Public Comment Period on Intent to Make a Determination
Graham Road Maintenance and New Culvert – CFB Gagetown

March 25, 2026 — 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 April 3, 2026 to:
Kyle Werner, Project Manager, Real Property Operations Detachment (Gagetown)
Mailing Address:  Post Office Box 17000 Station Forces, Oromocto
New Brunswick, Canada, E2V 4J5
E-mail:  Kyle.Werner@forces.gc.ca

The Proposed Project

The Department of National Defence (DND) is proposing a project. The project will involve establishing approved laydown areas (as required), installation of erosion and sediment controls and safety controls, vegetation clearing (shrubs and alders) and grubbing of existing topsoil and overburden (for reuse). Associated earthworks include excavating, grading, and disposal/storage of vegetation and overburden at approved locations within 400 meters of the worksite. Any reuse or import/export of soils to be handled using applicable guidance. This site was a previous culvert crossing that had been decommissioned due to a washout. Since the decommissioning took place, the site has been completely overtaken by beavers and dammed up water. In the fall of 2025, the beavers were removed and water levels were restored. Construction phase will begin with setting up cofferdams and pumping around clean water in order to isolate the work site from flowing water. This will ensure continuous downstream flow throughout the duration of the project. A fish rescue will be conducted. Additional pumps will be required to dewater the workspace of sediment-laden water, which will be pumped away into clean vegetation where it cannot re-enter the stream. Instream culvert installation will include restoration and enhancement (removal of accumulated sediment and old beaver dam upstream and downstream as required to ensure the material does not re-enter the watercourse), instream restoration to facilitate proper culvert and stream alignment (construction of culvert bed), Installation of culvert, backfilling of culvert, and placement of rip rap (foreslope and culvert inlet/outlet stabilization), and backfilling and road lift to final grades. Activities also include site clean-up (remove garbage and debris), disposal of construction waste, surplus materials, and hazardous waste. Spoils will be hauled to a stable area a minimum 30 metres from the watercourse or wetland and stabilized. Temporary stockpiles and laydown areas shall also be outside of the 30 metres buffer unless authorized to do so under the Watercourse and Wetland Alteration Permit. Upon completion, the cofferdams will be removed, and any exposed soils will be seeded and mulched. Sediment controls (e.g., water bars and take-off ditches) will be installed, as required.