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Quoddy Issues - LNG

LNG IN PASSAMAQUODDY BAY
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Resources

The Rights of Innocent Passage Debate
Cliff Goudey, MIT

The U.S. State Department's position regarding rights of innocent passage are debatable enough based both on the properties of LNG and the size of the proposed vessels. However, the dependence of their arguments on the Law of the Sea Convention (which the U.S. has failed to ratify) and the presumption that the waters in question are Territorial Seas (which they are not) shows their analysis is flawed.

The rights of innocent passage do not apply to internal waters. See:
http://www.unesco.org/csi/act/russia/legalpro6.htm

Definition of Internal waters

Internal waters are defined as waters on the landward side of the
baseline, which is used for measuring the width of territorial waters. According to Maritime Law the following are included in internal
waters:

1. Ports;
2. Waters between a shore and straight baselines, used to
measure the breadth of the territorial waters;
3. Internal seas, i.e. the seas surrounded by the land territory
of one or several states;
4. Bays with entrances not more than 24 nautical miles wide;
5. Historic waters, including historical bays irrespective of the
width of the entrance.

Political posturing on either side of the border is not going to
change the fact that Canada can just say no.

LNG Tankers Are Getting Bigger

The current size of LNG tankers is about 290 meters, much larger than local coastal freighters that use our Quoddy ports. These average about 170 - 180 metres. Some new LNG Tankers will be over 300 metres. These are larger than some VLCCs.

Get all the facts here

LNG at Saint John vs LNG at Passamaquoddy Bay

We believe that Passamaquoddy Bay is the wrong place for LNG facilties. 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 reseach.

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
(Click image for full sized view)

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
(Click image for full sized view)

Approaches to Port Hawksbury/Bear Island, NS

Important Habitats Identified by FWS at locations of proposed LNG Terminals
(Click image for full sized view)

The Gulf of Maine Coastal Program has completed a project which identifies important habitats for 91 species of important birds, fish, and listed species within the U.S. portion of the Gulf of Maine watershed.The environmental themes, species maps, and combined data are being made available to assist and focus habitat protection efforts in areas of greatest biological value. You can access their website here .

Please note above the high values at Robbinston and Pleasant Point areas, both proposed LNG locations.

THIRD TERMINAL PROPOSED NEAR DEVIL'S HEAD

Proposed LNG terminals and Tank Farms in relation to
St. Croix Island International Park and Passamaquoddy Bay
from the Ganong Nature & Marine Park.
A NEW THIRD PROPOSAL HAS A SITE NEAR HERE
TO THE LOWER RIGHT OF THE PHOTO.

Map showing proximity to Deer Island and St. Andrews, NB, Canada

Quick Links
LNG Facts and Resources

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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. See the slide show below for the whole story.Online LNG Slide Show