| $3.4 million in capital budget for DNRE Dec. 8, 2000 FREDERICTON (CNB) - The Department of Natural Resources and Energy (DNRE) intends to invest $3.4 million in various capital projects in the 2001-2002 financial year. In his capital budget presentation, Minister Jeannot Volpé announced that $2 million will be dedicated to the repair and upgrade of the East Musquash and Lock Alva dam structures. "The Musquash watershed serves to generate electricity, provide a source of water and recreational opportunities," he said. "Recent studies of the watershed have concluded the system needs upgrade work to make it able to support unusual amounts of rainfall and to meet today's safety standards." The government capital budget also involved the construction of a new regional office in Miramichi. "The $700,000 building should be completed by 2002 and will house regional headquarters and a staff of 24 people," Volpé said. An amount of $100,000 will be allocated to the planning phase of regional office in Edmundston to house DNRE regional staff. Volpé also announced that $600,000 will be allocated to various maintenance and improvement projects in 46 other DNRE offices and buildings. These projects cover renovation work, roofing, window and door replacements, equipment storage and radio system acquisition. The minister said the 2001-2002 government capital estimates focus on health and safety issues affecting New Brunswickers. Capital funds will be provided to protect the health and safety of people where they live, where they learn, where they work and do business, and where they travel. "We believe these expenses are reflecting projects of importance to New Brunswickers while being responsible with taxpayers' dollars," Volpé said. "These expenditures will contribute to improve or maintain the quality of service offered by the department in the future in the different regions of the province." MEDIA CONTACT: Robert Duguay, communications, Natural Resources and Energy, 506-453-2614. |