New environmental study delays final decision on Saint Andrews, N.B., wharf

An environmental study has delayed the final decision on the future of the wharf in Saint Andrews, N.B.

A final decision on refurbishing the town wharf in Saint Andrews, N.B., has been delayed until later this summer following the addition of a new environmental impact assessment.

The $25,000 coastal study by GEMTEC will investigate how a refurbished wharf might impact the town’s Market Wharf and Market Square shoreline areas, as well as water quality and sedimentation in Saint Andrews Harbour.

The GEMTEC study will take about two months to complete.

Town officials had initially planned for the $7-million wharf refurbishment – a hybrid project using both steel and infill – to be listed for tender before the start of this summer.

In January 2024, town council approved the refurbishment’s infill/steel plan out of a total of five options presented in public consultations.

Outgoing mayor Brad Henderson said the GEMTEC study was a compromise to address concerns about the refurbishment, while keeping it on track.

“It also gives us a path forward where we aren’t gambling with $5.4 million,” said Henderson, regarding a deadline for government funding. “We all know we’re running out of time with this funding.”

Resident Cindy Kohler said she was happy concerns about the project were being studied ahead of a final decision.

“It would’ve been a nice thing to start with, but it’s nice that it’s being done now,” said Kohler, who owns a storefront on Water Street, near the wharf. “There could be things that have been overlooked, or much more negative impacts than we’ve anticipated.”

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