Up to $3M announced to improve Parlee Beach water quality

The provincial and federal governments will spend up to $3 million on Parlee Beach infrastructure and studies aimed at improving the water, they announced Wednesday.

The beach will also be declared a "unique feature of the environment," which means developments that might have an impact on Parlee water quality will trigger an automatic review by the Department of Environment and Local Government to see if an environmental impact assessment is necessary.

The province announced new funding of $1.2 million, in addition to $253,000 previously announced through the Environmental Trust Fund.

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The federal government is pitching in $828,000 through the gas tax fund to upgrade wastewater infrastructure in Pointe-du-Chêne. The figure includes the approval up to $850,000 for the Greater Shediac Sewerage Commission for lift station upgrades.

Picking up dog poop is not going to get to the bottom of that problem.- Natasha Bell, Cap-Pelé

Other projects include an upgrade to the Parlee Beach Provincial Park sewage lift stations, upgrading pump-out stations for boats, education and enforcement of dog care at the beach, installation of buoys farther from the swimming area and upgrades to the Murray Beach sewage lagoon.

Several studies will be conducted, including a monitoring of outfall pipes in Shediac Bay to determine the impact of storm-water runoff on water quality in the bay. The province will also spend $10,000 to investigate agricultural operations in the area to determine what effect they have on water quality.

The announcement was made by provincial Environment Minister Serge Rousselle and Treasury Board president Roger Melanson.

Mixed reaction from environmental groups

Lois Corbett, executive director of the Conservation Council of New Brunswick, called the funding an important step.

"These investments, coupled with better impact assessment for new developments, including campgrounds, should speed up the repair of this valued beach ecosystem," Corbett said in a news release.

"Better sewage treatment, combined with smart education programs, will reduce harmful bacteria that can pollute our coast and jeopardize human health."

But Corbett also said pressures from development along the Northumberland Strait won't be solved by the spending announced Tuesday.

Hoped for moratorium

Some people were upset the government's announcement didn't include a moratorium on development in the area.

Natasha Bell, a resident of Cap-Pelé and a member of the Save Wetlands Waters and Tourism Coalition, said she was hoping for a moratorium.

"It's really contributing or continuing to taint the scene of a crime as far as I'm concerned," Bell said. 

"Picking up dog poop is not going to get to the bottom of that problem."