The
Chaleur Bay Watersheds has commenced its work August 28, 2000.
The mission is as follows; “Working together to preserve the
health of our watersheds”. With
that concept in mind, the group promotes awareness and conducts
research on 1 brook and 6 rivers. The watersheds under study cover
over 980
km2. The
rivers and brook to classify have all different features, which makes
this project particular. In
order to determine the water classification, samples are taken from
fifteen sites for analysis intended for water quality monitoring and
to attribute punctual and non-punctual pollution sources that can
alter the quality. Industrial
and agricultural activities are the major causes of alteration.
The
group has recruited stakeholders from the Department of Fisheries and
Oceans, the Department of Environment & Local Government, the
Department of Natural Resources, Municipalities, Noranda – Brunswick
Smelting, Stone-Smurfit Container, Belledune Port and private
stakeholders. Volunteers have been recruited to take water samples
from Millstream River, Nigadoo River, Jacquet River and Armstrong
Brook.
General
meeting are conducted through out the year to involve stakeholders
from the community in order to hand out information and gather
information from stakeholders.
The
sample sites are computerized using Geographical Information System.
This information will allow the group to prepare a general land
use/cover map for use during writing of the water classification
provisional report, and during consultation with landowners and
stakeholders while forming a consensus on the proposal for
classification.
The
group is also working on creating a newsletter “Waterfront” and a
website accessible for the general public and stakeholders.