• The final Terms of Reference (TOR) for the Bio-physical Component Study have been posted on the Petitcodiac website. Work is in progress in analyzing field data and identifying the biophysical components before and after the construction of the Petitcodiac River Causeway.
• The TOR for the Socio-economic Component Study is being finalized at this time. The AMEC Study Team is presently working on the identification of the socio-economic components prior to the construction of the Causeway, since the construction of the Causeway to the present time as well as present conditions.
• The final TOR for the Modelling Component Study is currently being translated and will be posted on the website very shortly. The verification and calibration of the 1-dimensional and the 2-dimensional models have been completed and work is in progress to run the models for the various project options.

Shubenacadie River

An evaluation of the total suspended sediment concentration in the Shubenacadie River, NS was undertaken by the AMEC Study Team. This evaluation was based on the interpretation of a satellite image supplemented by available actual suspended sediment measurements in the Petitcodiac River, Cumberland Basin, Chignecto Bay, Minas Basin and the Debert River. The one set of measurements on the Shubenacadie River, obtained from Acadia University, was also used in this evaluation. The sources of the data included the Atlantic Tidal Power Study (1969), research work at the Nova Scotia Agriculture College (1997) and research work at Acadia University (2003).

Utilizing the data obtained from the above sources in the interpretation of the satellite image, it can be concluded that the total suspended sediment concentration in the Shubenacadie River is in the order of 6000 mg/L. It is to be noted that the total suspended sediments in the upper portion of the Petitcodiac River Estuary is in the order of 30,000 mg/L.

Consultation Activities

Consultation activities during the month of April included the Fish Passage Workshop which was held in Moncton on April 17, 2004. The workshop was well received and was attended by about 50 participants. Detailed analyses of the biology of migrating fish species as well as a review of available fish passage technology were presented at the workshop. The applicability of such technology with respect to the Petitcodiac River system was also discussed at the workshop. The high level of interest by the participants at the workshop prompted detailed discussions of the key issues associated with fish passage at the Petitcodiac River Causeway. All comments and questions raised at the workshop have been recorded in the Issues Tracking Log and posted on the project website. The public, stakeholders and the Aboriginal Community were encouraged to provide additional comments and feedback on the fish passage issue by May 17, 2004. The Fort Folly First Nation was also contacted following the workshop. Planned consultation activities during the month of May include a presentation to the Riverview High School students on May 14, 2004.