Fears of flooding in Riverview

The head of Riverview's department of parks and recreation is concerned about possible flooding when the gates of the causeway are opened next month and the Petitcodiac River flows freely.

The provincial Department of Supply and Services hassent the town a letter, warning that about 3 hectares of baseball and soccer fields and tennis courts could flood if there's an extremely high tide, said Bob Clive.

People who live along what is now the headpond have also received a warning, he said.

"The communique that came out from the province to our mayor indicated that anyone living along the headpond now that has barbeques, gazebos, baby barns that's on low ground right now, get them out of the way cause potential is there you're gonna lose those," said Clibe.

"And that's gotta be scary I mean for people to have to worry about this at this stage."

But there is no short-term risk to any property in Riverview, said Scott Gibson, of the provincial Department of Supply and Services.

It's the province's responsibility to warn people of the worst case scenario - no matter how unlikely, he said.

"In the event that we do have extreme high tidal surge - and I should note that this will be an extreme high tidal surge - we have the ability to control the volume of water above the causeway," Gibson said.

The province would simply close the gates as it does now to control water levels.

The causeway, which was builtin 1968 to connect Moncton to Riverview, clogged the river's powerful tidal bore and blocked the passage of fish in the Petitcodiac River.

In 2003, the river was ranked second on a list prepared by B.C. environmentalists of the most endangered rivers in the country.

In 2008, the government committed $20 million to the first stage of a restoration project for the 3,000 square-kilometre watershed.

The province plans to replace the causeway gateswith a four-lane bridge from Riverview to Moncton.

The total cost of the project has been estimated at $68 million.

An update on the project is scheduled to be held on Feb. 25 at the Moncton Lions Club from 3 p.m. until 9 p.m.