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The Daily Gleaner, Published Tuesday March 10th, 2009
Re: UNB Woodlot development
I live in St. John’s, Newfoundland, but I grew up in New Brunswick and went to the University of New Brunswick for a couple of years.
I have family living in Fredericton who have told me there is pressure to develop the woodlot above the UNB campus.
My husband and I have long fought for the retention of natural environments in cities as the most important factor in flood control. Both cities are prone to flooding at lower levels. In St. John’s, there is a large watershed out of which several rivers flow towards St. John’s harbour and Quidi Vidi Gut, a small harbour in the east end of the city.
Tributary streams have been put underground and channelized, culverts improperly installed, storm sewers often are not cleared, and because of climate change, heavy precipitation is happening more frequently.
The city council has ignored the warnings of experts such as my husband and other scientists, including many at Memorial University, who point out the errors in city plans. Development and tax revenues take precedence over property values, wildlife, and of course, human health and even our lives are put in danger by flooding.
Our home (built in 1840) was not on the flood plain when we purchased it; but the following year the flood plain was redrawn and our insurance does not cover any flood damage. This has happened to many people.
As a result of our experiences with our council, I did a lot of research and was able to confirm that trees and urban forests are primary factors in absorbing rain and snow, releasing it more slowly so that flash flooding is less likely to occur.
St. John’s still will not pay attention. I know that Fredericton residents and businesses, supported by intelligent scientific advice from knowledgeable sources, have protested plans to develop the woodlot.
Councillors and planners are culpable if they make decisions which fail to recognize the danger of removing any part, no matter how small, in Fredericton, which has even worse floods than we do here in St. John’s.
Judy Gibson
St. John’s, NL
