The Saint Croix Courier

St. Stephen, NB


2006 August 15

Town calling on UMNB to oppose LNG in Passamaquoddy Bay

By BARB RAYNER

ST. ANDREWS — The town is calling on the Union of Municipalities of New Brunswick to join the municipalities in Charlotte County in requesting action from the federal government to ban liquefied natural gas (LNG) tankers from travelling through Head Harbour Passage.

The resolution, which was approved at last Tuesday night's town council meeting, notes that Head Harbour Passage are sovereign waters of Canada and travel through here is considered a most dangerous route because of the frequent adverse weather conditions and tidal action.

It also notes that Passamaquoddy Bay is an ecologically sensitive body of water which would suffer irreversible damage through industrialization brought on by LNG development.

The resolution goes on to state that the economy of southern New Brunswick is heavily based on tourism so the transportation and storage of LNG in Passamaquoddy Bay would place this vibrant and sustainable industry in jeopardy.

It points out that since Passamaquoddy Bay has a strong commercial fishery the security requirements necessitated by the passage of LNG tankers and their additional support vessels would impede the free movement of Canadian fishing vessels as well as all other boat traffic.

Finally, the resolution notes that the cost of the infrastructure to support the development of LNG would be an insurmountable burden on the rural communities of southern New Brunswick.

Later in the meeting Councillor Mike Craig said he had to chastise the federal government for not acting on LNG a lot faster than they have. He said they say they have done what they can but he feels they have to go a step further.

Councillor Mary Myers reminded everyone about the LNG information meeting to be held Aug 31 at the Anglican Church when speakers will be Janice Harvey of Save Passamaquoddy Bay/Canada and Clifford Goudy, who is a professor of marine engineering at MIT.

"Please people don't think that this is not important. This is not over by a long shot and we still need to do a lot of work to get this finished."

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© 2006 Advocate Media
Article republished on Save Passamaquoddy Bay website with permission.

The Saint Croix Courier, St. Stephen, NB