Study Update - June 2003

EIA Terms of Reference Accessible on Web Site

Following extensive consultations with public, stakeholder groups and the aboriginal community, Terms of Reference for this EIA study are complete. The full document is available in Adobe file format, and can be accessed here by clicking: Final EIA Terms of Reference. Print copies can also be obtained free of charge by calling (506) 855-3070. or 1-888-638-7700.

Terms of Reference function as a workplan or 'roadmap' for the EIA Study Team. They describe how the required environmental and socio-economic assessment data will be obtained, as well as providing an overview of the EIA process, and accompanying public consultations.

An initial draft of the Terms of Reference for this study was released for public review and comment in January 2003. A range of consultation activity followed throughout the Petitcodiac River watershed, to encourage discussion on the key issues concerned during the preliminary 'scoping' phase of the EIA process.

April 26th Biophysical Workshop Provided Valuable Feedback

The workshop held in Moncton on April 26, 2003, to discuss the biophysical aspects of the EIA, prompted active discussion on topics such as fish passage, air, water and sediment quality, plants, animals, wetlands, birds, and fishway designs. The session was attended by interested members of the public, various stakeholder groups, members of the EIA Technical Review Committee, Fort Folly First Nation, Department of Supply and Services, and individual specialists from the AMEC Study Team.

The Study Team briefed participants on various investigations undertaken thus far, and those planned for the future on all aspects of the Biophysical Component study. The input received at the workshop proved very useful during development of draft Terms of Reference for the Biophysical Component.

Terms of Reference for Biophysical Component Study

Following initial discussions at the April 26th stakeholder workshop, Terms of Reference for the   Biophysical Component Study are now available.

This document outlines a specific workplan for the study program on aquatic, terrestrial and atmospheric issues. The biophysical component is focused on a wide range of subject areas from shore bird habitat and climate patterns to fish passage, urban wastewater dispersion, sediment sampling, wildlife populations and the potential impact of the former Moncton landfill on water quality in the river.

Field Programs Underway

The AMEC Study Team has been collecting data along the Petitcodiac River system since last December, in support of the Environmental Impact Assessment. Water and ice conditions were observed on a regular basis to provide insights on river dynamics during the winter months. Detailed aerial photos were taken in January and February 2003 to map the river during this period. Samples of water and bottom sediments were also obtained from the Gunningsville Bridge area in March 2003, in conjunction with current measurements.

Since mid-April, the Study Team has been monitoring the existing gates and fishway structure at the Petitcodiac River Causeway. Numerous smelt were detected passing into the head pond through the gates during this period. At several locations along the river, additional cross sections are also being obtained in conjunction with samples of water, bottom sediment and current measurements. A drilling program is scheduled for late May and early June to obtain samples of river sediment for analysis. Further field programs will continue throughout the summer and into the fall of this year.

Development Underway on Models for Hydrodynamic and Sediment Transport

A major component of this Environmental Impact Assessment is hydrodynamic and sediment transport modelling, which will be used to support a broad range of investigations and analyses. As members of the Study Team, staff at the Canadian Hydraulic Centre have already begun development of specific modelling programs in this regard.

A number of assumptions have been made regarding the behaviour of the river and preliminary runs of the models have been undertaken. The goal of this initial effort is to roughly identify areas which could experience erosion or deposition, as a result of the possible modifications, or ‘Project Options,’ being considered for the causeway.

These preliminary models will be updated during the summer of 2003, as additional information on the river and sediment characteristics is obtained by the Study Team. A public workshop will be held this autumn to review results of the preliminary models, and discuss plans for the final modelling exercise. More detail on the specific date and location of the Modelling Component Workshop will be available in early September.

May 31st Socio-economic Workshop Provided Valuable Feedback

The Socio-economic Workshop was held on May 31 at Riverview High School. The agenda included presentations on the progress of the Environmental Impact Asessment, the preliminary results of the Biophysical Component Study Workshop held in April, and an overview of the Full Cost Accounting approach. The 40 participants were divided into three working groups to discuss nine topics on the socioeconomic environment, as follows:

Land Use and Economy

• Land Use and Value
• Labour and Economy
• Public Health and Safety

• Municipal Services and Infrastructure
• Transportation Network
• Vessel Traffic and Navigation
• Public Health and Safety

• Recreation
• Archaeology and Heritage Resources
• Tourism
• Public Health and Safety

The results of these discussions are currently being incorporated into a revised Terms of Reference for the Socio-economic Component Study which will be posted on the project web site in July.

The attendees agreed that the session was informative and useful to furthering their understanding of the issues and the proposed data gathering process and field programs.

Next Series of Community ‘Open Houses’ Planned for Late September

The next series of public Open Houses held by the Study Team will take place in four separate communities across the Petitcodiac River Watershed during the week of September 22nd. Specific dates and locations for these events will be provided to stakeholders well in advance, and publicly advertised in the media.

The sessions are designed to provide all interested members of the public with an opportunity to ask questions and discuss issues with various members of the Study Team, in an informal setting. Each Open House will take place from 4:30 to 8.00 PM. A range of background Information on the EIA study will also be available in displays, maps, photos and printed material, together with updates on the data gathering process thus far.