Saint John councillor defends city’s decision to ban boating, fishing on Spruce Lake

A large lake that used to provide drinking water to parts of Saint John is off limits to boating and fishing, even though some say they have been enjoying the area for years.

The city has put up new signs, clamping down on anyone using Spruce Lake for boating or fishing. It used to be the drinking water source for the west side until the fairly recent switch to ground water.

Leonard Palmer says he used to bike to Spruce Lake as a teen to fish and is shaking his head at the city.

“I just thought it was stupid,” said Palmer. “I think it’s ridiculous.”

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "I just thought it was stupid," said Palmer. "I think it's ridiculous."

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The city says it’s important to protect this watershed for use by future generations and stop the possible spread of invasive species. Palmer argues the lake, which sits adjacent to a four-lane highway, is hardly immune to contamination with drainage culverts going into the lake.

The province’s fishing guide lists Spruce Lake as a fishing source. That’s a mistake, according to Councillor Blake Armstrong, who is defending the protection of the watershed.

“It’s a protected watershed area and because the city owns all the land around it, they’re legally allowed to do that,” he said

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "It's a protected watershed area and because the city owns all the land around it, they're legally allowed to do that," he said

Others argue another group of lakes on the other side of the city, which currently provides drinking water to parts of Saint John, is being used for both boating and fishing. Armstrong says that’s because the city does not own all the land surrounding those lakes.

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Another supporter of protecting Spruce Lake is the Atlantic Coastal Action Program (ACAP).

“This is the backup water supply still for the west side, residential water customers as well,” said ACAP’s Graeme Stewart-Robinson.

The city is asking anyone who sees trespassers on Spruce Lake, as well as boaters or fishers, to contact police.