Turtle Creek uranium exploration angers Moncton councillors

The provincial government has given giant mining company CVRD-Inco the right to prospect for uranium in the Turtle Creek watershed, and Moncton councillors are concerned the province has ignored their request to stopexploration in the area.

Last fall, the province allowed Petroworth to search for oil and gas in the same sector, which provides the drinking water for the Moncton area.

CVRD-Inco spokesperson Cory MacPhee says the company will send in prospectors with hammers and maps to see if there's any uranium in the Turtlecreek watershed.

Coun. Katherine Barnes, head of the environment committee says she thought the city had made it clear last fall it wanted the province to stop all exploration in the watershed, when the province tried to convince the city it wasall rightto allow oil and gas exploration there.

"I think the message was quite loud and clear that we really didn't want to see any more exploration take place in our watershed," Barnes said.

MacPhee says there's no danger to the water source, and he'll send people to Moncton city council to explain that.

"There's nothing to hide in this process. We'd be happy to chat with the city and discuss their concerns first hand."

Natural Resources Minister Don Arsenault says nobody in Moncton needs to worry.

"When you are aware of the process and strict environmental standards that are there, they will understand that everything isOK and they can reassure the people they represent."

That comment upset Coun. Steven Boyce.

"Extremely angry at this point, with regards to the behaviour, and ignorance and naivete demonstrated by our political leaders in Fredericton."

Boyce now wants the local MLAs to convince Arsenault to stop this latest exploration.