STUDY UPDATE - OCTOBER 2003

September Open House Events

Public and stakeholder consultation regarding the Petitcodiac River Causeway Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) was undertaken in September 2003. The consultation was carried out in Open House Events on September 22, 23, 24 and 25, 2003 at Belliveau Village, Village of Petitcodiac, Village of Riverside Albert and the Town of Riverview, respectively

The objectives of the open house consultation were as follows: to present an up-date on the progress of the EIA to date; to provide and overview of the summer 2003 field data collection program; to distribute EIA related documents prepared to date; and to discuss concerns, suggestions and issues with the public and stakeholders and receive their comments.

The public had an opportunity during these events to discuss a variety of subjects such as aquatic Biota, terrestrial Biota, infrastructure, and the River’s hydrodynamic Processes and Water Quality as well as the progress of the EIA Process. Comments made by the public as well as follow-up comments that were submitted (via email, phone and letter) by several participants and stakeholders who did not have a chance to attend the Open Houses will be considered by the Study Team in conducting the EIA process.

October 18 Hydrodynamic and Sediment Transport Modelling Workshop

The workshop held at the Mathieu-Martin High School in Dieppe on October 18, 2003 prompted active discussion on the Terms of Reference for the modelling component of the Petitcodiac River Causeway Environmental Impact Assessment. The workshop was attended by interested members of the public, various stakeholder groups, members of the EIA Technical Review Committee, staff from the Department of Supply and Services and specialists from the AMEC Study Team.

The Study Team focussed the presentation on the status of the EIA, a historical overview of the evolution of the Petitcodiac River, the Hydrodynamic and Sediment Transport modelling approach and the issues to be addressed in the modelling component study. The October 18 public workshop was very useful in prompting questions and input on this crucial aspect of the EIA study.

The modelling component Draft Terms of Reference are now available at: www.petitcodiac.com where it can be reviewed in detail or downloaded in PDF format. Printed copies can also be obtained free of charge by calling (506) 855 3070 or 1 888 638 7700. Comments from all interested parties are being actively encouraged, and should be forwarded to the Study Team no later than December 12, 2003.

Terms of Reference for the Biophysical Component Study

The Terms of Reference for the Biophysical Component Study outlines the framework for a workplan in relation to air, water and sediment quality, plants, animals, wetlands, birds and fish passage. The Terms of Reference were made available for public, stakeholder and Aboriginal Community review and comments until September 10, 2003.

Comments on the Draft Terms of Reference have been received from the EIA Technical Review Committee, stakeholder groups and from the interested public. These comments have been incorporated into the Draft Terms of Reference and work is underway to finalize the document. The final Terms of Reference for the Biophysical Component Study will be posted on the Petitcodiac River Causeway EIA Website.

Terms of Reference for the Socio-economic Component Study

The Terms of Reference for the Socio-economic Component Study sets the scope of work in relation to land use and economy, infrastructure and transportation and socio-culture issues such as recreation, archaeology and heritage resources, tourism and public health and safety. The Terms of Reference were made available for public, stakeholder and Aboriginal Community review and comments until October 5, 2003.

Comments on the Draft Terms of Reference have been received from the EIA Technical Review Committee, stakeholder groups and from the interested public. These comments are being incorporated into the Draft Terms of Reference and work is underway to finalize the document. The final Terms of Reference for the Socio-economic Component Study will be posted on the Petitcodiac River Causeway EIA Website.

Field Activities

The Summer field investigation of the Petitcodiac River ecosystem was conducted to capture the quality of the aquatic environment during the lowest flow period. Please outline the variety of aquatic field investigations completed including drift netting, fyke netting, beach seining, electro-fishing, smolt monitoring, fish trap monitoring etc. Sampling was conducted during daylight hours when the gates were closed. A sampling design was implemented to assess any potential environmental effects between high and low tide on water quality as well as the quality of the sediments. In addition, the benthic community was also sampled in the Petitcodiac River/Estuary. The fish monitoring field program included an evaluation of Atlantic salmon smolt downstream migration, fyke netting, electrofishing in the Petitcodiac River impoundment, drift netting in the Petitcodiac River Estuary and a beach seining program. Further details on these field activities are posted on the Petitcodiac River Causeway EIA Website. The field data collection program was also designed to provide supplementary information on water levels, currents, suspended sediments and consolidated sediments.

The AMEC Study Team continued the field monitoring program throughout the summer and fall of 2003. Some of the field activities included the survey of the Petitcodiac River impoundment and the collection of bottom sediment samples through a set of boreholes in order to assess the erodibility of the bed material. Bulk samples of the river sediments were also obtained and are being analyzed at the National Water Research Institute in Burlington, Ontario. Water level records have been obtained at the recorders installed near Hopewell Cape and Dover.

The fish monitoring program continued through to October with drift netting, trap netting and monitoring of the fishway. Water quality sampling continued as well with another round of benthic macro-invertebrates and aquatic flora slated for November 2003. Wetland delineation has been completed on a 2001 mosaic. Mosaics for 1963 and 1982 are being compiled at this stage.

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