A Guide To New Brunswick’s

Water Classif icationRegulation

Department of the Environmentand Local Government

U N D E R S T A N D I N GT H E L A W

March, 2002

UNDERSTANDING THE LAW: A GUIDE TO NEW BRUNSWICK’SWATER CLASSIFICATION REGULATION

TABLE OF CONTENTSWho Should Read this Guide? ........................................................................................................................ 1Introduction: Clean Water for New Brunswick ............................................................................................ 1Why This Guide? ............................................................................................................................................... 1What is Water Classification? ......................................................................................................................... 2What is Included in the Water Classification Regulation? .............................................................................. 2Which Waters are Included? ............................................................................................................................ 2 What are the Classes? ........................................................................................................................................ 2

Outstanding Natural Waters Class ......................................................................................................... 2AP Class ...................................................................................................................................................... 2AL Class ...................................................................................................................................................... 3A Class ......................................................................................................................................................... 3B Class ......................................................................................................................................................... 3C Class ....................................................................................................................................................... 3

What is the "Bottom Line" for all Waters in the Province? .......................................................................... 3What are Water Quality Standards? ............................................................................................................... 3How is a River System Classified? Step-by-Step! ....................................................................................... 4Who are the Stakeholders? ............................................................................................................................... 4How Can You Be Involved in Water Classification? .................................................................................... 5How is a Watershed Evaluated? ...................................................................................................................... 5How is an Appropriate Class Selected? ......................................................................................................... 5How are Outstanding Natural Waters Selected? .......................................................................................... 6How is the Public Involved in the Outstanding Natural Waters Review Process? ................................ 6What Additional Public Involvement Occurs? ............................................................................................. 6Once the Water in a Watercourse is Classified, What are the Requirements ofthe Water Classification Regulation? .................................................................................................................. 7Does the Regulation Control Specific Activities? ........................................................................................... 7

Point Source Activities .............................................................................................................................. 7Non-Point Source Activities ..................................................................................................................... 7Flow Alterations ........................................................................................................................................ 8Mixing Zones ............................................................................................................................................. 8

How Can the Public Participate in Achieving the Goals Set Through Water Classification? ............... 8How Can You Find Out if the Waters in Your Watershed Have Been Classified? .................................. 9Other Questions ................................................................................................................................................. 9How to Contact Us ............................................................................................................................................ 9

Figure 1. Water Classification of a Typical Watershed ................................................................................ 3Table 1. The Classes and Associated Water Quality and Management Standards ................................ 10

Appendix A: Glossary of Terms ...................................................................................................................... 12Appendix B: Offices of the Department of Environment and Local Government .................................. 14

DisclaimerThis document is intended for general guidance only and is not a legal text. Where apparent conflictsoccur between the guide and the Water Classification Regulation, please note that the Water ClassificationRegulation takes precedence.

1

Who Should Readthis Guide?This guide to the WaterClassification Regulation willbe of interest to everyone inNew Brunswick - all of us usewater for various purposesand all of us have a role toplay in the planning andprotection of our waters. Ifyour activities have an effector a potential effect on thequality of the water, you maybe affected directly by thisRegulation. Waterclassification emphasizes theinput of stakeholders andcommunity groups from thevery beginning of theclassification process.

Stakeholders include anyonewho is interested in or has aninterest in water quality. Thisincludes various levels ofgovernment, includingprovincial departments,municipalities, aboriginalpeoples, and federalagencies. A stakeholder maybe a concerned citizen, alandowner, a permanent orseasonal resident of awatershed, a person whoworks in the watershed suchas a farmer or forester, or aperson who represents aparticular industry,development or commercialenterprise. A stakeholder maybe a conservationist or aneducator, someone who usesthe water for recreation, or amember of a special interestgroup, a watershed group, or acommunity group with arelated focus.

If you are a stakeholder in anyrespect, you will want to knowhow water quality standardswill potentially change the wayyou undertake activities in awatershed. There are manyopportunities for you toparticipate in the waterclassification of watercoursesin the watershed. Reading thisbooklet is the first steptowards participating in theprotection of our water.

Introduction: Clean Water for NewBrunswick

Water is one of New Brunswick's most important resources. Wedrink and bathe in it. We use it for agricultural, commercial and

industrial purposes. We spend our leisure time around water whenangling, camping, canoeing and swimming. As well, NewBrunswick's plants and animals rely on water for their survival, usingit as habitat and refuge.

In order for New Brunswick's existing surface and groundwaterwater resources to supply us with abundant clean water for theforeseeable future, they need to be protected and managed with care.

The Water Classification Regulation is a regulation under the CleanWater Act. The purpose of water classification is to set goals for waterquality and promote management of water on a watershed basis. TheWater Classification Regulation establishes the water quality classes,and the associated water quality standards, and outlines theadministrative processes and requirements related to the classificationof water.

Water classification places the water of lakes and rivers or segmentsof rivers into categories or classes based on water quality goals. Eachclass is then managed according to the goal. The goals associated witha specific class are set according to the intended uses of the water, andthe water quality and quantity required to protect the intended uses.

Why This Guide?

In this guide, you will learn about the Water Classification Regulationand how it will be used to protect, maintain, or improve the water

quality of New Brunswick's lakes and rivers.

The guide describes the various classes of water and describes thewater quality standards associated with each Class. It also describesthe steps that are followed to classify river systems, and how thewater classification system is used to manage the water quality in awatershed once the watercourses have been classified.

The guide also tells about a class called Outstanding Natural Waters,outlines a nominating process for candidate waters, and lists thecriteria by which they may be selected.

A glossary of technical terms appearing in the text is presented at theend of the guide.

Other information is also available to help you understand the waterclassification system and to assist watershed, other communitygroups and stakeholders to participate in water classification. Thisincludes the Water Classification Guidebook, which was preparedby a community-based watershed group to guide other groupsthrough the step-by-step process of classification. A series ofGuidance Documents is also available for groups and stakeholderswho want to become involved in the water classification process, ontopics such as stakeholder involvement, mapping land cover and landuse, and training volunteers for water quality monitoring.

2

What is Water Classification?

Water classification is a water managementmethod used to harmonize the use and

protection of watercourses. In general, itinvolves categorizing watercourses into classes,and then managing those watercourses in orderto meet goals set for each class.

The Water Classification Regulation provides:• raw water quality standards for watercourses

that are used as public drinking watersupplies

• standards for water quality for otherwatercourses

• standards for aquatic life (and the aquaticcommunity) for all waters

• standards that can be used to preventdegradation of water

• an opportunity for New Brunswickers toparticipate in setting goals for water quality

• an opportunity to plan water quality for allthe waters within a single watershed

The water quality standards established underthe Water Classification Regulation complementthe Department of the Environment and LocalGovernment's existing process of approvals forthe protection and management of water underthe Watercourse Alteration Regulation, the WaterQuality Regulation, and the Pesticides Control Act.Water quality standards under the WaterClassification Regulation also complement thedrinking water protection provided under theWatershed Protected Area Designation Order, whichlists prohibitions and permitted activities withinwatersheds that are used as sources of water forpublic supply systems in New Brunswick.

What is Included in the WaterClassification Regulation?

The Regulation contains criteria for classes,including water quality and biological

(aquatic life) standards associated with eachclass, and administrative procedures forimplementing water classification.

The Regulation also puts administrative featuresinto place, so that water in the Province can beclassified. Working with watershed andcommunity-based groups, the Department willeventually classify all waters in the Province,watershed by watershed.

The Regulation also contains administrativeprocedures for nominating and designatingOutstanding Natural Waters.

A process for altering a classification is alsoprovided.

Which Waters are Included?

New Brunswick's Water ClassificationRegulation will be used to classify inland,

surface waters. This will include water bodies infresh water systems: rivers and their tributaries;lakes; ponds; impoundments; and watersassociated with wetlands. It will also includeestuarine waters where a river meets and dilutesmarine water, and water in wetlands associatedwith these estuaries.

What are the Classes?

Under the Water Classification Regulation,watercourses can be placed in one of six

classes. Each class has:• specific standards for water quality, set to

protect suitable uses of the water;• biological standards for aquatic life, set to

protect the habitat function of the water andto help indicate the water quality; and

• management features designed to helpachieve or maintain the desired water qualitygoals.

Following is a brief description of each of the sixClasses. Additional information on the waterquality standards and management featuresassociated with each class can be found in Table 1.

There are three specific classes, designed toprotect special uses of some of our waters:

Outstanding Natural Waters Class - aclass for special lakes and riversThese are waters that meet special criteriaestablished in the Regulation. These watersremain relatively unaffected by human activitiesand possess an unaltered, natural water quality,quantity, and biology. They may be unique orthey may represent good examples of typicalnatural water quality commonly found in NewBrunswick. These lakes or rivers tend to belocated at the headwaters of river systems. Theirprotection will safeguard downstream waterquality and quantity. The goal of theOutstanding Natural Waters Class is to protectthe water quality of these watercourses forposterity in their natural state. These waters areclassified through a nomination process,involving objective selection criteria and aReview Panel (see page 6).

AP Class - a class for designated surfacedrinking water supplies (potable or drinkingwater)

These are waters of watercourses that aredesignated as Protected Areas under theWatershed Protected Area Designation Order - CleanWater Act. At the present time, there are 30

What is the "Bottom Line" forall Waters in the Province?

The Water Classification Regulation establishes a"bottom line" management goal for the water

quality of all classified waters in the Province. Atthe very least, for all Classes of water, the goal isto protect aquatic life. Even in C Class, wheresome changes to the biological community mayoccurs as a result of water quality, the watermust be of acceptable quality and support nativefish species and a viable aquatic community.

There is no class for waters degraded below CClass standards. If, during the evaluationprocess, the water quality of a particularwatercourse or section of a watercourse is shownto be degraded below C Class standards, thewater will be put into a class which makes it thegoal to improve water quality. For example, aseverely degraded stream could be put into the CClass, and, through various decisions andactions, the water would be gradually improvedin quality.

3

designated water supplies in the Province. Thewater of these watercourses, and of all surfacewaters that drain into these watercourses, wasplaced into the AP Class automatically onpassage of the Regulation.

AL Class - a class for lakes, ponds andimpoundmentsThese are lakes, ponds or impoundments thatare not classified into the Outstanding NaturalWaters Class or into the AP Class. The water ofall lakes, ponds and impoundments in theProvince was placed into the AL Classautomatically on passage of the Regulation. Inthe Regulation, the Minister has the authority toexclude impoundments from the class, in caseswhere the impoundments have characteristics ofriverine systems and would be better managedin one of the other classes. The Minister can alsoexclude lakes and ponds in peat bogs from theclass, in cases where peat extraction is occurring.

There are also three additional classes,primarily for rivers and streams, or segments ofrivers and streams that are not placed into oneof the first three classes:

A ClassThese are waters that can support use as habitatfor aquatic life, use for primary contact activitiessuch as swimming and secondary contactactivities such as boating. These watercourseswould be managed to have water quality andaquatic life as it occurs naturally;

B ClassThese are waters that can support use as habitatfor aquatic life, use for primary contact activitiessuch as swimming and secondary contactactivities such as boating. These watercourseswould be managed to have water quality thatwould support all native species, and tomaintain health in the resident aquaticcommunity;

C ClassThese are waters that can support use as habitatfor aquatic life, and use for secondary contactactivities such as boating, but not for primarycontact activities such as swimming. Thesewatercourses would be managed to have waterquality that would support native fish speciesand, although changes to the aquatic communitycould occur, the resulting aquatic communitywould be viable.

Waters are classified into these last threeClasses through a step-by-step public process.

Whenever possible, all the waters within aparticular watershed are classified at the sametime (see Figure 1). This is to enable theinformation to be considered in a comprehensiveway and to acknowledge that

the watershed is a system where activities anddecisions in one part of the watershed have aninfluence on the watershed as a whole. Alsostakeholders who live downstream in thewatershed need to be able to interact withstakeholders in upstream portions of thewatershed and vice-versa.

Figure 1. Water Classification of a Typical Watershed

ALA

A

A AB

B B

B

A

AP

AP

AP

C

Outstanding Natural Waters Class

Figure 1. Water Classification of a Typical Watershed. Theboundaries of this watershed are represented by the thin blackline. To the right is a sub-watershed within the larger watershed.These waters supply drinking water to a downstreammunicipality and are classified AP The lake at the left of themap is classified AL. A small lake and tributary at the top of themap is classified in the Outstanding Natural Waters class. Otherwaters in the watershed are classified A, B or C.

4

What are Water QualityStandards?

The Water Classification Regulation establisheswater quality standards (including biological

standards) for classified lakes and rivers in theProvince to protect the water for existing andplanned uses.

Standards in the Regulation have been kept fewand simple. Each class has standards for:• dissolved oxygen • bacteria• aquatic life • trophic status (for lakes)

The standards are based primarily on theCanadian Environmental Quality Guidelines.These Guidelines list acceptable concentrationsfor water quality. They include physical,chemical, radiological and microbiologicalcharacteristics of water for various uses includingdrinking, recreation and aesthetics, freshwateraquatic life, and other activities.

The water quality standards in the Regulationapply to the water in the watercourse and aredesigned to provide protection for various uses ofthe water (see Table 1 for a list of the standards.)

Standards for bacteria help protect drinkingwater and recreational uses of water by limitingthe numbers of harmful microbiological speciesthat can be released to the water. Standards fordissolved oxygen, when used in combinationwith aquatic life standards, are a good indicatorof general water quality that will help protect thefish and other species living in the water.

The standards for dissolved oxygen and bacteriaare based on the Canadian EnvironmentalQuality Guidelines and on guidelines andstandards used in other Canadian provinces.

Biological or aquatic life standards for each classof water are also included in the Regulation. Thesestandards are based on measures of the health ofaquatic species such as insects (e.g. mayflies) andfish. Insect communities respond quickly to shiftsin water quality by altering their species mix andnumbers and are therefore excellent indicators ofchanges in water quality.

How is a River SystemClassified? Step-by-Step!

The Regulation sets out the step-by-step processfor classifying watercourses within a

watershed. The Regulation enables stakeholders,watershed and other community groups, andresidents to take an active role in the classificationof watercourses within a watershed. Waterclassification helps these groups to work, with the

active involvement of all stakeholders, to setgoals for the water quality in the watershed.

Once the goal-setting step of water classificationis completed, the resulting action plan will helpthe group and regulators to take strategic actionsto manage the watershed far into the future.Watershed and community groups are assisted inthe process of water classification by the NewBrunswick Department of the Environment andLocal Government, through its Outreach andPartnering Initiative.

The Classification of a watercourse involves fourmain steps:• identifying and involving stakeholders and

the public; • evaluating the river system;• establishing a vision for the watershed and

selecting appropriate classifications forvarious lakes and rivers in the watershed;

• implementing classification, includingdeveloping an action plan.

Who are the Stakeholders?Many people have an interest in the managementof water in a watershed: landowners; permanentand seasonal residents; people who work in thewatershed such as farmers, miners, educators,foresters, and conservationists; manufacturers,and those involved in various businesses andindustries; people who use the water forrecreation such as boaters, canoeists andswimmers; people from all walks of life. Thesepeople are considered to have an interest in thewater quality - they are stakeholders in the watermanagement decisions that may be made.

You are a stakeholder and therefore, it isimportant that you become involved throughoutthe process of setting water quality goals throughwater classification. As stakeholders interactduring the process, they will become involved astrue partners in the process of making decisionson watershed management issues. This approachallows all stakeholders an opportunity to expresstheir opinions, to participate in the process ofdeveloping consensus on the goals to be setunder water classification, and to avoid difficultconflicts that may result if stakeholders are notable to participate throughout the process.

As a means of bringing the stakeholders together,the Department of the Environment and LocalGovernment has encouraged the developmentand participation of watershed-based communitygroups. These groups of stakeholders areencouraged in their development and assisted inthe process of water classification with servicesprovided by the Department's Outreach andPartnering Initiative.

5

How Can You Be Involved inWater Classification?

The Regulation ensures that the public isinvolved in the classification of New

Brunswick's waters. This begins when theDepartment first considers a watershed forclassification.

The process of water classification can beinitiated by Government or by any group orindividual by sending a request to the Minister.Wherever possible, water classification shouldbe undertaken for all the waters within acommon watershed. A written request may alsobe made to the Minister to have a lake, pond orimpoundment excluded from the AL Class. Theforms for making these requests may beobtained from any office listed in Appendix B ofthe guide.

Early in the process of water classification in aparticular watershed, the public is notified innewspapers of the area (and perhaps by othermeans) that the evaluation step of classificationhas begun and that stakeholders may becomeinvolved. Existing watershed-based communitygroups often create a nucleus of involvementwhere many different stakeholders canparticipate in the process of water classification.Since the evaluation process and the eventualwater classification may take a few years, thereare many opportunities for the public and forvarious stakeholders to become knowledgeableabout classification and to get involved.

Public involvement may include meetings withwatershed-based community groups, otherstakeholder groups, and individuals who havean interest in the particular watershed.Volunteers can assist with activities such aswater quality monitoring, providing valuablelocal information, and helping to developconsensus on the classification.

The purpose of public involvement is to enableinterested individuals and groups to helpdevelop a vision for the future management ofthe water, and to participate in setting waterquality goals.

How is a Watershed Evaluated?

Before the water of a watercourse can beclassified, the Regulation requires its

suitability for a particular Class to be evaluated,through a process of public participation andinvolvement, as described above. This includes: • making an assessment of the quality of the

water: this involves use of historicalinformation, and monitoring the waterquality in order to understand its chemical,physical and biological properties; aquatic

insects and other aquatic life are also used asan indicator of water quality.

• assessing past, present and potential uses ofthe land and water, to determine existing andpotential discharges and their impacts. Thegeology, soil, vegetation, and other landscapefeatures are examined to determine theirinfluence on water quality and land use.

This information will help to assess which classis best suited to the water so that realistic goalsare set for water quality and quantity.Eventually, this information can be used to helpdevelop an action plan and to provide a basis forvarious projects.

Again, watershed groups are encouraged toparticipate in the evaluation of the watershed.People can become involved in water qualitymonitoring and in describing land uses in thewatershed.

How is an Appropriate ClassSelected?

An appropriate class for the water of awatercourse is selected by examining the

existing water quality, by understanding howland characteristics and uses contribute to thewater quality observed, and by consideringwhat would be the ecological, economic, andsocial consequences of classifying the water in aparticular class.

Once the existing quality of a watercourse isknown, the community can work to establish avision for future water quality and to select aclass for the water which would help to achievethe vision.

One possible vision is to maintain the waterquality as it presently exists; in order to achievethis, the water would be given a class thatreflects its current water quality.

Another possible vision is to improve the waterquality; in order to achieve this, the water wouldbe given a class with more stringent waterquality standards. The Regulation is written insuch a way to promote gradual improvement inwater quality and to discourage "backsliding".

If needed, the Department will assist thecommunity to establish consensus on theselection of an appropriate classification.

Once an appropriate class has been selected forthe water, a recommendation is presented to theMinister. Recall that, where possible, anappropriate class should be selected for all of thewatercourses within a particular watershed.

6

How are Outstanding NaturalWaters Selected?Another evaluation process, carried out in partby an Outstanding Natural Waters Review Panel,is in place for potential candidates for theOutstanding Natural Waters Class.

In order for a water to be designated into theOutstanding Natural Waters Class, waters mustmeet special criteria:• The water quality and quantity should be as it

occurs naturally, allowing for barelymeasurable changes to water chemistry orflow caused by atmospheric inputs or landand water use activities;

• The aquatic community must be as it naturallyoccurs, allowing for barely measurablechanges by atmospheric inputs or land andwater activities. Non-indigenous species maybe present if they are ecologically stable; and

• There should be no release of contaminantsinto the water other than those causing barelymeasurable changes.

As well as meeting the above criteria, the watermust also have one or more of the followingcharacteristics:• The quality of its water or the nature of its

aquatic community is representative of waterscommon in the Province;

• A chemical or physical quality if its water isunique (for example, a very cold water or astream with high concentrations of salt);

• It contains a rare, unique, threatened orendangered aquatic community;

• It possesses outstanding recreational, aestheticor historical qualities; or

• The quality of the water is such that protectingit in its natural state would, in the Minister'sopinion, help promote clean water for NewBrunswick or the integrity of the ecosystem.

How is the Public Involved inthe Outstanding Natural WatersReview Process?The Water Classification Regulation enables thepublic to play a role in the nomination,classification and long-term protection ofOutstanding Natural Waters.

Interested individuals or groups may identifyand nominate special lakes and rivers, or otherwatercourses, to the Outstanding Natural WatersClass by submitting a nomination to anOutstanding Natural Waters Review Panel. ThePanel or the Minister may also request otherdocumentation or information. The nominationform may be obtained from any office listed inAppendix B of the guide.

The Outstanding Natural Waters Review Panelwill examine all nominations to the OutstandingNatural Waters Class. This Panel, which will beestablished by Government, may include up toeleven members who sit on the Panel for two-yearterms. The Panel will include a member from awatershed association; a member of aconservation group; members representing theperspective of the forest, mining and agricultureindustries; a member from a university; and amember of the Department of Natural Resourcesand Energy. The Department of Environment andLocal Government will provide a Chairpersonand a Secretary to the Panel. A maximum of twoother members may be named to the Panel.

The Panel will receive nominations, provideopportunities for public comment, evaluate thenominated waters (using the criteria), andrecommend further study when necessary. ThePanel will endeavor to reach consensus, and itmay consult with the public and stakeholdersconcerning its recommendations. Residents of awatershed containing the nominated lake or riverwill be consulted. This will give owners ofproperty adjacent to a nominated lake or river anopportunity to comment on the classification andto participate in the long-term protection of thewater.

When the Panel's evaluation is completed, it willmake recommendations regarding theclassification and present a report of its findingsto the Minister, including the outcome of itsconsultation with the public.

What Additional PublicInvolvement Occurs?

Once the evaluation step is over, and aproposed water classification has been

provided to the Minister, landowners and peoplewho use or enjoy the water and land are informedin local newspapers that the water in a watershedis proposed for classification. Stakeholders areagain given an opportunity to be involved in theclassification process.

Public information sessions and othercommunications enable the public and the variousstakeholders to examine the ecological, social andeconomic consequences of the proposedclassification. People are given an opportunity toreview the proposed classification and to submitadditional information or comments.

The Regulation states that, if possible, consensusamong stakeholders should be reachedconcerning the classification that is finallyrecommended to the Minister of the Environmentand Local Government.

Following the evaluation and public consultationprocesses, the Minister of the Environment andLocal Government considers the results of the

7

consultation process and any recommendationsfor the classification of the water of watercourseswithin a given watershed. If the classificationinvolves a nomination to the Outstanding NaturalWaters Class, the Minister must be satisfied thatthe watercourse could be reasonably expected tocontinue to meet the criteria for the Class.

The Minister then makes the final decision andinforms the public of the final result of theclassification process.

Classifications under the Regulation are done byan Order of the Minister, following approval ofthe Lieutenant-Governor in Council. A WaterClassification Order contains a description of thewatercourse to be classified or a plan showing thewatercourse, the identity of the classification, andthe date when the classification becomeseffective. Other information concerning anyspecial social, economic or environmentalsignificance of the watercourse may also appearin the Order.

Once the Water in a Watercourseis Classified, What are theRequirements of the WaterClassification Regulation?

Once a watercourse is classified, the waterquality standards associated with the class

will apply. In a classified water, it will be anoffence to use the water, or the land within thewatershed associated with the watercourse in away that will, directly or indirectly:• cause the quality of the water to cease to meet

the class standards;• cause the quality of the water to degrade in

relation to the class standards• impede or stop any progress that the quality of

the water may have been making towardmeeting the class standards

In most cases, the existing water quality willmeet the standards set for water quality, andmost activities in the watershed will already bein compliance.

Activities that may impact water quality ofclassified waters will be controlled using existingregulatory processes. Permits and approvals forwatercourse alterations or discharges will bewritten in such a way that the standards are notexceeded. New activities will also have to meetthe water quality standards. Existing activitieswill be able to continue, as long as they do notprevent the water quality standards from beingmet.

For those individuals, groups or industriesundertaking land-use activities that do not requirespecific permits or approvals, but which could

affect water quality, information on BestManagement Practices will be provided andland users will be asked to implement these BestManagement Practices voluntarily. Shouldvoluntary approaches not be succeeding in aparticular section of water, directives may beissued using legal authority to ensure thatstandards are met.

In some cases, the stakeholders in a watershedmay agree that improvements in water qualityare desirable, and the water should be placedinto a class which has higher water qualitystandards than the existing water quality.

To give time for improvements in water quality,a date will be set to indicate when the waterquality standards are meant to be achieved. Inorder to make headway toward the waterquality goal, all activities will have to be carriedout in such a way as to make progress towardthe meeting of water quality standards. TheDepartment of Environment and LocalGovernment will use both regulatory and non-regulatory tools to help ensure this.

Does the Regulation ControlSpecific Activities?

Some activities are prohibited or limited incertain classes of water (see Table 1.) These

management features are designed to maintainthe water quality within the standards:

• Point Source Activities

Effluents that discharge directly from a pipe orother localized origin are known as point sourcedischarges. In the Outstanding Natural WatersClass and in the AL Class for lakes, ponds andimpoundments, release of contaminants is notallowed. Point source activities in the AP Classare regulated under the Watershed Protected AreaDesignation Order. In other Classes, dischargesare allowed, as long as the receiving water meetsthe standards associated with the classification.

Once waters are classified, effluents associatedwith point source activities will continue to bemanaged through a system of approvals withconditions under the Water Quality Regulation.

Mixing zone standards are also included in theRegulation for industries with point sourceeffluents (see below).

• Non-Point Source Activities

Non-point source impacts are generallyassociated with broad-based, land-use activitiessuch as forestry, agriculture or residentialactivity. These sources are presently managedthrough regulatory processes under the CleanWater Act. The Watercourse Alteration Regulation,

8

for example, requires a permit for vegetationremoval or ground disturbance within 30 metersof a watercourse.

The Water Classification Regulation does notspecifically limit non-point source activities.However, once waters are classified, land-useactivities must be done in such a way that thestandards associated with the classification aremet.

The Department of the Environment and LocalGovernment will continue to work withstakeholders in the agriculture, commercial,forestry, industrial, residential, recreational andtransportation sectors to develop BestManagement Practices (BMP).

Best Management Practices are guidelines thatshow how land-use activities can be carried outin an environmentally responsible andsustainable manner. The information will bemade available to stakeholders and groupsacross the Province, and people will beencouraged to use BMP guidelines voluntarily.

• Flow Alterations

Flow alterations include such activities asbuilding dams or diversions, or withdrawingwater for agricultural or industrial purposes.Since water quality depends directly on waterquantity, flow alterations will be considered inrelation to water quality standards.

The Water Classification Regulation limitssignificant withdrawals of water for lakes andrivers in the Outstanding Natural Waters Class.There are no specific limits on withdrawals inother classes, although water withdrawals mustbe done in such a way that the standardsassociated with the classification are met. Theapproval processes of both the Water QualityRegulation and the Watercourse AlterationRegulation will be used to regulate flowalterations for all classes of lakes and rivers,based on class goals.

• Mixing Zones

When water quality standards are set forwatercourses, it is usually unreasonable toexpect industry to meet in-stream water qualitystandards immediately upon discharge. Instead,some initial zone of mixing is applied to thedischarge. The Water Classification Regulationpermits mixing zones in some classes of water. Italso requires these mixing zones to meetstandards which will protect aquatic life andexisting uses of the water.

Mixing zone standards are meant to be appliedto all discharges, and approvals would bewritten to ensure that mixing zones would havethe characteristics outlined in the standards.

Mixing zone standards address:• protection of existing uses of the receiving

water• definable, quantifiable limits for linear

distance, surface area, volume, etc.• restrictions on where mixing zones can occur • effects of mixing zones on organisms

(including protected and endangered species)and their habitat, including spawninggrounds, nursery areas, passage of species,etc.

• accumulation of contaminants in sedimentsor biota

• concentrations of toxic or other materials• overlap of adjacent mixing zones

Within a mixing zone, the water qualitystandards outlined in Table 1 do not have to bemet.

Under the Regulation, it is also an offence tocreate or use a mixing zone unless the mixingzone standards are followed.

How Can the Public Participatein Achieving the Goals SetThrough Water Classification?

In part, the implementation of the waterquality goals set through water classification

will be achieved through compliance andenforcement activities. However, an importantcomponent of achieving the goals set byclassification will be through the continuedinteraction of the stakeholders in communityand watershed groups.

These groups will be encouraged to undertakeaction planning for their watershed, in order tohelp them determine steps that should be takento protect water quality and to achieve the goalsset through water classification. An action planrecommends actions that should be taken,describes the objective of the action, andprovides details on how the activity would becarried out, who is responsible for the actionand how much it would cost. An action planalso prioritizes actions so that a group can beefficient when they undertake projects tomitigate the causes of water quality problems.

Monitoring will help determine if water qualitystandards are being met. The Department of theEnvironment and Local Government proposescarrying out the monitoring, in cooperation withstakeholder groups, with an emphasis onvolunteer monitoring.

9

How Can You Find Out if theWaters in Your Watershed HaveBeen Classified?

When waters are classified in a WaterClassification Order, the public is notified in

local newspapers and, in some cases, by othermeans.

A register of Water Classification Orders ismaintained in the head office of the Departmentof the Environment and Local Government andin the appropriate Regional Offices. A list ofthese offices is provided in Appendix B of theguide.

This information will also be available byelectronic means and may be available fromlocal watershed groups involved in the waterclassification process.

To find out if a body of water in a watershed hasbeen classified, you may call the numbers givenor contact us by e-mail (see below).

Other QuestionsOnce a water is classified, can the classificationbe changed?

The Regulation provides a systematic process forrevising classifications, if necessary. Shiftingeconomic, social and environmental priorities,improvements in water quality, and ongoinginput from stakeholders may make suchchanges desirable.

Reclassification can occur only after carefulevaluation and public consultation, following aprocess similar to the normal step-by-stepprocedure that was used to classify the water.

Reclassification can result in water beingclassified to a class with more or less stringentstandards.

Once a water is classified, can the classificationbe removed?

Once a water is classified, it can be reclassifiedinto another class. A lake, pond orimpoundment may be excluded from the ALClass by a Water Classification Order. Also, watersonly remain in the AP Class as long as theWatershed Protected Area Designation Orderapplies to that water. For waters in other classes,there is no specific provision for removal of aclassification.

Once a body of water is classified and waterquality standards apply, how are the goalsachieved?

Once water quality goals are set through theclassification of the water, various activities inthe watershed can be managed to help achievethe goals.

Action to achieve water quality goals caninclude design of activities to meet the waterquality standards, conditions on permits andapprovals issued by the Department, voluntaryuse of Best Management Practices by citizensand stakeholders in the watershed, and variouscommunity-based activities aimed at improvingor maintaining water quality.

Watershed groups will be encouraged to identifyand prioritize proposed actions, with theparticipation of all the stakeholders.

How to Contact UsTo have your questions answered, or to obtainmore information, please contact us:

Sustainable Planning BranchSciences and Planning DivisionDepartment of the Environment and LocalGovernmentP. O. Box 6000Fredericton, New Brunswick E3B 5H1

Telephone : 506 457-4846

Or any Regional Office of the New BrunswickDepartment of the Environment and LocalGovernment (See Appendix B for contactinformation).

10

Nam

e of

Cla

ss

Outs

tand

ing

Natu

ral W

ater

s

AP (des

igna

ted

surfa

ce d

rinki

ngwa

ter s

uppl

ies)

AL (lake

s,po

nds

and

impo

undm

ents

)

Suita

ble

Use

s

habi

tat f

or a

quat

ic li

fe;

prim

ary

and

seco

ndar

yco

ntac

t act

ivity

; oth

erap

prop

riate

use

s.

raw

drin

king

wat

er (

treat

-ed

or u

ntre

ated

); us

espe

rmitt

ed u

nder

the

Wat

ersh

ed P

rote

cted

Are

aDe

sign

atio

n Or

der

(WPA

DO).

habi

tat f

or a

quat

ic li

fe;

prim

ary

and

seco

ndar

yco

ntac

t act

ivity

(se

egl

ossa

ry);

othe

rap

prop

riate

use

s.

Aqua

tic C

omm

unity

Stan

dard

s

the

aqua

tic li

fe s

hall

beas

nat

ural

ly o

ccur

ring.

the

aqua

tic li

fe s

hall

beas

nat

ural

ly o

ccur

ring.

the

aqua

tic li

fe s

hall

beas

nat

ural

ly o

ccur

ring.

Diss

olve

dOx

ygen

Sta

ndar

ds

the

conc

entra

tion

ofdi

ssol

ved

oxyg

en s

hall

beas

nat

ural

ly o

ccur

ring.

the

conc

entra

tion

ofdi

ssol

ved

oxyg

en s

hall

beas

nat

ural

ly o

ccur

ring.

for c

old

wate

r spe

cies

:≥

9.5

ppm

(ea

rly li

fest

ages

) an

d ≥

6.5

ppm

(oth

er li

fe s

tage

s); f

orwa

rm-w

ater

spe

cies

:≥

6.0

ppm

(ea

rly li

fest

ages

) an

d ≥

5.0

(oth

erlif

e st

ages

); fo

r est

uarin

ewa

ters

: ≥80

% s

atur

atio

n.

Bact

eria

Sta

ndar

ds

the

faec

al c

olifo

rmor

gani

sms

and

E.co

lish

all b

e as

nat

ural

lyoc

curri

ng.

E.co

lish

all b

e as

natu

rally

occ

urrin

g; th

eto

tal c

olifo

rm o

rgan

ism

ssh

all b

e as

nat

ural

lyoc

curri

ng.

the

faec

al c

olifo

rmor

gani

sms

and

E.co

lish

all b

e as

nat

ural

lyoc

curri

ng.

Stan

dard

s fo

r Tro

phic

Stat

us (

lake

s,po

nds

and

impo

undm

ents

onl

y)

the

troph

ic s

tatu

s sh

all

be a

s na

tura

lly o

ccur

ring.

the

troph

ic s

tatu

s sh

all

be a

s na

tura

lly o

ccur

ring.

the

troph

ic s

tatu

s sh

all

be s

tabl

e or

nat

ural

lych

angi

ng; t

he w

ater

sha

llbe

free

of a

lgae

blo

oms

that

impa

ir us

e as

habi

tat f

or a

quat

ic li

fe,o

rus

e fo

r prim

ary

orse

cond

ary

cont

act

activ

ity.

Proh

ibite

d Ac

tiviti

es

rele

ase

of a

con

tam

inan

t;cr

eatio

n of

a n

ew m

ixing

zone

; rel

ease

of a

con

tam

i-na

nt in

to a

mixi

ng z

one;

sign

ifica

nt w

ithdr

awal

s.

see

the

Wat

ersh

edPr

otec

ted

Area

Des

igna

tion

Orde

r

dire

ct d

isch

arge

of a

cont

amin

ant t

hat i

s no

tbe

ing

rele

ased

,or a

nyin

crea

se in

the

volu

me

orco

ncen

tratio

n of

aco

ntam

inan

t tha

t is

bein

gdi

rect

ly d

isch

arge

d,on

the

date

of c

omm

ence

men

t of

the

Regu

latio

n; c

reat

ion

ofa

new

mixi

ng z

one.

Tabl

e 1.

The

Clas

ses

and

Asso

ciat

ed W

ater

Qua

lity

and

Man

agem

ent

Stan

dard

s

11

Nam

e of

Cla

ss

A B C

Suita

ble

Use

s

as h

abita

t for

aqu

atic

life;

prim

ary

and

seco

ndar

y co

ntac

tac

tivity

; oth

er u

ses

that

will

not

prev

ent

the

stan

dard

s fro

m b

eing

met

.

as h

abita

t for

aqu

atic

life;

prim

ary

and

seco

ndar

y co

ntac

tac

tivity

; oth

er u

ses

that

will

not

prev

ent

the

stan

dard

s fro

m b

eing

met

.

as h

abita

t for

aqu

atic

life;

sec

onda

ry c

onta

ctac

tivity

; oth

er u

ses

that

will

not

prev

ent

the

stan

dard

s fro

m b

eing

met

.

Aqua

tic C

omm

unity

Stan

dard

s

the

aqua

tic li

fe s

hall

beas

nat

ural

ly o

ccur

ring.

rele

ases

sha

ll no

t cau

sead

vers

e im

pact

to

the

aqua

tic c

omm

unity

in th

atth

e re

ceiv

ing

wate

r sha

llbe

of s

uffic

ient

qua

lity

tosu

ppor

t all

indi

geno

usaq

uatic

spe

cies

with

out

detri

men

tal c

hang

es to

resi

dent

bio

logi

cal

com

mun

ity.

rele

ases

that

may

cau

seso

me

chan

ges

to th

eaq

uatic

com

mun

ity a

repe

rmitt

ed if

the

rece

ivin

gwa

ter i

s of

suf

ficie

ntqu

ality

to s

uppo

rtin

dige

nous

fish

spe

cies

and

mai

ntai

n th

est

ruct

ure

and

func

tion

ofth

e re

side

nt b

iolo

gica

lco

mm

unity

des

pite

the

rele

ases

.

Diss

olve

dOx

ygen

Sta

ndar

ds

for c

old

wate

r spe

cies

:≥

9.5

ppm

(ea

rly li

fest

ages

) an

d ≥

6.5

ppm

(oth

er li

fe s

tage

s); f

orwa

rm-w

ater

spe

cies

:≥

6.0

ppm

(ea

rly li

fest

ages

) an

d ≥

5.0

(oth

erlif

e st

ages

).; ≥

80%

of

satu

ratio

n in

est

uarin

ewa

ters

.

for c

old

wate

r spe

cies

:≥

9.5

ppm

(ea

rly li

fest

ages

) an

d ≥

6.5

ppm

(oth

er li

fe s

tage

s); f

orwa

rm-w

ater

spe

cies

:≥

6.0

ppm

(ea

rly li

fest

ages

) an

d ≥

5.0

(oth

erlif

e st

ages

); ≥

80%

of

satu

ratio

n in

est

uarin

ewa

ters

.

for c

old

wate

r spe

cies

:≥

9.5

ppm

(ea

rly li

fest

ages

) an

d ≥

6.5

ppm

(oth

er li

fe s

tage

s); f

orwa

rm-w

ater

spe

cies

:≥

6.0

ppm

(ea

rly li

fest

ages

) an

d ≥

5.0

(oth

erlif

e st

ages

); ≥

80%

of

satu

ratio

n in

est

uarin

ewa

ters

.

Bact

eria

Sta

ndar

ds

E.co

lish

all b

e as

natu

rally

occ

urrin

g.

the

faec

al c

olifo

rmor

gani

sms

shal

l be

less

than

14

per 1

00 m

l for

estu

arie

s wi

th id

entif

ied

shel

lfish

bed

s,an

d E

.co

li sh

all b

e le

ss th

an20

0 pe

r 100

ml f

or a

llot

her w

ater

cour

ses

(geo

met

ric m

ean

of a

min

imum

of 5

sam

ples

in a

30

day

perio

d).

the

faec

al c

olifo

rmor

gani

sms

shal

l be

less

than

14

per 1

00 m

l for

estu

arie

s wi

th id

entif

ied

shel

lfish

bed

s,an

dE.

coli

shal

l be

less

than

400

per 1

00 m

l for

all

othe

r wat

erco

urse

s(g

eom

etric

mea

n of

am

inim

um o

f 5 s

ampl

esin

a 3

0 da

y pe

riod)

.

Stan

dard

s fo

r Tro

phic

Stat

us (

lake

s,po

nds

and

impo

undm

ents

onl

y)

the

troph

ic s

tatu

s sh

all

be s

tabl

e or

nat

ural

lych

angi

ng; t

he w

ater

sha

llbe

free

of a

lgae

blo

oms

that

impa

ir us

e as

habi

tat f

or a

quat

ic li

fe,o

rus

e fo

r prim

ary

orse

cond

ary

cont

act

activ

ity.

the

troph

ic s

tatu

s sh

all

be s

tabl

e or

nat

ural

lych

angi

ng; t

he w

ater

sha

llbe

free

of a

lgae

blo

oms

that

impa

ir us

e a

sha

bita

t for

aqu

atic

life

,or

use

for p

rimar

y or

seco

ndar

y co

ntac

tac

tivity

.

the

troph

ic s

tatu

s sh

all

be s

tabl

e or

nat

ural

lych

angi

ng; t

he w

ater

sha

llbe

free

of a

lgae

blo

oms

that

impa

ir us

e a

sha

bita

t for

aqu

atic

life

,or

use

for p

rimar

y or

seco

ndar

y co

ntac

tac

tivity

.

Proh

ibite

d Ac

tiviti

es

crea

tion

of a

new

mixi

ngzo

ne; r

elea

se o

f aco

ntam

inan

t int

o a

mixi

ngzo

ne.

Tabl

e 1.

The

Clas

ses

and

Asso

ciat

ed W

ater

Qua

lity

and

Man

agem

ent

Stan

dard

s co

ntin

ued

12

Appendix A.

Glossary

aquatic insectsinsects that spend at least part of their life cyclein streams, lakes, rivers and other bodies ofwater; include life stages of mayflies, stonefliesand caddisflies.

aquatic communitythe full assemblage of plants, animals and otherbiota living together in an aquatic setting in adefinable area, that, together with their habitat,form a functional unit with an identifiablestructure.

aquatic lifeplant and animal species that live all or part oftheir lives in an aquatic community, such as fish,amphibians and aquatic invertebrates.

benthic macro-invertebratean aquatic insect or other invertebrate thatspends part or all of its life cycle in or on thebottom of a watercourse and is capable of beingseen with the naked eye, or retained in a U. S.standard No. 30 sieve.

Best Management Practices (BMP)a method, measure or practice that, wheninstalled or used, is consistent with an efficient,practical, technically and environmentally soundactivity. A BMP designed specifically withrespect to water quality will prevent, reduce orcorrect water pollution.

Canadian Environmental QualityGuidelinesguidelines for the quality of water, soil,sediment, tissue residue, and air. The waterguidelines are designed to support variouswater uses as determined by a technicalcommittee of provincial and federalrepresentatives operating under the direction ofthe Canadian Council Ministers of theEnvironment.

dissolved oxygena measure of the gas oxygen dissolved in water,expressed in parts per million. Sufficientdissolved oxygen is one of the fundamentalrequirements for a healthy aquatic system.

estuarythe waters at the lower end of a river systemwhere the system meets with and measurablydilutes saltwater, and where the bioticcommunity, including the vegetation, ischaracteristic of waters ranging in salinity fromfive to twenty parts per thousand.

impoundmentan artificially created watercourse with thecharacteristics of a lake.

indigenous speciesa species which is native or belongs naturally ina place.

invertebratesanimals without backbones, includingfreshwater clams, leeches, sponges, worms andinsects, including those that live in fresh waterfor part of their lives (e.g., dragonflies andmayflies).

lakea watercourse which occupies a basin, includingimpoundments, ponds or bodies of water thatflush in the manner of lakes. Lakes do notinclude artificially created ponds or excavationsor containment structures used for agriculturalpurposes, or for the purpose of wastewatertreatment, fish culture, or fire protection, orponds constructed on golf courses.

mixing zonethe area of initial dilution of a contaminant in awatercourse at the point where the contaminantis released into the watercourse.

naturally occurringreferring to an aquatic community or awatercourse which displays physical, chemicaland biological characteristics that are notaffected or are only minimally or temporarilyaffected by human activity.

non-point source dischargepollution that is broadly-based with respect toits origin. Usually results when land-useactivities (such as residential, forestry,agriculture or construction activities) contributepollutants in a diffuse manner, often afterprecipitation events.

Outreach and Partnering Initiativean initiative within the Department of theEnvironment and Local Government to provideservices to watershed and other communitygroups to help them develop knowledge,expertise and other capability within thegroup. Other help is provided with obtainingfunding, group dynamics, long range planning,training volunteers for water qualitymonitoring, data and information storage andinterpretation, and so on.

Panelthe Outstanding Natural Waters Review Panelestablished to consider nominations for theOutstanding Natural Waters Class.

13

point source dischargepollution discharged directly into theenvironment, usually through a discharge pipe.Includes industrial and commercial processeffluent, and collected human wastes.

primary contact activitya recreational or other activity in or on awatercourse in the course of which there isusually a risk of contact with, or of ingestion of,the water. These activities include swimming,wading, diving, water-skiing and shorelinecontact.

river systemsurface waters contained within a givenwatershed , including the mainstem, associatedtributaries, and contained lakes, ponds andwetlands, as well as associated estuaries.

secondary contact activitya recreational or other activity in or on awatercourse in the course of which there is not ahigh risk of contact with, or of ingestion of, thewater. These activities include fishing andboating.

significant withdrawala withdrawal of water from a watercourse at arate of more than forty five litres per minute, orat a rate of more than ten per cent of the flow ofwater in a watercourse at the time of withdrawal,whichever is the lower rate.

trophic statusthe status of the biological productivity of thewater of a watercourse, based on measures of thesecchi depth, chlorophyll a, phosphorus or acombination of them.

Water Classificationa regulated administrative procedure that can beused to set goals for water use and protection.Rivers, tributaries, and lakes, or segments ofrivers are placed into categories based on thedesired level of protection.

Water Classification Orderan Order made under the Water ClassificationRegulation, which identifies the class of the waterof a watercourse and the date when theclassification comes into effect.

watercoursethe Clean Water Act defines a watercourse as thefull width and length, including the bed, banks,sides and shoreline, or any part, of a river, creek,spring, stream, brook, lake, pond, reservoir,canal, ditch, or other natural or artificial channelopen to the atmosphere, the primary function ofwhich is to convey or contain water whether ornot the flow be continuous.

Watercourse Alteration RegulationNew Brunswick Regulation 90-80 under theClean Water Act. The main objective of theRegulation is to protect the banks and bed of awatercourse from activities which will undulyaffect the function of the watercourse.Limitations exist on the applicability of theregulation where large rivers meet the ocean(e.g., the regulation does not apply below theReversing Falls on the Saint John River, or belowthe Morrisey Bridge on the Miramichi River).Persons wishing to remove gravel from the bedor bank of a watercourse, or install a bridge,culvert, etc., must obtain a permit from theMinister. Also, the disturbance of soil or thecutting of trees within 30 metres of awatercourse requires a permit to do so. Minoralterations which do not require the input of theDepartment of Fisheries and Oceans or theDepartment of Natural Resources and Energymay be allowed through provisional permits.The Minister must provide a response to theapplicant of a provisional permit within twoweeks of the application. A watercoursealteration permit, if granted, frequently stateswhat may be done, how it is to be done, andwhether or not activities are limited to certaintimes of the year due to flow conditions or fishmigration issues.

Watershed Protected Area DesignationOrder New Brunswick Regulation 2001-83 under theClean Water Act. This Regulation listsprohibitions and permitted activities, things anduses within Protected Areas designated withinwatersheds or portions of watersheds that areused as sources of water for public supplysystems in New Brunswick.

water qualitya measure of the chemical, physical andbiological characteristics of water, includingmeasurements of temperature, dissolved oxygencontent, microbiology, the concentrations ofnumerous chemical substances, and biologicalmeasures such as fish passage or habitat quality.

water quality standardslegally enforceable limits for the quality ofwater established by Regulation.

Water Quality RegulationNew Brunswick Regulation 82-126 under the CleanEnvironment Act directs a process for theapproval of industrial operations that dischargeto water. Applications for approvals aresubmitted to the Minister and an environmentalreview is conducted by staff of the Departmentof the Environment and Local Government.Approvals are accompanied by conditionswhich control construction and operating

14

activities including the quality and quantity ofcontaminants which may be discharged from afacility.

water quantitya measure of the volume of water, includingmeasurements of water during variousconditions of flow. Water quantity and qualityare interrelated. During high flow periods, morewater is available to dilute concentrations ofsubstances in the water. During low flowperiods, substances may become moreconcentrated, as a lesser volume of water isavailable for dilution.

watershedthe surface area of land that ultimately drainsinto one particular river, stream, creek or otherflowing body of water.

Appendix B: Offices of theDepartment of the Environment andLocal Government

Central OfficeNew Brunswick Department of the Environmentand Local GovernmentP.O. Box 6000, E3B 5H120 McGloin St.Fredericton, N.B., E3A 5T8Tel: 506-457-4846Fax: 506-457-7823

Region 1E-mail: elg.egl-region1@gnb.ca

BATHURST159 Main St., Suite 202Bathurst, N.B., E2A 1A6Tel: 506-547-2092

506-547-7443Fax: 506-547-7655

CAMPBELLTON157 Water St., 7th FloorCampbellton, N.B., E3N 3L4Tel: 506-789-2353Fax: 506-789-4878

TRACADIE-SHEILA3518 - 2 Main St.Tracadie-Sheila, N.B., E1X 1G5Tel: 506-394-3868Fax: 506-394-3897

Region 2E-mail: elg.egl-region2@gnb.ca

MIRAMICHI316 Dalton Ave.Miramichi, N.B., E1V 3N9Tel: 506-778-6032

506-778-6686Fax: 506-778-6796

Region 3E-mail: elg.egl-region3@gnb.ca

MONCTON428 Collishaw St.Moncton, N.B., E1C 3C7Tel: 506-856-2374Fax: 506-856-2370

RICHIBUCTOCarrefour Provincial Building9239 Main St.Richibucto, N.B., E4W 5R5Tel: 506-523-7604Fax: 506-523-7648

Region 4E-mail: elg.egl-region4@gnb.ca

SAINT JOHN8 Castle St.Saint John, N.B., E2L 3B8Tel: 506-658-2558Fax: 506-658-3046

ST. STEPHENCarrefour Provincial Building41 King St.St. Stephen, N.B., E3L 2C1Tel: 506-466-7370Fax: 506-466-7373

HAMPTON27 Centennial Dr., Unit 2Carrefour Centennial BuildingHampton, N.B., E5N 6N3Tel: 506-832-6000Fax: 506-832-6007

Region 5E-mail: elg.egl-region5@gnb.ca

FREDERICTON565 Priestman St., Suite 103Priestman CentreFredericton, N.B., E3B 5X8Tel: 506-444-5149

506-453-2838Fax: 506-453-2893

Region 6E-mail: elg.egl-region6@gnb.ca

GRAND FALLS65 Broadway Blvd.,Grand Falls, N.B., E3Z 2J6Tel: 506-473-7744Fax: 506-475-2510

EDMUNDSTONCarrefour Assomption, 121 Church St.3rd FloorEdmundston, N.B., E3V 3L3Tel: 506-735-2763Fax: 506-735-2310

WOODSTOCK113 Cedar St.Woodstock, N.B., E7M 2Y3Tel: 506-325-4465Fax: 506-325-4541

15 Note: Mailing addresses may differ from streetaddresses. Please check with the regional officeyou wish to write to, to confirm the postaladdress.

Department of the Environmentand Local Government