APPENDIX A
Issues Raised at the
Biophysical Workshop
April 26, 2003

List of Acronyms used in this Appendix:

Responses to List of issues outlined by participants at the Biophysical Workshop.

Construction of ship berths in area of Champlain Place to be considered.

Response: This would be considered in cumulative effects (as would all potential projects in the foreseeable future).

Was there any dredging completed on the Petitcodiac River?

Response: Anecdotally we understand that dredging occurred in the Petitcodiac River when Moncton was a port. As well, we understand that there has been dredging upstream of the causeway to deal with siltation there.

How do you measure odour?

Response: If required, a panel of trained noses would evaluate smell rating on a scale of 1-4 (1=mild, 4=extreme).

Windsor Causeway: Data available that may be useful to the AMEC Team for this EIA study.

Response: We are aware of this information and it has been taken into account in the data collection exercise, although this particular study is not specifically stated.

How does the AMEC Team measure the exposure of people living along the river to noise?

Response: Ambient sound level monitoring will be conducted at three noise sensitive areas (in the zones of influence of the Project Options and in areas where the sound propagation characteristics could potentially change) for a 24-hour period.

What elements is the AMEC Team looking at with regards to air quality?

Response: The AMEC Team will be looking at carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide, nitrous oxides, total suspended particulates and small or fine particulates.

Indoor air quality will not be addressed in this EIA study.

Response: This is correct.

A stakeholder indicated increased flooding is currently affecting air quality inside buildings. Is the AMEC Team going to address this item under the cumulative effects component of the EIA study?

Response: Any option that caused a risk of increased flooding would not be an option. Flood risk will come out of the modelling component.

Will flooding be assessed for each option?

Response: Flooding will not be assessed as part of the biophysical work, rather as part of the modelling effort.

Define direct and indirect mortality.

Response: Direct mortality: death resulting directly from the project, i.e. due to flooding. Indirect mortality: death due to a third party factor, i.e. due to a change in the quality or quantity of food available.

How will the AMEC Team measure morbidity?

Response: Morbidity will not be measured, however, if something noteworthy is observed, it will be noted, i.e. a large number of sick or dying individuals of a species.

Extend the field investigation beyond Shepody, Memramcook, Chignecto Bay. Is there a summary of the field investigation for the stakeholders, public and aboriginal community to review?

Response: The field investigation will be extended into the Shepody Bay and Chignecto Bay if areas of concern are identified in that area, the same is true for the Memramcook River. There is a summary of the location of sampling available in the TOR and one will be posted on the website.

Will the AMEC Team assess the status quo on the Halls Creek area?

Response: This situation will be described as part of the existing environment in the Biophysical subcomponent.

A stakeholder recommended water sampling be completed on the headpond in the winter months. Will this be completed?

Response: Sampling was carried out in March downstream. A sampling session will be taken in the winter of 2003/2004 under ice conditions for water quality, but it had not been originally planned. A profile of the water column for temperature, dissolved oxygen and salinity will be taken. Water samples will be taken from discrete water layers if present. One sediment sample will be taken for grain size and metals. Should any unusual colour stains or markings be noted on the ice then we will try to ascertain the origin and take a sample for analysis.

Will the mosquito control issue in the wetland be addressed?

Response: Potential disease vectors including mosquitoes will be taken into account qualitatively in the Public Health and Safety portion of the Socio-economic Study.

Will mudflats that exist today always be there?

Response: Depending on the option(s) selected, there may be changes in the nature of the coastal habitats, for example, there may be changes in the distribution of marsh habitats. Prediction of such changes is one of the goals of the EIA. The modelling component of this EIA will address this issue.

Pre-causeway:

• Geese migration in Halls Creek area;
• Will historical information also be reviewed?

Response: We have a good understanding of the use of the Petitcodiac River system by migratory birds from historical information.

Trial gate experiments provides significant amount of information upstream of the Causeway. Is the AMEC Team going to carry out additional trial gate openings for the modelling?

Response: At this time we do not anticipate trial gate openings. (Please see FAQs section on the Study website).

Is the AMEC Team investigating the areas along the river where there is extensive sedimentation?

Response: Yes.

Website: Identify borehole locations and field investigation.

Response: This information is forthcoming and will be posted on the website. This information has also been included in the TOR as Appendix B.

Johnson’s Point:

• Change in mudshrimp population
• Recommend boreholes at Johnson’s Mills and Mary’s Point be completed.

Response: We are aware of the change in mudshrimp in the Johnson’s Mills area. We want to assess the potential for contamination of sediments should they be eroded. At this point erosion is not anticipated in this area, therefore boreholes will not be completed at these two loactions.

Will erosion be studied when the Tidal Bore is arriving?

Response: Yes.

Tidal Bore to be evaluated on a more complex model. Explain?

Response: Yes. The model being used is extremely complex and this will be further evaluated in the modelling workshop and subsequent TOR.

Where does primary treated sewage system go when Tidal Bore arrives?

Response: The effluents would move with the currents, and we are presently verifying this situation.

When will secondary sewage treatment be assessed?

Response: We will assess likely future projects in the cumulative effects assessment.

UNB and Acadia is doing work on mudflat productivity.

Response: We are aware of this work and this information will be incorporated into the study.

Value of sport bass fishery to be established.

Response: We will be using the Federal Sportfish Monitoring Program results from 2000 and possibly the past provincial angling returns if available to us.

Shad (fishing done by drift nets), commercial fishery will also be evaluated.

Response: The shad fishery will be evaluated using existing information from the Belliveau Shad Fishermen’s Group.

DFO put restriction on scallop fishery to avoid overfishing.

Response: We understand from DFO that the scallop fishers were involved in this decision.

Productive scallop fishery in Chignecto Bay.

Response: We are aware of this.

Modelling: How much sediment will be displaced with gate(s) opening or partial bridge installation?

Response: This modelling question can be addressed fully in the modelling workshop. It is not an issue for inclusion in the biophysical TOR.

Turtles have been known to lay eggs in the Turtle Creek area. Will the snapping or wood turtles be considered in FCA?

Response: Effects on all wildlife will be considered for inclusion in the FCA.

Can smolts migrate through the impoundment?

Response: Ongoing research will determine this.

Explain DFO’s gate management plan and if it is working?

Response: The goal of the joint DFO/NBDOT gate management plan is to manage the gate opening to facilitate fish passage. AMEC is currently monitoring fish populations to determine the effectiveness of passage.

Will Memramcook Causeway only be addressed by cumulative effects?

Response: The Memramcook causeway will be addressed in cumulative effects only.

Is the AMEC Team analysing the benthic community in the lobster fishery area and determining why there is an increase in the lobster fishery?

Reponse: The AMEC Team is analysing the benthic community in the lobster fishing area using existing information.

Is the fish population decline due to the causeway, acid rain, spruce budworm spraying, etc.?

Response: Investigations are ongoing to determine the effect of the causeway on fish populations up and downstream.