NR-HQ-00-45E

BOUDREAU ANNOUNCES $7.4 MILLION FEDERAL INVESTMENT IN MAJOR INFRASTRUCTURE WORKS FOR SMALL CRAFT HARBOURS IN NOVA SCOTIA

July 7, 2000

OTTAWA -- The Honourable Bernie Boudreau, Leader of the Government in the Senate and Minister responsible for Nova Scotia, announced today on behalf of the Honourable Herb Dhaliwal, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, that the federal government will invest $7.4 million in harbour improvements at fishing harbours in Nova Scotia.

The project at Arisaig consists of the reconstruction of the north breakwater/wharf by placing a new timber cribwork immediately in front of the existing structure and the installation of a new concrete deck.

At Baileys Brook, work will involve the reconstruction of the north rubblemound breakwater and extension of the west breakwater to provide additional protection to the harbour and reduce infilling and related dredging costs.

Work at Cribbons Point entails repairing the existing breakwater and extending it by 60 metres and the construction of a 100-metre long west breakwater. The completion of this project will provide additional protection to the harbour and prevent the accumulation of sediment in the basin area.

At Inverness, dredging of the entrance channel will involve the removal of approximately 8,000 cubic metres of material utilizing floating plant equipment with landbased disposal of dredge spoils.

At Main-à-Dieu, Murphys Pond and White Point, new concrete launching ramps, measuring approximately 12 metres by 30 metres, will be constructed to replace the existing deteriorated timber structures.

The project at Upper Whitehead consists of the reconstruction of a 30-metre section of wharf. Work will involve the removal of the existing deteriorated section and the placement of new piles and deck.

At Clark’s Harbour, work will involve the removal of the north finger pier which is very deteriorated. Dredging will also be undertaken and new floating docks installed in the inner section of the basin to accommodate the displaced fishers. The south finger pier will be repaired as required. The completion of this project will provide fishers with a safer working environment and reduce congestion problems at the harbour entrance.

At Cripple Creek, the project consists of constructing a rubblemound breakwater, which will provide protection to the harbour from easterly winds. In addition, the channel and basin will be dredged to allow fishing vessels to enter and leave the harbour in greater safety.

The project at Lower Woods Harbour consists of the construction of a rubblemound breakwater and repairs to the outside face of the wharf. This will provide a sheltered basin for the fishers from Fall’s Point and Lower Woods, and will help alleviate the overcrowding problem at these two harbours.

At Parkers Cove a two-phase project will be undertaken. Phase 1 consists of the reconstruction of the outer end of the east breakwater/wharf, which was heavily damaged in a severe January storm, and some repairs to the rubblemound protection along the breakwater/wharf. The second phase will consist of extending the rubblemound portion of the east breakwater/wharf to the entrance of the harbour and raising its height to provide users with a safe harbour sheltered from the wind.

At Pinkney’s Point, the harbour basin will be dredged, which will make it safe for vessels at low tide and will increase the use of the existing wharf facilities. In addition, repairs will be undertaken to the concrete seawall which protects the harbour from northerly storms.

The project at Shag Harbour consists of dredging the channel in order to alleviate damage to the vessels at low tide during adverse weather. The work will be phased over two years.

At Yarmouth Bar, the project consists of dredging the channel, harbour basin, and the area adjacent to the wharves to provide safe navigational access to the fishing grounds.

The project at Hampton consists of constructing a rubblemound breakwater and undertaking repairs to the two wharves. The work will result in a safe harbour, which will have sufficient protected berthage space available to accommodate the fishers from nearby Port Lorne.

"With the completion of these projects, a safer and more efficient working environment for the users will be provided," said Senator Boudreau. "These projects underline the federal government’s commitment to maintaining viable and safe harbours in support of Nova Scotia’s marine community."

These projects are being undertaken by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Small Craft Harbours Program, in close collaboration with the Harbour Authorities who manage and operate these facilities for the benefit of local users. It is this close cooperation with clients that enables the federal government to continue to provide an operable system of harbours and facilities throughout Canada in support of commercial fisheries.