St. Andrews, New Brunswick – August 22, 2025  – Fisheries and Oceans Canada has determined that the proposed Oil Tank Removal for Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) Retrofit at St. Andrews Biological Station (SABS) is not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects.

This determination was based on a consideration of the following factors:

• comments received from the public; and
• technically and economically feasible mitigation measures.

Mitigation measures taken into account for this determination include:

• Following mitigation and best management practices for:
  • decommissioning fuel oil tanks,
  • machinery and equipment use;
  • storage and handling of petroleum products;
  • spill preventions; and
  • solid waste management.
• Following best management practices from the SABS Wildlife and Habitat Assessment; and
• Following the SABS Environmental Management Plan and SABS Environmental Emergency Response Plan.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada is satisfied that that the carrying out of the project is not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects.

Therefore, Fisheries and Oceans Canada may carry out the project, exercise any power, perform any duty or function, or provide financial assistance to enable the project to be carried out in whole or in part.