Penobsquis is a small community in southern New Brunswick within the Parish of Cardwell. The population of Cardwell was 1,382 in the 2001 census.
Penobsquis is home to a potash mine that has been in operation for about 30 years, and a new potash mine under construction. The community has oil and gas exploration and development taking place which has resulted in 40 gas wells (29 in production) and an oil well.
PotashCorp is a partner in most of these wells.
During the exploration and production phases for potash, oil, and gas various technologies have been used including many rounds of 2-D and 3-D Seismic testing, and hydraulic fracturing (Fracking). Pipelines now connect the wells to a processing station and the Maritimes Northeast Pipeline. The original Potash Mine is also having a water in-flow problem with in flow rates between 1,300 - 1,800 gallons per Minute which resulted in 300 tanker truck loads of water leaving the mine site every day. A new brine pipeline has been completed to transport some of this water to the Bay of Fundy. Many tanker trucks still carry water for disposal at the Port of Saint John 24 hours a day.
The Concerned Citizens of Penobsquis is a group of local citizens who are concerned about our community. Our goal is to see that no one in our community suffers loss. We do not believe development should be stopped ...we do believe that it should not be undertaken at the expense of residents of our community.
Over the last 10 years, while this activity has been on-going, residents have had issues that have come up. Houses have reported shaking, or feeling vibration, there have been issues with noise, dust, light pollution, gas flaring, and over 60 water wells went dry.
Residents are also facing issues associated with subsidence.
It is believed the draining of the aquifer is causing the ground to settle in addition to normal mining subsidence.
While dealing with all these issues Penobsquis has faced some challenges. Property Values have dropped. Homes had water trucked in by the Province and by the Potash Mine. And when a new water system was installed the operation of the water system was turned over to a neighboring municipality despite the province having promised the local community would get to form a water commission. (This water system was funded by a $1.2 million contribution by the Potash Mine and close to $10 million of federal gas tax funds) The Potash Mine is the largest user of this new system.
Donations will be used to fund costs associated with pursuing justice
for residents of Penobsquis
Offers of non-monetary assistance and support are
also most gratefully accepted!
