Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Croix Estuary
in the
Next Millennium
EARTH
Report #1
A Restoration / Remediation Plan
St. Stephen Waterfront
Art MacKay & Kim Reeder
ACAP St. Croix 2005
1
The Health of the St. Croix Estuary
in the
Next Millennium
Report #2005-1
A Restoration / Remediation Plan
St. Stephen Waterfront
2005
March 2005
Your Environmental Trust Fund at Work St. Croix Estuary Project Inc.
Atlantic Coastal Action Program
Votre Fonds en fiducie pour l’environment au travail St. Stephen, NB, Canada
Environment Canada
3
TABLE OF CONTENTS
II. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS v
1. INTRODUCTION 1
3. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND 5
6. RESULTS 21
8. BIBLIOGRAPHY 57
i
I. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
I
n 1999, ACAP St. Croix began a program of study and monitoring
designed to lead to proactive restoration and remediation in the St.
Croix Watershed. A two-year study, The St. Croix Estuary 1604-2004
- the Environmental Health of the St. Croix Estuary after 400 years,
conducted by ACAP St. Croix, identified and flagged “problem” areas
and sites along the St. Croix Estuary from St. Stephen-Calais down river
to the St.Andrews-Mill Cove area. Based on high E.coli (Eschericia coli)
results from bacteriological samples taken during the study, previous
sampling, and new field work, the St. Stephen waterfront was identified as
a primary target for action. Consequently, funds were sought to do more
detailed waterfront studies, to produce this report, and begin liaison with
the appropriate authorities with a view to beginning cleanup actions.
During the 2004 field season, all visible outfalls along the St. Stephen
Waterfront between Dennis Stream and Buchanan’s Hill (the St. Stephen
Waterfront), were located, surveyed, and sampled.
Because a new highway will soon by-pass the Town, St. Stephen is
currently looking for new revenue sources and is considering the potential
for the development of eco-tourism related activities in the River. This innocent-looking pipe has E. coli counts in excess of 2 million per
However, the risk to human health, as defined by the Canadian Water 100 ml against a standard count of 100 - 400 per 100 ml.
iii
Quality Guidelines, is great. The highest densities of E.coli have been outfall on the shore. This does not mean sewage is coming from that
recorded along the St. Stephen Waterfront and it is this area that has been particular building. Names are used only to identify the location of the
identified for tourist-related development. Unfortunately, current pollution site.
levels may preclude any worthwhile development based on the River at
this point. Mitigation priorities as are follows:
The St. Stephen waterfront was identified as an area in urgent need of a. The Clark Building which has E. coli counts of over 1.5 million and
remedial action and is the focus of this report. Recommendations include sewage (toilet paper/sanitary products) being disposed of on the beach,
the re-building of a salt marsh, the installation of at least 3 lift stations should be a top priority. This outfall needs to be redirected into the sanitary
coinciding with connection of outfall pipes to the wastewater facility as sewer line that runs along Milltown Boulevard, less than 200m away.
well as consideration of oil/grit separators, trucking removed street snow
to the wastewater facility, a street sweeping program and educational b. The Cove 2 site also has E. coli counts exceeding 1.5 million, it needs to
programs to be launched in the community. be redirected into the sanitary sewer line, instead of onto the beach.
Recommendations which preclude any further development of the St. c. Both the Chocolate Park outfall and the NB Tel outfall have sewage
Stephen waterfront include mitigation of the 9 sites which exceed the (toilet paper and sanitary products) being disposed of on the beach and
Canadian Water Quality Guidelines for secondary contact in Recreational should also be redirected into the sanitary sewer line.
Waters, plus the mitigation of the outfall directly behind the NB Tel
building which has sanitary products exiting from it. d. The outfall at the Picnic Kiosk location needs remediation. The E. coli
levels are over 99 000/100ml. This site needs to be tied into the existing
IMPORTANT NOTATION sanitary sewer line.
Site names used in this report are based on the building nearest the e. The Pizza Delight outfall has excessive counts of E. coli, over 40
Objective 1. To identify all outfalls (seepages, storm drains, open 9. To carry out second annual monitoring in 10 established sampling
sewers, etc.) entering the St. Croix Estuary within the Study Area. zones from St. Stephen to St. Andrews.
Completed. Completed and reported separately.
v
II. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
P
rimary funding for this study was provided by: Atlantic Coastal Ac-
tion Program, Environment Canada (ACAP); and the New Bruns-
wick Environmental Trust Fund. Student staff funding was provided
by Human Resource Development, New Brunswick’s SEED Program.
Tina Spires, Steven Raye, Mary Gilmore, Bill McAlister, Hugh Akagi,
David Seman, Lomax Baker, Duncan McGeachy, Ron McGuire, Paul Do-
nahue, Phil Holmes, Alan Gillmor, Gerhard Pohle Howard Urdang, and
Ken Reeder.
Environment Canada
Colleen McNeill - Atlantic Coastal Action Program
Roy Parker - Former ACAP St. Croix liaison (Window)
Peter Johnson - ACAP St. Croix liaison (Window)
Water Metrics:
Ken MacIntosh
vi
1. INTRODUCTION
T
wice each day, the St Croix River Estuary is the stage for a life-
giving event influenced by the moon and the sun. Clean seawater
arriving from the Bay of Fundy drives a wedge under the flowing
fresh water of the River, gradually moving upstream to tidehead at Salmon
Falls in Milltown.
As the tide sweeps forward, channels, branching across the mud flats and
cobble beaches, are filled with incoming ocean waters and the rising tide
spreads slowly across the intertidal zone. The deepening waters lift the
various seaweeds, fill the burrows of estuary fauna, and creep into tiny
channels that penetrate the shoreline and once-present salt marshes. Then
as the earth turns, the ocean’s push becomes a pull, and the waters of
the riverine estuary recede. Debris at the shoreline edge accumulates to
produce a rich drift zone, seaweed lies flat providing a safe hiding place
for various animals while other creatures sink into their burrows, hide
under rocks and debris, or become stranded in isolated pools of water
warming in the sun.
Estuaries are unique places where ocean and river mingle to create
dynamic, diverse, and highly productive environments. Plants and animals
thrive in this exclusive environment driven by sunlight and the daily tides.
Humans, too, have historically been drawn to estuaries to harvest food,
travel on their waters, and claim the flat lands for their farms and homes.
This restoration plan aims to engage our citizens in actions that will see
restoration of this valuable asset to a fully functioning ecosystem.
For decades, we have turned our backs on our rivers, using them as
convenient sewers for the disposal of our industrial and domestic wastes.
1
In the process we have not only created unhealthy environments for
ourselves, we have, paradoxically, eliminated important economic
components that nourished our community in the past and could again
do so in the future. Indeed some communities along the New England
seaboard have reestablished estuarine fish runs that now bring millions of
dollars in revenues.
Until the early 1960s, the St. Croix Estuary supported commercial fisheries
worth about $20 million in today’s dollars. Today, recreational fisheries
would add even more revenue flow. Oddly enough, it is not our treasured
Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) that is most sought after by anglers, but the
striped bass (Morone saxatilis), an aggressive fighting fish that can reach
50 pounds or more. Once abundant in the St. Croix Estuary, the Striped Bass (Morone
saxatilis) supports a multimillion dollar fishery elsewhere. It could
The benefits that will emerge as we restore the St. Croix Estuary cannot do so here.
be overstated. We have abused our marine resources and it has been a real
loss to our economy. We can restore this balance. Some of us will enjoy
the fruits of these efforts - most certainly our children and grandchildren
will benefit.
Until recent years, weirs were built and fished in the lower St. Croix Estuary up to Oak Bay. Pollution elminated this
valuable fishery in the 1960s.
2
2. THE STUDY AREA
T
he Study Area is located in the Outer Bay of Fundy in the St. Croix
River Estuary between Maine , U.S.A. and New Brunswick, Can-
ada. St. Stephen, NB and Calais, ME are located across from each
other at tide head as shown in Figure 2.1
Study areas or zones were established after sampling was concluded based
on location. These are, as shown in Figure 2.2:
Zone 1 - The Cove. The area from Dover Hill Park to the
International Bridge.
Zone 2 - Downtown Strip - The area from The International The Study Area
Bridge to Princess Street.
Zone 3 - Old Sewage Lagoon Area - Princess Street to the Passamaquoddy Bay
Seniors Apartment Building Bay of Fundy
The St. Croix Estuary is a typical estuary where marine influences become
more pronounced as one proceeds downstream. The study area has both
freshwater and marine affinities. The River bottom here has been sub-
jected to serious industrial pollution and was anaerobic and virtually dead
during the sixties.
While the River is not fully recovered, some hardy colonizers now occur in
the study area, including Sand Shrimp (Crangon septemspinosus), Green
Crabs (Carcinus spp.), Annelid Worms, seaweeds and some molluscs. The
once large runs of anadromous fishes is virtually gone. The recovery has a
long way to go and the River is still influenced by chronic pollution from
industrial releases and domestic sewage leakages into the River.
The Study Area is primarily influenced by domestic sewage leakages from Figure 2.1 The Study Area in the St. Croix Estuary with locator map.
the Town of St. Stephen and industrial pollution from industrial plants
located upstream. Sampling along the Calais waterfront did not find high
bacterial levels during the 2002-2003 study.
3
Study Zone 1 Study Zone 2 Study Zone 3 Study Zone 3
THE COVE DOWNTOWN STRIP OLD SEWAGE LAGOON AREA DENNIS STREAM AREA
4
3. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
W
hen Champlain and Demonts arrived at St. Croix in 1604,
the area was much different than it is today. The shorelines
were dominated by huge “cathedral” pine that created forests
much like the rain forests of the west coast; towering trees that created
a wet, dark understory. The trees we see today were much less common
and were found on hill tops, burns, and swampy areas. White-tailed deer
were absent or rare and the dominant species included caribou, moose,
and wolves. Labrador duck, the great auk, passenger pigeon, sea mink and
other extinct species were common.
The St. Croix Estuary thronged with fish, osprey, eagles, and other species
that fed on the abundant marine forage to be found here. Champlain stated
that, In May and June there is taken there (Salmon Falls) so great an
abundance of herring and bass that vessels could be loaded with them.
The water quality of the St. Croix River Estuary started to suffer during the
Figure 3.1 The St. Stephen - Calais Waterfront in 1849.
logging days. As industry rushed to the St. Croix to capitalize on the forest
wealth, sawmills, chandlers, brokers, and various industries established
themselves on wharves along the St. Stephen and Calais waterfronts. At the mill at Woodland, operated at that time by Georgia-Pacific, began
the height of commercial activity, there were more than 40 active wharves dumping black liquor and other wastes directly into the St. Croix River.
along the shores of St Stephen and Calais. ( Figure 3.1) The health of the estuary declined rapidly and the impacts were felt both
on the American and Canadian sides of the estuary as well as downstream
Dams, and sluiceways were constructed along the River and fish runs into Passamaquoddy Bay. Recreational fishing disappeared, commercial
began to diminish. A dam at the Union was particularly hard on fish runs fishing began a precipitous decline, paint peeled from houses, and
since it spanned the entire River. Eventually fish ladders were built in an respiratory problems arose.
attempt to restore the important St. Croix fish runs.
The conditions of the River at St. Stephen even gave rise to a little ditty
In addition, shoreline stability was reduced due to deforestation, Tons of - St. Andrews-by-the-sea - St. Stephen-by-the-smell. On both the Canadian
sawdust, wood debris, and chemicals accumulated in the River creating and American sides, at least 9 significant clam flats have been closed due
anaerobic processes that greatly reduced the environmental health of the to bacterial contamination. On the US side, these closures have been in
Estuary. To this day, shoreline sediments have created huge intertidal flats effect since 1969 and on the Canadian side, since 1988.
and banks. that are virtually uninhabitable “sawdust flats” - a 150 year old
legacy. Elevated levels of pollution continued until the 1970s when the waste
treatment protocols at the mill in Woodland, Maine were upgraded under
In the 1960’s the lower River and Estuary became grossly polluted as pressure from government. Nevertheless, spills and controlled releases still
5
1
3
4
Figure 3.2 The St. Stephen Waterfront and Estuary in the mid to late 1800s. 1. A view of Calais from the St. Stephen side. 2. Calais and St. Stephen
(right) from The Ledge. 3. A typical factory, the old Ganong Candy Factory. 4. Deforestation at Todd’s Point was typical for the whole area.
6
occur and highly toxic materials also enter the groundwater and watershed Among the various types of organisms found in the St Stephen sewage
from the air. In addition, the old sewage infrastructure of St. Stephen outfalls are disease-causing organisms or pathogens and fecal coliforms,
continues to leak and seep significantly high levels of E. coli and other bacteria found in the intestinal tracts of warm-blooded mammals and a
bacteria into the Estuary. standard used to determine the extent of sewage contamination. Fecal
coliform bacteria themselves are not necessarily hazardous to humans.
The St. Croix Estuary was once a vital environment, supporting However, they provide an indication of the amount of total fecal matter
diverse populations of fish and marine invertebrates recently valued at present and indicate the possible presence of other pathogens, such as
approximately $20 million in today’s dollars hepatitis B, cholera, and typhoid. When high levels of fecal coliform are
present, swimming and other recreational uses of water are prohibited
Our study, The St. Croix Estuary 1604-2004. The Environmental Health of (APA Web Site).
the St. Croix Estuary after 400 year, showed how the health of the St. Croix
estuary has declined over 400 years. A model of the original biodiversity Fecal coliforms, particularly E. coli (Figure 3.5), indicate the presence of
of the Estuary was constructed based on historical information. This was mammal or bird feces in the water. Certain types of E. coli, particularly
compared with studies done in the 1970s and in 2001- 2002. As can be those from cattle, can cause death in humans. In fact, there have been many
seen in Figures 3.3 and 3.4, both plants and fishes have declined; fishes dramatic instances of contamination causing death and contaminated water
significantly. Similar results were obtained for other groups of marine is of great concern to all municipal officials everywhere
animals.
Enterococcus bacteria are a type of fecal streptococcus and are another
Non-point source (NPS) pollution is now a major stressor of the St Croix valuable indicator for determining the amount of fecal contamination of
River Estuary. The NPS pollution affecting the St Croix River Estuary water. According to studies conducted by the EPA, enterococci have a
can be divided into three general categories, atmospheric deposition, land greater correlation with swimming-associated gastrointestinal illness in
run-off, and marine activities. In this study of the St Stephen waterfront, both marine and fresh waters than other bacterial indicator organisms,
the concentration is centered on the land run-off category and specifically and are less likely to “die off” in saltwater. (www.oasisdesign.net/water/
the present-day storm and sanitary drain system. quality/coliform.htm).
The Town of St. Stephen is presently looking at the potential for the Additionally, cleanup and restoration of the St. Stephen waterfront is
development of eco-tourism related activities in the River. Since St. essential to the return of the valuable runs of anadromous fish species.
Stephen will soon be by-passed by a new highway, it is recognized that Marshes, ponds, and streams have been destroyed during the long
a new approach to tourism is essential if visitors are to be attracted to the history of development of the waterfronts of St. Stephen and Calais.
Town. However, the risk to human health, as defined by the Canadian Habitat destruction, together with pollution from industrial and domestic
Water Quality Guidelines, is great. The highest densities of E.coli have sources, has resulted in the loss of important forage species such as smelt,
been recorded along the storm drain outfalls and mysterious seepages of sticklebacks, mummichogs. and important marine invertebrates, as well as
the St. Stephen waterfront; the area that has been identified for tourist- spawning habitat for species such as striped bass, American eel and other
related development. Unfortunately, the risk to human health is real and estuarine fishes and invertebrates. With proper environmental design,
this fact may preclude any worthwhile development based on the River at some of this habitat may be reclaimed during the process of reducing and
this point. eliminating pollution sources in the Town of St. Stephen.
7
The St. Stephen waterfront has been identified as an area in urgent need of
remedial action and it is this area that is the focus of this report.
8
Figure 3.3. Biodiversity ratings
for marine plants over time based
on the number and abundance of
species. The lighter the color, the
lower the biodiversity (See rating
scale).
9
4. ST. STEPHEN SEWAGE SYSTEM
I
ncorporated in 1871, St. Stephen is, by North American standards at
least, an “old” town. Its infrastructure grew on the basis of demand
using available materials. Waterfront fill projects over the years
covered sewers, marshes, brooks, and storm drains alike. Each and
every year, the town struggles to maintain functionality and to gradually
improve and upgrade the system. The record has been good in this regard
and annual plans show forethought. Nevertheless, the Town has ignored
the waterfront, and the Estuary continues to receive raw sewage from
seepages and combined septic and sewer systems. This study shows there
is little reason for this to continue and elimination of these problems
should be possible in a relatively short time.
11
identifies the 6 outfalls: 3 were identified on the Town map and the other
3 were confirmed by the observation of feminine sanitary products and
toilet paper at outfall locations during the field work of 2004. Also, when
it rains heavily, the volume of stormwater runoff can become too large
for the combined sewers to handle. This has caused additional polluted
runoff to reach the River (the old waste water lagoon in Milltown was
particularly bad).
Figure 4.2 shows the sanitary sewers and Figure 4.3. shows the sanitary
and combined sewers in St Stephen, NB as prepared for the Town by SGE
Acres in June of 2003. The full document is available from the World Wide
Web at http://www.chocolatetown.ca/documents/StStephenMaps.pdf
At least 6 outfalls are introducing these materials into the St Croix River.
However, adequate treatment could remove many of these toxic substances 4.3 Sewage Lagoons
from sewage effluent and capture them in the sludge (solid waste left
over after treatment of liquid waste) as long as the effluents were to be Until recently the Town of St. Stephen had 2 wastewater treatment
redirected to the Treatment Plant. facilities: A small open system at Milltown (Figure 4.6) and the main
two-cell system on the waterfront at the end of Budd Avenue (Figure
Although combined sewer systems bring with them the problems of 4.1). The recent construction of a larger lagoon on the banks of Dennis
overflows, the alternative of separate sewers for stormwater runoff and Stream (Figure 4.5) will lead to the closure of these facilities. The old
domestic sewage can also have significant adverse effects. In St Stephen, main lagoons are being considered for conversion to a constructed marsh
where we have this type of separation, stormwater runoff is not usually for tertiary treatment of some sewage. The new facility has had serious
treated at all but runs straight into the receiving water, even when the leakage problems that are being addressed. However, the proximity of the
domestic system is not overloaded and could treat this discharge. As a complex to Dennis Stream, an important stream for many reasons, is of
result, heavy metals and toxic synthetic chemicals that collect in storm concern. These considerations are beyond the scope of this work.
drains are constantly being discharged raw.
12
Figure 4.2 Sanitary Sewers in the Town of St. Stephen. Sanitary Sewer in Blue. Combined Sewer in Red. (AGE Acres, 2004).
13
Figure 4.3 Storm Sewers in the Town of St. Stephen. Sanitary Sewer in Blue. Combined Sewer in Red. (SGEAcres, 2004)
14
Table 4.1 Potential health and environmental effects of toxins found in sewage treatment plant effluents (www.environmentprobe.org).
Industrial chemicals
PCBs neurotoxin, carcinogen, suppresses immune system in animals,
causes skin disorders, liver damage, depression and internal
bleeding, affects fertility
Chloroform carcinogen, affects female reproductive capacity
Xylene affects male reproductive capacity
Tetrachlorethylene affects respiratory system, very persistent in the environment
Trichloroethylene poisonous by ingestion or absorption through skin, skin irritant
Cresol, Phenol poisonous by ingestion or absorption through skin
PAHs carcinogens, biotransformable (shift forms once in the organism)
LABs persistent in the environment, effects not yet known
15
Table 4.2 Diseases associated with pathogenic micro-organisms found in domestic sewage (www.environmentprobe.org).
17
Figure 4.4 Decommissioned Wastewater System at Milltown.
18
M 5. MATERIALS & METHODS
ajor pollution sources along the St. Stephen Waterfront from
Dennis Stream to Buchanan’s Hill had previously been
identified in the study, The St. Croix Estuary 1604 - 2004.
A detailed follow-up examination was conducted during 2004. A pre-
collection survey was carried out to identify all outfalls in the study area;
this included both the study of the Town’s engineering drawings as well
as a visual search conducted at the lowest low waters of the month of
July, 2004 and later in March, 2005. Based on this survey, outfalls into the
St. Croix River Estuary were located, tested and sampled. Seepages not
previously located were identified.
Field days were selected that coincided with monthly low tides. A new,
detailed, pre-restoration survey was conducted to obtain additional current
data that could be used to develop recommended remediation strategies.
Test methods used were AWWA 9223 for bacteria, GC-ECD for PCB, chemical analyses was preformed.
AWWA 5520C for total oil and gas (hydrocarbons c6 to c50) and test
AWWA 4500-HgB for Mercury. Bacteria tests were preformed on July 25 4. Prioritization of sites for action, recommendations of methods for
and chemistry was preformed between July 7th and 17th. elimination of problem sites, cost estimates for work proposed and a
proposed timeline for the work is found in the recommendations section
5.1 Sampling and Sample Sites of the report.
1. All outfalls (seepages, storm drains, open sewers, etc.) entering the St. 5. The second annual monitoring in 10 established sampling zones from
Croix Estuary within the study area were identified. St. Stephen to St. Andrews was also carried out. See separate report.
2. Bacteriological analyses were conducted on all sites including 4 5.2 Marsh Restoration
previously unidentified sites. Of the nineteen total samples, five had been
sampled in 2003 as part of ACAP St. Croix’s annual monitoring program. Certain sites along the waterfront were know to have marshes. Consideration was
given to marsh restoration as a mechanism for treating seepages in certain areas.
3. Samples were collected from each location and bacteriological and Larry Stewart of Basic Design Associates was contracted to work with ACAP St.
Croix staff to produce a plan for this future, potential work
19
Table 6.1 Laboratory analysis from Water Metrics, Saint John, NB
Water Metrics
220 King Street East Report Number: 17-04-25U
Saint John, N.B. Date: July 20, 2004
E2L 1H3 Page: 1 of 1
506-693-6799
PLEASE NOTE: UNITS HERE ARE IN UNITS PER ML OR MG/Ll. ACAP ST. CROIX USES THE MG/100ML STANDARD AND THIS IS
USED THROUGHOUT THIS REPORT.
In the following table, a result of <1 or <0.001 indicates non-detection.
mg/l = milligrams per litre = parts per million
20
6. RESULTS
R
esults for the field survey are presented Zone-by-Zone and
site-by-site. Most of the notations are self evident. ND = “not
detectable”.
Figure 6.1 shows sites with elevated E. coli and Total Oil and Grease
(TOG) levels.
Table 6.1 shows the actual analysis data from the testing laboratory,
Water Metrics.
Table 6.2 shows comparative results for selected sites during 2003 and
2004, as follows:
Cove 1 - Coliforms and E. coli were greatly reduced , but were still
above acceptable levels.
21
Table 6.2 Comparative results for Total Coliforms and E. coli at 5 sites in 2004 and 2005.
Acceptable
2003 2004 2003 2004 Based on CWQG
Site Total Coliforms/ Total Coliforms/ Change E.coli/ E.coli/ Change for E. coli in
100ml 100ml 100ml 100ml Recreational
Waters
Cove 1 200 000 14 450 Down 80 000 1 370 Down no
No No
Clarke > 2 000 000 >2 000 000 > 2 000 000 1 651 000 no
Change Change
Picnic No
200 000 831 000 6 500 99 000 Up no
K Change
No
Dennis 810 7 820 Up 110 <100 yes
Change
No
Sewage 100 1 500 Up 0 <100 yes
Change
22
6. ZONE 1 - THE COVE
Z1-003 Cove 2
Z1-002 Cove 1
23
Z1-001 GATEWAY CATHEDRAL
LOCATION Z1-001 GATEWAY CATHEDRAL , Scoodic Street
N 45 11 31
GPS
W 67 17 26
DATE JUNE 24 / 04
CANADIAN
100 COUNT / 100 ML PRIMARY CONTACT
STANDARD
400 COUNT / 100 ML SECONDARY CONTACT
E. COLI
RESULT / 100ML
ND
E.COLI
RESULT / 100 ML
4 060 COUNT / 100 ML
TOTAL COLIFORM
RESULT TOTAL OIL
AND ND
GREASE MG / L
RESULT PCB MG / L ND
24
Z1-002 COVE 1 - DOVER HILL
LOCATION Z1-002 COVE 1 - DOVER HILL
N 45 11 31
GPS
W 67 17 14
DATE JUNE 24/04
RESULT / 100ML
1370 / 100 ML
E.COLI
RESULT / 100 ML
14 450 COUNT / 100 ML
TOTAL COLIFORM
RESULT PCB MG / L ND
N 45 11 33
GPS
W 67 17 11
RESULT / 100ML
885 000 / 100 ML
E.COLI
RESULT / 100 ML
20 000 000 COUNT / 100 ML
TOTAL COLIFORM
RESULT PCB MG / L ND
27
Parking (8) Cars
Trail Linkage to Downtown
Canoe / Kayak Launch Landing
Demonstration Fish Hatchery
Seating Area
Ferry Point
Boardwalk Bridge
Trail 1.5m width
Proper Salt Marsh / Constructed Wetland Legend - Key
ty Line
Armor Stone
Existing Forest
St Croix River New Planting
Existing Gazebo
Salt Marsh
Existing Trail
America
Parking / Bus Drop off i n aryn
m
Dover Park
i
rel ussio
P isc
For d
Scale : 1:1500
28
6.2 Marsh Restoration Plan
Z2-001 NBTel Bldg Z2-002 Clark Bldg Z2-003 Chocolate Park Z2-007 Picnic Kiosk
31
Z2-001 NBTEL SHORE
LOCATION Z2-001 NBTEL SHORE
N 45 11 31
GPS
W 67 16 34
CANADIAN
100 COUNT / 100 ML PRIMARY CONTACT
STANDARD
400 COUNT / 100 ML SECONDARY CONTACT
E COLI
RESULT / 100ML
E.COLI 100 COUNT / 100 ML
RESULT / 100 ML
TOTAL COLIFORM 2070 COUNT / 100 ML
RESULT PCB MG / L ND
32
Z2-002 CLARK BUILDING
LOCATION Z2-002 CLARK BUILDING
N 45 11 31
GPS
W 67 16 46
RESULT / 100ML
1 652 000 / 100 ML
E.COLI
RESULT / 100 ML
>2 000 000 COUNT / 100 ML
TOTAL COLIFORM
RESULT PCB MG / L ND
This outfall services 5.4km of
commercial/residential and parking
PROBLEM storm drainage. The E. coli levels
are excessive. Oil and grease are
present
HIGH PRIORITY – This outfall
should be hooked into a system
with the 5 other outfalls within
a 570 metre (1700 foot) stretch
including NB Tel site, Picnic Kiosk
RECOMMENDATION
site, Chocolate Park Site, Ramp
and Ramp East Sites and proceed
to a lift station which will divert
contaminants to the St Stephen
Wastewater Treatment Facility.
33
Z2-003 CHOCOLATE PARK
LOCATION Z2-003 CHOCOLATE PARK STORM DRAIN
N 45 11 30
GPS
W 67 16 45
DATE JUNE 24/04
100 COUNT / 100 ML PRIMARY CONTACT
CANADIAN STANDARD
400 COUNT / 100 ML SECONDARY CONTACT
E COLI
RESULT / 100ML
53 000 COUNT / 100 ML
E.COLI
RESULT / 100 ML
560 000 COUNT / 100 ML
TOTAL COLIFORM
RESULT TOTAL OIL AND
1.7 mg/l
GREASE MG / L
RESULT PCB MG / L ND
34
Z2-004 BOAT RAMP WEST
LOCATION Z2-004 BOAT RAMP WEST
N 45 11 32
GPS
W 67 16 43
RESULT / 100ML
ND
E.COLI
RESULT / 100 ML
3 240 COUNT / 100 ML
TOTAL COLIFORM
RESULT TOTAL OIL AND
ND
GREASE MG / L
RESULT PCB MG / L ND
35
Z2-005 BOAT RAMP EAST
LOCATIONL Z2-005 BOAT RAMP EAST
N 45 11 32
GPS
W 67 16 42
RESULT PCB MG / L ND
36
Z2-006 PIZZA DELIGHT SITE
Z2-006 PIZZA DELIGHT SITE
LOCATION
N 45 11 32
GPS
W 67 16 34
RESULT / 100ML
42 000 COUNT / 100 ML
E.COLI
RESULT / 100 ML
42 000 COUNT / 100 ML
TOTAL COLIFORM
RESULT PCB MG / L ND
37
Z2-007 PICNIC KIOSK
LOCATION Z2-007 PICNIC KIOSK STORM DRAIN
GPS N 45 11 31
W 67 16 49
DATE JUNE 24/05
CANADIAN 100 COUNT / 100 ML PRIMARY CONTACT
STANDARD 400 COUNT / 100 ML SECONDARY CONTACT
E COLI
RESULT / 100ML
99 000 COUNT / 100 ML
E.COLI
RESULT / 100 ML
831 000 COUNT / 100 ML
TOTAL COLIFORM
RESULT TOTAL OIL
AND ND
GREASE MG / L
RESULT PCB MG / L ND
38
ZONE 3 - OLD SEWAGE LAGOON AREA
39
Z3-008 VACANT LOT
LOCATION Z3-001 VACANT LOT
N 45 11 33
GPS
W 67 16 49
RESULT / 100ML
ND
E.COLI
RESULT / 100 ML
870 COUNT / 100 ML
TOTAL COLIFORM
RESULT PCB MG / L ND
40
Z3-002 SEWAGE LAGOON 1
LOCATION Z3-002 SEWAGE LAGOON 1
N 45 11 30
GPS
W 67 16 06
RESULT / 100ML
ND
E.COLI
RESULT / 100 ML
1 500 COUNT / 100 ML
TOTAL COLIFORM
RESULT PCB MG / L ND
41
Z3-003 SEWAGE LAGOON 2
LOCATION Z3-003 SEWAGE LAGOON 2
N 45 11 31
GPS
W 67 16 05
RESULT / 100ML
ND
E.COLI
RESULT / 100 ML
4 780 COUNT / 100 ML
TOTAL COLIFORM
RESULT PCB MG / L ND
42
LOCATION Z3-004 - SENIORS’ APARTMENT 1
Z3-004 - SENIORS’ APARTMENT 1
N 45 11 30
GPS
W 67 15 59
RESULT / 100ML
ND
E.COLI
RESULT / 100 ML
4 780 COUNT / 100 ML
TOTAL COLIFORM
RESULT PCB MG / L ND
43
ZONE 4 - DENNIS STREAM AREA
45
Z4-001 SENIORS APARTMENT 2
LOCATION Z4-001 SENIORS APARTMENT 2
N 45 11 31
GPS
W 67 16 53
RESULT / 100ML
ND
E.COLI
RESULT / 100 ML
310 COUNT / 100 ML
TOTAL COLIFORM
RESULT PCB MG / L ND
46
Z4-002 SENIORS APARTMENT 3
LOCATION Z4-002 SENIORS APARTMENT 3
N 45 11 26
GPS
W 67 15 52
RESULT / 100ML
310 / 100 ML
E.COLI
RESULT / 100 ML
42 000 COUNT / 100 ML
TOTAL COLIFORM
RESULT PCB MG / L ND
47
Z4-003 DEEP PIPE OUTFALL
LOCATION Z4-003 DEEP PIPE OUTFALL
N 45 11 25
GPS
W 67 15 49
RESULT / 100ML
No data - unable to reach outfall
E.COLI
RESULT / 100 ML
No data - unable to reach outfall
TOTAL COLIFORM
48
Z4-004 OLD WHARF
LOCATION Z4-004 OLD WHARF
N 45 11 25
GPS
W 67 15 49
RESULT / 100ML
ND
E.COLI
RESULT / 100 ML
150 000 COUNT / 100 ML
TOTAL COLIFORM
RESULT PCB MG / L ND
49
Z4-004 OLD FERTILIZER PLANT
LOCATION Z4-004 OLD FERTILIZER PLANT
N 45 11 24
GPS
W 67 15 37
RESULT / 100ML
ND
E.COLI
RESULT / 100 ML
238 000 COUNT / 100 ML
TOTAL COLIFORM
RESULT PCB MG / L ND
50
Z4-005 DENNIS STREAM
LOCATION Z4-005 DENNIS STREAM
N 45 11 33
GPS
W 67 15 32
RESULT / 100ML
ND
E.COLI
RESULT / 100 ML
7 820 COUNT / 100 ML
TOTAL COLIFORM
RESULT PCB MG / L ND
51
7. RECOMMENDATIONS
The environmental implications of these data are great, but Recommendations outside the specific sites include the re-
the negative impacts of current sewage-related pollution building of salt marshes, consideration of oil/grit separators in
that impact the St. Croix Estuary can be easily mitigated by sewer lines, trucking removed street snow to the wastewater
proactive planning and restoration actions; largely, we believe, facility and a street sweeping program.
within existing budgets.
Barriers to action include the perceived level of difficulty and
This study allows us to recommend remedial options for each expense of identifying the problem spots and repairing the
site. Options to eliminate, reduce, or purify the leakages, infrastructure. For example, the in-filling of the St Stephen
seepages and contaminants entering the estuary include the use
waterfront resulted in outfall pipe locations being lost, making
of pollution prevention, detention basins, retention/infiltration
improvements in this area an interesting puzzle. Presently a
devices and/or vegetative controls. Some of the outfall issues
may be simply dealt with by the reconnection of broken pipes percentage of these outfalls still seep contaminants and these
or re-establishment of proper domestic sewage connections. provide the clues to restoration. Elsewhere, it is clear that
Other possibilities may include marsh rebuilding, thereby combined storm and septic systems have not been shifted over
simultaneously implementing waterfront beautification, habitat to septic.
restoration, biota restoration, and water quality improvement; all
components of the St. Stephen “Green Community” initiative. There are also issues surrounding the municipal government.
For 3 years in a row the Town of St. Stephen has agreed to
Protection of humans and the biota through water quality improving the water quality problems as they relate to estuary
protection and restoration is the primary objective of this project. pollution, but they have not yet produced a repair schedule or
By annually neutralizing or eliminating some of these sources, committed any real dollars to the infrastructure that leads to the
it is possible, over the long-term, to dramatically reverse the River. A study carried out by the St. Croix Estuary Project Inc.
negative impacts of two hundred years of neglect and, further, in the mid-nineties, also identified many of these problems. To
to reestablish the important social and economic benefits of a this date, it seems apparent that the Town of St. Stephen has
healthy river. not been prepared to address their contribution to the pollution
of the St. Croix River. Hopefully, this study will create a
ACAP St Croix is dedicated to this becoming an ongoing positive movement to accomplish the elimination of waterfront
proactive project that will result in the restoration of the St. pollution.
Croix Estuary. For this to happen, specific restoration programs
must be chosen and initiated on an annual basis over the long-
Table 7.1 shows the projects and probable budget for work on
term determined by needs and funding.
the sewage, storm drain, and water systems over the next 5 years.
53
Table 7.1 St. Stephen infrastructure plans for the period 2004 to 2009
INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS
YEAR 2004
Sanitary, Storm & Road Riverside Dr Milltown Blvd to Civic #1 $400,000.00
YEAR 2005
Pleasant Street Milltown Blvd
Sanitary, Storm Water & Road $320,000.00
to Riverside Drive
YEAR 2006
Sanitary, Storm & Road Cedar Street $110,000.00
Sanitary, Storm, Water & Road Pine Street - Cedar to Queen $250,000.00
Total $360,000.00
YEAR 2007
Queensway - Church to Centre Street
Sanitary, Storm & Road $250,000.00
& Centre St.
YEAR 2008
Sanitary, Storm & Road
Sanitary, Storm & Road Queensway #47 to Church St $200,000.00
Queensway #47 to Hill St $160,000,00
Total $360,000.00
YEAR 2009
Prince William Street Duke
Sanitary, Storm & Road $140,000.00
to Thompson Ave.
Sanitary, Water & Road Dow St. - All west flow $155,000,00
Total $295,000.00
54
The current plan does not show a commitment to restoring the 3. that funds be allocated specifically for this work, and
system along the waterfront. The cost for virtually eliminating
pollution along the waterfront would be only a minor portion of
4. that the Town St. Stephen should institute an annual monitoring
these planned expenditures. program for the waterfront, conducted by trained Town staff or
under contract to the St. Croix Estuary Project Inc.
We request:
1. that the restoration and repair of sewer and storm drains along the
waterfront be included in the long-term workplan of the Town of St.
Stephen starting in the fiscal year 2005 - 2006
a. The Clark Building which has E. coli counts of over 1.5 million
and sewage (toilet paper/sanitary products) being disposed of on the
beach, should be a top priority. This outfall needs to be redirected into
the sanitary sewer line that runs on Milltown Boulevard, the line is
only the length of the building away, less than 200m.
b. The Cove 2 site also has E. coli counts exceeding 1.5 million, it
needs to be redirected into the sanitary sewer line, instead of onto the
beach.
c. Both the Chocolate Park outfall and the NB Tel outfall have sewage
(toilet paper and sanitary products) being disposed of on the beach
and should also be redirected into the sanitary sewer line.
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NEW BRUNSWICK. Contributions to Canadian Biology, FRB, pp. 79-85,1915- MODIFICATION AND PROVIDE A PREDICTIVE SEQUENCE OF
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59