Public Services and Procurement Canada – Cape Breton Operations (PSPC-CBO) Mine Water Retention Pond, (DFRP# 38409), Camerons Lane, New Victoria, Cape Breton County, NS

The proposed project will include the construction of a lined, mine water retention pond to aid in ongoing mine water management.  The proposed pond will be constructed off of Camerons Lane in New Victoria, Cape Breton Regional Municipality, in Nova Scotia.  The project will consist of clearing and grubbing of an area of small trees and scrub brush that will measure approximately 4,800 sqm in size.  The contractor will excavate the cleared area saving the top 0.5m of material as overburden and excavate an additional 2m-2.5m in depth and using this material to construct the earthen berms of the retention pond, complete with 2:1 side slopes on the water side and 3:1 side slope on the outer side. The footprint of the completed pond will measure approximately 1,500sqm and will have a capacity of approximately 2,000 meters cubed of water.  The project will also consist of the construction of a small, slab on grade, electrical control building measuring approximately 3.1m by 3.7m in size, the installation of 250 meters of 3" (7.6cm) diameter PVC pipe from existing well to the proposed pond, as well as the extension of existing electrical supply lines on site to the proposed new building. 

 

Water will be held in the retention pond and monitored.  Water will be monitored for metals, acidity, and general chemistry. Toxicity testing would also be completed on the water.  If water sample results meet background conditions, the mine water would be discharged through a 500mm discharge pipe out of the wall of the pond (with a boot welded to the liner) and then into a rock lined drain to a large on-site wetland.  The flow is estimated to be approximately 50USgpm to a maximum of 100USgpm.

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Latest update

Notice of Determination:

April 7, 2026 - The Federal Authorities have issued their Notice of Determination after evaluation of the project, Cape Breton Operations (PSPC-CBO) Mine Water Retention Pond 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 include:

  • Avoid vegetation clearing and ground disturbance within coastal cliff areas during the Bank Swallow breeding period.
  • Vegetation clearing or maintenance activities are scheduled to avoid the migratory bird breeding season where feasible.
  • Where work must occur between April 15 and August 31, nesting bird surveys are conducted in advance. If active nests are identified, work is suspended and species-appropriate buffers are established to prevent nest disturbance, ensuring compliance with the Migratory Birds Convention Act, s.6 and ECCC guidance.
  •  Project activities are planned and timed to avoid harm to individuals or destruction of residences, in compliance with Species at Risk Act ss. 32–33 (prohibition on harm to individuals and destruction of residences). Natural erosion processes are maintained, and shoreline stabilization is prohibited in accordance with ECCC Bank Swallow recovery strategies and critical habitat guidance.
  • Vegetation management practices are timed to avoid the active insect season, with mowing restricted to periods outside peak foraging and breeding windows.
  • Habitat features such as coarse woody debris, stumps, and organic litter are retained to support nesting and overwintering life stages, consistent with the Species at Risk Act and the Nova Scotia Endangered Species Act.
  • Mine water treatment systems are operated to ensure treated effluent meets established water quality objectives prior to discharge.
  • Constructed wetlands, settling ponds, and sediment controls are maintained to prevent the release of deleterious substances, in compliance with the Fisheries Act, s.34.4 and Fisheries and Oceans Canada guidance.
  • Access to sensitive habitats is managed through existing site controls, including fencing and signage.
  • Dogs are required to be kept on leash in naturalized areas to reduce disturbance to wildlife. These measures are implemented through routine operational procedures and do not require additional regulatory approvals. 

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Key documents

Key documents
Document number Document title File Date
3 Notice of Determination - April 7, 2026
2 End of Public Comment Period - November 8, 2025
1 Notice of Intent to Make a Determination – Start of Public Comment Period - October 8, 2025

Contacts

Public Services and Procurement Canada
Joseph MacPhee, Regional Manager
70 Crescent St
Canada Building Wentworth Court Room SYD2
Sydney, Nova Scotia B1S 2Z7
Telephone: 902-564-2779
Email: Joseph.MacPhee@tpsgc-pwgsc.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

    • The subject property a 69 acre parcel of land (PID# 15513666) locate at 86 Camerons Lane in New Victoria, Cape Breton Regional Municipality, Nova Scotia that is owned by PSPC – Cape Breton Operations, DFRP # 37409 (Nova Scotia)

  • Nature of Activity

    • Building and Property Development
    • Water Management

  • Assessment Status

    Completed

  • Start Date

    2025-10-08

  • Proponent

    Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC)

  • Authorities

    • Public Services and Procurement Canada

  • Assessment Type

    Project on federal lands

  • Reference Number

    89934

Nearby assessments

...within 200 kilometres
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