Projects and Activities
The SBWA initiates many projects each year often involving partnerships with various
community interest groups. These projects aim to improve and protect our watershed as well
as educate the public on various environmental issues affecting our area. Past projects of
the SBWA include a septic tank survey, bird surveys, tree planting, a coastal stewardship
project, archeological study and many ongoing projects such as cattle fencing, stream
restoration, educational presentations, beach sweeps and water quality monitoring. Future
plans also include activities such as the Community Wetlands Atlas project, the Septic
Systems Improvement and Education project and Shellfish Restoration project. Below you will
find some of the projects described.
Freshwater Mussels Inventory
Shellfish Restoration
Green Boating
Water Remediation Projects
- Septic Systems Improvement and Education
- Cattle Fencing
- Stream Restoration
Water Classification Program
Public Education
Community Wetlands
Archaeology Activities
Annual Activities
- Annual Beach Sweep
- Camp
 Only 25% of the freshwater mussels species found in North America are described as healthy
populations. According to The Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada
(COSEWIC), freshwater mussels are the most threatened group of invertebrates in Canada.
It is thought that approximately 12% of the species are already extinct and that within
the remaining species many are classified as either “Endangered” or “Threatened”
(Williams et al., 1993). Habitat loss and destruction are thought to be the major causes
for the decline of freshwater mussels. Non-native freshwater mussels species invasion can
also cause the loss of indigenous species. The Shediac Bay Watershed Association has
undertaken a freshwater mussel population inventory in the major rivers found within the
watershed: the Shediac River and Scoudouc River.More information ...
Six objectives were addressed during the Freshwater Mussel Inventory Project:
- Determine the total freshwater mussel species richness and diversity, including rare
and endangered species
- Determine the distribution of freshwater mussel species and describe the habitat in
which they are found
- Determine the relative abundance of each species at each site
- Determine the abundance and diversity of fish species in the area of study to evaluate
the recruitment potential (the life cycle of freshwater mussels depends on specific fish
species)
- Produce a reference document for further consultation
- Make an inventory of predation evidence on freshwater mussels
 The project was put together to enhance oyster habitat in the bays of Shediac and Cocagne as
well as to establish quahaug reproductive sanctuaries in Shediac. As a result of Malpeque
disease, native oyster beds are merely 10% of their original biomass. Quahaug populations in
the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence have also declined over the past five decades largely due
to increasing harvesting pressures. In Cocagne and Shediac Bays, shell material was added to
the sea floor (shelling) to create recruitment substrate for oyster spat. It is hoped that
oysters will settle on this substrate and create reefs. By creating reef structures, oysters
increase biodiversity, provide a viable food source and habitat for many species.
Shellfish play an ecologically important role by filtering the water column.
They contribute by reducing water turbidity and nutrient pollution effect (for example
algal blooms). Recruitment in Cocagne Bay was high and a large number of juvenile oysters
are now growing on our restored site. Quahaug reproductive sanctuaries were established in
Shediac Bay by planting large quahaugs. By restoring shellfish in these bays, the SBWA is
helping to improve water quality for residents and users of the bay. More information ...
Green Boating
Clean water for residents of the Shediac Bay Watershed is important for social, economical,
and environmental reasons. At the moment, a large section of Shediac Bay, as is part of the
east coast of New Brunswick, is closed to shellfish harvesting because of poor water quality.
The increase of anthropogenic activities in coastal regions has contributed to reduce the water
quality. As such, with a mandate of improving water quality and promoting ecosystem stability,
the Shediac Bay Watershed Association (SBWA) would like to work to promote better navigable
practices. Approximately 250 local and visitor boats dock in two marinas located in Shediac
Bay. Both marinas are equipped with pump-out stations. Also, both marinas are offering a
service of oil disposal threw a local business. The SBWA would like to survey local and visitor
boaters and inquire 1) if they are equipped with holding tanks or portable toilets, and 2) the
frequency of use of the pump-out stations. For those not equipped with holding tanks, the SBWA
would like to assist boaters acquire these by offering information on installers, costs and
types available for their boat. The survey will be anonymous to ensure a realistic estimation
of the actual situation. Other waste management strategies such as engine maintenance, cleaning
methods and products used, hazardous waste spill control and disposal, will be questioned.
More information ...
In order to improve or maintain the water quality within the watershed classified by the
Provisional Water Classification, a remediation plan was initiated in the 2003-2004 fiscal
year. The SBWA would like to continue and elaborate on this remediation plan by working
with the various stakeholders within the watershed. Areas identified in the Provisional
Water Classification report of March 2003 require a collaborative effort to remediate and
improve the condition and state of our watershed. Causes for such results need to be further
investigated in order to properly remediate and improve the water quality of this area. Such
investigation involves consulting with stakeholders surrounding this tributary in order to
determine the possible point source and non-point sources of pollution and erosion that may
be responsible for the lower water quality readings observed in this area. Consequently,
farmers and industrial park companies will again be the primary target groups to partner with
for developing comprehensive remediation plans. The creation of the water quality management
document will assist us by identifying priorities and develop actions in areas were higher
risk of pollution have been observed. This profile will be a tool to efficiently manage water
quality in the Watershed.
Septic System Improvement and Education
 Funded by the New Brunswick Environmental Trust Fund,
the Septic System Improvement and Education Project aims to identify and correct failing and
problematic septic systems within the Shediac Bay watershed. Problematic and not maintained
septic systems can have a very negative affect on the waters leading into Shediac Bay and
Northumberland Strait. The project involves studying statistical information such as shoreline
sanitary surveys, water quality results, property data information among others in order to
identify areas of concern. The project intends to make positive changes by educating homeowners
and cottage-owners on their responsibilities with handling septic waste and by offering
subsidies to those identified most in need of both financial support and repairs to their
system.
Cattle Fencing
Cattle fencing projects are conducted to restrict cattle from directly accessing
the watercourses and protect the stream from contamination and bank erosion.
Stream Restoration
 The restoration of the tributary involved assessing the damage of the area, the
construction of erosion control structures and strategically placing “digger logs” in
certain locations of stream to redirect the flow of the water and allow sediment build-up
from forestry practices to be cleared and the stream to reopen. The intent of the
restoration is to restore fish habitat and the stream to its natural state. Sites are
selected based on the presence improper buffer zones, poor oxygenation, week riparian
zones and low fish habitat and also on the problem areas identified in the Water
Classification report.
Water quality conditions throughout the watershed will continue to be closely monitored and
observed. Water temperature, air temperature and dissolved oxygen readings are monitored
and water quality testing is analyzed and studied as well. Under the Clean Water Act,
the province has set up a regulation that will help to better protect our rivers and streams.
The regulation takes into account the current land use of the area, the existing water
conditions as per water quality testing and the public’s input. The tributaries are classed
into one of three categories. The SBWA has written the Provisional report associated to the
classification. Water sampling for this report was performed by the
Scoudouc River Canoe Club under the supervision of the SBWA and the New Brunswick Department
of the Environment and Local Government. Sites were chosen according to topography, water
flow and drainage area. These locations provided a representative sample of the quality of
fresh water throughout the watershed. Regulation:
http://www.gnb.ca/0009/0371/0003/0001-e.asp
In order to educate and to sensitize the population on environmental issues affecting our
watershed, an ongoing education effort on issues such as water conservation and protection
raises public awareness with respect to environmental problems and creates an atmosphere of
community stewardship. The entire community, therefore, benefits by an increase in improved
environmental practices that ultimately result in a better quality of life for all residents.
This has been accomplished by delivering presentations to different interests groups and
schools, setting up information kiosks at various events, and offering pamphlets and other
such publications.
Over the years, half due to rapid urbanization of the watershed has reduced coastal wetlands
in the Shediac Bay watershed. The importance of maintaining key wetland functions and values,
combined with the stresses of rapidly developing watersheds and the dynamic hydrology of the
Shediac Bay, make management of coastal wetlands a complex challenge. The New Brunswick
Wildlife Trust Fund approved funding to the SBWA to proceed with the Community
Wetlands Atlas project. This began in the 2003-2004 fiscal year. The Community Wetlands Atlas
will provide information on wetland type, site type, soil type, significance and status as
well as a qualitative assessment of stressors affecting the wetlands and biodiversity data
for significant coastal wetland-dependent species. Polygons depicting wetland boundaries
will be based on data collected from the field and from possible historically collected
data archives. The Atlas and GIS (Geographic Information System) database will be used for the following purposes: assess
and monitor the status, losses of and changes in coastal wetlands; assist in land-use
planning exercises; develop habitat management strategies; target limited resources for
conservation and restoration programs; set goals for biodiversity and endangered species
recovery plans; support New Brunswick environmental policies and wetland conservation
programs; and identify information gaps.
Archaeologist Kevin Leonard carried out a study of the historic
sites of the Shediac Bay Watershed, including an Acadian historic
site not far from the Shediac River. It is believed that French
military officers occupied this site in the 18th century. Dr
Leonard presented his research to the schools of the region. His
presentation included collected information on his research
project, and the results of the previous work done in the region.
This was done in order to explain the importance of preserving the
environment and to allow us to know the impact of the human
presence on the local environment with each passing year.
Annual Beach Sweep
Camp
For more information on activities relating to improving our watershed please see "Awareness".
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