Richibucto Water Quality and Habitat Enhancement $18,000
Richibucto River Association
Rexton, New Brunswick

The Richibucto River watershed is the second largest drainage basin in Southeastern New Brunswick. Over the years, the watershed has experienced shellfish closures, habitat degradation, pollution, increased sedimentation, and declining fish stocks. Since 1994, the Richibucto River Association has been working to address these problems and improve the overall health of the watershed. This project involves fencing out 150 cattle from the river and associated wetlands; creating alternate watering systems for cattle; various riverbank restoration activities, and planting 2000 trees along the river and stream. Tree planting helps remove carbon from the atmosphere, which counters some impacts of climate change.

Coastal Habitat Reclamation – Chamcook and $21,000
Bocabec Harbours
Eastern Charlotte Waterways Inc.
St. George, New Brunswick

Southwestern New Brunswick is an important shellfish area for the soft shell clam. Since 1998, Eastern Charlotte Waterways Inc. has been spearheading a cooperative bacterial monitoring program in the watershed. Through this program, many shellfish areas that were once closed are now open. In fact, only 20% of this area is unavailable for harvest, compared to over 60% when the program was initiated over four years ago. Eastern Charlotte Waterways Inc.'s 2003 project is focused on habitat in the Chamcook and Bocabec harbours. Project activities include a door to door septic system awareness campaign; information dissemination on best management practices to hobby farm operators; the relocation of manure piles suspect of affecting water quality; and genetic fingerprinting of coliforms for remediation purposes.

Energy Action: Promoting Energy Conservation and $35,000
Renewable Energy Technologies
Falls Brook Centre
Carleton County, New Brunswick

Impacts of climate change are being felt worldwide and the province of New Brunswick is no exception. Carbon dioxide emissions contribute to climate change, and in New Brunswick, electricity generation is the major contributor. This project involves developing a demonstration site at Falls Brook Centre to promote energy conservation and renewable energy technologies. This site will showcase renewable energy systems such as wind and solar power, highlight the benefits of energy conservation, and demonstrate how net metering works. Net metering allows renewable energy system owners to connect to the utility power grid and either sell excess electricity or buy electricity when it is needed.

Septic System Improvement Project $10,000
Comité de Gestion Environnementale de la Rivière Pokemouche
Pokemouche, New Brunswick

Poor septic system maintenance is affecting the water quality of the Pokemouche River watershed. The Comité de Gestion Environnementale de la Rivière Pokemouche wants to address this problem by assisting low income residents in their watershed to repair or, if required, replace defective septic systems. The organization will partner with the New Brunswick Department of Health and Wellness to select participants for the project. Water sampling will occur before, during, and after project completion to monitor changes in water quality.

Heritage Youth Project $15,000
Campbellton Economic Development Commission
Campbellton, New Brunswick

The Restigouche River watershed unifies the communities of Campbellton, New Brunswick and the Mi'gmaq village of Listuguj, Québec. This watershed provides a variety of social and economic benefits to both communities and this 2003 project will work to improve water quality in Walker Brook and its feeder streams. Project team members will consist of three Mi'gmaq youth and three non aboriginal youth of the City of Campbellton. Activities include a large clean up initiative and identification of detrimental influences on water quality and aquatic habitat.

To Our Bay’s Health $29,000
Groupe de développement durable du Pays de Cocagne
Cocagne, New Brunswick

Shellfish harvesting has been closed for years in part of the Cocagne watershed due to poor water quality. This watershed empties into the Northumberland Strait that connects to the Gulf of St. Lawrence ecosystem. Several factors have contributed to the poor water quality and one of those contributors is activities related to the local marinas. The Groupe de développement durable du Pays de Cocagne will continue working in this area with a project that includes the following initiatives; the installation of a marine dumping station and an oil recovery facility at the Cocagne marina; the installation of a flowmeter and recycling bins at the Cap de Cocagne marina's dumping station; and an education campaign to promote environmentally friendly water practices. The long term objective of the group is to have the Cocagne Bay designated a “No Discharge” zone under the Canada Shipping Act.

Septic Upgrades for Failing Systems in the Brantville and $15,000
Bayshore Communities
Tabusintac Watershed Association
Brantville/Bayshore, New Brunswick

Once an important shellfish resource, the Tabusintac watershed is now closed to shellfish harvesting. Environment Canada has determined that septic system problems are a major contributor to the bacterial contamination of this watershed. The Tabusintac Watershed Association has been working to address this problem since 2001. Their project for 2003 will assist low income residents in the Brantville/Bayshore area repair or replace defective septic systems and involves a partnership with the Department of Health and Wellness for participant selection. Another goal of this initiative is to reduce water usage in participating homes by installing water conservation devices. The long term objective of the Tabusintac Watershed Association is the re opening of shellfish harvesting areas in their watershed.

New Brunswick Small Marsh Restoration Project $18,000
Ducks Unlimited Canada
Lower St. John River area, New Brunswick

Wetlands are some of the most valuable wildlife habitat in the country and can be home to more than 600 species of plants and animals. However, farming activities in the Lower St. John River and its tributaries have resulted in the degradation or loss of small wetlands in this area. As a result, biodiversity and waterfowl have been negatively affected. With this project, Ducks Unlimited Canada will remove excess silts and organic materials from targeted wetlands. In addition, wetlands will be fenced to restrict livestock access where appropriate. The result will be small, healthy wetlands with a mix of open water and vegetation to increase biodiversity and improve water quality. By working with landowners to sign 30 year conservation agreements on these properties, this project will promote the need for wetland conservation and biodiversity within the farming community.

Community Riparian Planting Project $16,000
Hammond River Angling Association
Nauwigewauk/Quispamis, New Brunswick

The Hammond River watershed needs a helping hand. About 75% of the watershed's shoreline zones have been damaged due to farming and logging activities. In this 2003 project, the Hammond River Angling Association will repair sections of these damaged areas by planting 10,000 trees on 12 different locations. Tree planting helps remove carbon from the atmosphere, which counters some impacts of climate change. The Association will also build and maintain a 10 bed tree nursery for future shoreline plantings where approximately 8000 native seedlings will be planted.

Millstream River Restoration Project $28,000
Kennebecasis Watershed Restoration Committee
Berwick and Apohaqui, New Brunswick

Although only 15% of the Kennebecasis watershed is used for farming, this activity is concentrated on the nutrient rich, deep soils found in floodplains, meadows, and lowlands. A habitat survey conducted in 1994 showed that 46% of streambanks in this area had little or no vegetative growth. Since that time, the Kennebecasis Watershed Restoration Committee has done extensive work on the watershed, which has had a positive impact on water quality and ecosystem health. In their 2003 project, the group will work in the Sharpe Brook area, a location that is heavily farmed and where cattle have direct access to the waterway. Project activities include fencing out cattle and planting over 10,000 trees in the shoreline zone.