Why I support the pipeline through Rockwood Park

Recently, there have been new updates in the Rockwood Park pipeline saga. This week, Friends of Rockwood Park have teamed up with Sierra Legal to launch a lawsuit against Emera Inc. and the National Energy Board. They are attempting to prevent permits and approvals for the pipeline. They say the board did not do what it should have in its environmental review (released back on May 31).

“We allege that the NEB review panel failed to do what was perhaps the most fundamental task it had been charged with, and that most fundamental task was considering, as an alternative to the route through Rockwood Park, an alternative marine route through Saint John harbour,” said Sierra Legal lawyer Lara Tessaro. Also, the Friends of Rockwood Park say they collected 15,000 signatures from people in Saint John who support a marine route.

So what is this all about?

The Canaport Liquified Natural Gas Terminal (located in Mispec) wants to build a pipeline to the US border, which will allow them to connect to an existing pipeline into the United States. The best route through Saint John, according to the company, involves Rockwood Park, not through the harbour. The argument for going through Rockwood Park can be found on this website of information on the proposed pipeline: Brunswick Pipeline - Corridor Selection.

Their arguments are listed below:

• it is the safest option
• it follows existing power lines
• it provides the smallest footprint
• it is the shortest land-based route
• it avoids more populated areas
• it is consistent with North American regulatory standards
• it can be restored as a walking trail in Rockwood Park

From Route 1, the proposed pipeline corridor continues to follow the existing power transmission line as it proceeds through a rugged and remote section of Rockwood Park. This existing utility corridor runs for 2.4 kilometres and exits Rockwood Park near the Howe’s Lake landfill area. The requested width of the corridor through Rockwood Park (100m) allows for the ability to align the 30m-wide final pipeline route from the south side (or vice-versa) of the existing power line to avoid any identified environmental or construction constraints during the detailed route phase.

There are many pipelines buried under parks, golf courses, and recreation areas throughout North America. In Saint John, the M&NP lateral pipeline was safely built under Harbour Passage several years ago.

A specialized construction plan will be developed for this sensitive area, and with input from the community, we would restore the corridor as a trail from one end of the park to the other.

Here are maps of the areas discussed above:

• Map of the proposed route through Rockwood Park.
• Map of the proposed route through Saint John.
• Map of the proposed route through New Brunswick.

So why do I support the proposed pipeline through Rockwood Park? Simply because it can be done in a way that will not destroy the park (just look at Harbour Passage as an example).

The pipeline will be underground, running along existing power lines. Once construction is complete, we will not even notice the pipeline! My advice to people? Support the pipeline, but also fight to get as much from the companies as possible. Make conditions that forces them to build trails, upgrade infrastructure, and promote the park! Remember how the company has said it would cost too much to run the pipeline through the harbour, take even a quarter of that potential cost and make them invest it into the park, image what could be supported with that!

The companies have been more then willing to support the park, just take the Pavillion as an example. Turn this into a win-win, where the Park is supported in return for allowing the pipeline!