• 65 forced from homes after Irving Oil butane leak in Saint John

    IMG 3499

    A leak of a highly-flammable gas at Irving Oil’s operations forced roughly 65 people from their homes in an east Saint John neighbourhood on Monday, Jan. 8.

    The CBC reported on the butane leak at Irving Oil’s Saint John East Terminal after the company announced on Twitter that it had discovered the rupture during “routine testing.”

    As of Wednesday morning, the residents from roughly 30 homes over four streets still could not return home.
  • A Tribute to Stephanie Merrill

    From the New Brunswick Anti-Shale Gas Alliance

    The struggle to keep unconventional gas and oil development (UNGOD) out of New Brunswick is a story filled with many actors, heroes and organizations, each playing important and vital roles.

    However, for many of us involved in that struggle, the seeds for our victory were largely sown by a single person – Stephanie Merrill, the Water Specialist at the Conservation Council of New Brunswick.  What follows is our special tribute to Stephanie, who is now heading out to share her expertise with the Global Water Futures program at the University of Saskatchewan.

    http://www.noshalegasnb.ca/tribute-to-stephanie-merrill/
  • Appel à soumissions: Prix du journalisme environnemental Beth McLaughlin

    Les candidatures sont maintenant ouvertes pour le 6e prix annuel de journalisme environnemental Beth McLaughlin en reconnaissance d'une couverture approfondie et réfléchie des questions environnementales au Nouveau-Brunswick.

    Si vous avez écrit sur un sujet environnemental, ou si vous avez été inspiré par quelqu'un qui l'a fait, veuillez envisager de proposer votre travail pour ce prix. Les ouvrages publiés entre le 1er août 2020 et le 31 juillet 2021 sont admissibles.

    Toutes les soumissions doivent être reçues au plus tard le 31 juillet 2021. Veuillez faire parvenir votre soumission au comité du prix du journalisme environnemental de la section Sud-Est du Conseil de conservation du Nouveau-Brunswick, à l’adresse suivante : ccnbsoutheast@gmail.com.

    Le prix de 500 $ sera remis à l'automne.

    Tous les détails sont ici:
     


  • Beth McLaughlin Environmental Journalism Award Winner Announced

    The Southeast Chapter of the Conservation Council of New Brunswick (CCNB SE) is pleased to announce that Simon Delattre of l'Acadie Nouvelle is this year's winner of the 3rd annual Beth McLaughlin Environmental Journalism award.

    “Simon Delattre broke an important New Brunswick story that made everyone, including political decision-makers, aware of our growing use of glyphosate and the dangers it poses to human health and the environment,” said the judges of this year’s award.Delattre’s two-part series, published in August 2017, revealed that the forest company J.D. Irving was spraying the glyphosate-based product Weed Master in the protected area of the Turtle Creek watershed, which supplies drinking water to more than 144,000 residents in Greater Moncton, Riverview and Dieppe.Upon receiving his award at the Southeast Chapter’s meeting on Nov. 14, Delattre, who is from France, said he is asking more questions about how closely the New Brunswick government is aligned with the forestry industry. He said he is interested in covering more environmental stories.

    simonphoto2 2
    Simon Delattre (R) of l’Acadie Nouvelle accepts this year’s Beth McLaughlin Environmental Journalism Award at the Dieppe Public Library  on Nov. 14 from Dave MacDonald, president of the Southeast Chapter of the Conservation Council of New Brunswick. (Photo by Serge Robichaud)

    The judges also selected the Red Dot group to receive an honourable mention for their work over the past four years in publicizing the poor water quality at Parlee Beach, as well as threats to coastal wetlands in the Shediac area.

    IMG 9537 2
    Arthur Melanson, speaking for the Red Dot Group at the Beth McLaughlin Environmental Journalism Award Presentation on October 14 at Dolma Food in Moncton. (Photo by Nancy Arsenault)

    During their campaign, the Red Dots were constantly in the media, writing scores of letters to the editor, granting interviews to reporters, filing multiple Right to Information requests, and communicating directly with the provincial politicians responsible for protecting the environment and New Brunswickers' health.By April 2017, the group had more than 2,000 members, among them such familiar names as Arthur Melanson, Tim Borlase, Brenda Ryan, Michael Sullivan and Dr. Scott Mawdsley, who wrote a 100-page letter to then-Premier Brian Gallant pointing out that the government knew about fecal contamination at Parlee Beach for well over a decade, but did nothing to fix it.

    The call for nominations for next year’s Beth McLaughlin Environmental Journalism Award will be out in the coming months. The Award for environmental reporting in New Brunswick comes with a $500 prize. The judges of this year’s award were Roland Chiasson, Erin Steuter, and Bruce Wark.
    The CCNB SE Chapter thanks the judges, nominators, and the many other volunteers who make this award possible.

     
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    Media contact:  Anita Cannon (506) 364-2572  ccnbsoutheast@gmail.com
  • Buy Local for Thanksgiving: We’ve got an app for that!



    At the height of the harvest season and just in time for Thanksgiving, the Conservation Council of New Brunswick is releasing its new, free BuyLocalNB™ smartphone app!

    Our user-friendly app helps you find delicious and wholesome locally-grown meats and alternatives, fruits, vegetables, grain products and more — all grown or produced right here in New Brunswick! 

    Looking to prepare a local-infused Thanksgiving feast with all the fixings this year? Use the BuyLocalNB™ to source your ingredients within minutes.

    But it’s not just for local food! Looking for furniture with that authentic, hand-carved feel? Or are you on the look-out for a thoughtful gift idea, like the perfect hand-made artisanal craft? Maybe you want environmentally-friendly cleaning supplies or soaps? The BuyLocalNB™ directory has it all, and our new smartphone app puts everything right at your fingertips.

    We also want to help you experience the local food economy through our smartphone app. Use the ‘Visit a Farm’ feature to find a local producer near you — maybe a sugar shack, apple orchard or dairy farm — and arrange a first-hand look at what they do to provide our families with fresh, wholesome, local products. You’ll also find the dozens of farmers markets and local markets adding life and vibrancy to our communities.

    buylocal_ccnbbanner
    The BuyLocalNB™ initiative launched at the Conservation Council in 2009. In 2011, we developed an online local food directory that became and instant favourite of local foodies, with chefs and retailers using our directory to source their products and ingredients.

    We revamped our online food directory last fall, adding a user-friendly searchable database of local growers, producers and retailers.

    Today, the online directory and complementary smarthphone app feature more than 280 local farmers, craftspeople and businesses, with more becoming listed each day!

    The BuyLocalNB™ app is currently available as an Android download. It will be available in iOS soon. (Are you an iOS user who is anxious to try out our new app? Check out the directory at buylocalnb.ca for a preview of what the app can do!)

     Download App

    Why should you shop local with our new BuyLocalNB™ app?  Easy! Supporting local food: 
    •   Supports the provincial economy and the family farm;
    •   Keeps N.B. money in N.B. communities by circulating our food dollars locally;
    •   Protects the environment by decreasing greenhouse gas emissions from transportation;
    •   Strengthens our communities by letting New Brunswickers get to know their local farmers and learn about where their food comes from; and
    •   Proactively increases our public health by providing better access to healthy nutritious food
    Get the new BuyLocalNB™ smarthphone app to download local food to your table today!
  • Call for Nominations: Beth McLaughlin Environmental Journalism Award

    Call for Nominations: Environmental Journalism Award


    The Conservation Council of New Brunswick is pleased to announce nominations are open for our 4th annual Beth McLaughlin Environmental Journalism Award. By recognizing the best environmental reporting, this award seeks to inspire journalists in all media, and showcase reporting that addresses important environmental issues in New Brunswick.

    To be eligible for this year's award, entries must be predominantly about an environmental subject occurring in or affecting New Brunswick, and must have been published, broadcast, or posted in 2018.

    Submit nominations to the CCNB Southeast Chapter Environmental Journalism Award Committee at ccnbsoutheast@gmail.com by July 31, 2019.

    Full details: https://www.conservationcouncil.ca/en/call-for-nominations-2019-beth-mclaughlin-environmental-journalism-award/
  • Call for Nominations: Beth McLaughlin Environmental Journalism Award

    Nominations are now open for the 6th annual Beth McLaughlin Environmental Journalism Award in recognition of in-depth and thoughtful coverage of environmental issues in New Brunswick.
     
    If you have written on an environmental topic, or have been inspired by someone who has, please consider nominating the work for this award. Works published between August 1, 2020 and July 31, 2021 are eligible.
     
    Submit entries by July 31, 2021 to the Conservation Council of New Brunswick, Southeast Chapter Environmental Journalism Award Committee at ccnbsoutheast@gmail.com
     
    The $500 award will be presented in the fall.
     
    Full details are here:
     


  • CCNB Action - Vote for Our Forests

    CCNB Action needs your help to distribute our “Vote for Our Forest” cards. The cards, available in English or French, include 4 questions that you can ask the candidates seeking election in the next provincial election on Sept. 22. The cards can also be displayed in your window or door to show your support for our forest.

    To get copies of the cards, email Tracy at forest@ccnbaction.ca.
    To view the English card, click here.
  • CCNB Celebrates earth day with 2013 eco-heroes announcement

    Conservation Council announces 2013 eco-heroes

     

    For Immediate Release

    April 22, 2013

    http://www.conservationcouncil.ca/conservation-council-announces-2013-eco-heroes/

     

    Fredericton – The Conservation Council of New Brunswick will present its annual Milton F. Gregg Conservation Awards in Fredericton on Saturday, April 27th.

     

    The award for lifetime achievement will be presented to Alma Brooks, a Maliseet grandmother and long-time activist for the Wulustuk River, also known as the Saint John River.

     

    Charles Theriault who uses the power of film to engage New Brunswickers on the threats facing our forest and people will receive the award for environmental activism.

    The Taymouth Community Association will be recognized for their organization's work over 10 years since they purchased the community school and transformed it into a centre of community capacity building, local economic initiatives and social cohesiveness.

     

    The recipients will be honoured on the evening of Saturday, April 27th at the Conservation Council's annual fundraiser and awards nights. This year, CCNB is excited to announce an Eco-Soirée with popular Acadian indie-folk trio, Les Hay Babies. The special event will be held at Memorial Hall, UNB, Fredericton, beginning at 7:30pm.

     

    The Gregg Conservation Award winners are selected by CCNB's Board of Directors from nominations submitted by their membership. The Milton F. Gregg Conservation Awards have been presented annually by the Conservation Council since 1981.

     

    Tickets to the event are available for purchase online, at Conserver House (180 Saint John St, Fredericton), Westminster Books, True Food Organics or by emailing forest@conservationcouncil.ca.

     

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    Contact: Celine Delacroix, Executive Director, 506 458-8747

  • CCNB partners to make Every Day Earth Day

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    MEDIA RELEASE

    FREDERICTON — The Conservation Council of New Brunswick has partnered with Earth Day Canada to help New Brunswickers make eco-friendly choices this April 22 and beyond.

    The province's leading environmental organization will be supplying free materials to schools and teachers and providing event toolkits for groups or individuals looking to organize local events across New Brunswick.

    The Conservation Council is the official N.B. partner of Earth Day Canada and one of several groups collaborating on the campaign across the country.

    The theme of this year's celebration is 'Clean Your Commute,' encouraging Canadians to become VGPs — Very Green People — by embracing green transportation options on April 22.

    Other elements include the 'Earth Day Every Day Campaign.' On April 22, Canadians who signed up will receive an 'Earth Day Every Day' toolkit that will give them ideas for fun ways to reduce and track their environmental footprint over the course of the year.

    Organizers have also created a 2015 Earth Day Flag which will be signed by people from coast-to-coast who have committed to cutting their carbon emissions by 20 per cent by the year 2020. The flag will be presented during the International Climate Conference in Paris in December, re-creating the moment when a similar flag was presented at the U.N. Earth Summit in 1992.

    The Conservation Council will coordinate with New Brunswickers who want to sign the Earth Day Flag.

    Prizes are available for people who participate, post about, and share their Earth Day Canada activities.

    To receive free promotional materials, resources for teachers, event toolkits, or to arrange to sign the 2015 Earth Day Flag, contact Jon MacNeill, Communications Officer with the Conservation Council.
    -30-
  • CCNB: Cancer classification warrants ban on widely-used herbicide

    CCNB: Cancer classification warrants ban on widely-used herbicide


    FREDERICTON — A herbicide sprayed yearly and in large quantities on New Brunswick forests was recently classified as a probable cancer-causing chemical by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), an arm of the World Health Organization. The decision was published in the journal, Lancet Oncology. Glyphosate, sold under various trade names including Roundup, Vision, and Vision Max, is a broad-spectrum weedkiller used in agriculture, silviculture, recreational areas and on lawns. Globally, it is the highest-volume herbicide in use.

    The IARC panel of 17 experts from 11 countries classified glyphosateas a probable carcinogen based on evidence in human and animal studies. Several studies, including one in Canada, have found a link between occupational exposure to glyphosate and increased risk of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

    "Glyphosate can be absorbed into the body and has been detected in the blood and urine of workers handling the chemical,” says Inka Milewski, science advisor for the Conservation Council of New Brunswick. "Glyphosate causes cancer by damaging chromosomes (DNA) which can result in mutations that lead to cancer. But it is not only workers that are affected. The IARC experts cite a 2009 study that found chromosomal damage in residents of several communities after aerial glyphosate spraying."

    Herbicides have been used on New Brunswick forests since the 1970s when pulp and paper companies were first permitted to clearcut natural forest and replace it with plantations. About 13,000 hectares of Crown forest are sprayed each year in the province. Spraying is done by helicopter for about 40 days between August and September, covering roughly 25 per cent of the softwood land cut each year.

    The Conservation Council is calling for a ban on glyphosate use in New Brunswick’s Crown forest. "Health policy and regulations lag way behind the known science of many of the pollutants in our environment. There are plenty of examples where regulators have waited too long before acting to protect public health. Lead, DDT, radon, dioxin and cigarette smoke come to mind," says Milewski.

    Tracy Glynn, forest campaign director for the Conservation Council, says it's time for New Brunswick to ban aerial herbicide spraying in forests. "Quebec banned the use of glyphosate in forestry in 2001 and replaced herbicide use with thinning crews.Nova Scotia recently abandoned the public funding of herbicide spraying of their forest and is moving toward FSC certification of their forest, which would mean no more herbicides in their woods. But here in New Brunswick, we continue to fund silviculture on Crown land that includes spraying, which according to data from Natural Resources Canada, can cost the province about $1,000/ha," says Glynn.

    Three petitions, signed by thousands of New Brunswickers, against herbicide spraying in the forest have been tabled in the New Brunswick Legislature in just over a decade, the most recent in 2011. Kent County residents have recently risked arrest and are facing hefty fines for trying to stop the herbicide spraying of their woods.

    “Creating good jobs and protecting our health and the health of our forest is very important to New Brunswickers,” says Glynn. “Following in our neighbour’s footsteps by using thinning crews instead of chemicals that have been connected to cancer is just good common sense.”
  • Conservation Council of New Brunswick releases policy options to spur climate change conversation

    Press Release

    A Bold, Made-in-New Brunswick Plan to Address Climate Change

    Conservation Council of New Brunswick releases policy options to spur climate change conversation

    July 13, 2016

    Fredericton, N.B. –A new report from the Conservation Council of New Brunswick, released today, offers provincial politicians, environmental policy makers, and citizens a bold vision for New Brunswick. The three-part plan covers electricity, provincial investments, and government policies required to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while keeping bills low and creating jobs for New Brunswickers.

    New Brunswick’s greenhouse gas emissions mostly come from using fossil fuel energy: coal, oil and natural gas to make electricity to heat and cool our homes, and power our appliances and industry, as well as gasoline and diesel to run our vehicles and trucks to move people and goods.

    The Conservation Council’s“Climate Action Plan for NewBrunswick”proposes to reduce these emissions through investments to retrofit our buildings, starting with social and low-income housing; expanding efforts to install renewable energy like solar and wind; and accelerating installation of the Energy Internet (Smart Grid telecommunications) to manage a more distributed electricity load. These investments would help NB Power phase coal out of electricity production over the next 15 years. The Conservation Council’s plan also proposes creating incentives to help New Brunswickers buy electric and energy efficient vehicles and trucks as Ontario and Quebec have done, and modernizing industry and manufacturing to cut waste and pollution.

    Blue-Green Canada, an alliance of labour and environmental groups calculates that for every $1 million invested in the fossil fuel sector two jobs are created, while 15 jobs are created for the same amount in the clean energy sector. Using those figures, New Brunswick could create up to 7,500 jobs a year by investing its climate action dollars in clean energy and energy efficiency retrofits which, in turn, would keep energy bills low for New Brunswickers.

    QUOTES:

    “There is strong scientific consensus that the climate is becoming unbalanced mostly because of human activity (95% - 100% certainty).” – Dr. Louise Comeau, Director of Climate Change and Energy Policy.

    “Post-tropical storm Arthur opened New Brunswickers’ eyes to the reality of climate change. We now know and accept that climate change is a reality. The Conservation Council wants to start a serious conversation about adapting to, and mitigating, the damage to our communities as a result of a rapidly changing climate.” – Dr. Louise Comeau, Director of Climate Change and Energy Policy.

    “We need a comprehensive climate action plan that helps New Brunswick do its fair share so others will too. We need to work together because we can’t protect the people and communities we care about from extreme changes to the climate without partnering to drastically cut greenhouse gas pollution.” - Dr. Louise Comeau, Director of Climate Change and Energy Policy.

    “New Brunswick needs to implement policies and programs that are fair and cut waste by making polluters use clean energy and practice more sustainable agriculture and forestry.” – Dr. Louise Comeau, Director of Climate Change and Energy Policy.

    “If we act together, we can limit the risks to our health and communities from a more extreme climate.” – Dr. Louise Comeau, Director of Climate Change and Energy Policy.

    Key Facts:

    • New Brunswick is the second most electricity-dependent economy in Canada behind Québec. As a regional energy hub, New Brunswick is well positioned to become a clean energy leader by investing heavily in NB Power’s Smart Grid technology to give the electricity system the capacity it needs to significantly increase the supply of renewable energy, phase out coal-fired generating stations, and provide load balancing services to Nova Scotia, PEI, and New England.

    • Global investments in clean energy are increasing, spurring increased employment in the sector while the costs of clean energy have decreased significantly. Canada hasn’t kept pace, investing only $4 billion CND in 2015 while global investments in clean energy reached $325 billion USD, according to Clean Energy Canada’s Tracking the Energy Revolution 2016 report.

    • In 2015, the Atlantic Premiers and New England Governors agreed to cut greenhouse gas emissions 35% to 45% below 1990 levels by 2030. New Brunswick’s contribution to meeting that goal is to eliminate 6.5 million tonnes from our carbon budget. Almost 40% of those reductions can be achieved by phasing out coal to generate electricity, as Ontario has already done and Alberta will do by 2030.

    The Conservation Council of New Brunswick (conservationcouncil.ca) has been at the forefront of environmental protection in New Brunswick since 1969.We are a non-profit organization that creates awareness of environmental problems and advances practical solutions through research, education and interventions.


    Contact: Mike Girard

    Office: 506-458-8747

    E-mail: mike.girard@conservationcouncil.ca
  • Conservation Council of New Brunswick's statement on Provincial Protection Strategy

    Oct. 14 2016

    Attention News Editors: Lois Corbett, Executive Director of the Conservation Council of New Brunswick, issued the following statement about the Department of Environment and Local Government’s report, Working Together to Build a Water Strategy for New Brunswick - Summary of Comments, released today. She is available for comment.

    The Summary of Comments report documents the feedback from public information sessions, stakeholder sessions held across the province, and online and written submissions to the Department of Environment in response to the March 1, 2016, Discussion Paper, Working Together to Build a Water Strategy for New Brunswick.

    The Minister also announced that the Department is establishing a technical working group to provide recommendations on water classification.

    “The report has fairly captured the importance of protecting New Brunswick's precious water. The advice from the public, and the wealth of first-hand experience included in its pages from those working on the front lines provides a clear call to work together to produce a modern, effective and efficient water protection strategy,” said Corbett.

    The Conservation Council knows that a comprehensive water protection strategy for New Brunswick will:
    • be science-based, involving baseline data, cumulative impacts, e-flows (the minimum amount of water required to sustain aquatic life in rivers and streams), and be tailored to meet the needs of each of the 13 watersheds in N.B.;
    • set goals for water quality objectives;
    • protect both surface waters (lakes, streams, rivers) and groundwater as well as our marine coastal areas;
    • be enforceable with a modern legal framework, including water classification for the province's rivers;
    • be transparent, involving consultations with First Nations, businesses, farmers, municipal officials and citizens; and,
    • be accountable, involving monitoring and regular reporting to the public on the progress of goals and objectives outlined in the water protection strategy.
    “We are especially pleased to see the Minister is committed to water classification as a critical part of an overall water protection strategy by setting up a technical advisory group. I was encouraged to see support for this and for all the other important elements reflected in the Summary Comments paper. This clears the way for the government to create a comprehensive and progressive strategy, one based in modern law,” said Corbett.

    -30-

    Read the report, Working Together to Build a Water Strategy for New Brunswick: Summary of Comments, here.

    Read the original March 1, 2016, Discussion Paper, Working Together to Build a Water Strategy for New Brunswick, here.

    To arrange an interview, contact:

    Emily McPhee, Communications

    Office: 458-8747
    Cell: (639) 571-3388
    Email: emily.mcphee@conservationcouncil.ca
  • Conservation Council responds to Sisson Mine EIA approval

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
    Thursday, Dec. 3, 2015

    FREDERICTON —
     Stephanie Merrill, Director of Freshwater Protection with the Conservation Council of New Brunswick, issued the following statement in response to the Department of Environment’s approval of the Sisson Mine Environmental Impact Assessment:

    “I’m surprised by today’s announcement considering it’s been made in a vacuum. Final approval of this project is a joint process between the provincial and federal government — but we’re still waiting on the review from the feds, and there are outstanding parts of that review that we’re committed to participating in.

    The province also has not released the summary of the Independent Review Panel to the public, as it’s required to do by law. The summary needs to be released right away for the sake of transparency, otherwise our government is playing fast and loose with the rules that let people participate in this process.

    The company behind the mine proposal, Sisson Mines Ltd, is still far from securing the financing needed to move forward with the project, and no public financing accounts have been released. At best, today’s announcement is a signal that the province is open to business, but in reality, you can put lipstick on a pig, but it’s still a pig.

    The conditions of approval are vague when it comes to critical issues like emergency planning, the security of the tailings dam, and liability. Most striking, we’re letting the fox guard the henhouse by leaving the responsibility to protect the Nashwaak River and watershed directly in the hands of the company. Even the International Council on Mining —  composed of the world’s largest companies — said yesterday that the control standards for tailing facilities are inadequate and the council would be reviewing and revising its standards.

    We’ve seen at least three major tailings disasters in the past year and a half — at Mount Polley in B.C., the Buenavista del Cobre mine in Mexico, and most recently in Brazil,  where 16 people died and the Brazilian government announced yesterday a $5.2 (billion) USD billion lawsuit against the company responsible.

    First and foremost at this point, we call on the province to release the summary report of the Independent Review Panel so New Brunswickers know what the experts in the scientific community have to say about this project proposal.”
    -30-

    For more information or to arrange an interview, contact:

    Jon MacNeill, Conservation Council of New Brunswick: 458-8747 | 261-1353 |jon.macneill@conservationcouncil.ca
  • Conservation Council's Fundy Baykeeper on the appointment of the panel to review the proposed Energy East Pipeline




    PRESS RELEASE

    STATEMENT BY CONSERVATION COUNCIL'S MATT ABBOTT ON THE APPOINTMENT OF THE PANEL TO REVIEW THE PROPOSED ENERGY EAST PIPELINE

    January 10, 2017

    (Fredericton, NB) The Conservation Council’s Fundy Baykeeper says it should be “back to the drawing board” for the review of the proposed Energy East pipeline project, the largest ever pipeline proposed in Canada – one that would cross over 300 rivers and streams in New Brunswick and would export oil from its terminus in Saint John by supertanker across the Bay of Fundy and down through the Gulf of Maine.

    “The announcement of the replacement of the project’s review panel members is but one small part of a complicated, and sorely discredited, process,” said Matt Abbott.

    “Federal Natural Resources Minister Jim Carr announced an expert panel in November to make recommendations on how the NEB can be modernized, especially with respect to First Nations consultation and support, improved public participation, credible information on the potential impact to Canada’s water systems, including the Bay of Fundy, and squaring oil export with Canada’s plan to reduce carbon pollution,” said Abbott.

    “It’s difficult to see how the new panel could embark on any credible process without first seeing the results of the modernization review.“

    CCNB first called for a restart of the project review in August, when conflict of interest allegations forced suspension of public hearings and the eventual recusal of the former EE review panel members.

    Unresolved issues with respect to any review on the proposed pipeline include whether or not new panel members will hear from scientists, First Nations and environmental groups and fishermen from New Brunswick; whether they will extend the impact zone under review to include the whole Bay of Fundy and whether they will require a complete analysis of both the business case for the pipeline and the impact of eventual spills from it on the natural environment, said Abbott.

    -30-

    To arrange an interview contact Matt Abbott at (506) 321-0429

    For more information on how the proposed Energy East pipeline would affect the Bay of Fundy, read the National Resource Defense Council’s report on tanker traffic in the Bay of Fundy: Sensitive Marine Ecosystems Threatened by Energy East’s ‘Aquatic Pipeline’.

    For a full list of New Brunswick waterways at risk from Energy East, check out our interactive map.

    For more information on the risks of Energy East to the communities of the Bay of Fundy and Gulf of Maine, read the Conservation Council’s report: Tanker Traffic and Tar Balls: What TransCanada’s Energy East Pipeline Means for the Bay of Fundy and Gulf of Maine.
  • Est-ce que les résidents de Fredericton pourront demander à TransCanada quels sont les risques d’un déversement de l’oléoduc Énergie Est dans leur eau potable?

    PUBLICATION IMMÉDIATE            COMMUNIQUÉ                                  12 MARS 2015

    Est-ce que les résidents de Fredericton pourront demander à TransCanada quels sont les risques d’un déversement de l’oléoduc Énergie Est dans leur eau potable?

    FREDERICTON – TransCanada refuse d’organiser une réunion publique pour les résidents de Fredericton, alors que cette compagnie se prépare à rencontrer pour la deuxième fois en un an la communauté des affaires.

    Kevin Maloney d’Oléoduc TransCanada prévoit faire une présentation matinale à la Chambre de commerce de Fredericton le 17 mars 2015 au Palais des congrès de Fredericton de 8 heures à 9 heures.  À titre de gérant de la construction du nouvel oléoduc – Ontario & Nouveau-Brunswick, Maloney veut mettre à jour la communauté des affaires sur les progrès de la proposition de l’Oléoduc Énergie Est.

    Cette annonce arrive seulement deux semaines après que la population a appris que TransCanada avait fait parvenir une lettre à la Ville de Fredericton pour refuser la requête du Conseil de la ville d’organiser une rencontre publique pour ses citoyens.  Dans une lettre du 11 février 2015, Patrick Lacroix, gérant du projet de TransCanada Énergie-Est, expliquait la position de sa compagnie : « Nous demeurons concentrés sur les collectivités et les propriétaires directement affectés par l’itinéraire de l’oléoduc, » laissant entendre que Fredericton ne serait pas directement affecté par l’oléoduc.

    La lettre de TransCanada ne mentionne pas que la compagnie a participé à des rencontres avec la communauté des affaires de Fredericton.  Philippe Cannon de TransCanada a fait une présentation sur la sécurité publique et les impacts économiques de l’oléoduc proposé à la Chambre de commerce de Fredericton, au Club Rotary de Fredericton Nord et au maire Brad Woodside le 17 mars 2014.

    Cette contradiction a incité plusieurs membres du Chapitre Fredericton du Conseil des Canadiens de contacter la Chambre de commerce de Fredericton pour lui demander d’ouvrir la rencontre au public.  Une des membres du Conseil, Marzipan Trahms, explique : « Il est injuste que TransCanada rencontre la communauté des affaires de Fredericton mais refuse de rencontrer les citoyens de Fredericton.  Cette façon de se comporter n’est pas bonne pour établir la confiance.  J’ai exprimé mes inquiétudes au président de la Chambre, Joseph O’Donnell et il m’a assuré que la population était la bienvenue à la présentation matinale. »

    Maggie Connell, vice-présidente du Chapitre Fredericton du Conseil des Canadiens ne cache pas sa satisfaction avec ce changement, « On doit féliciter la Chambre de commerce de Fredericton d’avoir ouvert cette rencontre au public.  Nous avons hâte d’entendre comment TransCanada va s’occuper d’une manière ouverte et honnête de nos inquiétudes concernant les risques pour notre approvisionnement en eau potable. »

    « La question que nous posons à TransCanada est très simple : « Où aboutira un déversement dans la Nashwaak? » affirme madame Connell.  « Va-t-on préparer une modélisation informatique pour prédire si oui ou non des produits toxiques provenant d’un déversement de pétrole atteindra l’aval de la Nashwaak, l’endroit critique d’ouvertures vers l’aquifère de Fredericton?

    Don McDonald un résident de Stanley est tellement inquiet de l’impact d’un déversement dans les cours d’eau où il pêche depuis toujours, la Nashwaak et la Miramichi du Sud-ouest, qu’il a demandé il y a une semaine d’être entendu comme intervenant aux audiences de l’Office national de l’Énergie.  « Le bras sud de la Miramichi du Sud-ouest, la Taxis et ses tributaires et le lac Brook se déversent dans la Miramichi du Sud-ouest.  Le ruisseau McGivney et le ruisseau Brook se déversent dans le ruisseau Cross et ensuite dans la Nashwaak pour aboutir dans le fleuve Saint-Jean. »

    Monsieur McDonald a souligné les risques élevés pour Fredericton, « Le trajet proposé pour l’oléoduc traverse trois tributaires qui se déversent dans la Nashwaak.  Le débit habituellement élevé du ruisseau Cross et de la Nashwaak signifie qu’un déversement qui pourrait survenir dans le milieu de la nuit et ne serait détecté que le matin, au moment où le déversement arriverait à Fredericton. »

    Don se prépare à participer à la présentation de TransCanada et veut poser la question suivante : « Combien de pétrole l’oléoduc doit-il déverser avant que l’on s’en aperçoive et avec quelle précision peut-on identifier l’endroit du déversement?  Ce sont des questions importantes concernant les déversements.  Par exemple, nous avons besoin de connaitre le type d’équipement de télédétection qui sera utilisé et quelles seront les exigences pour les vannes d’arrêt au franchissement des cours d’eau?  Est-ce que ces vannes pourront se fermer automatiquement? »

    Elizabeth Hamilton, membre du chapitre de Fredericton du Conseil des Canadiens résume pourquoi son groupe est si préoccupé à propos de cet oléoduc.  Une étude indépendante commandée par une municipalité du Québec a trouvé que des déversements d’Énergie Est aussi importants que 2,6 millions de litres par jour peuvent passer inaperçus.  Et le bitume dilué que TransCanada prévoit pomper dans cet oléoduc est rempli de produits chimiques cancérogènes et coule immédiatement au fond des cours d’eau.

    « Nous connaissons de véritables déversements qui démontrent que nos inquiétudes sont fondées,» affirme Madame Hamilton.  « Une quantité estimée à 3,8 millions de litres de sables bitumineux dilués ont été déversés dans une section de 60 kilomètres de la Kalamazoo au Michigan en juillet 2010, obligeant ainsi des centaines de résidents à déménager.  Même après 4 années de nettoyage au cout de 1,3 milliard de dollars, il reste encore environ 600 000 litres de pétrole coincés au fond de la Kalamazoo. »

    Madame Hamilton conclut : « Notre inquiétude est qu’un grand déversement de l’oléoduc dans la Nashwaak se retrouverait jusqu’à Fredericton.  Nous devons penser en premier et surtout à la protection de notre eau potable. »

    PERSONNES RESSOURCES POUR LES MÉDIAS:

    Maggie Connell        506.459.8081

    Marzipan Trahms     506.454.6410

    LIEN: Journée de la présentation – Oléoduc Énergie-Est

    http://business.frederictonchamber.ca/events/details/presentation-day-the-energy-east-pipeline-come-get-the-latest-update-on-its-progress-163
  • Local Food Celebration: CCNB Fundraiser

    Join us for our annual local food celebration at the Conservation Council Southeast Chapter’s 100-Mile Dinner Fundraiser.

    This popular event takes place on Sunday, Oct. 14 from 5-8 p.m. at Dolma Food, 251 St. George St. (second floor) in Moncton.

    Tickets are $25 in advance or $30 at the door. You can buy tickets online here, at the Dolma Food stores in Moncton and Dieppe, or by contacting Anita atccnbsoutheast@gmail.com or 506-859-8104. The 100-Mile Dinner gathers friends, neighbours and community members to celebrate with a locally-sourced tapas buffet (including vegetarian options), guest speakers, a live auction, draw prizes, and presentation of the third annual Beth McLaughlin Environmental Journalism Award. If you have items you’d like to donate to the auction, please contact Anita atccnbsoutheast@gmail.com or Dave at 506-859-8104. Seating is limited so get your tickets today!
  • Making it Happen: COP21 in Paris | A special edition of EcoAlert Magazine


    The Conservation Council of New Brunswick has released a new special edition of its membership magazine,
    EcoAlert: <2° — Making it Happen at COP21 in Paris.


    This special edition will help you cut through the jargon and technicalities of international climate negotiations to understand:What the heck is COP21 in Paris? What’s it all about? What does the fight against climate change mean for me, our province, and Canada as a whole?


    • In this issue: •the road to locally-made clean energy in NB • charting the course toward a low-carbon economy • a brief history of international climate negotiations • best and the rest: countries’ climate plans heading into COP21 • how you can live greener and cleaner at home and work • and more


    Click here to download a PDF version of this issue, or head toour archives for past editions.
  • Media Advisory: CCNB available for comment on new report calling on federal government to phase-out coal powered electricity generation by 2030

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    Media Advisory

    CCNB available for comment on new report calling on federal government 
    to phase-out coal powered electricity generation by 2030

    What: Dr. Louise Comeau, the Conservation Council’s Director of Climate Change and Energy Solutions, will be available to respond to questions about a new report, Out with the coal, in with the new: National benefits of an accelerated phase-out of coal-fired power. The report will be released in Ottawa by the Pembina Institute in collaboration with CCNB and other health and environmental groups. The report assesses the potential health and climate change benefits from phasing coal out of electricity production by 2030.

    When: Monday, November 21, 2016, 11 am. Atlantic

    Who: Dr. Louise Comeau Director of Climate Change and Energy Solutions.

    Where: Conservation Council of New Brunswick, 180 St. John St., Fredericton, NB

    Why: Burning coal to generate electricity contributes to air pollution affecting human health, as well as climate change through high levels of greenhouse gases per MWh of electricity produced. There is a global movement away from coal to secure health and climate protection benefits. We are asking the federal Government to announce an accelerated coal phase-out in the lead up to First Ministers meeting in Ottawa December 9, 2016.

    Contacts:Louise Comeau, louise.comeau@conservationcouncil.ca506 238 0355
    Barb MacKinnon, New Brunswick Lung Association, barb.mackinnon@nb.lung.ca506 455 8961
  • NB Power fossil plants causing six per cent increase in planet-warming emissions from New Brunswick in 2021

    Traditional territory of the Wabanaki Peoples/Fredericton — New Brunswick’s greenhouse gas emissions increased 700,000 tonnes from 2020 to 2021, a six per cent increase, due to increased emissions in the electricity sector, according to Environment and Climate Change Canada’s 2023 National Inventory Report 1990 – 2021: Greenhouse Gas Sources and Sinks in Canada.

    New Brunswick’s planet-warming greenhouse gases increased from 11.2 million tonnes in 2020 to 11.9 million tonnes in 2021, the latest year for which data is available. A detailed break out of emissions across all economic sectors in the province shows that the entire increase in emissions is from the electricity sector

    “Burning fossil fuels to generate electricity must end,” says Louise Comeau, co-executive director at the Conservation Council. “Making money off planet-warming energy sources is unethical. It increases our carbon tax liability and puts our future at risk. The time is now to switch off the fossil plants in favour of renewable energy, storage, interties and efficiency.”

    The 700,000-tonne increase from New Brunswick’s electricity sector represents an annual rise of 26 per cent, from 2.7 million tonnes in 2020 to 3.4 million tonnes in 2021. The increase was driven by increases in emissions at the Coleson Cove Generating Station (up 47 per cent, or 730,000 tonnes in 2020 to 1,070,000 in 2021), the Belledune Generating Station (up 22 per cent, or 1,140,000 tonnes to 1,390,000 tonnes), and the Bayside Generating Station (up 11 per cent, or 830,000 tonnes to 920,000 tonnes).

    The Point Lepreau Generating station was largely operational in 2021, with three short-term outages in February, April and November, leading to a 7 per cent decline in megawatt hours of power production.  Wind power production was down 21 per cent due to base cracks at Kent Hills. These outages increase reliance on New Brunswick’s fossil plants or on imports from Quebec or New England.  According to Environment and Climate Change Canada, in 2021 electricity production at Belledune was up 23 per cent (1440 GWh in 2021, compared to 1140 GWh in 2020), up 15 per cent at Bayside (1580 GWh in 2021, compared to 1380 GWh in 2020), and up 34 per cent at Coleson Cove (940 GWh in 2021, compared to 700 GWh in 2020). Greenhouse gas intensity increased to 290 grams/carbon dioxide/kWh from 230 grams/carbon dioxide/kWh in 2020.

    In 2021, NB Power also increased export sales which can contribute to increased use of the utility’s fossil fuel plants. NB Power’s 2021-2022 annual report shows a 52 per cent increase in export sales ($558 million in 2021-2022 from $369 million in 2020-2021), and a 35 per cent increase in gigawatt hours of production (6,175 GWh  in 2021-2022 from 4,576 GWh in 2020-2021). 

    Emissions increases year-over-year are a concern even if long-term trends are still downward. New Brunswick’s greenhouse gas emissions are down 39 per cent from 2005 and 7 per cent from 2019.  Similar trends to 2021 are expected for 2022, signalling the importance of controlling electricity sector emissions through actions like a federal clean electricity regulation. 

    As Earth Day (April 22) approaches, the Conservation Council calls for a clean electricity strategy that ensures New Brunswick has a reliable, sustainable and affordable electricity system with the right balance of in-province efficiency, wind, solar, hydro and storage, along with regional transmission interties like the Atlantic Loop.

    To arrange an interview, contact:

     Jon MacNeill, communications director, Conservation Council of New Brunswick, 506-238-3539 |jon.macneill@conservationcouncil.ca

  • One thing we can all agree on: protecting nature in N.B.

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    New Brunswick may be facing an uncertain political future, but there is one topic that all New Brunswick MLAs, new and old, can agree on: the need to protect nature and the natural beauty of our province.

    Right now, 95 per cent of New Brunswick’s land and water is unprotected, leaving vital ecosystems vulnerable to development, climate change and pollution.

    We can change this, and right now is the time to do it.

    Canada has made an international commitment to protect 17 per cent of its landscape by 2020. New Brunswick needs to do its fair share to help the country hit this target. That’s why we need you — or, rather, why your MLA needs to hear from you.

    The Conservation Council is joining forces with Nature Canada, the Nature Trust of New Brunswick, Nature NB, and the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society NB Chapter in calling on our members to write their MLA and provincial political party leaders to speak up for nature protection in N.B.

    We’ve made it easy for you to do your part.

    Simply fill out the form below to send our pre-written letter (which you can edit freely) to your MLA and each of the party leaders. Not sure who your MLA is? No problem — just fill in the postal code field below, we’ll take care of the rest.

    Regardless of which party forms the government, let’s make sure every Member of the Legislative Assembly knows that protecting nature in New Brunswick is something we can all agree on. Send your letter today!

    Click here to send your letter today!

  • Say no to shale gas in N.B. — send your letter today!

    Frack Letter BY
    We need to speak up for the health and safety of New Brunswickers.

    Premier Blaine Higgs says his minority Progressive Conservative government will end the province-wide moratorium on hydraulic fracturing and allow the controversial and risky process in the Sussex region. And Premier Higgs wants to do it fast — before the New Year.

    Use your voice to let the Premier know this is bad public policy. The Conservation Council has launched an easy-to-use letter-writing tool so you can have your say on fracking to your local Member of the Legislative Assembly, Premier Higgs, and all political party leaders.

    Click here to send our pre-written letter (which you can edit freely) today.

    Why should I send my #noshalegas letter?

    New Brunswickers know that climate change is here, now, and already impacting our communities. It is time to diversify our energy toward the huge potential of renewable sources and turn the page on the fossil fuels causing climate change and impacting our health.

    Fracking is not worth the risks it poses to our drinking water, our environment, or our health and safety.

    There are now more than 1,300 scientific studies, journalistic investigations and government regulatory reports on every aspect of shale gas extraction. The overwhelming majority of them substantiate the threats that the industry poses towards public health, water and the environment, and climate change.

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    *Picture: Families, farmers, and New Brunswickers of all walks of life rally to protect their health and water from the threat of shale gas development.

    Climate change

    Burning oil, coal and gas is not good for our health. These energy sources pollute the air we breathe, contaminate the water we drink, and unbalance the climate we depend on. Renewable energy using solar, wind, hydro or other technologies is a clean way to deliver the power we need. Renewing our energy system lowers air pollution, protects water, and helps slow climate change.  The good news is that we have what it takes to renew our energy system.

    This is where the good jobs are headed. Canadians know energy, and we have the can-do attitude and skills needed to build the renewable energy system almost all Canadians want. The most competitive economies are heavily investing in their clean energy sectors. Shifting to more energy-efficient and clean forms of renewable energy to power our economy is the surest way to maintain Canadian jobs and create new economic opportunities for New Brunswickers. Our province can accelerate the renewal of its energy system by developing its abundant renewable energy sources. And, in doing so, we join the growing group of forward-thinking jurisdictions creating opportunities for workers, businesses and communities.

    Water and air pollution

    Methane, fracking fluids and other drilling chemicals have been proven to enter waterways via leaking wells, spills, pipeline breaks, well blowouts, truck accidents and floods.  In addition to making water wells undrinkable and causing illnesses, contaminated waters have killed farm animals, wildlife, fish, vegetation and have left farmlands unusable. Many studies have linked airborne illnesses to density and nearness of gas wells, some documenting problems up to 4km from wells.  Because airborne pollution can be inhaled, swallowed, and also reach the skin, it has emerged as one of the primary public health concerns.  Other shale gas chemicals have created ground-level ozone over 300 km from the source, aggravating asthma, respiratory diseases and causing irreparable lung damage. These are just a few of the risks fracking poses to New Brunswickers. To learn more, check out these helpful resources:

    Recommended resources:

  • Send a letter to your MLA and Premier Brian Gallant on protecting our Acadian forest

    The Conservation Council has launched a petition and made it easy for you to send a letter to your MLA and Premier Brian Gallant on protecting our Acadian forest. Action Alert Deadline: April 2, 2015

    The petition and the letter asks our MLAs to support four actions for our forest:

    1. Modernized forest legislation that protects our waters and wildlife, ensures transparent forest management and creates a wider range of forest-based jobs;

    2. Giving back the primary source of supply to our mills to our woodlot owners who are struggling;

    3. Abandonment of the 2014 forest plan that New Brunswickers from diverse backgrounds, including conservationists, scientists, economists, woodlot owners and diverse forest users, oppose;

    4. Debate in the Legislature on the forest plan by supporting the second reading of MLA David Coon's forestry bill, An Act to Return to the Crown Certain Rights Related to Wood Supply and Forest Management.

    Please write a letter to your MLAand help us collect many signatures to our petition. Letters and petitions (hard copy originals only, no copies) must be returned to 180 Saint John St., Fredericton, NB E3B 4A9 by April 2.

    Thank you for taking action for our forest.
    Tracy

    Conservation Council of New Brunswick /
    Conseil de conservation du Nouveau-Brunswick
    180 Saint John St.,
    Fredericton, NB
    E3B 4A9
    Tel: 506 458-8747
    Email: forest@conservationcouncil.ca

    www.conservationcouncil.ca
    www.acadianforest.ca

    Facebook: Save the Acadian Forest
    Twitter: @acadianforest
  • Swim Guide launches third version of water quality app

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    PRESS RELEASE

    Swim Guide launches third version of water quality app

    July 6, 2017


    (FREDERICTON) -- Getting ready for beach time in New Brunswick? Before you go, download the brand-new version of the Swim Guide app.

    With over a million users worldwide, the popular (and free!) application gives beachgoers access to the latest water quality monitoring results for their favourite beaches, along with descriptions, photos, and directions.

    New in 2017

    The 2017 update means Swim Guide is now available in French, English and Spanish. It includes information for over 7,000 beaches in Canada, the United States, Mexico and New Zealand, and has individual entries for over two dozen New Brunswick beaches.

    What’s in it and Why is it Helpful?

    Swim Guide lets people browse the map or search for a beach by name.  Each beach has a description that list amenities, informs you about lifeguards, provides tips about where to park and other valuable information.

    If you don’t know your way to the beach, don’t worry, the app also provides directions whether you’re walking, cycling, driving, or taking transit.

    Using Swim Guide

    Every beach in Swim Guide is marked with an icon that easily lets you know if the water quality is safe for swimming.
    • Green means the beach’s most recent test results met relevant water quality standards.
    • Red means the beach’s most recent test results failed to meet water quality standards.
    • Grey means water quality information for the beach is too old (more than 7 days old) to be considered current, or that info is unavailable, or unreliable.
    The water quality data for NB destinations comes from the Department of Environment and Local Government’s website, and is uploaded to Swim Guide by the Conservation Council. Each beach has a “Source” section which details how the data was obtained.

    Quotes

    “Since launching Swim Guide in 2011 our goal has been to make water quality information simple to access and easy to understand, for as many people as possible. In addition to improving the search, design, and data presentation with this latest version of the iOS app, we are incredibly proud to be able to provide this service in multiple languages so that even more beach lovers can easily find all of the information they need to have a great day on the water.” - Mark Mattson, President, Swim Drink Fish Canada 

    “The new Swim Guide is timely and evidence-based. We hope NB citizens and visitors love it as much as we do. Its clear information about when and where our beaches are monitored will also help us identify sources of water pollution so that together we can act to protect healthy waters and sustainable communities.” Lois Corbett, Executive Director, Conservation Council of New Brunswick

    About Swim Guide

    Swim Guide was developed by Swim Drink Fish Canada (previously a project of Lake Ontario Waterkeeper), a non-profit organization based in Toronto, with the goal to ensure that 100 per cent of Canadians have access to basic data about the health of their watersheds. The group just released the first-ever Canada Beach Report, which was created in collaboration with Waterkeepers, Riverkeepers and Baykeepers across Canada, including the Conservation Council.

    For more information, see these resources:
    Want to check it out for yourself? Download the iOS version for your Apple product or the Android app for your smartphone.

    To arrange an interview, contact: Corey Robichaud, Communications Officer, corey.robichaud@conservationcouncil.ca506-458-8747.
  • Wildlife, forestry and conservation groups join with scientists and academics to call for new Crown Lands and Forests Act

    FREDERICTON — A broad range of public interest groups and experts in New Brunswick says new legislation is needed to ensure our public forests are being managed to meet the needs of all New Brunswickers.

    The group, which includes representatives from wildlife organizations, the scientific community, private woodlot owners, environmental and conservation organizations, is calling for the urgent development of a new Crown Lands and Forests Act.

    In a statement sent to the provincial government today, the group says the existing act, which came into law in 1980, fosters an outdated approach to forest management and fails to reflect the interests of the whole province. Forest management has become more complex, and New Brunswickers now expect forests to be managed for water, wildlife, recreation and other uses as well as jobs and revenue.

    The statement referenced Auditor General Kim MacPherson’s June 2015 report on forest management, which stated our public forest should be managed for economic, environmental and social values, and highlighted that the province has lost money from the management of public forests for at least the last five years.

    The group says new forest legislation should:

    (1) State clear principles for managing public forests to protect the range of life in the forest, nature’s benefits, a wide variety of sustainable, forest-based business opportunities, and recreational values all in the context of climate change;

    (2) Clarify and reinstate government as the trustee responsible to the public for the stewardship of Crown lands;

    (3) Ensure transparency in setting forestry goals and objectives, and in achieving them, including a robust system of public involvement and consultation throughout the process;

    (4) Respect the Peace and Friendship Treaties and establish mechanisms for consultation through free, prior, and informed consent with indigenous peoples;

    (5) Support diversification and value-added processing within New Brunswick’s forest products sector; and,

    (6) Ensure that private woodlots provide a proportional share of the wood supply and promote productivity from private woodlots through stronger management, pricing and marketing measures.

    Read the group’s statement and background information here.

    -30-

    “Our membership is convinced that opening more conservation land to harvesting of trees in sensitive, stream buffers could endanger vulnerable Atlantic salmon populations by damaging the habitats upon which they depend. It is appalling that such a sweeping change to the forest management regime was forced upon us without any discussion with the concerned watershed groups and conservation groups.   We have deepened our commitment to work cooperatively with the provincial government, First Nations, the forest industry, scientists, conservation organizations and other interest groups to better manage our Crown resources,” says Debbie Norton, President of NB Salmon Council.

    “What’s really significant here is the broad range of people who are coming together and saying, ‘this act doesn’t work for us anymore — it doesn’t work for the good of the province. Our forests are very special to New Brunswickers, so when this many people and different types of experts are saying something is broken, it’s time to fix it,” says Lois Corbett, Executive Director of the Conservation Council of New Brunswick.

    “Naturalists from across New Brunswick are very concerned about the lack of attention the province pays to wildlife and habitat in our public forests. We see the consequences of this every day, we are ready to work with government in developing a new act that better protects New Brunswick nature,” says Vanessa Roy-McDougall, Executive Director of Nature NB.

    “NB lags behind all provinces in Canada except PEI when it comes to protecting nature. New legislation could carefully craft new directives about how to balance investments in forest conservation and other economic interests,” says Roberta Clowater, Executive Director of Canadians Parks and Wilderness – New Brunswick.

    “The fundamental flaw in the act is that industrial consumers of wood were made managers of crown land and not customers, there are conflicts of interest, that can only be resolved by creating a new CFLA.Wood lot owners believe that the people harvesting crown wood should have a common interest with us in getting fair market value for  logs and other forest products. It is time to correct the mistakes of the past for the good of all N.B.,” says Andrew Clark of the New Brunswick Federation of Woodlot Owners.

    “The New Brunswick Wildlife Federation supports the use of public forests in the province to provide a variety of social and economic benefits. However, those uses should not compromise the integrity of natural habitats and biodiversity,” says Charles LeBlanc, President of the New Brunswick Wildlife Federation.

    For more information or to arrange an interview, contact:

    Jon MacNeill, Conservation Council of New Brunswick: 458-8747 | 261-1353 | jon.macneill@conservationcouncil.ca  

    Sabine Dietz, Nature NB: 536-1260 | 536-7560 | sabine.dietz@bellaliant.net (bilingual)

    Andrew Clark, New Brunswick Federation of Woodlot Owners: 459-2990 | 324-3380 | andrewclark@xplornet.com

    Peter J Cronin, NB Salmon Council: 444-9012 | 238-4616 | pjcronin18@gmail.com

    Roberta Clowater, Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, NB Chapter: 452-9902 | rclowater@cpaws.org

    Rod Currie, New Brunswick Wildlife Federation: 458-5643 | racurrie@nb.sympatico.ca
 © 2018 NBEN / RENB