Public Comment Period on Intent to Make a Determination
Ferruginous Hawk Artificial Nesting Platform relocation in the Experimental Proving Grounds - Canadian Forces Base Suffield

October 8, 2024 — The Department of National Defence must decide whether the proposed project is likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects.

To help inform this decision, the Department of National Defence is inviting comments from the public on the project and its potential effects on the environment. All comments received will be considered public. For more information, individuals should consult the Privacy Notice on the Registry website.

Written comments must be submitted by October 27, 2024 to:
Corey Davidson, Environmental Officer
Mailing Address:  DRDC-Suffield Research Centre, PO Box 4000, Station Main, Medicine Hat
Alberta, Canada, T1A 8K6
E-mail:  corey.davidson@forces.gc.ca

The Proposed Project

The Department of National Defence (DND) has proposed a project. Located within the Experimental Proving Grounds at Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Suffield, Ferruginous Hawks (FEHA) have established a nest on an unused camera tower, requiring relocation away from a trial site danger template, and high-risk utility pole.

A permanent Artificial Nesting Platform (ANP) will be installed approximately 700m North-Northeast, a distance that will allow for maximum setback distances from oil and gas infrastructure, roadways, the high-risk utility pole, and the Defence Research trial site.

To effectively have the FEHA nest on the permanently installed ANP, the camera tower will be mounted on a trailer and moved incrementally approximately 100m per year towards it.