Construction of a Containment Cell at the Escuminac Small Craft Harbour, New Brunswick

The proposed project at the Escuminac Small Craft Harbour consists of the construction of a new containment cell to house sediment dredged from the harbour basins.  The new containment cell is proposed to be located to the east of the harbour and will occupy a total footprint of approximately 14,100 m².   

 

The proposed containment cell will consist of the addition of a rock berm consisting of the placement of core, filter and armour stone in the water at a 1.5:1 slope to form the outer perimeter.   Sediment along the outer perimeter of the structure's core may be excavated in order to toe in the filter and armour stone.  The excavated sediment will be incorporated into the core of the structure, and the area is expected to naturally backfill after the work is complete.

 

The work will be conducted using heavy equipment such as excavators and haul trucks working off rock berm as it is built out into the water.  If temporary stockpiling of material is required, the stockpile area will be located at the harbour and coordinated with the Harbour Authority to avoid disruption of fishing activities.  The project is not anticipated to require changes to existing aids to navigation.

 

Construction of the containment cell is anticipated to commence in August 2025 and be completed by the end of March 2026.  Project commencement is, however, subject to the Small Craft Harbours program of Fisheries and Oceans Canada's (DFO-SCH) operational priorities and funding, as well as the completion of regulatory approval processes, therefore work may be delayed.  The scope of the impact assessment will, therefore, be based on the works being completed over a period of 5 months commencing within a period of 5 years following finalization of the assessment. 

 

DFO-SCH has considered the expansion of an existing containment cell located to the west of the harbour, however such an expansion would require extension of the property's waterlot boundary and would interfere with the placement site for sediment dredged from the harbour's entrance channel on a regular basis.

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Latest update

Notice of Determination

October 17, 2025:  The Small Craft Harbours and Fish and Fish Habitat Protection programs of Fisheries and Oceans Canada as well as Transport Canada have determined that the construction of a containment cell project, located at the Escuminac Small Craft Harbour in New Brunswick, is not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects on areas within federal jurisdiction and can, therefore, proceed.  Environmental effects on areas within provincial jurisdiction will be addressed through applicable provincial legislation and processes.

 

This determination was based on a consideration of the following:

 

  • Potential impacts on rights and interests of Indigenous peoples;
  • Any shared community and Indigenous knowledge;
  • Comments received from the public;
  • Potential impacts to the following environmental components:
    • Air Quality
    • Aquatic Species and Habitat (including Fish and Fish Habitat)
    • Avian Species and Habitat
    • Health, Social, and Economic Conditions
    • Marine Sediments
    • Navigation
    • Sensory Disturbance (air/water, noise, and vibration)
    • Structures, Sites, or Things of Historical, Archaeological, Paleontological, or Architectural Significance
    • Terrestrial Species and Habitat
    • Terrestrial Soils
    • Water (marine, ground, surface, drainage, water levels, flow, etc.); and
  • Application of technically and economically feasible mitigation measures (including but not limited to those listed in the attached document).

 

With this determination, Fisheries and Oceans Canada and Transport Canada may 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.

Participate

Contacts

Planning and Environment Group
Fisheries and Oceans Canada - Small Craft Harbours, Maritimes and Gulf Regions
343 University Avenue
Gulf Fisheries Centre
Moncton, New Brunswick E1C 5K4
Email: DFO.SCHMGEnvironment-MGEnvironnementPPB.MPO@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

    • Escuminac Small Craft Harbour (New Brunswick)

  • Nature of Activity

    • Ports and Harbours

  • Assessment Status

    Completed

  • Start Date

    2025-01-06

  • Proponent

    Fisheries and Oceans Canada – Small Craft Harbours

  • Authorities

    • Fisheries and Oceans Canada
    • Transport Canada

  • Assessment Type

    Project on federal lands

  • Reference Number

    89311

Nearby assessments

...within 200 kilometres
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