[Twinfan]

Can anyone tell me what the actual rules are for motors on the eastbranch ? I have heard that only a 9.9 hp 4 stroke is the max size for that water system but I cant seem to find anything in writing. Is this actually true ? Ive fished it a few times with a 2 stroke motor never had any problems and I also know there are some 50 hp 2 stokes on there > Any help would be greatly appriciated ... A2F

This seems to be a complicated question. A simple explanation of the rules is found here: http://www.gnb.ca/0009/0373/0001/0002-e.asp According to this document, only 4-strokes are allowed and they must be smaller then 10HP. There are other restrictions. The entire Musquash drainage (East and West Branch) is listed as being under a protection order.

I have been looking at a camp in the area and have fished there many times (mine is a 25hp 2-stroke). There are no signs or warnings of any prohibited activities, at least on the West Branch. Lots of large engines, both 2 and 4 strokes. So clearly the rules either are not in force or they are widely ignored. I am told by an Uncle who has a camp on the East Branch that the rules are "not in effect yet", but supposed to be next year. There was some sort of protest by the various camp lease holders and allegedly the Dept of Environment (it is not a Natural Resources issue) is considering allowing 4 strokes up to 25 hp as a compromise - but that is just hearsay. I have left messages early this week for a fellow in Fredericton who is supposed to know what is up. I will post if I hear back from him.

 

[Twinfan]

I promised to update this thread a couple of posts ago if I got a call back from the NB Dept of Environment. I just got off the phone with them. Greenmachine was pretty well on with his summary after my last post. Here is what was explained to me today:

As was posted earlier, the requirement for 4 strokes only and less then 10hp is in effect right now for all persons who do not hold a lease on these lakes (East Branch, West Branch, Loch Alva, etc - it's a big protection area). The rules became law in 2001 and lease holders have been given 10 years to replace their motors. That grace period for lease holders expires next year. Lease holders have been able to apply for an exemption and are issued a sticker to place on their motor. Anybody on the lake system without a sticker currently faces a fine of approximately $600 (if they want to enforce it). The lease holder's exemptions expire next season and by then the stickers will also be void and the lease holders will also have to have compliant engines (4 stroke and less then 10hp) or face fines. Without actually saying so directly, he implied that there was limited interest in enforcement right now but that they would be hitting those lakes hard next season after the grace period ran out.

I asked him about rumours of a compromise that might allow larger 4 stroke motors. He indicated that the only lake that "might" end up with a higher HP rating would be Loch Alva, but East and West Branches and all the smaller lakes in the system would "definitely" remain at less then 10hp.

He told me that although they had not made an effort at issuing fines, it was possible to be fined today if you are on the lake with a non-compliant motor. He was on the lake 2 weeks ago and noted that there were a number of non-compliant motors. He indicated that signs would be posted next season.

Don't shoot the messenger, I just promised earlier to update if I got a call back. I had been considering buying a camp in the area and was just trying to get some official confirmation instead of the rumours that I was hearing. You can make your own decisions about whether or not you want to operate your boat in the area...