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Document reference number: 4

 

Notice of Determination

Gull Harbour – March 24, 2026 – The Canadian Coast Guard has determined that the proposed Gull Harbour Lighthouse rebuild is not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects.

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

• impacts on rights of Indigenous peoples;
• Indigenous knowledge;
• community knowledge;
• comments received from the public; and
• technically and economically feasible mitigation measures.

Mitigation measures^[1] taken into account for this determination are:

• Establish an appropriate "drivable zone" for machinery accessing the site to avoid spreading the effects of compaction and rutting outside the work area.
• Use the same road each day for access and avoid wandering the road with work trucks.
• Where practicable avoid driving through saturated soils especially during heavy rain events. It is advisable to avoid accessing the site on days with the potential for creating a muddy access road.
• If muddy parts of the road are unavoidable, place rubber mats or sheets of plywood down in localized sections to reduce impacts.
• If possible, lower tower components in a controlled manner during demolition.
• Cover exposed soil piles with tarps if rain is forecast after work is complete for the day.
• Keep soil at a distance in which runoff during a rain event would not create turbidity in the aquatic environment or 25 meters away.
• Limit the number of individual soil piles where practicable.
• Limit the amount of vegetation clearing to only within the project area.
• Visually inspect the site prior to clearing to ensure no species at risk are in danger.
• Install cautionary fencing around vegetation at risk of damage from heavy machinery.
• Implement protocols to prevent the spread of invasives such as thorough cleaning of machinery if historically used near invasive species, and ensuring crews are aware of invasives and check clothing for burrs before leaving the site
• Ensure the construction plans are followed to create a visually identical tower based off the original structure.
• Employ an archaeologist/Cultural Monitor to be present on site during any activities involving ground disturbance.
• Make sure all crews are aware of the land they are working on and what to look out for during digging.
• Nest sweeps should be conducted if any suitable nesting habitat is present (i.e. within the old tower building) if work is conducted during breeding season.
• Remove all waste material at the end of the project.
• Do not leave scraps or food waste unattended during the project and any refuse generated should be disposed of off site
• Put flagging tape around the site to deter public access.
• Conduct work only during weekdays and during regular working hours, respecting the adjacent provincial park users and campers.
• Ensure all workers are aware of the Chance find protocols in the event cultural materials are unearthed
• Have an archaeologist and Cultural Monitor on site at all times during excavation

 

The Canadian Coast Guard is satisfied that that the carrying out of the project is not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects.

Therefore, the Canadian Coast Guard 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.