Will there be user fees for walking the trail?

Parks Canada has launched public consultations on proposed user fees at its facilities, including Signal Hill.  Superintendent Bill Brake says they are proposing a season pass for places like Signal Hill and Cape Spear. The proposed season pass is $9.80. It's not clear how this may affect walkers on the North Head trail.

The public can submit comments about this to Parks Canada. The deadline to submit comments is February 18. More information about the proposed fee hikes can be found under the User Fees Proposal - Public Consultations section of the Parks Canada web site .

UPDATE: Brake said on CBC Radio that there will not be fees for North Head Trail.

Sludgepump noise-Harvey's update

The wastewater extractor pump noise ongoing since Thursday finally stopped at noon today.  Geoff Cunningham from Harvey's Marine is very helpful on the phone, and seems intent on finding some solution.  He reports that the noise comes from one particular Pardy pumper truck, their biggest and noisiest, which was used for some extra deep cleaning of a supply vessel.  Normally they use smaller pumper trucks for regular extraction; this one is employed from time to time.  He has apparently received various complaints from residents' in the past days, and knows that it makes an objectionable racket.  He parked a couple of containers around it Sunday hoping to block the sound, but it made no difference.  He's hoping to find a way to minimise it in future.  Good luck to him.

Sludge pump noise

Wondering what the Encanex sludge pump might be expected to sound like (if approved)? Encanex has not provided any noise statistics to date, so it's not clear.  But perhaps lately you've woken up at 7.30 in the morning - or had to put up with all day long (like Friday and Saturday) - to the continuous sound of an extractor pumping wastewater from supply boat(s) at Harvey's. The sound carries well across water.  If the Encanex facility is given the go-ahead, it will be much closer to our homes. Enjoy!