A7

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Dear editor:

This letter is to let the people know what the government does not plan to do for fences for Highway 11.

In 2007, Highway 11 had received 7.1 kilometers of fencing (3.55 kms on each side) from the Turgeon Road to Rue de la Gare. In 2008, the only section planned for more fencing is 6.5 kms (3.25 kms on each side) from Rue de la Gare to the Laplante road. The government is failing to realize that Highway 11 exists further north and then west to sections past the Turgeon road such as Belledune to Campbellton. These sections of Highway 11 are deadly for moose/deer collisions. The government, as Premier Shawn Graham related to me in an email dated March 12th, 2008 when I asked him about fences for Belledune to Campbellton stated,

"… The areas you have noted will continue to be monitored and if warranted, wildlife mitigation measures will be considered for implementation at a future time."

This tells me that Highway 11 from Belledune to Campbellton won't see fences installed and may not in the Future. Yet the Minister of Natural Resources Donald Arseneault the MLA for Dalhousie Restigouche-East related to me in an email dated Friday Nov. 3rd, 2006.

"You are absolutely right that there is a high moose activity on our highways between Campbellton and Miramichi. That is why that I have been a strong advocate for moose fencing for our region. My efforts and those of my colleagues and people such as yourself, has convinced Premier Shawn Graham and our new provincial government to commit in fencing 300 km of highways within our first two years of our mandate. This is a commitment we will honour and I look forward in seeing the Belledune fence be extended on both sides to reach both Campbellton and Miramichi."

So my question is why did Donald Arseneault tell me that then? That he is looking forward to seeing the Belledune fences extended on both side to reach both Campbellton and Miramichi? The government has stated that that section of Highway 11 is not a "hot spot" and is now labeled as a "medium risk area"

Why the change, Mr. Graham? Why has your Government changed the area of Belledune to Campbellton from an "area of highest moose vehicle collisions" to an area of "medium risk" and is not considered in 2008 and may probably never see fences in the future? You are only planning 3.25 kms from the Turgeon Road going southeast, towards Rue de la Gar This year. That's it! From Belledune to Campbellton, there is going to be no fences installed and that's unacceptable to myself and the people of Northern New Brunswick who know what it is like to travel that section of the highway and have to fear for their lives. Highway 11 has seen four deaths (the most recent being June 2006 near Benjamin River) from moose/vehicle collisions in 7 years from Belledune to Campbellton and at least seven non-fatal collisions! Is this data not enough? Why do our MLAs Donald Arseneault and Speaker of the House Roy Boudreau MLA Campbellton-Centre seem to not care about the sections of the highway they represent? It sure was an important issue for Donald Arseneault July 26th, 2006 telling CBC news and I quote:

"The Liberal MLA has looked at the safety statistics along Highway 11 between Bathurst and Campbellton in northern New Brunswick and he says that stretch of road is one of the most dangerous in the province for moose. ‘We have to do something about it before there are any other casualties,' he said. ‘I believe the government has to do something about it. They can't just hide behind their desks counting their pennies.' The fence may be expensive, but he said the provincial government must look beyond the financial cost of the fencing to the human cost of car-moose accidents. ‘It's an issue that I feel is very important.' "

It does not appear to be now. Honour your promised committment! DOT, DNR and the Premier will not answer my letters! Visit www.fencenbhighways.com for more detailed statistics and you will be surprised with what you will read.

Arron Pelletier,

CEO www.fencenbhighways.com

Dalhousie