March 12, 2004

Fish Passage Workshop Planned for April 17 in Moncton

MONCTON - Fish passage requirements and fishway technology will be central topics for discussion at an upcoming public workshop slated for Saturday, April 17 at the Moncton Lions Senior Citizens Centre.

The event is being held as part of the Petitcodiac River Causeway Environmental Impact Assessment Study. Previous technical workshops on biophysical, socio-economic and modelling components of the EIA were held in the spring and fall of 2003.

“Interested stakeholders, community representatives and residents throughout the Petitcodiac River watershed and estuary are invited to take part in this fourth session of our workshop series,” said Jacques Paynter, the study facilitator.

The April 17th event will begin at 8:30 a.m. and is open to the news media. A lunch will be provided. The meeting site is located at 473 St. George Street, Moncton.

“This workshop will present an analysis of fish migration behaviour for those species identified for the EIA ‘fish passage’ requirement. It will also provide for thorough discussion of current fish passage technology, and an analysis of existing fishways in other locations being examined through the study process, “ Paynter explained.

“We’ve noted a steady increase in public information requests about this particular aspect of the EIA as the study has progressed. The upcoming workshop is designed to examine the issues surrounding fish passage in a comprehensive manner, and provide each participant with an opportunity to discuss them directly with the experts concerned.”

Space at the April 17th session is limited. All interested parties are encouraged to register as participants no later than April 9th. The study facilitator can be reached at the telephone numbers and addresses listed below.

Jacques Paynter - AMEC Earth & Environmental Ltd.
Tel:  (506) 855-3070    1-888-638-7700
Fax:  (506) 857-9974
E-Mail:  jacques.paynter@amec.com
Mail:  1133 St. George Blvd., Moncton, NB E1E 4E1