NR-HQ-00-105E

McGuire announces federal funding for Harbour clean-up and repair in Egmont

December 22, 2000

SUMMERSIDE – Joe McGuire, Member of Parliament for Egmont, announced today, on behalf of the Honourable Herb Dhaliwal, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, that the Government of Canada will invest funding in the order of $1.1 million to clean up and repair several fishing harbours that were damaged in the October storm in the Egmont riding of Prince Edward Island.

"This investment underlines the federal government’s commitment to maintain viable and safe harbours in support of coastal communities in Prince Edward Island," said Mr. McGuire. "The repair projects are important to those communities that will depend on the harbours to carry out their fishing activities next spring."

Clean-up operations and minor repairs have already been carried out at the following harbours: Alberton, Howards Cove, Judes Point, Miminegash, Seacow Pond and Tignish Run.

The main breakwater at Howards Cove suffered damage and must be repaired. Work will be undertaken during the winter months.

At Miminegash, repairs will be undertaken to the south wharf and launching ramp that have suffered extensive damage in last October's storm. Also, breaches in the north and south breakwaters will be consolidated with rubble mound stone. The work will commence this winter and be completed before the start of the spring fishing season. Dredging will also be carried out in the harbour entrance in order to remove the sand build-up.

At Seacow Pond, the north and south breakwaters and shore protection will need repairs in order to restore their structural efficiency. This work will be undertaken in the coming months. In addition, dredging of the basin and run will be conducted to ensure safe navigating conditions into and from the harbour.

Sections of the north and south breakwaters in Tignish Run were severely damaged. Reconstruction of these breakwaters is essential to protect the vessels from wind and wave agitation in the basin. As well, land-based dredging will be undertaken to remove the sand build-up caused by the storm. All the work required at Tignish Run should be completed this winter.

The plans and specifications for the repair projects at Howards Cove, Miminegash, Seacow Pond and Tignish Run are currently being prepared by Public Works and Government Services Canada. The exact cost of the projects will be known once the tender process has been completed.

All of these projects will be carried out by the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans, as part of its Small Craft Harbours program, in cooperation with the harbour authorities which manage and operate the facilities for local users. Such close cooperation with clients allows the federal government to continue to provide an operable system of harbours and facilities throughout Canada in support of commercial fishers.

"I commend the local harbour authorities which immediately went ahead with the clean-up and minor repairs while waiting for government support," said Mr. McGuire. "Their actions reflect the local communities’ willingness to be involved in and take charge of their harbour facilities."