We presently have 57 members. Gene J. Devereux is Chairman, Bernard F. Miller acts as Vice-Chairman, and Matthew T. Hayes acts as Secretary.
During the past 6 months, the following events were noteworthy:
the federal government appointed a former civil servant to study the various reports and studies pertaining to the Petitcodiac River and man-made lake that was created by building a causeway at Moncton in 1968. Everyone considers the causeway to be a mistake. The landowners around the lake who built large and expensive homes are on one side of the debate, and various environmental groups and the majority of public opinion are on the other side. Several studies have been conducted over the past 30 years. This latest study concluded that a full environmental assessment of a bridge/causeway should be conducted;
debate over the environmental concerns pertaining to hog farms/factories continues. Local residents having lost the political fight, are now seeking relief from the Court;
the necessity for a coastal lands policy; and
anticipated new guidelines from the Provincial Department of the Environment pertaining to clean air (SO2). One of the largest offenders is local (the NB Power generation plant near Saint John, NB). Most New Brunswickers consider any air quality problem to be imported from the industrial mid-west (U.S.A.), but in reality this oil burning power plant is a large contributor.
