Soil Remediation and Slope Stabilization

Fisheries and Oceans Canada – Real Property, Safety and Security proposes to undertake soil remediation and slope stabilization at the Mullins Point Front and Rear Range Lights, located in North Wallace, Cumberland County, NS. The proposed project involves the remediation of the site via removal and disposal of contaminated soil. The soil will be transported offsite and disposed at a licensed and approved disposal facility. The remediated areas will be backfilled with clean topsoil and then covered with hydroseed. In addition, the rapidly eroding shoreline will be stabilized with rock. Update: November 15, 2024 - Stabilization of the coastal slope using large rocks was considered but the activity did not move forward.

Latest update

Notice of Determination:

The Federal Authorities have issued their Notice of Determination after evaluation of the project, Soil Remediation and Slope Stabilization and have determined that the project is not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects and can therefore proceed. 

 

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

  • Impacts on rights of Indigenous peoples;
  • Community and Indigenous knowledge;
  • Comments received from the public; and
  • Technically and economically feasible mitigation measures.

Mitigation measures taken into account for this determination are:

  • Site access must be restricted to authorized workers only.
  • Speed and weight limits for vehicles on public roads must be observed.
  • All construction personnel will be provided with appropriate training and personal protective equipment (PPE).
  • Machinery will be maintained in good working order.
  • Underground utilities and overhead services and guywires must be cleared prior to excavation activities.
  • Do not dispose of hazardous wastes (e.g., paints, batteries, cleaners, acids, etc.) including volatile materials (e.g., solvents, mineral spirits, aerosol cans, etc.) and petroleum products on the ground, near or into watercourses, storm or sanitary sewers or in waste landfill sites. Transport and dispose of hazardous wastes off-site to an approved waste handling facility in accordance with applicable federal and provincial, regulations, codes, standards and guidelines.
  • All equipment to be free from leaks or coating of hydrocarbon-based fluids and/or lubricants harmful to the environment.
  • Develop and submit to the PSPC an Emergency Response Plan that is to be implemented immediately in the event of a sediment or spill release of a deleterious substance.
  • Maintain on site appropriate emergency spill response equipment adequate for the activity involved, on-site. Spill equipment includes, as a minimum, at least one 250L (i.e., 55 gallon) overpak spill kit containing items to prevent a spill from spreading; absorbent booms, pillows, and mats; rubber gloves; and plastic disposal bags.
  • In the event of a petroleum spill and release into the environment, stop work and immediately notify the PSPC and the Canadian Coast Guard 24-Hour Environment Emergencies Report System (1-800-565-1633). Contain spill and perform clean-up in accordance with all regulations and procedures stipulated by authority having jurisdiction.
  • Wash, refuel and service machinery and store fuel and other materials for the machinery in such a way as to prevent any deleterious substances from entering the water, and outside a 30 m buffer zone of a wetland, watercourse or other identified environmentally sensitive area.
  • Monitor and assess weather forecast on a daily basis to determine the risk of extreme weather. Avoid work during periods for which Environment and Climate Change Canada had issued rainfall, storm surge or other weather warning for the work area.
  • If buried debris is encountered during excavation, (wood, metal debris, etc.), it must be communicated to PSPC prior to either leaving it on site or removing it for disposal offsite.
  • Contractor is responsible to develop and implement an Erosion and Sediment Control Plan for the work site that will minimize the risk of entry or re-suspension of sediment in a water body during all phases of the work. Erosion and sediment control measures should be maintained until all disturbed ground has been permanently stabilized, suspended sediment has resettled to the bed of the water body or settling basin and runoff water is clear.
  • Regular inspection and reporting details for sediment control measures to ensure they are functioning properly.
  • Prior to remediation, prepare a stockpile staging to prevent excavated containment material to contact the ground surface.
  • Stockpiled materials must be covered with tarps or similar material to prevent erosion from wind and rain.
  • Ground disturbing activities at the RRL must be monitored by a permitted archaeologist.
  • All construction personnel will be responsible for reporting any unusual materials unearthing during construction activities to Construction Supervisor.
  • In those situations where a find is believed to be an archaeological resource, the Construction Supervisor will immediately stop work in the vicinity of the find and notify his/her immediate supervisor and the PSPC Project Manager.
  • Limit impacts on fish habitat components to those approved for the works, undertakings and activities.
  • Operate machinery in a manner that reduces disturbance to the marine environment.
  • Whenever possible, operate machinery on land above the high-water mark, on ice, or from a floating barge in a manner that minimizes disturbance to the banks and bed of a water body.
  • To minimize the possibility of fish habitat contamination and the spread of aquatic invasive species, all construction equipment which will be immersed into the water or has the possibility of coming into contact with such water during the course of the work, must be cleaned and washed to ensure that they are free of marine growth and invasive species prior to mobilization to the site.
  • Minimize disturbance to all birds on site and adjacent areas during the entire course of the work.
  • Large (>2 m high) stockpiles of sand and soil may be used by Bank Swallows to dig burrows for nesting. To prevent this either cover the stockpiles or maintain slopes of the pile such that they are less than 70°.
  • During nighttime work, position flood lights in opposite direction of nearby bird nesting habitat.
  • Do not approach concentrations of seabirds, waterfowl and shorebirds when anchoring equipment, accessing wharves or ferrying supplies.
  • Should species at risk or migratory birds be encountered during work, immediately stop work in that area and notify Departmental Representative for directives to be followed.
  • Work will take place between September and March. Should work be required outside this window additional mitigation measures for birds and bats must be put in place, such as carrying out a bat habitat and nest survey prior to commencing work, avoiding the removal of standing dead trees and practicing adaptive management if a nest was located, stopping work and notifying the PSPC PM.
  • Disturbance to work area must be restricted to only that necessary to enable the works. Where possible, roots and grubbed material should be left in place.
  • Limit tree clearing to only that necessary and with approval of the property owner in advance.
  • The work area must left functionally intact, including revegetating with grass seed, fertilizer, and straw/mulch or hydroseed as required.
  • Adjacent properties must be reinstated to pre-work conditions if disturbed.
  • No storage of vehicles or equipment/material is permitted on any beach, dune, wetland or other environmentally sensitive areas.
  • Contractor to implement an idling policy to reduce emissions of air contaminants and greenhouse gas.
  • Work equipment and machinery must be equipped with adequate muffling capacity to reduce noise on site to lowest possible level. Maintain mufflers in good operating condition at all times.
  • Public and private road surfaces must be kept free from clay, mud, etc. throughout project activities.
  • Dust suppression must be employed when required. The project authority will determine locations where water must be applied, the amount of water applied, and the times at which it is to be applied. Waste oil must not be used for dust control under any circumstances.
  • Burning of waste, vegetation, or construction debris is not permitted.

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Key documents

Key documents
Document number Document title File Date
3 Notice of Determination - November 15, 2024
2 End of Public Comment Period - February 11, 2024
1 Notice of Intent - January 11, 2024

Contacts

Real Property, Safety and Security Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Roxanne MacLean, Senior Environmental Officer, Regional Office of Environmental Coordination (ROEC)
1 Challenger Drive
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia B2Y 4A2
Telephone: 902-717-5721
Email: Roxanne.MacLean@dfo-mpo.gc.ca


Disclaimer

This map is for illustrative purposes. The markers represent the approximate locations based on available data. More than one marker may be identified for a given assessment.

  • Location

    • North Wallace, Cumberland County, NS. (Nova Scotia)

  • Nature of Activity

    • Soil management

  • Assessment Status

    Completed

  • Start Date

    2024-01-11

  • Proponent

    Fisheries and Oceans Canada - Real Property, Safety and Security Department

  • Authorities

    • Fisheries and Oceans Canada

  • Assessment Type

    Project on federal lands

  • Reference Number

    87207

Nearby assessments

...within 200 kilometres
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