September 26, 2007

Nova Scotia ready to approve ‘moose-proof’ fencing

FREDERICTON

A plan to install wildlife fencing along 26 km of highway to keep moose off the road is expected to receive approval this fall.

The stretch of road on Route 7 was among the so-called moose “hot spots” the province announced would see fencing installed to protect drivers from hitting the large animals.

But the plan was delayed because the highway runs through federally owned property near Canadian Forces Base Gagetown, which meant the province had to complete an environmental impact assessment to meet federal regulations.

The assessment has been complete and provincial officials are in discussions with federal counterparts to finalize an agreement. However, a timeline for full installation is not expected to be set until next spring’s provincial budget.

The fencing would represents a major milestone for Cathy McCollum, who has been campaigning to have the province install such fencing since her daughter, Carrie, survived a collision with a moose more than a year ago.

But McCollum, who lives in Clarendon, N.B., is not ready to claim victory yet.

“I’m satisfied,” McCollum said. “I’m not jumping up with joy yet, but I’m close.”

The province plans to begin clearing land next month for 3.5 km of fencing it has already announced, and will put a construction bid out to tender soon after.

A recent study conducted by the province found moose-vehicle collisions caused 500 injuries and 20 deaths between 1995 and 2000.

The study also concluded that additional wildlife fencing would save the provinces’ economy $14 million a year by preventing deaths, lost productivity and other associated costs.

McCollum has been critical of the Liberal government for not putting up the fencing, which was a key election promise.

The party’s Charter for Change commits to putting up 300 km of fencing within two years. The government committed $4 million in last spring’s budget to fence just 26 km of highways, on both sides, along routes 7, 8 and 11.

McCollum has collected more than 10,000 signatures on a petition calling on the province to take immediate action to reduce moose-vehicle accidents.

“It’s an emotional situation,” she said of the potential for accidents in the absence of fencing.

“I worry about it every day of my life.”

Canadian Press

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