MONCTON, NEW BRUNSWICK, September 7, 2004 - People interested in erosion and other changes to the southeastern coast of New Brunswick now have a new way to access information and give input regarding a research project happening there.

Information about “Impacts of Sea-Level Rise and Climate Change on the Coastal Zone of Southeastern New Brunswick” -- a three-year, $2.5 million study managed by Environment Canada and carried out by scientists and researchers from over a dozen government and academic groups -- is now available to the public through a new web site.

This web site features photos of the coastal zone and descriptions of the components of the project. It also provides an opportunity for people to share their insights or questions about the potential impacts of sea-level rise in the area.

A special feature of the web site is a page of digital elevation maps showing parts of the coast from Kouchibouguac National Park to Cape Jourimain. The maps can be used to demonstrate flooding patterns at various sea levels, as still images or combined to produce animations of flooding.
The “Key Dates” section of the site lists activities of interest to the local community. In October, workshops will be held in the Shediac Bay area to envision future local development patterns in the coming decades. In November, stakeholders workshops will take place in Bouctouche.

The web site is accessed by visiting Environment Canada's “Green Lane” at http://www.atl.ec.gc.ca, and then choosing “Sea-Level Rise" in the topics list.

The sea-level rise project is being carried out by researchers and scientists from Environment Canada, Natural Resources Canada, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Parks Canada, the New Brunswick Government, Université de Moncton, University of New Brunswick, Mount Allison University, Dalhousie University and the Centre of Geographic Sciences (Nova Scotia Community College), in consultation with municipalities and planning commissions, and with additional financial support from the Government of Canada's Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation Program, and Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada.

For more information, please contact:

Réal Daigle, Project Manager/Meteorologist
Impacts of Sea-Level Rise and Climate Change on the Coastal Zone of Southeastern New Brunswick
Meteorological Service of Canada
Environment Canada
(506) 851-6743