Introduction and History

At the Miramichi Environmental Science Workshop in 1994, Dr. Vlado Zitko of the DFO St. Andrews Biological Station, and a founding member of the MREAC, noted that the Miramichi had, in the 1950's and 1960's, been an area of intensive aerial forest spraying with DDT.  Dr. Zitko refers to the Silent Spring (1962) by Rachel Carson, who relates the dire consequences of this spray program; she draws her example from the Miramichi. Dr. Zitko in developing the theme "Fifty Years of Research on the Miramichi River" gave the delegates pause by asking; "In 2014, what will be the attitude toward today's activities? Will we appear as foolish?".  Clearly the question is far more global than the scope of this document, the Miramichi Watershed Environmental Management Plan - Reaching 2002. Equally as clear however, is the point that Dr. Zitko's question has local application.

Historically, the Miramichi watershed has suffered considerable environmental impacts in the past from poorly understood and poorly researched activities, the lessons of the past should be burned into the communities consciousness.  The MREAC does not feel it has been. The "MREAC Environmental Action Plan, 1994 makes the comment, "The (MREAC) committee is prepared to dissolve at a point where the Miramichi River is healthy and a concerned public assumes responsibility for its well being into the future."  This end point is yet to be realized.

History of MREAC

In 1989, it was noticed that an expansion of the Miramichi Pulp and Paper Inc. (MPPI) Mill in Newcastle had not undergone a formal environmental assessment.  Based upon this oversight, MPPI (now REPAP New Brunswick Inc.) partially funded a citizens based committee to review the environmental impacts of this expansion and related issues on the Miramichi.  At that time the "Committee on Public Information and Public Concerns", was formed.  The name was later changed and formalized into a legal corporation, the Miramichi River Environmental Assessment Committee Inc. (MREAC).

Moving beyond the scope of its original mandate, in 1989, MREAC undertook to assess the health of the Miramichi River, targeting a two year time frame and a $100,000 budget. After much data collection and review, with the undertaking of some scientific analysis, the committee commissioned the compilation of all science studies into one document.In 1992 the "MREAC Final Report", edited by Dr. Michael Burt of UNB was complete.   The report findings revealed that the Miramichi River, although significantly impacted by past management practices, was not as environmentally degraded as previously thought.   It was noted that the river requires more careful surveillance, an assignment in which MREAC could play a part.  Based upon this and other recommendations, MREAC implemented an environmental program that is multi-faceted to tackle the variety of issues in the Miramichi watershed.

In 1992, Environment Canada, through funding from the Green Plan, launched theAtlantic Coastal Action Program (ACAP), aimed at helping coastal communities set objectives and strategies for a more sustainable future.  At the same time, MREAC had become more focused and action orientated.  It also became apparent that MREAC needed a full time coordinator, as more than volunteer support was required to manage the many initiatives that had been recommended in the 1992 report. In 1993, MREAC became an ACAP site, a move that allowed it to hire full-time staff and establish a business office.

Miramichi is apparently a Micmac name that may mean 'land of the Micmac' (or Mi'kmaq).  This name has taken on new significance with the insights achieved through the archeology in the area around Red Bank at the Augustine Mounds, the Oxbow and other sites.  The first nations communities that date back some 30 centuries on the Miramichi, rightly lay claim to a prominent position on their land.  European settlement began in the 1700's and gained momentum in the 1800's with the economic importance of shipbuilding and lumber exports to Britain.  Transportation, settlement, industry and other evolution from that period has brought us to where we are today.  As noted, this evolution has steered us into areas that have damaged our ecosystem.

 

Based upon ACAP funding and the contractual requirement to prepare an comprehensive environmental management plan (CEMP), MREAC considered its planning needs. In effect the MREAC Summary Final Report, 1989-1992, the product of the three year study met many of the elements of the CEMP. MREAC however wanted to broaden their scope in their dedication to clean up the Miramichi River. From this came the determination to prepare a guiding document, the MREAC Environmental Action Plan, 1994.

 

The programs outlined in the MREAC Action Plan of 1994 have directed MREAC activities to date. Among the original programs, two have resulted in published reports. In 1995, MREAC, in partnership with the Northumberland Strait Sustainable Development Coordination Area Working Group, produced a report on Rural Wastewater Management Issues in New Brunswick. MREAC's interest in Miramichi science is expressed in its "Environmental Monitoring and Research" program. In the spring of 1994, MREAC was privileged to host a three day science workshop. Dr. Michael Chadwick of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) in Moncton edited the papers from this workshop into Water, Science, and the Public: The Miramichi Ecosystem in 1995.

 

From the beginning, Mr. Vernon Goodfellow, first chairperson, helped lead a core group of people interested in based watershed management to assess the health of the Miramichi River and subsequently address the problems that the assessment identified. The common goal, then and now, is to promote cooperation and communication among community stakeholders. The intent was to develop an awareness among the regions citizens that our quality of life is intrinsically linked to our environment. The MREAC committee continues to draw people of different interests and backgrounds together. After establishing a dialogue in this round table setting, questions are formulated and the quest for answers begins. To date MREAC has demonstrated a positive contribution to community based environmental action and will try to sustain this into the foreseeable future.

 

MREAC's interest is in the Miramichi watershed and estuarine environment. This is a huge diverse area (13,465km2). The freshwater and estuarine environments are obvious divisions that have very different dynamics and biota.

 

The Miramichi Estuary

 

The mouth of the Miramichi River in N.B. is a drowned river valley. This term implies that sea level is (and has been) rising relative to the level of the land, the river mouth thus flooded or 'drowned' in salt water. From the channel that opens Miramichi Inner Bay into the Northumberland Strait to the head of tide at Quarryville is 71km. The estuary is thus strongly influenced by diurnal (twice daily) tidal cycles. This has created an extensive estuarine environment that is over 300 sq. km. in area. The estuary is sheltered behind barrier islands that protect it from the full force of storm waves generated in the Gulf of St. Lawrence.

 

In this sheltered setting, the estuary is a shallow settling pond for material originating from three sources; surrounding lands, the freshwater drainage basin, and the marine environment off-shore. As a result of these influences the estuary is a very productive environment. Organic materials transported from land, freshwater and saltwater environments are at the base of a food chain that sustains remarkable populations of marine plants and animals. The variety of life is limited in estuaries by inherent stresses or extremes that select for species that are either migrant or tolerant to these conditions.

 

The Miramichi River estuary is no exception in this. The productivity of Miramichi Inner Bay is significant due to its size, covering over 300 sq. km. Miramichi Inner Bay receives the drainage from not only the Miramichi River, but from the Burnt Church River, Bartibog River, Black River, Baie du Vin River, and a number of lesser streams. All of these smaller watersheds have been included in MREAC's area of interest.

 

Like the boxer who has learned to "role with the punches" the estuarine is elastic in response to the extremes of its environment. Extreme flows from the rivers may result in dramatic changes in both salt content (salinities) and in the deep water channel that snakes through the Inner Bay. Severe storms, especially 'nor'easters', may radically change the configuration of the protective sand built barrier islands, even breaking through in new channels or relocating the old. This fluid nature of the estuarine system is recognized as the key to the successful maintenance of this highly productive environment.

 

With the exception of the deeper water channels, the Inner Bay is relatively shallow with an average depth of 4 metres. The channel depth by comparison averages 6 metres reaching depths over 10 metres. Normal tidal range is close to 1 metre with a diurnal flow of two highs and two lows each day. Storm conditions can result in extremes of both high and low tides, often dictated by wind direction. This shallow large estuary is readily warmed under the summer sun and the shallows allows light to penetrate and promote photosynthesis. This primary productivity in plant life is the base of an intricate food chain.

 

Protected behind the barrier beaches, the Miramichi Inner Bay is sheltered from the damage and turmoil of high energy on the coastal shoreline. In this relative peace, the estuary is a sediment trap, a nutrient trap, and a trap for some undesirable impacts from land and water sources. This system supports a very valuable commercial fishery including several species of fish and shellfish. Many of the coastal communities are very dependent on the economic value provided through these resources.

 

DDT spraying impacts in the 1950's and 60's had profound effects. A residue of this spray is, in part, resident today in the sediment deposits of the Miramichi Inner Bay. Heavy metals, from decades of base metal mining on the Tomogonops River and organochlorines from the pulp and paper mills at the head of the salt wedge, add to the potential, albeit apparently latent problems entrapped in sediment layers.

 

Despite its limited overall size, as compared to the rest of the watershed, the Miramichi estuary is critically important habitat. Most of the human population, most industrial and commercial activity takes place on its edge. Many of MREAC's concerns are, likewise, concentrated here in the Miramichi estuary.

 

 

Freshwater Environment

 

The meander length of the Miramichi River is 250 km. This world renown river drains almost one quarter of the province of New Brunswick. The major tributaries comprising the Miramichi system are ; the Northwest Miramichi, North Sevogle, South Sevogle, Little Southwest Miramichi, Renous, Dungarvon, Bartholomew, Barnaby, Cains, Taxis, and Southwest Miramichi enter the main branches, more depending on how you count. Most of the area is uninhabited woodlands. Much of this woodland is harvested for wood product, whether for lumber or pulp and paper. In the north of the watershed, located on the smaller Tomogonops River tributary, mineral resources resulted base metal mining, extracting zinc, copper and lead, closed and decommissioned in 2000.

 

Atlantic Salmon and trout fishing have made the reputation of these freshwater rivers. An international clientele frequent the lodges and camps that dot these many branches. Despite widespread declines in fish stock the Miramichi still supports an economically important recreational fishery. Annual stock assessments by DFO staff show a significant annual run of Atlantic Salmon returning to the Miramichi.