Water Levels

The New Brunswick government says residents impacted by flooding are beginning clean-up efforts now that water levels in the St. John River basin are slowly decreasing.

River Watch says levels have dropped below flood stage in Fredericton and Maugerville — although it warns the situation can change quickly depending on the weather.

Softwood Envoy

The New Brunswick government has appointed a former U-S ambassador to Canada to deal with the softwood lumber dispute.

David Wilkins served as ambassador to Canada from 2005 to 2009, when George W. Bush was president.

Wilkins is a lawyer and former state legislator from South Carolina.

He now leads an international law practice that focuses on U-S-Canada interests.