievement, said corporation general manager Bill Slater. Other New Brunswick communities are looking to the WASWC for guidance and as a model for their own landfill operations. And now WASWC is sharing knowledge and techniques with Central Newfoundland communities to build a landfill operation there.
WASWC is the likely leader in total conversion for the province, said Slater. The other communities and solid waste organizations are "using us as a model" for success, he said.
Not only is the landfill operation diverting 27 different items from the disposal cell, it's doing it efficiently.
The WASWC has the lowest cost per household for waste disposal in all of Canada at less than $1 a week, he said. Revenue from recyclables help offset costs.
The landfill is recycling 58 per cent of all milk cartons in the province, he said proudly. And as part of Waste Reduction Week, WASWC has launched recycling of styrofoam, which is sent to China to manufacture mouldings.
"It's unbelievable" how much styrofoam, including packaging material, ends up at the landfill, material that does not biodegrade, he said.
The corporation employs 130 people, including those on the recycling lines diverting the many different items from the landfill.
Diverting 100 per cent of all waste will never happen, Slater said.
There will always be waste.
However, the goal is to limit the waste as much as possible, benefiting the environment and cutting costs of operation with less material buried.
The move to wet/dry garbage separation at the consumer level was a necessary step in achieving such a high success in the diversion program.
The site is open to the public Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Moncton bulk water sale price must be revisited
City councillor proposing new water rates for mining firms
CBC News
A Moncton councillor is raising concerns over the price the city is selling bulk loads of its water to mining exploration companies.
As many as eight tanker trucks are leaving Moncton each day full of water that is destined for the Elgin area to slake the thirst of exploration companies that need that much water to drill for natural gas.
Moncton sells its bulk water for $1.58 a cubic metre compares to $4.88 charged by Sussex, which would have been closer for the mining companies.
Coun. Paul Pellerin said Moncton's price may have to be reviewed given the demand for its water.
"Obviously either they're selling their water too high or we're selling our water too low," Pellerin said.
"If we're underselling, we should really be considering a new price structure."
Pellerin said he understands that contractors and landscaping companies need access to bulk water at a reasonable price.
Future concerns
The Moncton city councillor said he's not sure the city should be selling its water for the controversial procedure of hydraulic fracking, which involves pumping water and chemicals two kilometres into the ground.
"Depends on how much water they are going to be using. OK right now they are just fracking to test to see if there is natural gas what happens if there is all sorts of natural gas how much water will they use or consume," Pellerin said.
"Is this going to have an impact if we have a drought?"
Pellerin said the city is expanding its reservoir to handle local demand.
He said he wants assurances the city can also deal with large sales of water to companies outside the region.
He's asked city staff to get back to him on how much water is being sold to exploration companies and what options are available to raise the price for such large sales.
CBC News
A Moncton councillor is raising concerns over the price the city is selling bulk loads of its water to mining exploration companies.
As many as eight tanker trucks are leaving Moncton each day full of water that is destined for the Elgin area to slake the thirst of exploration companies that need that much water to drill for natural gas.
Moncton sells its bulk water for $1.58 a cubic metre compares to $4.88 charged by Sussex, which would have been closer for the mining companies.
Coun. Paul Pellerin said Moncton's price may have to be reviewed given the demand for its water.
"Obviously either they're selling their water too high or we're selling our water too low," Pellerin said.
"If we're underselling, we should really be considering a new price structure."
Pellerin said he understands that contractors and landscaping companies need access to bulk water at a reasonable price.
Future concerns
The Moncton city councillor said he's not sure the city should be selling its water for the controversial procedure of hydraulic fracking, which involves pumping water and chemicals two kilometres into the ground.
"Depends on how much water they are going to be using. OK right now they are just fracking to test to see if there is natural gas what happens if there is all sorts of natural gas how much water will they use or consume," Pellerin said.
"Is this going to have an impact if we have a drought?"
Pellerin said the city is expanding its reservoir to handle local demand.
He said he wants assurances the city can also deal with large sales of water to companies outside the region.
He's asked city staff to get back to him on how much water is being sold to exploration companies and what options are available to raise the price for such large sales.
N.B. examines new oil drilling rules
CBC News:
The Department of Environment is considering a new environmental review process that could better regulate natural gas drilling in New Brunswick.
Companies currently face few environmental assessment rules in New Brunswick until commercial production of gas gets underway.
It is only in recent years that energy companies have learned how to affordably extract natural gas from shale buried two kilometres underground.
The industry has started turning to hydraulic fracking, also known as hydro-fracking, to get at the oil and gas reserves. However, the process has proved to be controversial in New Brunswick and in other communities across North America.
The New Brunswick government is looking at ways to toughen its environmental standards, so it has asked Apache Canada and Corridor Resources to participate in a phased environmental approval process.
Paul Vanderlaan, a director in the Department of Environment, said the new process would require approvals at the beginning of a project, before drill sites are selected and at almost every step leading to commercial production.
Vanderlaan said the entire assessment process would be open to the public.
"The public review process would be carried throughout the various phases of the project," Vanderlaan said.
Apache Canada and Corridor Resources are using the hydro-fracking process to see if there is enough natural gas near Sussex.
Corridor Resources announced in May that formerly abandoned wells could have more natural gas than is available in all of Western Canada's proven reserves.
Hydro-fracking is a process where companies pump a mixture of water, sand and chemicals into the ground, creating cracks in shale rock formations. That allows companies to extract natural gas from areas that would otherwise go untapped.
More experts needed
David Coon, the policy director of the Conservation Council, said environmental approvals should not be granted until the provincial government has people with the necessary background in deep shale gas extraction.
He said the new Progressive Conservative government must put some additional money into the environment department to monitor environmental assessments.
"Clearly shale gas development is brand new for the environment department. They don't have the necessary expertise there right now," Coon said.
Coon said the department should start hiring experienced people, possibly from provincial governments in Western Canada, to monitor the industry.
The call for more environmental monitors comes at a time when New Brunswick is staring at a $749-million deficit and the province's new finance minister has committed to upholding the party's commitment to balance the budget in four years.
Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/new-brunswick/story/2010/10/21/nb-oil-drilling-environmental-assessment-633.html#ixzz137wg7CBj
The Department of Environment is considering a new environmental review process that could better regulate natural gas drilling in New Brunswick.
Companies currently face few environmental assessment rules in New Brunswick until commercial production of gas gets underway.
It is only in recent years that energy companies have learned how to affordably extract natural gas from shale buried two kilometres underground.
The industry has started turning to hydraulic fracking, also known as hydro-fracking, to get at the oil and gas reserves. However, the process has proved to be controversial in New Brunswick and in other communities across North America.
The New Brunswick government is looking at ways to toughen its environmental standards, so it has asked Apache Canada and Corridor Resources to participate in a phased environmental approval process.
Paul Vanderlaan, a director in the Department of Environment, said the new process would require approvals at the beginning of a project, before drill sites are selected and at almost every step leading to commercial production.
Vanderlaan said the entire assessment process would be open to the public.
"The public review process would be carried throughout the various phases of the project," Vanderlaan said.
Apache Canada and Corridor Resources are using the hydro-fracking process to see if there is enough natural gas near Sussex.
Corridor Resources announced in May that formerly abandoned wells could have more natural gas than is available in all of Western Canada's proven reserves.
Hydro-fracking is a process where companies pump a mixture of water, sand and chemicals into the ground, creating cracks in shale rock formations. That allows companies to extract natural gas from areas that would otherwise go untapped.
More experts needed
David Coon, the policy director of the Conservation Council, said environmental approvals should not be granted until the provincial government has people with the necessary background in deep shale gas extraction.
He said the new Progressive Conservative government must put some additional money into the environment department to monitor environmental assessments.
"Clearly shale gas development is brand new for the environment department. They don't have the necessary expertise there right now," Coon said.
Coon said the department should start hiring experienced people, possibly from provincial governments in Western Canada, to monitor the industry.
The call for more environmental monitors comes at a time when New Brunswick is staring at a $749-million deficit and the province's new finance minister has committed to upholding the party's commitment to balance the budget in four years.
Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/new-brunswick/story/2010/10/21/nb-oil-drilling-environmental-assessment-633.html#ixzz137wg7CBj
Fishermen concerned about sea lice pesticide
CBC News:
New Brunswick fisherman who rely on the ocean rather than fish farms for their livelihood are concerned about the effect Health Canada's short-term approval of a restricted pesticide for farmed Atlantic salmon will have on sea water and their catch.
The agency is allowing the emergency use of Alphamax on farmed salmon infested with sea lice — parasites that attach to and feed on salmon.
The use of Alphamax has been approved between October and December of this year.
The active ingredient in Alphamax is a chemical called deltamethrin. Health Canada says the chemical does not pose a risk to human health or the environment when it's used according to the label directions and under the federal agency's conditions.
Melanie Sonnenberg, a spokeswoman for the Grand Manan Fishermen's Association, said that explanation is not sufficient.
She said she wants more information about the specific conditions of using the pesticide, including how much of the product is allowed to be used and how often.
"It is like being in the dark, and it's difficult at best to get information," Sonnenberg told CBC News.
"There's no place for us; it's just a tug of war all the time."
Treatments of Alphamax will be restricted to tarped cages or contained areas called well boats, which are boats with large holds.
The farmed fish will be placed in the boats, bathed in a concentration of Alphamax, then released back into their cages, along with the treated water.
"We're talking about an industry, a fishing industry that relies on the water as much as the aquaculture," Sonnenberg said.
"We realize that everybody has to do their work, but we just don't feel that it can be … one industry at the expense of another. We want to make sure safeguards are put in place and that our industry is protected."
Pamela Parker, the executive director of the Atlantic Canada Fish Farmers Association, said trial research done on Alphamax last year showed no negative impact on lobster and no contamination of the sea.
She said more variety in pest control measures doesn't necessarily mean more chemicals will be used over time.
"In fact, we will actually use less product because we will be using it strategically, and we will be using the right product on the right life stage," Parker said.
"So, ultimately, we expect the use of chemicals will be reduced."
A spokesperson with the provincial Department of Fisheries said officials will release more details about Alphamax treatments on farmed salmon once they speak with stakeholders, including lobster fishermen.
The salmon farmers plan to start using the pesticide in the Bay of Fundy later this week.
And from the Telegraph Journal:
Sea lice: Aquaculture industry welcomes federal OK of deltamethrin in salmon cages
C11
DERWIN GOWAN
TELEGRAPH-JOURNAL
ST. STEPHEN - A spokeswoman for one industry reacted with dismay and a spokesman for another with relief, to news from Ottawa Wednesday.
The decision by Health Canada's Pest Management Regulatory Agency to approve deltamethrin, sold commercially as AlphaMax, to kill sea lice in floating salmon cages delighted fish farmers but angered traditional fishermen.
"Basically we are shocked, in a nutshell," Grand Manan Fishermen's Association project manager Melanie Sonnenberg said.
"I don't know any other word to say it - and disappointed. I mean, disappointed doesn't cover it."
Meanwhile, Glen Brown, owner of the Grand Manan company Admiral Fish Farms Ltd. welcomed the decision.
"Well, actually, we're really pleased that Health Canada has given its approval," Brown said.
"We are very glad this has been approved."
The provincial Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries Department applied for the federal approval on behalf of salmon farmers who are battling sea lice, department spokeswoman Gisèle Regimbal confirmed Wednesday.
But pesticides that kill sea lice kill lobster, Sonnenberg said.
Health Canada limited the emergency registration to Oct. 15 to Dec. 31, department media relations officer David Thomas said in an email from Ottawa.
"Treatments with Alphamax are restricted to tarped cages or in well boats, and the province must monitor certain aspects of treatments and report the results to Health Canada, as was required in 2009," Thomas said.
"Health Canada's conclusion is that the use of Alphamax does not pose unacceptable risks to human health and the environment if used according to label directions and the conditions of the emergency registration."
The approval for the organophosphate pesticide azamethiphos, sold commercially as Salmosan, expired Oct. 15.
Salmon farmers still have two bath treatments for sea lice: AlphaMax and hydrogen peroxide. They can also use the in-feed pesticides Slice and Calicide.
"Having only one just doesn't work that well," Brown said. "What we'd really like is a suite of tools we could use in a strategic way."
The lobster industry wants the opposite, Sonnenberg said.
On Monday the Traditional Fisheries Coalition, including the Grand Manan Fishermen's Association, made a verbal request of Health Canada to suspend putting chemicals in the bay.
"All treatments need to stop given that the lobster are at a very critical point and that the juveniles in the water are everywhere ... this isn't acceptable," Sonneberg said.
Fish farmers cannot go chemical-free, Brown said. While fish farmers would like to avoid using chemicals, "We just don't have that option today."
This debate takes place against the backdrop of investigations in progress by Environment Canada.
The department's laboratory in Moncton identified the pesticide cypermethrin on dead lobster found last year off Grand Manan on Nov. 19, off Pocologan on Nov. 23 and off Deer Island on Dec. 3.
And all parties are awaiting the laboratory results on dead lobster and other creatures that a fisherman reported off Campobello Island on Sept. 8 of this year.
On Sept. 23 Environment Canada issued "inspector's directions" telling Northern Harvest and Ocean Legacy Inc. to cease using cypermethrin and to prevent its use in the future in its salmon cages.
Company chief executive officer Larry Ingalls issued a statement that his company does not use cypermethrin.
Canada licenses cypermethrin, sold commercially as Ripcord, for land-based agriculture but not in the ocean.
Meanwhile, Matthew Abbott of St. Andrews, co-ordinator of the Conservation Council of New Brunswick's Fundy Baykeeper Project, says putting anything that kills sea creatures into the water violates the federal Fisheries Act.
He would control sea lice by limiting the number of salmon in cages.
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Pesticide approved for N.B. sea lice
CBC News:
Health Canada has granted New Brunswick's request to allow the province's aquaculture industry to use a restricted pesticide to fight sea lice infesting farmed Atlantic salmon.
The federal organization is allowing the emergency use of Alphamax — a pesticide whose main chemical ingredient is deltamethrin — on farmed salmon between October and December of this year.
The industry plans to start using the pesticide in the Bay of Fundy later this week on farmed fish that have been plagued by sea lice — parasites that attach to and feed on salmon.
Treatments of Alphamax will be restricted to tarped cages or contained areas called well boats, which are boats with large holds. The fish will be placed in the boats, bathed in a concentration of Alphamax and released back into the cages, along with the treated water.
Nell Halse, of the Atlantic Canada Fish Farmers Association, said, ideally, the industry wants to be able to use a rotation of chemicals so the sea lice don't develop a tolerance to any one particular substance.
"That whole process, from our farmers' point of view, takes too long," she told CBC News. "We needed these treatments, a whole suite of them, in the spring when sea lice first started showing up on our farms.
"If we'd had three to four different treatments that we could rotate around to deal with the different stages of sea lice, we would've been in good shape last spring."
Instead, Halse said, the industry has been struggling to contain an unusually bad sea lice problem because of the high ocean temperatures in the summer. She said the approval of the use of Alphamax came after a lengthy risk assessment.
Matthew Abbott, a member of the Fundy Baykeeper Project, said the sea lice troubles are of the industry's own making and linked to its long-term use of pesticides.
He said putting more chemicals in the water is not the right solution.
"I think it goes to show that the problem isn't being solved," he told CBC News. "Instead of funding sustainable practices that don't lead to these massive sea lice outbreaks, they just keep adding new chemicals."
There is also concern that deltamethrin, which targets crustaceans, will kill lobsters and other creatures along with the sea lice.
Cousteau film crew praises river work
Petitcodiac River featured as part of Expedition Blue Planet
A1
BY CRAIG BABSTOCK
TIMES & TRANSCRIPT STAFF
After four months of visiting polluted rivers and neglected bodies of water, it was a treat for an international film crew to encounter the Petitcodiac River this week.
"We've been documenting these really sad stories of environmental demise, where you see water quality really affecting these strong communities and the people in them," said Anne Casselman, writer for Expedition Blue Planet. "To all of a sudden have this dangling bait of a success story, we just leapt at it. Yes! We want to go tell that story, we're tired of all this depressing stuff."
Casselman is part of a four-person crew in Moncton this week doing interviews and filming the Petitcodiac River for a three- to four-minute film that will be posted online. They are part of a larger group of 12 who have been travelling across North America since June, documenting water issues.
The project is the brainchild of Alexandra Cousteau, granddaughter of legendary explorer Jacques-Yves Cousteau. Cousteau went on her first expedition with her father Philippe and mother Jan to Easter Island, Chile, when she was just four months old and her famous grandfather taught her to dive at age seven.
Cousteau's latest project is part of her work with Blue Legacy, a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit organization she founded in 2008 to use new technology to connect mainstream audiences with their local watersheds and their "water planet." The expedition across North America is being chronicled at www.alexandracousteau.org and several posts relating to Moncton have already been added to the Expedition Blog.
Cousteau is in St. Andrews this week and did not travel to Moncton for the Petitcodiac River film.
Casselman said the team was aware of the Petitcodiac River restoration but a recent trip to Ontario convinced them they had to come here to do a film.
"The Petitcodiac came onto our radar when we were in Toronto, when we talked to Mark Mattson, the Lake Ontario Waterkeeper. He was so impassioned about it," said Casselman yesterday, during an interview near the causeway in Riverview. "We thought this was a story we had to tell."
The crew has been all over North America on their travels, from Vancouver to California to Nevada to Florida. They've witnessed the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, the polluted Colorado River and the site of a massive 2008 coal ash spill in Tennessee.
In this region they interviewed fisherman Victor LeBlanc and long-time advocate Gary Griffin, who was filming with the crew yesterday on the bank of the river.
"I think it's great for Greater Moncton, the more press coverage we can get in this area the better," said Griffin.
He was asked if it's a good thing to have someone with the Cousteau name express interest in the river's recovery and he responded with a laugh.
"I don't think it hurts," he said. "Here in Moncton, we've got something really special so why not tell everybody about it? Yes, there was controversy surrounding the whole thing, but we've got something really special and it's come back in a really short period of time, so why can't we toot our horn?"
Petitcodiac Riverkeeper Marco Morency, who worked with the film crew during their visit, said the river deserves the attention.
"They spent the last four months exploring severe water issues and when they heard about our river being restored, they didn't want to miss the opportunity to share this story of hope with the world," he said. "We sometimes forget how majestic the Bay of Fundy and the Petitcodiac River are because we live so close to it. It sometimes takes people from far away to remind us how precious it is."
Casselman said at every troubled body of water they visited, they encountered people who still believed it was worth saving.
"Alexandra calls them water heroes," said the writer.
A1
BY CRAIG BABSTOCK
TIMES & TRANSCRIPT STAFF
After four months of visiting polluted rivers and neglected bodies of water, it was a treat for an international film crew to encounter the Petitcodiac River this week.
"We've been documenting these really sad stories of environmental demise, where you see water quality really affecting these strong communities and the people in them," said Anne Casselman, writer for Expedition Blue Planet. "To all of a sudden have this dangling bait of a success story, we just leapt at it. Yes! We want to go tell that story, we're tired of all this depressing stuff."
Casselman is part of a four-person crew in Moncton this week doing interviews and filming the Petitcodiac River for a three- to four-minute film that will be posted online. They are part of a larger group of 12 who have been travelling across North America since June, documenting water issues.
The project is the brainchild of Alexandra Cousteau, granddaughter of legendary explorer Jacques-Yves Cousteau. Cousteau went on her first expedition with her father Philippe and mother Jan to Easter Island, Chile, when she was just four months old and her famous grandfather taught her to dive at age seven.
Cousteau's latest project is part of her work with Blue Legacy, a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit organization she founded in 2008 to use new technology to connect mainstream audiences with their local watersheds and their "water planet." The expedition across North America is being chronicled at www.alexandracousteau.org and several posts relating to Moncton have already been added to the Expedition Blog.
Cousteau is in St. Andrews this week and did not travel to Moncton for the Petitcodiac River film.
Casselman said the team was aware of the Petitcodiac River restoration but a recent trip to Ontario convinced them they had to come here to do a film.
"The Petitcodiac came onto our radar when we were in Toronto, when we talked to Mark Mattson, the Lake Ontario Waterkeeper. He was so impassioned about it," said Casselman yesterday, during an interview near the causeway in Riverview. "We thought this was a story we had to tell."
The crew has been all over North America on their travels, from Vancouver to California to Nevada to Florida. They've witnessed the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, the polluted Colorado River and the site of a massive 2008 coal ash spill in Tennessee.
In this region they interviewed fisherman Victor LeBlanc and long-time advocate Gary Griffin, who was filming with the crew yesterday on the bank of the river.
"I think it's great for Greater Moncton, the more press coverage we can get in this area the better," said Griffin.
He was asked if it's a good thing to have someone with the Cousteau name express interest in the river's recovery and he responded with a laugh.
"I don't think it hurts," he said. "Here in Moncton, we've got something really special so why not tell everybody about it? Yes, there was controversy surrounding the whole thing, but we've got something really special and it's come back in a really short period of time, so why can't we toot our horn?"
Petitcodiac Riverkeeper Marco Morency, who worked with the film crew during their visit, said the river deserves the attention.
"They spent the last four months exploring severe water issues and when they heard about our river being restored, they didn't want to miss the opportunity to share this story of hope with the world," he said. "We sometimes forget how majestic the Bay of Fundy and the Petitcodiac River are because we live so close to it. It sometimes takes people from far away to remind us how precious it is."
Casselman said at every troubled body of water they visited, they encountered people who still believed it was worth saving.
"Alexandra calls them water heroes," said the writer.
Cousteau group deems Petitcodiac restoration a success story
Environment: Expedition Blue Planet will document the reopening of the causeway gates
A1
ADAM HURAS
TELEGRAPH-JOURNAL
MONCTON- The restoration of the Petitcodiac River is being heralded as the "success story" of a 23,000-kilometre journey across North America by an international exploration team investigating global water issues.
Alexandra Cousteau, granddaughter of famed explorer Jacques-Yves Cousteau, and her international Expedition Blue Planet team have voyaged to Moncton to document the opening of the Petitcodiac River causeway.
"We were primed for this because we are just over three-and-a-half months into our trip so far and we have been documenting these really sad stories of environmental demise where you see water quality really affecting strong communities," said Anne Casselman, the expedition's writer. "All of a sudden you have this dangling bait of a success story.
"We wanted to go tell this story because we were tired of all the depressing stuff."
Starting from Washington, D.C. in June, the team began a four-and-a-half-month journey in a biodiesel tour bus converted into a production studio to put together a daily webcast of films, photos, and findings.
The team has already delivered exposés on the Colorado River, the Gulf of Mexico oil spill, the Tennessee Valley, the Great Lakes and Chesapeake Bay.
The Petitcodiac River short film will focus on the stories of Gary Griffin, a longtime advocate for the restoration of the river's fish passage, and Victor LeBlanc, holder of one of the last commercial fishing licences on the river.
"Gary is a man who fell in love with the river the way that it originally was in 1966 and then overnight, with the creation of the causeway, saw it completely collapse and then spent 42 years fighting for it," Casselman said. "I can't even think of many love stories with that kind of tenacity of perseverance."
The gates of the Petitcodiac River opened in April, 42 years after the construction of a causeway created a silt-clogged river.
Roughly 46,000 salmon were put back into the tributaries of the Petitcodiac last year as naturalists looked forward to the opening of the causeway.
The restoration is now in a second phase which will involve allowing the river to flow freely as a tidal river.
"I will be talking about the work that went on from an environmental view from before the gates were open," Griffin said of his role in the film. "This is great for Greater Moncton because the more press coverage we can get in this area, the better." With the gates open, the seasonal response will be monitored for at least two annual cycles as the river, fish population and surrounding habitat adjust to the change.
A projected final phase involves the construction of a 280-metre bridge, which is estimated to take three to four years to complete and has yet to receive backing from a new Tory government or a commitment of federal funding.
"(The exploration team) spent the last four months exploring severe water issues and when they heard about our river being restored, they didn't want to miss the opportunity to share this story of hope with the world," said Petitcodiac Riverkeeper Marco Morency.
"We sometimes forget how majestic the Bay of Fundy and the Petitcodiac River are because we live so close to it. It sometimes takes people from far away to remind us how precious it is."
The 12-member crew will also travel to St. Andrews to complete stories on the Bay of Fundy, while also attending a Marsh Creek clean-up project benefit dinner Saturday, in Saint John where Cousteau will be the guest speaker.
"What we see here are echoes of what we have seen everywhere and that is you have these people in these communities that know what the natural environment should be like, who know the importance of taking care of their waterways," Casselman said. "(But) this is a place where the link between the river and the sea has been joined up again."
The documentary on the Petitcodiac River will be posted at www.alexandracousteau.org.
A1
ADAM HURAS
TELEGRAPH-JOURNAL
MONCTON- The restoration of the Petitcodiac River is being heralded as the "success story" of a 23,000-kilometre journey across North America by an international exploration team investigating global water issues.
Alexandra Cousteau, granddaughter of famed explorer Jacques-Yves Cousteau, and her international Expedition Blue Planet team have voyaged to Moncton to document the opening of the Petitcodiac River causeway.
"We were primed for this because we are just over three-and-a-half months into our trip so far and we have been documenting these really sad stories of environmental demise where you see water quality really affecting strong communities," said Anne Casselman, the expedition's writer. "All of a sudden you have this dangling bait of a success story.
"We wanted to go tell this story because we were tired of all the depressing stuff."
Starting from Washington, D.C. in June, the team began a four-and-a-half-month journey in a biodiesel tour bus converted into a production studio to put together a daily webcast of films, photos, and findings.
The team has already delivered exposés on the Colorado River, the Gulf of Mexico oil spill, the Tennessee Valley, the Great Lakes and Chesapeake Bay.
The Petitcodiac River short film will focus on the stories of Gary Griffin, a longtime advocate for the restoration of the river's fish passage, and Victor LeBlanc, holder of one of the last commercial fishing licences on the river.
"Gary is a man who fell in love with the river the way that it originally was in 1966 and then overnight, with the creation of the causeway, saw it completely collapse and then spent 42 years fighting for it," Casselman said. "I can't even think of many love stories with that kind of tenacity of perseverance."
The gates of the Petitcodiac River opened in April, 42 years after the construction of a causeway created a silt-clogged river.
Roughly 46,000 salmon were put back into the tributaries of the Petitcodiac last year as naturalists looked forward to the opening of the causeway.
The restoration is now in a second phase which will involve allowing the river to flow freely as a tidal river.
"I will be talking about the work that went on from an environmental view from before the gates were open," Griffin said of his role in the film. "This is great for Greater Moncton because the more press coverage we can get in this area, the better." With the gates open, the seasonal response will be monitored for at least two annual cycles as the river, fish population and surrounding habitat adjust to the change.
A projected final phase involves the construction of a 280-metre bridge, which is estimated to take three to four years to complete and has yet to receive backing from a new Tory government or a commitment of federal funding.
"(The exploration team) spent the last four months exploring severe water issues and when they heard about our river being restored, they didn't want to miss the opportunity to share this story of hope with the world," said Petitcodiac Riverkeeper Marco Morency.
"We sometimes forget how majestic the Bay of Fundy and the Petitcodiac River are because we live so close to it. It sometimes takes people from far away to remind us how precious it is."
The 12-member crew will also travel to St. Andrews to complete stories on the Bay of Fundy, while also attending a Marsh Creek clean-up project benefit dinner Saturday, in Saint John where Cousteau will be the guest speaker.
"What we see here are echoes of what we have seen everywhere and that is you have these people in these communities that know what the natural environment should be like, who know the importance of taking care of their waterways," Casselman said. "(But) this is a place where the link between the river and the sea has been joined up again."
The documentary on the Petitcodiac River will be posted at www.alexandracousteau.org.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Geopark backers celebrate
Tourism: UNESCO designation 'amazing,' says Norton supporter
C1
APRIL CUNNINGHAM
TELEGRAPH-JOURNAL
SAINT JOHN - For George Quigley, the official geopark designation in southern New Brunswick is more than a fancy title.
"We're pushing to become the first (new) development in the first North American geopark," Quigley said Tuesday, at a wine and cheese celebration marking the designation of the Stonehammer Geopark.
"This is an amazing announcement. It'll certainly help raise awareness of natural history and geological history in New Brunswick - and helps move our project forward."
Quigley was among a group of about 50 community members who gathered at the New Brunswick Museum Tuesday evening to celebrate the official designation from UNESCO - the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.
The designation, which was officially announced in Greece on Oct. 3, recognizes the rock from Lepreau Falls to Norton that dates back up to one billion years. It gives Stonehammer the distinction of being the first UNESCO geopark in North America.
"It's definitely a thrill for everyone on the committee and everyone in the community to be here to celebrate this fantastic win that we're so excited to have," said Gail Bremner, executive director of Stonehammer Geopark Inc.
"I really think we've accomplished a good sense of community pride on this project. I think what will be important is to keep that alive."
The organization is now working to set up new signs and interpretive panels to point out some of the geopark attractions - such as the Fundy Trail, Irving Nature Park, or the Reversing Falls, where billion-year-old rock was formed in the southern hemisphere before connecting to North America.
They are also trying to set up an educational component, proposing additions to the public school curriculum, said Bill Merrifield, the chairman of the organization's board.
"We've got a lot of teachers and education officials who are excited about the prospect," he said.
As well, the group plans to hold a "geopark college" in the spring, which will help aspiring geopark applicants from around the world, he said.
"We'll be forming a leadership role in the Global Geopark Network and bring them into the fold in terms of showing them the ropes."
Trevor Holder, the newly appointed Minister of Tourism and Parks, and Minister of Wellness, Culture and Sport, was also on hand for the celebration.
"I really am looking forward to the opportunities of combining those two departments and trying to, on one hand, trying to tell the story of who we are as New Brunswickers to the world, and other hand, discover who we are amongst ourselves from a cultural perspective and celebrate that," he said.
Although Stonehammer is the first geopark site in the continent, the concept is already popular in Europe and Asia. There were 71 such parks in the world before this latest designation.
UNESCO created the designation program to protect and enhance the value of old landscapes, while educating people about what lies beneath their feet.
Southwestern New Brunswick's geological heritage includes rich fossil beds that have been studied by researchers for almost 200 years.
Sometimes, the rock is so prevalent in the Saint John area that it's easy for residents to overlook its importance, said Randy Miller, a paleontologist at the New Brunswick Museum who has been behind the geopark idea for years.
"You look around Saint John, and you can't miss the rocks," he said. "The Bay of Fundy, the rivers, the whole area, there's just rocks everywhere and it's just part of what people see all the time."
He hopes the geopark designation will give people an outlet to look deeper into this part of the city's history.
It will also mean good things for tourism, giving people another reason to come to the area.
"This is fantastic and very exciting," said Ross Jefferson, executive director of Saint John Destination Marketing Inc. "It's the beginning, really."
The Stonehammer Geopark could lead to more investment and development, he added.
It will also bring more tourists, said Marc Gosselin, co-owner of the Reversing Falls Jet Boat Rides, who was also at Tuesday's celebration.
"We need something different. That's what this thing is all about," he said.
"It's something unique against that we have in Saint John, and it's something we can promote that no other town can."
C1
APRIL CUNNINGHAM
TELEGRAPH-JOURNAL
SAINT JOHN - For George Quigley, the official geopark designation in southern New Brunswick is more than a fancy title.
"We're pushing to become the first (new) development in the first North American geopark," Quigley said Tuesday, at a wine and cheese celebration marking the designation of the Stonehammer Geopark.
"This is an amazing announcement. It'll certainly help raise awareness of natural history and geological history in New Brunswick - and helps move our project forward."
Quigley was among a group of about 50 community members who gathered at the New Brunswick Museum Tuesday evening to celebrate the official designation from UNESCO - the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.
The designation, which was officially announced in Greece on Oct. 3, recognizes the rock from Lepreau Falls to Norton that dates back up to one billion years. It gives Stonehammer the distinction of being the first UNESCO geopark in North America.
"It's definitely a thrill for everyone on the committee and everyone in the community to be here to celebrate this fantastic win that we're so excited to have," said Gail Bremner, executive director of Stonehammer Geopark Inc.
"I really think we've accomplished a good sense of community pride on this project. I think what will be important is to keep that alive."
The organization is now working to set up new signs and interpretive panels to point out some of the geopark attractions - such as the Fundy Trail, Irving Nature Park, or the Reversing Falls, where billion-year-old rock was formed in the southern hemisphere before connecting to North America.
They are also trying to set up an educational component, proposing additions to the public school curriculum, said Bill Merrifield, the chairman of the organization's board.
"We've got a lot of teachers and education officials who are excited about the prospect," he said.
As well, the group plans to hold a "geopark college" in the spring, which will help aspiring geopark applicants from around the world, he said.
"We'll be forming a leadership role in the Global Geopark Network and bring them into the fold in terms of showing them the ropes."
Trevor Holder, the newly appointed Minister of Tourism and Parks, and Minister of Wellness, Culture and Sport, was also on hand for the celebration.
"I really am looking forward to the opportunities of combining those two departments and trying to, on one hand, trying to tell the story of who we are as New Brunswickers to the world, and other hand, discover who we are amongst ourselves from a cultural perspective and celebrate that," he said.
Although Stonehammer is the first geopark site in the continent, the concept is already popular in Europe and Asia. There were 71 such parks in the world before this latest designation.
UNESCO created the designation program to protect and enhance the value of old landscapes, while educating people about what lies beneath their feet.
Southwestern New Brunswick's geological heritage includes rich fossil beds that have been studied by researchers for almost 200 years.
Sometimes, the rock is so prevalent in the Saint John area that it's easy for residents to overlook its importance, said Randy Miller, a paleontologist at the New Brunswick Museum who has been behind the geopark idea for years.
"You look around Saint John, and you can't miss the rocks," he said. "The Bay of Fundy, the rivers, the whole area, there's just rocks everywhere and it's just part of what people see all the time."
He hopes the geopark designation will give people an outlet to look deeper into this part of the city's history.
It will also mean good things for tourism, giving people another reason to come to the area.
"This is fantastic and very exciting," said Ross Jefferson, executive director of Saint John Destination Marketing Inc. "It's the beginning, really."
The Stonehammer Geopark could lead to more investment and development, he added.
It will also bring more tourists, said Marc Gosselin, co-owner of the Reversing Falls Jet Boat Rides, who was also at Tuesday's celebration.
"We need something different. That's what this thing is all about," he said.
"It's something unique against that we have in Saint John, and it's something we can promote that no other town can."
Global rivers and aquatic life in danger - international expert
Speaking | Lecturer in Fredericton on Friday to talk about water resources in world
A8
FOR THE DAILY GLEANER
Global rivers are in severe crisis because of pollution, dams, loss of wetlands, agricultural runoff, a changing climate and other factors - and 80 per cent of the Earth's population is living near these waters.
A report published Sept. 30 in the journal Nature shows that human water security and aquatic life are in great danger.
One of the report's authors is coming to the University of New Brunswick to deliver this year's H.B.N. Hynes Lecture today and Friday.
Stuart Bunn is an international expert in river health and the director of the Australian Rivers Institute.
He will speak on both the Fredericton and Saint John campuses.
"What a great opportunity this is to host a renowned lecturer like Dr. Bunn," said Allen Curry, director of UNB's Canadian Rivers Institute. "He is passionate about rivers and tirelessly advocates for better ways to protect them and to meet the needs of both humans and fish."
There are many similarities among river ecosystems in Australia and Asia, and in New Brunswick.
"Dr. Bunn's research will be of great interest in this province because of the importance of our rivers to the economy, our welfare and the health of the environment," said Curry. "We are affected by these issues locally as much as we are globally, and New Brunswick can learn much from Dr. Bunn's experience."
Bunn will give a lecture in Saint John today at 7 p.m. in the Hazen Hall Lecture Theatre. In his talk, Balancing Water Needs for Humans and Nature, he will discuss the global crisis facing rivers, why it's critical to protect them, and how human impacts can be reduced to improve water security.
He will be at the Fredericton campus Friday. His scientific talk, Using Stable Isotopes to Understand River Foodwebs, will take place at 3 p.m. in Room 146 of Bailey Hall.
In this lecture, Bunn will reveal new ways to understand how life in rivers is supported and the link between rivers and their surrounding landscape.
Bunn has been working on the health of rivers for more than 20 years.
He's internationally known for his conservation efforts, his work with high profile organizations such as the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and on the Global Water System Project (www.gwsp.org), and his creativity in solving water flow and quality issues.
He has worked with governments and non-profit agencies to develop better ways of protecting and restoring rivers, and their habitats.
His report - global threats to human water security and river biodiversity - can be viewed at http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v467/n7315/full/nature09440.html.
The H.B.N. Hynes Lecture series is an annual event hosted by the Canadian Rivers Institute. It's named for Noel Hynes, professor emeritus at the University of Waterloo and founding father of river ecology.
In 2002, Hynes delivered the inaugural Hynes Lecture. He's the author the 1971 book Ecology of Running Waters and received an honorary doctorate from UNB in 2003.
The Canadian Rivers Institute was established in 2001 as a multi-university, multi-sector institute focused on protecting the ecological health of Canadian rivers and estuaries. For more information on the CRI and the Hynes Lecture series, visit www.unb.ca/cri.
Wednesday, October 20th - Public Lecture, Balancing water needs for humans and nature, UNB Saint John campus, 7 pm, Hazen Hall Lecture Theatre.
Friday, October 22nd - Science Lecture, Using stable isotopes to understand river foodwebs. UNB Fredericton campus, 3 pm, Room 146 Bailey Hall.
A8
FOR THE DAILY GLEANER
Global rivers are in severe crisis because of pollution, dams, loss of wetlands, agricultural runoff, a changing climate and other factors - and 80 per cent of the Earth's population is living near these waters.
A report published Sept. 30 in the journal Nature shows that human water security and aquatic life are in great danger.
One of the report's authors is coming to the University of New Brunswick to deliver this year's H.B.N. Hynes Lecture today and Friday.
Stuart Bunn is an international expert in river health and the director of the Australian Rivers Institute.
He will speak on both the Fredericton and Saint John campuses.
"What a great opportunity this is to host a renowned lecturer like Dr. Bunn," said Allen Curry, director of UNB's Canadian Rivers Institute. "He is passionate about rivers and tirelessly advocates for better ways to protect them and to meet the needs of both humans and fish."
There are many similarities among river ecosystems in Australia and Asia, and in New Brunswick.
"Dr. Bunn's research will be of great interest in this province because of the importance of our rivers to the economy, our welfare and the health of the environment," said Curry. "We are affected by these issues locally as much as we are globally, and New Brunswick can learn much from Dr. Bunn's experience."
Bunn will give a lecture in Saint John today at 7 p.m. in the Hazen Hall Lecture Theatre. In his talk, Balancing Water Needs for Humans and Nature, he will discuss the global crisis facing rivers, why it's critical to protect them, and how human impacts can be reduced to improve water security.
He will be at the Fredericton campus Friday. His scientific talk, Using Stable Isotopes to Understand River Foodwebs, will take place at 3 p.m. in Room 146 of Bailey Hall.
In this lecture, Bunn will reveal new ways to understand how life in rivers is supported and the link between rivers and their surrounding landscape.
Bunn has been working on the health of rivers for more than 20 years.
He's internationally known for his conservation efforts, his work with high profile organizations such as the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and on the Global Water System Project (www.gwsp.org), and his creativity in solving water flow and quality issues.
He has worked with governments and non-profit agencies to develop better ways of protecting and restoring rivers, and their habitats.
His report - global threats to human water security and river biodiversity - can be viewed at http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v467/n7315/full/nature09440.html.
The H.B.N. Hynes Lecture series is an annual event hosted by the Canadian Rivers Institute. It's named for Noel Hynes, professor emeritus at the University of Waterloo and founding father of river ecology.
In 2002, Hynes delivered the inaugural Hynes Lecture. He's the author the 1971 book Ecology of Running Waters and received an honorary doctorate from UNB in 2003.
The Canadian Rivers Institute was established in 2001 as a multi-university, multi-sector institute focused on protecting the ecological health of Canadian rivers and estuaries. For more information on the CRI and the Hynes Lecture series, visit www.unb.ca/cri.
Wednesday, October 20th - Public Lecture, Balancing water needs for humans and nature, UNB Saint John campus, 7 pm, Hazen Hall Lecture Theatre.
Friday, October 22nd - Science Lecture, Using stable isotopes to understand river foodwebs. UNB Fredericton campus, 3 pm, Room 146 Bailey Hall.
Waste Reduction Week in Canada
FREDERICTON (CNB) - Waste Reduction Week in Canada is being held Oct. 18-24.
Environment Minister Margaret-Ann Blaney urged residents to do their part to improve the environment by reducing the amount of waste they produce every day.
"We all need to be responsible stewards of our environment," said Blaney. "Waste reduction is a priority for the provincial government, and Waste Reduction Week in Canada is a fantastic opportunity for New Brunswickers to be mindful of the waste they produce at home and at work and to take steps to reduce their waste whenever possible."
Individuals can reduce the amount of waste they produce by:
• donating magazines and books to nursing homes or hospitals;
• buying fruits and vegetables "loose" rather than on a plastic-covered tray;
• avoiding disposable and single-use items such as paper plates, cups and razors;
• using groceries while they are fresh since 20 per cent of the food purchased in Canada ends up in the garbage;
• donating used clothes, toys, furniture and appliances to charitable organizations;
• repairing broken toys, furniture and appliances to extend their useful life;
• buying in bulk to avoid excess packaging;
• using cloth shopping bags rather than plastic;
• packing lunches in reusable containers;
• composting food scraps, leaves and yard trimmings and;
• recycling old cell phones and wireless products through the Recycle My Cell program.
"Reducing waste must remain a priority," said Blaney. "Together we can build a stronger, more prosperous and more environmentally-friendly province for future generations of New Brunswickers."
Waste Reduction Week in Canada was developed in 2001 and is organized by a coalition of non-governmental, non-profit environmental groups from each of the 13 participating provincial and territorial jurisdictions in Canada.
Information on waste reduction is available at the Department of Environment website or by contacting local solid waste commissions.
Environment Minister Margaret-Ann Blaney urged residents to do their part to improve the environment by reducing the amount of waste they produce every day.
"We all need to be responsible stewards of our environment," said Blaney. "Waste reduction is a priority for the provincial government, and Waste Reduction Week in Canada is a fantastic opportunity for New Brunswickers to be mindful of the waste they produce at home and at work and to take steps to reduce their waste whenever possible."
Individuals can reduce the amount of waste they produce by:
• donating magazines and books to nursing homes or hospitals;
• buying fruits and vegetables "loose" rather than on a plastic-covered tray;
• avoiding disposable and single-use items such as paper plates, cups and razors;
• using groceries while they are fresh since 20 per cent of the food purchased in Canada ends up in the garbage;
• donating used clothes, toys, furniture and appliances to charitable organizations;
• repairing broken toys, furniture and appliances to extend their useful life;
• buying in bulk to avoid excess packaging;
• using cloth shopping bags rather than plastic;
• packing lunches in reusable containers;
• composting food scraps, leaves and yard trimmings and;
• recycling old cell phones and wireless products through the Recycle My Cell program.
"Reducing waste must remain a priority," said Blaney. "Together we can build a stronger, more prosperous and more environmentally-friendly province for future generations of New Brunswickers."
Waste Reduction Week in Canada was developed in 2001 and is organized by a coalition of non-governmental, non-profit environmental groups from each of the 13 participating provincial and territorial jurisdictions in Canada.
Information on waste reduction is available at the Department of Environment website or by contacting local solid waste commissions.
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
UdeM students help 'green' groups
MONCTON - October marks the start of the fourth year of operations of the Environmental Law Clinic. Eight law students from the Université de Moncton have been assigned to various projects that will help environmental organizations advance work on important environmental issues. This year's projects include work on an Environmental Bill of Rights for New Brunswick, assisting the Children's Environmental Health Coalition and working with the Petitcodiac Riverkeeper to better protect against water pollution.
Project aims to create new salt marsh
New marsh expected to reduce erosion, provide new habitat
A1
By Craig Babstock
Times & transcript staff
AULAC- An ambitious project is underway to restore a salt marsh that disappeared when Acadian farmers built a dike in the mid-1800s.
It's hoped the marsh will help protect agricultural land and transportation infrastructure from flooding and erosion caused by high tides.
"Over 150 years ago this was a salt marsh and it's being restored to its original state," says Wade Lewis, Ducks Unlimited's manager of restoration services for the Atlantic region. "I've spent close to the last two and a half years on this and absolutely I'm very excited to be a part of this."
The project is a partnership between Ducks Unlimited, New Brunswick's Departments of Transportation, Environment and Agriculture and the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans' Small Craft Harbours program. Total cost is estimated at close to $1 million, with Transportation and DFO contributing approximately $464,000 each and New Brunswick's Environmental Trust Fund providing $40,000 in support.
Ducks Unlimited is co-ordinating the science, planning, construction and monitoring at the site.
Lewis says the project started with a year of planning, followed by a year and a half of site work. Three breaches will be made this week in a 900-metre stretch of dike near the New Brunswick-Nova Scotia border to flood a 16-hectare parcel of former farmland, then the site will be monitored for three years to see how the marsh develops. Minister of Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries Mike Olscamp was at the sod-turning ceremony yesterday to launch the salt marsh restoration project. He credited the previous government with getting this project started and said the dike in question was no longer adequate.
"It's been identified that there are some older dikes that are not as stable as they should be," says Olscamp, also the MLA for Tantramar.
The dike has been repaired over the years, but the repairs were not a permanent solution. The government built a new dike in this area farther inland, leaving a 16 hectare parcel of land between the new dike and the old dike. The breaches in the old dike will allow water to flood in between the dikes during high tide, then out again during low tide.
Over time a salt marsh will be created and the hope is the water will leave sediment behind, building up the marsh. Then during storm surges, the marsh will take the brunt of the water before it gets to the new dike, which is bigger than the old one, limiting erosion and reducing the chance of flooding.
Lewis says this is the first time something like this has been attempted in the upper Bay of Fundy region, so it's a pilot project that could be applied to other areas if it works. He says this particular dike was a good place to start because some of the other dikes in the area have salt marshes in front of them already to help absorb the brunt of tides. This old dike does not.
"It was being breached and being eroded heavily," says Lewis.
This particular area was not known for bad flooding, says Olscamp, but the work is preventative, to avoid any possible storm surge flooding in the future that could damage agricultural land or the nearby rail tracks and Trans-Canada Highway.
"There's always a possibility that with the right conditions something could happen," says the minister.
Lewis adds that with rising global water levels, this kind of work needs to be done in case of a big weather event down the road.
Ducks Unlimited says 65 per cent of salt marshes in Atlantic Canada have been altered, degraded or destroyed and in the Upper Bay of Fundy region, it's 85 per cent. Lewis says not only will this future marsh help protect from flooding and erosion, but it will also be a new environment for plants and animals.
"Salt marshes are one of the most diverse ecosystems on the planet," he says.
This restoration project involves long-term monitoring and research in areas such as how quickly the vegetation becomes re-established, how quickly sediment builds up, bird response, and presence of fish and invertebrates. This research will be done in partnership with faculty and students at Mount Allison University, the University of New Brunswick and Acadia University.
A1
By Craig Babstock
Times & transcript staff
AULAC- An ambitious project is underway to restore a salt marsh that disappeared when Acadian farmers built a dike in the mid-1800s.
It's hoped the marsh will help protect agricultural land and transportation infrastructure from flooding and erosion caused by high tides.
"Over 150 years ago this was a salt marsh and it's being restored to its original state," says Wade Lewis, Ducks Unlimited's manager of restoration services for the Atlantic region. "I've spent close to the last two and a half years on this and absolutely I'm very excited to be a part of this."
The project is a partnership between Ducks Unlimited, New Brunswick's Departments of Transportation, Environment and Agriculture and the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans' Small Craft Harbours program. Total cost is estimated at close to $1 million, with Transportation and DFO contributing approximately $464,000 each and New Brunswick's Environmental Trust Fund providing $40,000 in support.
Ducks Unlimited is co-ordinating the science, planning, construction and monitoring at the site.
Lewis says the project started with a year of planning, followed by a year and a half of site work. Three breaches will be made this week in a 900-metre stretch of dike near the New Brunswick-Nova Scotia border to flood a 16-hectare parcel of former farmland, then the site will be monitored for three years to see how the marsh develops. Minister of Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries Mike Olscamp was at the sod-turning ceremony yesterday to launch the salt marsh restoration project. He credited the previous government with getting this project started and said the dike in question was no longer adequate.
"It's been identified that there are some older dikes that are not as stable as they should be," says Olscamp, also the MLA for Tantramar.
The dike has been repaired over the years, but the repairs were not a permanent solution. The government built a new dike in this area farther inland, leaving a 16 hectare parcel of land between the new dike and the old dike. The breaches in the old dike will allow water to flood in between the dikes during high tide, then out again during low tide.
Over time a salt marsh will be created and the hope is the water will leave sediment behind, building up the marsh. Then during storm surges, the marsh will take the brunt of the water before it gets to the new dike, which is bigger than the old one, limiting erosion and reducing the chance of flooding.
Lewis says this is the first time something like this has been attempted in the upper Bay of Fundy region, so it's a pilot project that could be applied to other areas if it works. He says this particular dike was a good place to start because some of the other dikes in the area have salt marshes in front of them already to help absorb the brunt of tides. This old dike does not.
"It was being breached and being eroded heavily," says Lewis.
This particular area was not known for bad flooding, says Olscamp, but the work is preventative, to avoid any possible storm surge flooding in the future that could damage agricultural land or the nearby rail tracks and Trans-Canada Highway.
"There's always a possibility that with the right conditions something could happen," says the minister.
Lewis adds that with rising global water levels, this kind of work needs to be done in case of a big weather event down the road.
Ducks Unlimited says 65 per cent of salt marshes in Atlantic Canada have been altered, degraded or destroyed and in the Upper Bay of Fundy region, it's 85 per cent. Lewis says not only will this future marsh help protect from flooding and erosion, but it will also be a new environment for plants and animals.
"Salt marshes are one of the most diverse ecosystems on the planet," he says.
This restoration project involves long-term monitoring and research in areas such as how quickly the vegetation becomes re-established, how quickly sediment builds up, bird response, and presence of fish and invertebrates. This research will be done in partnership with faculty and students at Mount Allison University, the University of New Brunswick and Acadia University.
Bag contest winner to be announced
C3
Telegraph Journal
This Friday, FUSION will partner with Uptown Saint John's Green Feet Committee to announce the winner of its 2010 Bring Your Own Bag art contest and celebrate the launch of the second year of this campaign at the October Party with a Purpose.
"This is our second year and, like last year, we've had great support from the Saint John Arts Commission for partnering with us on the project, from artists in participating and from the business community taking part to distribute the bags," says Green Feet Committee member Anne McShane.
"It's a great program that brings the best of Uptown Saint John together."
The theme for this year's event is Green Living in Uptown Saint John and the event coincides with National Waste Reduction Week, in which FUSION is also taking part.
Calls for submissions went out earlier this summer, with 15 local artists submitting pieces of their work for consideration. All of the entries will be on display at the event, and will be available for purchase through silent auction. Similar to last year's event, proceeds from the auction will be donated to the Joshua Group, a community organization that works to improve the lives of children and families in need - last year's event resulted in a $400 donation to the group.
The first-place winner will be awarded a $500 gift certificate to ESL Art Supplies, with a $150 gift certificate going to the second-place winner. The winning artist will also have their work printed on 1,000 natural cotton lunch bags, which will be distributed to party attendees, and will also be available at other uptown locales in the coming weeks.
"I hope the event encourages people to incorporate greener practices into their everyday routines - like bringing a reusable lunch bag," McShane said.
"I also hope it provides a venue for some of our local artists to share their work with some new people."
The Green Feet Committee is also in the early stages of planning for new programs in the coming year, including a green gardening expo, which will cover heirloom seeds, square foot gardening, apartment composting, and other topics of particular interest to uptown residents and businesses. The committee also hopes to roll out a bike rack program that will bring custom-shaped bike racks around the uptown.
The October Party with a Purpose will take place this Friday from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Canterbury Lounge. For more information, visit www.fusionsj.com.
Claire Ryan is on the FUSION Saint John board. Reach her at cryan@mtlpr.ca.
Telegraph Journal
This Friday, FUSION will partner with Uptown Saint John's Green Feet Committee to announce the winner of its 2010 Bring Your Own Bag art contest and celebrate the launch of the second year of this campaign at the October Party with a Purpose.
"This is our second year and, like last year, we've had great support from the Saint John Arts Commission for partnering with us on the project, from artists in participating and from the business community taking part to distribute the bags," says Green Feet Committee member Anne McShane.
"It's a great program that brings the best of Uptown Saint John together."
The theme for this year's event is Green Living in Uptown Saint John and the event coincides with National Waste Reduction Week, in which FUSION is also taking part.
Calls for submissions went out earlier this summer, with 15 local artists submitting pieces of their work for consideration. All of the entries will be on display at the event, and will be available for purchase through silent auction. Similar to last year's event, proceeds from the auction will be donated to the Joshua Group, a community organization that works to improve the lives of children and families in need - last year's event resulted in a $400 donation to the group.
The first-place winner will be awarded a $500 gift certificate to ESL Art Supplies, with a $150 gift certificate going to the second-place winner. The winning artist will also have their work printed on 1,000 natural cotton lunch bags, which will be distributed to party attendees, and will also be available at other uptown locales in the coming weeks.
"I hope the event encourages people to incorporate greener practices into their everyday routines - like bringing a reusable lunch bag," McShane said.
"I also hope it provides a venue for some of our local artists to share their work with some new people."
The Green Feet Committee is also in the early stages of planning for new programs in the coming year, including a green gardening expo, which will cover heirloom seeds, square foot gardening, apartment composting, and other topics of particular interest to uptown residents and businesses. The committee also hopes to roll out a bike rack program that will bring custom-shaped bike racks around the uptown.
The October Party with a Purpose will take place this Friday from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Canterbury Lounge. For more information, visit www.fusionsj.com.
Claire Ryan is on the FUSION Saint John board. Reach her at cryan@mtlpr.ca.
Monday, October 18, 2010
Campaign beginning Monday encourages students to recycle cellphones
Published Saturday October 16th, 2010
B7
Telegraph-Journal
ROTHESAY- On Monday, students across the country will be encouraged to enter a contest to recycle their own wireless devices and accessories.
Superintendent Zoë Watson stated in a letter to parents that the Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association is launching a contest for high schools and post-secondary schools beginning Monday.
She stated that the Recycle My Cell Challenge will give schools everything they need to set up their own cellphone collection sites and will report the winners at the end of November.
The goal of the campaign is to prevent cellphones from entering landfills across the country.
For drop off locations and other info on the program go to http://http://www.recyclemycell.ca/
B7
Telegraph-Journal
ROTHESAY- On Monday, students across the country will be encouraged to enter a contest to recycle their own wireless devices and accessories.
Superintendent Zoë Watson stated in a letter to parents that the Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association is launching a contest for high schools and post-secondary schools beginning Monday.
She stated that the Recycle My Cell Challenge will give schools everything they need to set up their own cellphone collection sites and will report the winners at the end of November.
The goal of the campaign is to prevent cellphones from entering landfills across the country.
For drop off locations and other info on the program go to http://http://www.recyclemycell.ca/
Scrap metal project raises air quality concerns
Saint John’s clean air coalition is seeking a public meeting to discuss plans by a scrap metal recycler to expand its operations on the Saint John waterfront.
Montreal-based American Iron and Metal is planning to add a $30 million scrap metal shredder to its existing storage site on the west side of the Saint John Harbour.
But Gordon Dalzell, a spokesman with the city’s clean air coalition, said he worries about the impact the shredder will have on the area.
Dalzell said he's watched dust spread from the metal recycling sight on windy days when crushed cars are moved around.
He said he worries too about added noise and the visual impact of piled scrap metal.
"Who wants to live beside an industrial junkyard right beside your condominium? I mean its not going to be the most aesthetically attractive type of operation,” Dalzell said.
Another city environmental advocacy group, ACAP Saint John, has asked Herbert Black, the president of American Iron and Metal, to come to the city to discuss his proposal directly with the organization's board.
The public has until the end of October to respond to the company's application for provincial environmental approval.
More jobs
American Iron and Metal's proposed expansion also promises more jobs and more ships to the port.
Jim Quinn, the president and chief executive officer of the Saint John Port Authority, said the plan would benefit the port.
"Good news for the port and good news for the community,” Quinn said.
“It always gives that opportunity for increased employment locally and increased revenue in the port, increased activity in the port."
The company, which started operating in Saint John in 2002, said the proposed facility could be running by spring 2011.
If it is constructed, the company's shredding facility could process up to 250,000 metric tonnes of scrap annually.
The company is also promising the project would create 23 new jobs and 20 spin-off jobs because of increased traffic at the Saint John Port and additional transportation needs.
American Iron and Metal already employees three workers in its metal sorting plant in Saint John.
Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/new-brunswick/story/2010/10/18/nb-saint-john-scrap-metal-air-concerns-949.html#ixzz12l9bm8jm
Montreal-based American Iron and Metal is planning to add a $30 million scrap metal shredder to its existing storage site on the west side of the Saint John Harbour.
But Gordon Dalzell, a spokesman with the city’s clean air coalition, said he worries about the impact the shredder will have on the area.
Dalzell said he's watched dust spread from the metal recycling sight on windy days when crushed cars are moved around.
He said he worries too about added noise and the visual impact of piled scrap metal.
"Who wants to live beside an industrial junkyard right beside your condominium? I mean its not going to be the most aesthetically attractive type of operation,” Dalzell said.
Another city environmental advocacy group, ACAP Saint John, has asked Herbert Black, the president of American Iron and Metal, to come to the city to discuss his proposal directly with the organization's board.
The public has until the end of October to respond to the company's application for provincial environmental approval.
More jobs
American Iron and Metal's proposed expansion also promises more jobs and more ships to the port.
Jim Quinn, the president and chief executive officer of the Saint John Port Authority, said the plan would benefit the port.
"Good news for the port and good news for the community,” Quinn said.
“It always gives that opportunity for increased employment locally and increased revenue in the port, increased activity in the port."
The company, which started operating in Saint John in 2002, said the proposed facility could be running by spring 2011.
If it is constructed, the company's shredding facility could process up to 250,000 metric tonnes of scrap annually.
The company is also promising the project would create 23 new jobs and 20 spin-off jobs because of increased traffic at the Saint John Port and additional transportation needs.
American Iron and Metal already employees three workers in its metal sorting plant in Saint John.
Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/new-brunswick/story/2010/10/18/nb-saint-john-scrap-metal-air-concerns-949.html#ixzz12l9bm8jm
Friday, October 15, 2010
Support for park grows
Published Friday October 15th, 2010
Environment: More than 3,000 sign petition backing ban on development on Rockwood border
C1
Reid Southwick
Telegraph-Journal
SAINT JOHN - Environmentalists are ratcheting up the pressure on common council to ban any further housing construction on their beloved green space.
Friends of Rockwood Park has amassed about 3,100 signatures - and counting - on a petition that calls on city hall to not sell any more parkland or properties bordering the north end park.
"We want to show the council and those that are involved that the people of Saint John don't want their park to be sold for any reason," said Ernestine Rooney, a volunteer with the advocacy group and a long-time resident of Sandy Point Road.
Proposals to develop lands on the northwestern edge of Rockwood Park, from the zoo to the golf course, have proven to be divisive in the city. Park advocates vow to continue collecting signatures on their petition to show public opposition to the proposals.
At the same time, the Saint John Horticultural Association - once a major landholder in the park - and the Rockwood Park Advisory Board have come out in support of new housing construction in the area.
The debate is expected to culminate in a vote by common council sometime in November. The politicians are expected to rule on the best use of the land and they may even draw a legal boundary of the park, something that the advisory board has recommended.
Rooney said she was aware of the proposal for an official border, but contended that any further housing construction would only encourage more development and, "before you know it, the park is gone."
"They should be proud of it and not wanting to be building and destroying the park," she said of city officials.
City councillor Peter McGuire said he welcomed the public feedback the city had received from the Friends of Rockwood Park. He stressed several times in an interview Thursday that having public input is important when making a final decision.
Still, McGuire said he firmly supports further development of green space along Sandy Point Road. The west sider said the area would be an attractive place to live for many people, including young professionals working and studying at the university and medical school.
McGuire said he suspects some opponents to development may be opposed simply because it's in their backyard, a view he said "stunts your overall growth."
"To put a residential development there, it will have my full support, as it always has," he said. "Have we learned what people want and don't want there? Yes we have."
City councillor Patty Higgins, however, said the city should expand the size of the park, not decrease it. She said a larger park - with more and better trails - would be a better attraction for the city than new homes that would encroach into the green space.
"What's wrong with having some trees with nice trails through it that the public can enjoy?" she said. "It's a great bonus to our city and something that any city would be happy to have."
Environment: More than 3,000 sign petition backing ban on development on Rockwood border
C1
Reid Southwick
Telegraph-Journal
SAINT JOHN - Environmentalists are ratcheting up the pressure on common council to ban any further housing construction on their beloved green space.
Friends of Rockwood Park has amassed about 3,100 signatures - and counting - on a petition that calls on city hall to not sell any more parkland or properties bordering the north end park.
"We want to show the council and those that are involved that the people of Saint John don't want their park to be sold for any reason," said Ernestine Rooney, a volunteer with the advocacy group and a long-time resident of Sandy Point Road.
Proposals to develop lands on the northwestern edge of Rockwood Park, from the zoo to the golf course, have proven to be divisive in the city. Park advocates vow to continue collecting signatures on their petition to show public opposition to the proposals.
At the same time, the Saint John Horticultural Association - once a major landholder in the park - and the Rockwood Park Advisory Board have come out in support of new housing construction in the area.
The debate is expected to culminate in a vote by common council sometime in November. The politicians are expected to rule on the best use of the land and they may even draw a legal boundary of the park, something that the advisory board has recommended.
Rooney said she was aware of the proposal for an official border, but contended that any further housing construction would only encourage more development and, "before you know it, the park is gone."
"They should be proud of it and not wanting to be building and destroying the park," she said of city officials.
City councillor Peter McGuire said he welcomed the public feedback the city had received from the Friends of Rockwood Park. He stressed several times in an interview Thursday that having public input is important when making a final decision.
Still, McGuire said he firmly supports further development of green space along Sandy Point Road. The west sider said the area would be an attractive place to live for many people, including young professionals working and studying at the university and medical school.
McGuire said he suspects some opponents to development may be opposed simply because it's in their backyard, a view he said "stunts your overall growth."
"To put a residential development there, it will have my full support, as it always has," he said. "Have we learned what people want and don't want there? Yes we have."
City councillor Patty Higgins, however, said the city should expand the size of the park, not decrease it. She said a larger park - with more and better trails - would be a better attraction for the city than new homes that would encroach into the green space.
"What's wrong with having some trees with nice trails through it that the public can enjoy?" she said. "It's a great bonus to our city and something that any city would be happy to have."
Youth groups want action on green issues
Published Friday October 15th, 2010
A5
By GLENNA HANLEY
For The Daily Gleaner
A group representing young environmentalists says immediate action is needed to protect biodiversity in the province.
Four young women representing high school environment clubs and the New Brunswick Youth Environmental Action Network held a news conference in Fredericton on Thursday to release its youth biodiversity accord.
The accord has a long list of recommendations to improve and protect the biodiversity of the province.
Aimed primarily at the provincial government, the list calls for: less clear cutting of forests; regulations to prevent dumping waste and pesticides into coastal waters; a ban on genetically modified seeds; and support for organic farming.
"The youth environmental action network, a network of youth environmental groups across the province, felt that biodiversity protection is really important ... It is not only a call to action by the government, it is also a commitment by the youth of New Brunswick of what they will do for biodiversity," said Christina Vietinghoff of the Fredericton High School environment club.
The accord, written by the FHS club and Mount Allison Eco-Action Society, covers forestry, fisheries, farming, wetlands and development. Among the recommendations it asks for more and better environmental impact assessments and an "increase (in) their effectiveness in actually preventing harmful development."
Many youths are serious about the environment, said Vietinghoff, Meagan Betts and Jennie May of the FHS club, and Pasquale Ouellette from the comite d'environement de l'Ecole Sainte-Anne.
Vietinghoff said during the recent provincial election FHS held a mock election for students and the Green party won.
"I think it is really important overall that our voices are heard. It is going to be our generation that is forced to deal with the problems if it is not taken seriously. If all the trees are taken down, what are we going to build with?" said Vietinghoff.
The accord was sent to the new ministers of Environment and Natural Resources, and they were invited to the news conference. Neither minister was in attendance.
The accord was signed by eight youth groups from around the province and has been endorsed by seven other organizations, including the Conservation Council of New Brunswick and the Canada Parks and Wilderness Society of New Brunswick.
The youths pledge to also do their part by holding events to raise awareness of the importance of biodiversity, holding the provincial government accountable and asking for regular reports to their clubs and the general public on what actions it has taken to address threats to biodiversity.
"We really hope that our statement will bring positive change in our province," said Vietinghoff.
A5
By GLENNA HANLEY
For The Daily Gleaner
A group representing young environmentalists says immediate action is needed to protect biodiversity in the province.
Four young women representing high school environment clubs and the New Brunswick Youth Environmental Action Network held a news conference in Fredericton on Thursday to release its youth biodiversity accord.
The accord has a long list of recommendations to improve and protect the biodiversity of the province.
Aimed primarily at the provincial government, the list calls for: less clear cutting of forests; regulations to prevent dumping waste and pesticides into coastal waters; a ban on genetically modified seeds; and support for organic farming.
"The youth environmental action network, a network of youth environmental groups across the province, felt that biodiversity protection is really important ... It is not only a call to action by the government, it is also a commitment by the youth of New Brunswick of what they will do for biodiversity," said Christina Vietinghoff of the Fredericton High School environment club.
The accord, written by the FHS club and Mount Allison Eco-Action Society, covers forestry, fisheries, farming, wetlands and development. Among the recommendations it asks for more and better environmental impact assessments and an "increase (in) their effectiveness in actually preventing harmful development."
Many youths are serious about the environment, said Vietinghoff, Meagan Betts and Jennie May of the FHS club, and Pasquale Ouellette from the comite d'environement de l'Ecole Sainte-Anne.
Vietinghoff said during the recent provincial election FHS held a mock election for students and the Green party won.
"I think it is really important overall that our voices are heard. It is going to be our generation that is forced to deal with the problems if it is not taken seriously. If all the trees are taken down, what are we going to build with?" said Vietinghoff.
The accord was sent to the new ministers of Environment and Natural Resources, and they were invited to the news conference. Neither minister was in attendance.
The accord was signed by eight youth groups from around the province and has been endorsed by seven other organizations, including the Conservation Council of New Brunswick and the Canada Parks and Wilderness Society of New Brunswick.
The youths pledge to also do their part by holding events to raise awareness of the importance of biodiversity, holding the provincial government accountable and asking for regular reports to their clubs and the general public on what actions it has taken to address threats to biodiversity.
"We really hope that our statement will bring positive change in our province," said Vietinghoff.
Point Lepreau delayed until fall 2012
The $1.4-billion Point Lepreau refurbishment project is now delayed until the fall of 2012, NB Power said Thursday.
The refurbishment of Atlantic Canada's only nuclear reactor is now three years behind schedule.
The latest delay comes as Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd. has decided it will remove all 380 calandria tubes and replace them.
“Although the calandria tube installation work sequence will take longer to complete than previously planned, it is essential that these activities achieve the required quality standard in order to provide safe and reliable operation for the next 25 to 30 years,” Gaëtan Thomas, the president and chief executive officer of NB Power, said in a statement.
Thomas said later that he could not guarantee that the promise of newly elected Premier David Alward to freeze rates for three years was still feasible.
"This is one of the things we said we would look at," Thomas said. "We have to look at the impact of this delay and … do that assessment. We will comment on that later."
Thomas said NB Power would take two weeks to review AECL's new schedule and would make public its findings then.
AECL, the federal nuclear corporation, is now expected to finish its portion of the refurbishment project in May 2012. The project will be turned over to NB Power to complete the remainder of the refurbishment with a target date of fall 2012 for the reactor returning to service.
The delay was first announced by NB Power and AECL after 5 p.m. on Oct. 8, as New Brunswickers were preparing for the holiday long weekend.
Premier Alward said on Oct. 12, the day his government was sworn into office, that he wanted to meet with officials from the federal nuclear corporation.
The project was supposed to be completed in September 2009.
The repeated delays have revolved around the reactor's calandria tubes.
All 380 new tubes were inserted in the reactor between December 2009 and April 2010. But dozens of the tubes flunked air tightness tests after being fused with special inserts designed to hold them in place.
The calandria tubes — made to house smaller nuclear pressure tubes, which in turn contain radioactive nuclear fuel bundles — were the first major pieces of equipment to be installed in the reactor as part of Point Lepreau's much delayed refurbishment.
It is estimated that NB Power spends $1 million a day to purchase replacement fuel for each day the nuclear reactor is delayed.
The former Liberal government had threatened to sue the federal government for some financial relief related to the refurbishment project's cost overruns.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper has repeatedly indicated the federal government would abide by the contractual obligations when it comes to paying for any delays at the reactor.
When AECL and the New Brunswick government announced the refurbishment and retubing contracts in 2005, those new agreements included penalty clauses if the project ran behind schedule.
The penalty clauses do not cover all of the costs associated with the mounting delays. Before the refurbishment project began, NB Power took out insurance to help cover any unexpected costs.
The refurbishment of Atlantic Canada's only nuclear reactor is now three years behind schedule.
The latest delay comes as Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd. has decided it will remove all 380 calandria tubes and replace them.
“Although the calandria tube installation work sequence will take longer to complete than previously planned, it is essential that these activities achieve the required quality standard in order to provide safe and reliable operation for the next 25 to 30 years,” Gaëtan Thomas, the president and chief executive officer of NB Power, said in a statement.
Thomas said later that he could not guarantee that the promise of newly elected Premier David Alward to freeze rates for three years was still feasible.
"This is one of the things we said we would look at," Thomas said. "We have to look at the impact of this delay and … do that assessment. We will comment on that later."
Thomas said NB Power would take two weeks to review AECL's new schedule and would make public its findings then.
AECL, the federal nuclear corporation, is now expected to finish its portion of the refurbishment project in May 2012. The project will be turned over to NB Power to complete the remainder of the refurbishment with a target date of fall 2012 for the reactor returning to service.
The delay was first announced by NB Power and AECL after 5 p.m. on Oct. 8, as New Brunswickers were preparing for the holiday long weekend.
Premier Alward said on Oct. 12, the day his government was sworn into office, that he wanted to meet with officials from the federal nuclear corporation.
The project was supposed to be completed in September 2009.
The repeated delays have revolved around the reactor's calandria tubes.
All 380 new tubes were inserted in the reactor between December 2009 and April 2010. But dozens of the tubes flunked air tightness tests after being fused with special inserts designed to hold them in place.
The calandria tubes — made to house smaller nuclear pressure tubes, which in turn contain radioactive nuclear fuel bundles — were the first major pieces of equipment to be installed in the reactor as part of Point Lepreau's much delayed refurbishment.
It is estimated that NB Power spends $1 million a day to purchase replacement fuel for each day the nuclear reactor is delayed.
The former Liberal government had threatened to sue the federal government for some financial relief related to the refurbishment project's cost overruns.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper has repeatedly indicated the federal government would abide by the contractual obligations when it comes to paying for any delays at the reactor.
When AECL and the New Brunswick government announced the refurbishment and retubing contracts in 2005, those new agreements included penalty clauses if the project ran behind schedule.
The penalty clauses do not cover all of the costs associated with the mounting delays. Before the refurbishment project began, NB Power took out insurance to help cover any unexpected costs.
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Curbside trial period could be extended to year, town told
Curbside trial period could be extended to year, town told
Published Thursday October 14th, 2010
Environment: Waste commission official willing to double original time given Rothesay
C9
Candice Mac Lean
Telegraph-Journal
ROTHESAY - The Fundy Region Solid Waste Commission has said it's willing to extend the trial period of a curbside recycling program in Rothesay by six months, but it's not a risk-free venture, the general manager noted.
"There's going to be risk to the municipality and the commission and we can't accept all of it," Marc MacLeod said in a presentation to town council Tuesday.
MacLeod appeared at the meeting to discuss Rothesay's proposal to start a townwide curbside recycling program.
In the commission's original response, it asked that the trial period be run for six months to test the idea, but Mayor Bill Bishop has said the limited time frame isn't long enough to attract interest from contractors to haul the materials.
At Tuesday's meeting, MacLeod said the period could be extended to one year.
"When we originally responded, six months seemed like a reasonable time frame to get a sense of what was going to go on," he told councillors.
"We didn't disagree that it would be challenging with regards to the length of a contract, however a long-term contract is just not doable from the commission perspective, mainly because the risks are too high. The problem is we don't have all the money in the world. That money has to come from somewhere and it would be at the expense of the other programs we run."
MacLeod said because of such factors as how the recyclables are sorted, volume increase with recycling against garbage, market risks, product purity and material scavengers, the commission can stand to lose tens of thousands of dollars in revenue if the program moves ahead.
"We would love it if you went curbside. I think it would be fantastic, but just the long term would be a challenge for us," MacLeod said.
The commission's latest proposal to the town asks for a zero-dollar tipping fee for one full year of a curbside program.
Bishop said the longer time frame "gives us a little more leeway on talking with contractors," but isn't as extended as council once hoped.
"I guess that's something we're going to have to look at; we haven't made a decision yet," the mayor said after the meeting.
"This was a good information-gathering session tonight so council will deal with that. One year makes it tight for getting a good contract, but we'll see what takes place."
Bishop said the new information will be taken back to staff and be raised again at a future council meeting.
"There are a number of questions to be answered yet," he said.
"This is one that we really wanted to get our hands on. Council seems to feel that citizens in Rothesay are ready for curbside recycling. Any indication we've had most people are in favour of it, so the more information we can get will enable us to make a decision as soon as possible."
MacLeod said if the proposal moves forward, citizens would likely be putting their recyclables in bins, not bags, for curbside pickup. He said the current facility isn't set up to work with bagged products.
The blue bin recycling depot at Rothesay High School would also be removed if the plan is approved.
Published Thursday October 14th, 2010
Environment: Waste commission official willing to double original time given Rothesay
C9
Candice Mac Lean
Telegraph-Journal
ROTHESAY - The Fundy Region Solid Waste Commission has said it's willing to extend the trial period of a curbside recycling program in Rothesay by six months, but it's not a risk-free venture, the general manager noted.
"There's going to be risk to the municipality and the commission and we can't accept all of it," Marc MacLeod said in a presentation to town council Tuesday.
MacLeod appeared at the meeting to discuss Rothesay's proposal to start a townwide curbside recycling program.
In the commission's original response, it asked that the trial period be run for six months to test the idea, but Mayor Bill Bishop has said the limited time frame isn't long enough to attract interest from contractors to haul the materials.
At Tuesday's meeting, MacLeod said the period could be extended to one year.
"When we originally responded, six months seemed like a reasonable time frame to get a sense of what was going to go on," he told councillors.
"We didn't disagree that it would be challenging with regards to the length of a contract, however a long-term contract is just not doable from the commission perspective, mainly because the risks are too high. The problem is we don't have all the money in the world. That money has to come from somewhere and it would be at the expense of the other programs we run."
MacLeod said because of such factors as how the recyclables are sorted, volume increase with recycling against garbage, market risks, product purity and material scavengers, the commission can stand to lose tens of thousands of dollars in revenue if the program moves ahead.
"We would love it if you went curbside. I think it would be fantastic, but just the long term would be a challenge for us," MacLeod said.
The commission's latest proposal to the town asks for a zero-dollar tipping fee for one full year of a curbside program.
Bishop said the longer time frame "gives us a little more leeway on talking with contractors," but isn't as extended as council once hoped.
"I guess that's something we're going to have to look at; we haven't made a decision yet," the mayor said after the meeting.
"This was a good information-gathering session tonight so council will deal with that. One year makes it tight for getting a good contract, but we'll see what takes place."
Bishop said the new information will be taken back to staff and be raised again at a future council meeting.
"There are a number of questions to be answered yet," he said.
"This is one that we really wanted to get our hands on. Council seems to feel that citizens in Rothesay are ready for curbside recycling. Any indication we've had most people are in favour of it, so the more information we can get will enable us to make a decision as soon as possible."
MacLeod said if the proposal moves forward, citizens would likely be putting their recyclables in bins, not bags, for curbside pickup. He said the current facility isn't set up to work with bagged products.
The blue bin recycling depot at Rothesay High School would also be removed if the plan is approved.
New energy minister set to get to work on major files
New energy minister set to get to work on major files
Published Thursday October 14th, 2010
Assignment: Rookie Fredericton-area MLA Craig Leonard says his background will help him tackle complex portfolio
A1
BRETT BUNDALE
TELEGRAPH-JOURNAL
FREDERICTON - The botched refit of the Point Lepreau nuclear generating station, building new transmission capacity in the Maritimes and rising electricity costs are just some of the top issues to land with a thud on the desk of the new energy minister.
Rookie MLA Craig Leonard has been propelled from near political obscurity into the province's spotlight after defeating former finance minister Greg Byrne in Fredericton-Lincoln last month.
Leonard - sworn in on Tuesday as both an MLA and energy minister - will oversee several files including the extraordinarily thorny issue of cost overruns on the Point Lepreau refurbishment project.
After taking his oath of office, Leonard promised to take an in-depth look at New Brunswick's most pressing energy issues in the coming days.
"These are complex issues that need a lot of time and work to go through in order to make sure we're up to speed on everything," he said. "We'll take the next couple of days to go through the file completely and then we'll be in a better position to speak to those issues."
Energy expert Tom Adams said the biggest issue facing the province's new energy minister will be reaching a settlement with the federal government on Point Lepreau.
"It's very clear now that AECL was severely incompetent and there are of course gigantic consequences for the province," he said.
The next most important task will be sitting down with neighbouring provinces to hammer out a deal to build new transmission lines.
"The new government is also going to have to get moving on the integration of the power systems in the Maritimes," Adams said. "The Conservative party said it supports greater regional integration, so it will be interesting to see their approach."
Adams said Lepreau and regional integration are two key files that will test the intergovernmental working skills of new government.
In addition, the Tories have promised a three-year freeze on electricity rates, despite the cost overruns at Lepreau and NB Power's staggering $4.75-billion debt.
"I think when the rate freeze commitment was made the situation with Point Lepreau was not understood to be as bad as we now know," Adams said. "It's clearly in a much worse situation.
"The new government really should use the breathing space of new facts and open the books up at NB Power to do a transparency check on everything."
Leonard admitted he faces one of the most daunting portfolios in cabinet.
"The energy sector as a whole is all-encompassing," he said. "It's everything from economic development to environment and finance. My background in economics and finance and business ... is why the premier thought I would be a good fit to be able to tackle those challenges."
Leonard skirted the suggestions the energy department may be uprooted from Saint John and returned to the provincial capital.
"I have no issues taking a drive down to Saint John to work with the folks down there," he said. "We have to look at the different advantages of everything, to having the department down there. But I'm fine with it where it is."
Saint John Board of Trade president Imelda Gilman said the reasons the previous Liberal government moved the energy department to the Port City after former premier Shawn Graham took office still exist today.
"The reasons are still valid and important," she said. "There is a lot of energy infrastructure in the area, including the major investments in the potash mine, the largest refinery in Canada and Point Lepreau."
Gilman said given the province's financial situation, the focus of the new government should be on balancing the budget and halting deficit spending.
Published Thursday October 14th, 2010
Assignment: Rookie Fredericton-area MLA Craig Leonard says his background will help him tackle complex portfolio
A1
BRETT BUNDALE
TELEGRAPH-JOURNAL
FREDERICTON - The botched refit of the Point Lepreau nuclear generating station, building new transmission capacity in the Maritimes and rising electricity costs are just some of the top issues to land with a thud on the desk of the new energy minister.
Rookie MLA Craig Leonard has been propelled from near political obscurity into the province's spotlight after defeating former finance minister Greg Byrne in Fredericton-Lincoln last month.
Leonard - sworn in on Tuesday as both an MLA and energy minister - will oversee several files including the extraordinarily thorny issue of cost overruns on the Point Lepreau refurbishment project.
After taking his oath of office, Leonard promised to take an in-depth look at New Brunswick's most pressing energy issues in the coming days.
"These are complex issues that need a lot of time and work to go through in order to make sure we're up to speed on everything," he said. "We'll take the next couple of days to go through the file completely and then we'll be in a better position to speak to those issues."
Energy expert Tom Adams said the biggest issue facing the province's new energy minister will be reaching a settlement with the federal government on Point Lepreau.
"It's very clear now that AECL was severely incompetent and there are of course gigantic consequences for the province," he said.
The next most important task will be sitting down with neighbouring provinces to hammer out a deal to build new transmission lines.
"The new government is also going to have to get moving on the integration of the power systems in the Maritimes," Adams said. "The Conservative party said it supports greater regional integration, so it will be interesting to see their approach."
Adams said Lepreau and regional integration are two key files that will test the intergovernmental working skills of new government.
In addition, the Tories have promised a three-year freeze on electricity rates, despite the cost overruns at Lepreau and NB Power's staggering $4.75-billion debt.
"I think when the rate freeze commitment was made the situation with Point Lepreau was not understood to be as bad as we now know," Adams said. "It's clearly in a much worse situation.
"The new government really should use the breathing space of new facts and open the books up at NB Power to do a transparency check on everything."
Leonard admitted he faces one of the most daunting portfolios in cabinet.
"The energy sector as a whole is all-encompassing," he said. "It's everything from economic development to environment and finance. My background in economics and finance and business ... is why the premier thought I would be a good fit to be able to tackle those challenges."
Leonard skirted the suggestions the energy department may be uprooted from Saint John and returned to the provincial capital.
"I have no issues taking a drive down to Saint John to work with the folks down there," he said. "We have to look at the different advantages of everything, to having the department down there. But I'm fine with it where it is."
Saint John Board of Trade president Imelda Gilman said the reasons the previous Liberal government moved the energy department to the Port City after former premier Shawn Graham took office still exist today.
"The reasons are still valid and important," she said. "There is a lot of energy infrastructure in the area, including the major investments in the potash mine, the largest refinery in Canada and Point Lepreau."
Gilman said given the province's financial situation, the focus of the new government should be on balancing the budget and halting deficit spending.
MLA Lands tough portfolio
MLA lands tough portfolio
Published Thursday October 14th, 2010
Energy | Craig Leonard has to work on Lepreau cost overruns, electricity rates
A1
By BRENT BUNDALE
Canadaeast News Service
The refit of the Point Lepreau nuclear generating station, building new transmission capacity in the Maritimes and rising electricity costs are some of the top issues to land with a thud on the desk of the new Energy minister.
Rookie MLA Craig Leonard has been propelled from near political obscurity into the province's spotlight after defeating former Finance minister Greg Byrne in Fredericton-Lincoln last month.
Leonard - sworn in Tuesday as an MLA and minister - will oversee several files, including the thorny issue of cost overruns on the Point Lepreau refurbishment project.
After his oath of office, Leonard promised to take an in-depth look at New Brunswick's most pressing energy issues in the coming days.
"These are complex issues that need a lot of time and work to go through in order to make sure we're up to speed on everything," he said. "We'll take the next couple of days to go through the file completely and then we'll be in a better position to speak to those issues."
Energy expert Tom Adams said the biggest issue facing the province's new Energy minister will be reaching a settlement with the federal government on Point Lepreau.
"It's very clear now that AECL was severely incompetent and there are, of course, gigantic consequences for the province," he said.
The next most important task will be sitting down with neighbouring provinces to hammer out a deal to build new transmission lines.
"The new government is also going to have to get moving on the integration of the power systems in the Maritimes," Adams said.
"The Conservative party said it supports greater regional integration, so it will be interesting to see their approach."
Adams said Lepreau and regional integration are two key files that will test the intergovernmental working skills of the Conservative government.
In addition, the Tories have promised a three-year freeze on electricity rates, despite the cost overruns at Lepreau and NB Power's $4.75-billion debt.
"I think when the rate freeze commitment was made, the situation with Point Lepreau was not understood to be as bad as we now know," Adams said. "It's clearly in a much worse situation.
"The new government really should use the breathing space of new facts and open the books up at NB Power to do a transparency check on everything."
Leonard admitted he faces one of the most daunting portfolios in cabinet.
"The energy sector as a whole is all-encompassing," he said.
"It's everything from economic development to environment and finance. My background in economics and finance and business ... is why the premier thought I would be a good fit to be able to tackle those challenges."
Published Thursday October 14th, 2010
Energy | Craig Leonard has to work on Lepreau cost overruns, electricity rates
A1
By BRENT BUNDALE
Canadaeast News Service
The refit of the Point Lepreau nuclear generating station, building new transmission capacity in the Maritimes and rising electricity costs are some of the top issues to land with a thud on the desk of the new Energy minister.
Rookie MLA Craig Leonard has been propelled from near political obscurity into the province's spotlight after defeating former Finance minister Greg Byrne in Fredericton-Lincoln last month.
Leonard - sworn in Tuesday as an MLA and minister - will oversee several files, including the thorny issue of cost overruns on the Point Lepreau refurbishment project.
After his oath of office, Leonard promised to take an in-depth look at New Brunswick's most pressing energy issues in the coming days.
"These are complex issues that need a lot of time and work to go through in order to make sure we're up to speed on everything," he said. "We'll take the next couple of days to go through the file completely and then we'll be in a better position to speak to those issues."
Energy expert Tom Adams said the biggest issue facing the province's new Energy minister will be reaching a settlement with the federal government on Point Lepreau.
"It's very clear now that AECL was severely incompetent and there are, of course, gigantic consequences for the province," he said.
The next most important task will be sitting down with neighbouring provinces to hammer out a deal to build new transmission lines.
"The new government is also going to have to get moving on the integration of the power systems in the Maritimes," Adams said.
"The Conservative party said it supports greater regional integration, so it will be interesting to see their approach."
Adams said Lepreau and regional integration are two key files that will test the intergovernmental working skills of the Conservative government.
In addition, the Tories have promised a three-year freeze on electricity rates, despite the cost overruns at Lepreau and NB Power's $4.75-billion debt.
"I think when the rate freeze commitment was made, the situation with Point Lepreau was not understood to be as bad as we now know," Adams said. "It's clearly in a much worse situation.
"The new government really should use the breathing space of new facts and open the books up at NB Power to do a transparency check on everything."
Leonard admitted he faces one of the most daunting portfolios in cabinet.
"The energy sector as a whole is all-encompassing," he said.
"It's everything from economic development to environment and finance. My background in economics and finance and business ... is why the premier thought I would be a good fit to be able to tackle those challenges."
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Alward awaits Point Lepreau delay information
Alward awaits Point Lepreau delay information
CBC News
Premier David Alward said he looks forward to sitting down with officials to understand what the newest delays in the refurbishment of the Point Lepreau nuclear plant mean. (CBC)
New Brunswick Premier David Alward is as in the dark as everybody else about when the Point Lepreau nuclear plant will be running again.
Just hours before he was sworn in Tuesday as the province's new leader, Alward said he hadn't yet learned how long it will take for Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd. to remove and reinstall all 380 calandria tubes as part of the $1.4-billion refurbishment of the plant.
The calandria tubes are made to house smaller nuclear pressure tubes, which in turn contain radioactive nuclear fuel bundles.
They were the first major piece of equipment to be installed in the reactor when the refurbishment started, but many of the tubes flunked air tightness tests.
N.B. Power announced Friday that the federal crown corporation had informed them of the further delay in the project, but that they did not have specific details from AECL about how it would impact the overall timeline, which is already more than a year behind schedule.
N.B. Power said it expected to learn more some time this week.
The most optimistic recently stated completion date was February 2012, but that was before this latest announcement. Alward says he's waiting to find out what the newest delay means.
Alward wants to meet with officials
"I don't have that information at this point in time, and I certainly do look forward to sitting down with officials to fully understand what the implication will be in terms of any time extension to finishing the project," he said.
Alward has promised to freeze power rates for three years, but that promise was based in part on the expectation that project would be finished in February 2012.
The refurbishment began March 28, 2008, and it's been estimated that NB Power will have to pay $1 million a day to purchase replacement power while the reactor is not in service.
CBC News
Premier David Alward said he looks forward to sitting down with officials to understand what the newest delays in the refurbishment of the Point Lepreau nuclear plant mean. (CBC)
New Brunswick Premier David Alward is as in the dark as everybody else about when the Point Lepreau nuclear plant will be running again.
Just hours before he was sworn in Tuesday as the province's new leader, Alward said he hadn't yet learned how long it will take for Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd. to remove and reinstall all 380 calandria tubes as part of the $1.4-billion refurbishment of the plant.
The calandria tubes are made to house smaller nuclear pressure tubes, which in turn contain radioactive nuclear fuel bundles.
They were the first major piece of equipment to be installed in the reactor when the refurbishment started, but many of the tubes flunked air tightness tests.
N.B. Power announced Friday that the federal crown corporation had informed them of the further delay in the project, but that they did not have specific details from AECL about how it would impact the overall timeline, which is already more than a year behind schedule.
N.B. Power said it expected to learn more some time this week.
The most optimistic recently stated completion date was February 2012, but that was before this latest announcement. Alward says he's waiting to find out what the newest delay means.
Alward wants to meet with officials
"I don't have that information at this point in time, and I certainly do look forward to sitting down with officials to fully understand what the implication will be in terms of any time extension to finishing the project," he said.
Alward has promised to freeze power rates for three years, but that promise was based in part on the expectation that project would be finished in February 2012.
The refurbishment began March 28, 2008, and it's been estimated that NB Power will have to pay $1 million a day to purchase replacement power while the reactor is not in service.
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Curbside recycling on council's agenda
C6
candice mac lean
telegraph-journal
ROTHESAY- Council will discuss what could be a deal breaker in Rothesay's bid to start curbside recycling in the town at a meeting tonight, the mayor said.
Rothesay Mayor Bill Bishop said he hopes the Fundy Region Solid Waste Commission will allow for a longer trial period than six months for a curbside recycling program. Bill Bishop said the town still wants to get curbside recycling up and running, but hopes the Fundy Region Solid Waste Commission will allow for a longer trial period for the program than six months. Bishop said the town is willing to comply with every condition the Commission has laid out except for the six-month trial requirement.
"We're interested in getting as much information as we can on curbside recycling and one of the stumbling blocks is the Commission is not interested in a long-term contract and we can't, we don't think, get a suitable bid or contract carrier to enter into a six-month deal," Bishop said Monday.
The Commission's general manager Marc MacLeod is scheduled to speak at tonight's meeting to explain the short-term trial condition.
Bishop said he does not know why the limited time frame has been requested, "unless it would be they feel they may not have a suitable buyer for the waste products."
Residents in the town have said they are in favour of placing recyclable products curbside, and Bishop said he hopes the project can move ahead.
"We're interested in pursuing it, but we're not committed 100 per cent," he said. "We're anxious to find out all the information and why they want to limit it to six months."
If the plan moves forward, residents could place recyclable materials at their curb instead of using the blue bin recycling depot at Rothesay High School.
Town council will also hear from a spokesperson from an Oakville Acres citizens' group at tonight's meeting.
Bishop said Jim Sherrard is scheduled to make a presentation at the meeting on the need for a flood fix in the low-lying subdivision.
"The first part is already underway," the mayor said of a drainage system the town has committed to installing. "The next part would be the purchase of land and going ahead with the retention pond; I believe they feel we're not doing enough or not doing it fast enough."
The citizens' group has said that the Clearwater drainage system should be seen as part of a three-tier project that will help limit flooding in future rainstorms in the subdivision.
An artificial pond is part of flooding recommendations prepared for Rothesay by CBCL Ltd. that call for undeveloped land off Pettingill Road to be turned into a retention area. The other part of the recommendation is to create a diversion channel that would act as an emergency overflow and divert water to Salmon Creek.
Bishop said the town's "only update is we're working on purchasing the property" to create the pond.
Tonight's council meeting begins at 8 p.m. at the Town Hall.
candice mac lean
telegraph-journal
ROTHESAY- Council will discuss what could be a deal breaker in Rothesay's bid to start curbside recycling in the town at a meeting tonight, the mayor said.
Rothesay Mayor Bill Bishop said he hopes the Fundy Region Solid Waste Commission will allow for a longer trial period than six months for a curbside recycling program. Bill Bishop said the town still wants to get curbside recycling up and running, but hopes the Fundy Region Solid Waste Commission will allow for a longer trial period for the program than six months. Bishop said the town is willing to comply with every condition the Commission has laid out except for the six-month trial requirement.
"We're interested in getting as much information as we can on curbside recycling and one of the stumbling blocks is the Commission is not interested in a long-term contract and we can't, we don't think, get a suitable bid or contract carrier to enter into a six-month deal," Bishop said Monday.
The Commission's general manager Marc MacLeod is scheduled to speak at tonight's meeting to explain the short-term trial condition.
Bishop said he does not know why the limited time frame has been requested, "unless it would be they feel they may not have a suitable buyer for the waste products."
Residents in the town have said they are in favour of placing recyclable products curbside, and Bishop said he hopes the project can move ahead.
"We're interested in pursuing it, but we're not committed 100 per cent," he said. "We're anxious to find out all the information and why they want to limit it to six months."
If the plan moves forward, residents could place recyclable materials at their curb instead of using the blue bin recycling depot at Rothesay High School.
Town council will also hear from a spokesperson from an Oakville Acres citizens' group at tonight's meeting.
Bishop said Jim Sherrard is scheduled to make a presentation at the meeting on the need for a flood fix in the low-lying subdivision.
"The first part is already underway," the mayor said of a drainage system the town has committed to installing. "The next part would be the purchase of land and going ahead with the retention pond; I believe they feel we're not doing enough or not doing it fast enough."
The citizens' group has said that the Clearwater drainage system should be seen as part of a three-tier project that will help limit flooding in future rainstorms in the subdivision.
An artificial pond is part of flooding recommendations prepared for Rothesay by CBCL Ltd. that call for undeveloped land off Pettingill Road to be turned into a retention area. The other part of the recommendation is to create a diversion channel that would act as an emergency overflow and divert water to Salmon Creek.
Bishop said the town's "only update is we're working on purchasing the property" to create the pond.
Tonight's council meeting begins at 8 p.m. at the Town Hall.
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