The second in a series of stakeholder workshops on component studies for the Petitcodiac River Causeway Environmental Impact Assessment will take place Saturday May 31, at the Riverview High School.

“Interested stakeholders, community representatives and residents of the Petitcodiac River watershed are invited to take part in this workshop, which will focus on the socio-economic component study, ” said Jacques Paynter, Facilitator for the EIA Study Team.

“Topics for discussion at this event will include: land use, property values, infrastructure, employment, recreation, tourism, direct and indirect economic impacts, transportation, navigation, archeology and heritage resources. An introduction to the concept of "full cost accounting" will also be provided, which will be ultimately employed by the Study Team in assessing the costs and benefits of each project option,” he said.

Mr. Paynter noted that space at the workshop is limited and interested parties are encouraged to register as participants, no later than May 23, 2003. The May 31st session is scheduled for 8:30 AM - 4:00PM, is open to the news media, and lunch will be provided. Riverview High School is located at 400 White Pine Road.

“The process of developing Terms of Reference for our EIA component studies has been specifically designed to involve public stakeholders and community representatives,“ said Mr. Paynter. Our first ‘component study’ workshop on aquatic, terrestrial, and atmospheric issues took place in Moncton on Saturday, April 26. A valuable cross-section of local residents took part, raised a variety of questions, and prompted very useful interaction with our technical specialists.”

‘We looking forward to continuing this exchange process on May 31st, and during a subsequent third workshop on modelling. The third workshop in the series was initially scheduled for late June, but is now being planned for the fall period, Mr. Paynter explained.

Those interested in the May 31st Socio-Economic Workshop are encouraged to contact Mr. Paynter as soon as possible, at the telephone numbers and addresses listed below. As noted above, available space is limited and registrations for this event should be made no later than May 23, 2003.

Petitcodiac River Causeway Environmental Impact Assessment

PUBLIC NOTICE
Socio-Economic Component Study Workshop
May 31, 2003 - 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM
Riverview High School
400 White Pine Road, Riverview, NB

Interested stakeholders, community representatives and residents of the Petitcodiac River watershed are invited to participate in the above public workshop coordinated by the Petitcodiac River Causeway EIA Study Team. Available space at the workshop is limited and interested parties are encouraged to register as participants no later than May 23, 2003.

Preliminary work plans for the socio-economic component study will be distributed to the registered participants, in advance of the workshop, to assist them in preparing for the subsequent discussion. Topics to be covered include: land use, property values, infrastructure, employment, recreation, tourism, direct and indirect economic impacts, transportation, navigation, archeology, heritage resources and full cost accounting.

The workshop will be open to the news media and lunch will be provided. If you would like to register as a participant for this session, please contact Jacques Paynter of AMEC Earth & Environmental Ltd., as soon as possible, at the telephone numbers or 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
Mail: 1133 St. George Blvd., Moncton, NB E1E 4E1