Approaches to Passamaquoddy vs Saint John

It keeps coming up, over and over from people who should know better. It's really important that folks understand the vast difference between Saint John and the Quoddy Region as sites for LNG terminals. One aspect is the approaches. I have prepared two aerial views using Google Earth. These dramatically illustrate the access differences.  Please have a look and use them as you wish to further the arguement that Quoddy is the wrong place for LNG terminals.

Art McKay artmackay@scep.org 
 
The following is from: http://www.scep.org/LNG.html

LNG at Saint John vs LNG at Passamaquoddy Bay

We believe that Passamaquoddy Bay is the wrong place for LNG facilities. We have taken no position on LNG at other locations. However, we keep hearing criticism from folks who can't see any difference between LNG at Saint John Harbour and LNG in Passamaquoddy Bay. Apart from the richness of the Quoddy Region and the financial losses that will occur, the approaches are so different that it is clear that these critics have not bothered to do a little research. 

Access to Saint John Harbour is characterized by a direct, safe, unobstructed route from the Outer Bay of Fundy to the Harbour. Traffic lanes have been moved to avoid principal Right Whale areas. The Harbour has been active since the City was founded and has modern navigation, security, and safety systems in place.


Approaches to Saint John Harbour

In contrast,  the route to Passamaquoddy Bay passes through a Right Whale Sanctuary, vital fishing and aquaculture grounds, and the primary tourist area for the Bay of Fundy (see the slide show at www.scep.org/LNG). It follows a difficult, narrow, and dangerous passage through upwellings, extreme currents, the Old Sow Whirlpool, and into Passamaquoddy Bay a vital area for tourism, endangered species, research, education and the home of numerous historic and protected sites including St. Croix island an international historic site. There are very limited navigation, security, and safety systems in place. Additionally, the proposed terminals are all sited along the Canada and US Border, increasing security risks in an area which should act as a buffer zone. This is not an area where foreign ships and crews should be passing between our two countries under current circumstances.

A quick look at the Google aerials should be adequate to satisfy the most difficult critic.

Approaches to Passamaquoddy Bay

ACAP St. Croix has initiated a program to establish a national or international protected area for the Quoddy Region. It is hoped that, in cooperation with the Quoddy Community from Maine, that the  Cobscook Bay area will be included in an international effort.
Did you know?

*Our resource-based enterprises (fisheries, aquaculture, tourism, research, and related activities) bring an estimated 1 billion dollar each year to Charlotte County residents.

*The Bay of Fundy is considered to be one of the "Seven Natural Wonders of the World"?

*Head Harbour Passage is an "Area of Global Significance" for marine birds.

*LNG tankers may have to pass through our Atlantic Right Whale Sanctuary off Grand Manan and will pass through historic habitat in Head Harbour Passage.

*No boats of any kind will be allowed inside an exclusion zone that is 2 miles in front, 1 mile behind, and 1000 feet to each side of every  LNG tanker.

*The exclusion zone will result in 30-100% shutdown of resource-based industries in the West Isles area, including traditional fisheries, scallops, rockweed harvesting, clamming, weirs, whale and bird watching enterprises, aquaculture, ferries, existing port traffic, and more.