C OCAGNE
ISLAND, BAY and COMMUNITY

Last April, Les Entreprises Mapoma, headed by Roméo Goguen,
native of Cocagne, submitted a proposal to the Department of the Environment
pertaining to a future resort area on Cocagne Island.
Since then, the region's citizens have mixed feelings about the project.
Last June, Roméo Goguen sent a letter pleading residents to support his project. This factsheet, which accompanied the letter, describes the project :

  1. Promoter : Roméo Goguen, native of Cocagne residential lots, nature trails, public beach.
  2. The Island : Approximately 500 acres which had approximately 9 families living there until the 1950s.
  3. Land Ownership : Roméo Goguen (Entreprises Mapoma) either owns or has legal options on all the land but two parcels, totaling around 32 acres.
  4. Job potential : Estimate over 200 construction jobs for 18 months and around 110 people will be hired once operational from May to October each year.
  5. Environmental : Dr Louis LaPierre, Dr. Bill Freedman, Dr. David Scarrett and Jim Sackville, BDA, have all agreed that with proper design and construction, there will be no adverse effects on the oyster fisheries, blue herons or any other natural aspects of the Island. In fact, they indicated that by taking proper steps, we can enhance and protect the environment.
  6. Access : We are proposing a bridge and boat access to the Island. The number of cars on the itlant will be limited and we will provide parking on the main land and shuttle service to the public beach.
  7. Financing : - $ 5 million : private homes (20 homes at $ 250 000)
    • - $ 15 million : private and bank
    • - $ 5 million : from federal and provincial governments
    • The dollars provided by governments are from economic development programs and if they are not used for our project, they will be used for similar projects in other parts of the province.


As you can see, this is a very ambitious project for such a small island. What can the Cocagne area residents gain from this project? What do we stand to lose?

 

 
 

HOW ECO-COCAGNE SEES THIS :

COCAGNE:
land of plenty
- The island is a unique get-away where people swim in salt water, or sunbathe on a sandy beach.

- By blocking the north-east winds, the island has created a unique biodiversity and microclimate for the bay and for Cocagne river.
- Numerous bird species have made their home on the island and the bay area. there they nest, live, feed, far from human activity. You can find here Great Blue Herons, Ospreys, terns, swallows, Eider ducks, bald eagles and much more.
- The island is also home to larger wildlife such as deer, foxes, rabbits, mice, to name a few. More than 240 different species of plants thrive there, some of which are difficult to find in such excellent condition on the mainland.

- The island is one of two unspoiled stretches of land remaining on Northumberland Strait.
- The island is well known for its mosquitoes, its blueberries, wild strawberries and cranberries. Until now each one of us has had easy access to Cocagne Island to enjoy, free of charge, its beaches, wild berries, and yes, even its mosquitoes!
- Both the island and the bay are well known for a variety of activites : camping, clam digging, swimming, oyster fishing, hiking, boating, as well as cross-country skiing.
- Apart from being a source for a wide variety of shellfish, commercial fishermen earn an income from mackerel, herring, smelts, lobster, while aquaculture continues to be a promising enterprise. This intriguing and sometimes mysterious stretch of land in the Strait is so attractive to so many that few would hesitate to pay for a visit to this natural wonder.




By accepting island and bay development, what can we gain?
What do we stand to lose?

Accessibility :
Up until now cocagne Island and Cocagne Bay are available to one and all. Here we can enjoy the beaches, go berry picking, and even deal with a healthy mosquito population.All of it free of charge! Private development will change all that.


Economy :
If the island becomes self-sufficient with a hotel, pro-shop for golfers, a restaurant, how will local businesses benefit from the development? Are taxpayers willing to see millions of their dollars injected into this private development project? How will the average taxpayer benefit from this? The government has spent considerable amounts of money on developing local fishery and aquaculture. Will island development cause pollution ad destroy these resources?


Environment :
With island development comes the need for drinking water, garbage disposal, waste water disposal, use of persicides and fertilizers, a road and bridge, construction, landfill. Increase in boat traffic and traffic to and from the island will cause additional pollution. Result? More loss of habitat. How much are we willing to pay? Such a special place needs to be studied carefully. Without adequate study, it might be gone forever. Once it is gone, you cannot get it back!!



VOICE YOUR OPINION BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE!
ACTION :
Write to the editor of your local newspapers
Write, phone or fax your MLA
Write, phone or fax Hon. Joan Kingston, minister of Environment
(mailing address for both is)
P.O. Box 6000, Fredericton, NB E3B 5H1
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  This page was last modified on : March 24, 1999
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