Summary of questions.

Questions :

1. Impact on the Kennebecasis River Banks:

How will the increased volume of water affect the riverbanks along my property? Currently, the river is used for various activities, including docking kayaks and canoes, swimming, and fishing. Can you provide any modeling or visual projections on how this increase in water volume could impact these activities and the stability of the riverbanks?

2. Impact on Cabins and Tent Areas:

How will the increased water volume affect my cabins and tenting areas along the property? What measures will be taken to prevent damage to these structures in the event of flooding?

3. Impact on Wells:

How will the increased volume of water impact my six wells? After a flooding event, would you be willing to cover the costs of testing all my wells and providing yearly tests to ensure their safety and water quality? Currently, my wells are tested annually and have no issues, but I am concerned about the potential risks after flooding.

4. Impact on Septic Systems:

How will the increased water volume affect my 14 septic systems? What responsibility will you take should these systems or their associated fields be disrupted due to rising water levels? Will compensation be provided for any necessary repairs or replacements?

5. Impact on Planned Development:

What effect will the increased volume of floodwater have on the growth and future development of the area along the river, including planned picnic areas, biking and walking paths, canoe rest areas, and additional cabins? This development is currently on hold due to the uncertainty caused by these changes. How will you compensate for the disruption to this planned expansion? Are you willing to implement mitigation measures on your property to prevent damage to existing infrastructure and protect future development?

6. Insurance Concerns:

The increased volume of water could potentially affect my ability to obtain insurance. While I have not faced issues obtaining coverage in the past, I am concerned about future risks associated with increased floodwaters. How will you address these potential insurance challenges?

7. Property Value Impact:

How will the increased floodwater volume impact the value of my property? The risk of flooding, which did not exist before, now threatens my plans for future expansion. As a result, I am concerned about the potential decrease in property value. Since purchasing the property, its value has increased by $700K in the last six years. How do you intend to address the potential impact on my property value due to this change?

8. Financial Impact on Future Sales:

When the time comes for me to retire and sell the property, how will this increase in floodwater volume affect my ability to sell? Specifically, how will banks view the property when considering commercial loans or mortgages? The increased risk of flooding may make it impossible for future buyers to obtain financing, which would severely impact my retirement plan and the financial stability of businesses along the Kennebecasis River. How do you intend to mitigate this financial impact?

9. Road Infrastructure Impact:
We invested $30,000 and significant staff hours to repair the main road leading to the back of our property. With the increased volume of water, we are concerned that this road may be washed out. Who will be responsible for repairing and maintaining it in the event of damage?

10. Trail System Preservation:
SNB Wood Co-operative Ltd. developed 5 km of walking and biking trails on our property leading to the Kennebecasis River. The increased water volume poses a risk of erosion and damage to these trails. Who will be responsible for repairing and maintaining them?

11. Impact on CN Rail Line & Bridge:
How will the increased water volume affect the CN rail line and the structural integrity of the train bridge? Has CN Rail conducted an impact assessment? Please provide any reports detailing maintenance plans and structural reinforcements to prevent a potential train derailment.

12. Train Derailment Preparedness:
Is there an emergency response plan in place in the event of a CN train derailment? What were the reasons for the replacement of train bridges in Sussex in 2024? Is there an established lifespan for the rail beds and train bridges? Additionally, what is the scheduled replacement date for the railway crossing between Adam Lane and Aiton Road?

13. NB Power Transmission Line Concerns:
A 69,000-volt NB Power transmission line runs along the Kennebecasis River from Salisbury to Norton, supplying power to the lower half of Sussex and Petitcodiac. Given that this line was one of the earliest built in the province (1940s), how can we ensure that increased water levels do not compromise its structural integrity? Has NB Power conducted an impact assessment on this project? If so, can these findings be shared with the public?

14. Potential Contamination Risk:
It is locally known that the Alexander family previously raised concerns regarding contamination on a property (PID #30125207) purchased from Jerry Alexander by DTI. Will this site be tested to assess the risk of contamination entering the river system during a flooding event? Additionally, will the findings of soil sample tests be made public to identify potential contaminants and ensure there is no risk to the local well water system?

15. Public Consultation & Transparency:
I feel that residents were not adequately informed or consulted regarding this project. Therefore, I formally request that a public meeting be held with engineers and project designers to address community concerns. This meeting should provide residents with an opportunity to review the project’s impacts, examine the modeling, and have time to consider the information before submitting further questions.

Additionally, the deadline for public questions should be extended after the meeting to allow residents to engage in an informed discussion. Property owners whose land will be directly affected by the increased water volume should receive a certified letter via Canada Post detailing the specific impact on their property.

Furthermore, I request that the public be presented with official letters from CN Rail and NB Power regarding their assessments of this project's impact. Ideally, representatives from CN Rail and NB Power should attend the public meeting to reassure residents that there is no risk of a major incident resulting from the increased water flow.