Dredging, blasting at island harbour generate concerns

Grand Mananers are asking questions about a North Head harbour improvement project slated for this summer, and some claim they aren't getting adequate answers. The plan was first announced in August 2019 by Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) on behalf of Fisheries and Oceans' Small Craft Harbours and includes dredging of the west basin, construction of a concrete marginal wharf and boat ramp and work on both North Head and Woodwards Cove breakwaters.
The $15.8 million contract was awarded to Greenfield Construction Ltd. of Miramichi on April 9, with a completion date of January 31, 2023, although the contractor hopes to finish by October 2022. Greenfield is developing a detailed construction schedule and expects to begin mobilizing equipment at the end of May. Construction will start following submission of a variety of reports.
Residents are asking why they haven't received more information before now. Kevin Sampson, owner of the Compass Rose Inn and Adventure High Kayaking, is spearheading a group of neighbors worried about how the project could affect their businesses and properties. Sampson says that after the east basin blasting in 2016, building foundations were damaged. The Compass Rose's drilled well was diminished and "full of mud," although he can't prove the cause. Neighbors' concerns include truck traffic; noise from rock crushing; odor or health effects from the covered containment cell where dredged material will be dried; potential damage to the fire department's reservoir shed and the resulting impact on property insurance; damage to roads and the shale bank bordering the harbour; and ferry capacity with increased trucking.
A series of twice monthly "stakeholder meetings" began on April 27, hosted by PSPC Project Manager Trevor Gamblin. Sampson says only he and one village councillor were initially invited and that it fell to him to notify neighbors. The second meeting on May 11, announced on MP John Williamson's Facebook page, was changed to a virtual format, and several people who had used the sign up link didn't get the update. At that meeting, Gamblin addressed a list of questions. "I intend us to be completely transparent," he told attendees, promising to continue the meetings. Question and answer documents followed both meetings, listing PSPC's responses. Many of these defer to the contractor's blasting, seismographic and environmental plans, which are yet to be completed.
Gamblin's document states, "Letters describing the project location and scope were hand delivered by PSPC to over 50 property owners... on July 24, 2019." On October 29, 2019, notices were published in the Telegraph Journal and Acadie Nouvelle. The tender was posted on a government site on December 24, 2020. "No issues or concerns were received as a result of those notifications."
Sampson alleges he didn't get a letter and doesn't know anyone who did. "Lack of communication has been a problem from the get go," he says, adding that his wife found out through a random conversation at the transfer station.
At a May 18 public meeting hosted by the village, a copy of the letter had surfaced, with a different dredging volume and a fall 2019 to winter 2022 timeline. Blasting isn't mentioned. Sampson says, "Nothing in the letter would raise any concerns for me. What they proposed is very different than what's happening. The scope of the project changed at some point."
The tender notice page has 26 pdf documents and five zip files containing many more documents, in English and French. Among them are project specifications and amendments and detailed site diagrams. It's a daunting prospect for residents searching for information, as each must be downloaded to determine if the contents are relevant to their questions. It isn't clear yet whether blasting will occur at high or low tide. Sampson has received conflicting information. There may be two or three blasts per week for three months with 72 hours' notice. Boats will have to be moved, and residents may have to vacate their properties. More information will be in the blasting plan. The question-and-answer document defines hours for blasting and rock crushing within the planned work hours of 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., 10 days on and four days off.
The contractor is responsible for blasting, site safety, seismographic, environmental impact and traffic control plans. On May 20, a diagram of the 250-meter and 600-meter "buffer zones" was e mailed to stakeholders, along with letters from Fundy Engineering offering pre blast survey appointments. The video and photo surveys and well sampling for chemistry and coliforms is planned for Monday to Friday, June 7 to 11.
The harbour will be deepened by three meters, removing approximately 25,850 cubic meters of "class A" and 7,000 cubic meters of "class B" materials. No contaminant criteria for those classes has been available. Some of the class A rock will be placed over the remains of the Woodwards Cove wharf following the removal of its top three to five feet of timber. Filter fabric and armour stone will be added. The Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) determined that this "will result in serious harm to fish and fish habitat," and since the armour stone will cover 3,525 square meters of intertidal and sensitive shellfish habitat, a habitat offsetting and monitoring plan will be required. Four potential sites will be investigated for restoration.
Sampson wants to see all the old creosote beams removed. "This is beside our only clam flats." In the May 11 meeting, DFO project engineer Raymond Losier said regulators wouldn't require removal of all the beams. An environmental impact assessment is expected by the end of May.
As to why work can't be delayed until after tourist season, Gamblin says the completion date is set and the current budget doesn't allow for compensation to the contractor for "blackout periods."
Following the May 11 meeting, Gamblin referred The Quoddy Tides' questions to a PSPC communications advisor, stating that he is not permitted to respond to media inquires.
Mayor Dennis Greene says the first information he had about all the concerns was around the May 3 council meeting when a resident phoned him. He called John Williamson and was told the government wouldn't offer compensation for lost business. He was disappointed by the May 18 turnout of 30 people. Greene suggested residents form a working group to give the council ideas to present to the federal government. "It's an important project that should go ahead, but with all precautions," he says. "I can't believe there are so many things the federal government should have looked at. When we look back at this we want to know we left no stone unturned. If we can't get them to change their minds [about timing or other logistics] we want to know we put up a good fight."
Sampson is adamant that he's not trying to get the project cancelled. "Nobody I know wants to stop this project," he says. "The wharf is in desperate need of repair. I understand it's for the greater good and there will be answers I won't like." He acknowledges he'll have to make the best of it but says every day that answers are delayed hurts his business. He has had several cancellations and doesn't know what to tell potential guests. "It all comes back to 'wait and see.' I need these questions answered a month ago." If they have to vacate the property, he says, "it's easier just to close the business."
Following the May 18 meeting, six people formed a committee and began drafting a document for council. Another PSPC/stakeholder meeting was set for May 25.