Wharf Reconstruction at the Mink River Small Craft Harbour, Prince Edward Island

The Mink River Small Craft Harbour (SCH)'s configuration is characterized by rigid and floating wharf infrastructure that extends from the upland to the north and south of the property to form an enclosed basin. The southern wharf is a combination of an outer pier and inner marginal structure with multiple construction types that were all built over 50 years ago.  As such, all of this wharf infrastructure is at the end of its service life and requires complete replacement. 

 

The southern wharf consists of four (4) conjoined structures including an outer timber pile section (SCH Facility Number (#) 401) measuring approximately 16.2 m in length and 11.5 m in width with a timber deck system.  The inner structures (#402, #404, and #406) consist of a timber pile and embedded sheathing wall construction around a remnant timber cribwork, core stone infill and an asphalt and gravel travel surface.  The most inner section of wharf transitions to the gravel service area (#920) with a concrete launching ramp (#501) located inside the harbour basin directly adjacent to the wharf approach.

 

The proposed new wharf will be approximately 99 m long and comprised of an outer pier section measuring 80 m in length and 13.7 m in width as well as an inner marginal section 19 m long.  The reconstruction will initially involve the complete demolition of wharf #401 and partial removals of the inner wharf components with the bottom of the remnant timber cribwork remaining in place.  The perimeter of the demolished structures will be encapsulated by a new king pile wall structure (i.e., steel H piles and concrete panels commonly referred to as a Berlin Wall).  It will be constructed along the same alignment as the existing wharf structures, but offset by approximately 1.0 m to facilitate the new construction.  The H piles will be driven in place with the sides of the new 80 m-long outer pier section braced across near the top with steel tie rods.  The end of the pier wall as well as the inner 19 m-long marginal wharf section will be tied back to concrete anchor blocks for lateral stability.  Pre-cast concrete panels will be lowered in place between the piles, the new structure will be backfilled with core stone with a new gravel surface gravel layer placed on top.  A layer of rip rap will be placed all along the outside perimeter of the new walls for scour protection.  The reconstructed wharf will be raised approximately 1.9 m and constructed to an elevation of 3.75 m above chart datum for adaptation to projected sea-level rise and prevent overtopping in storm conditions. 

 

The construction will also include a new 30 m-long freestanding retaining wall along the inside of the wharf approach, adjacent to the launching ramp.  This wall will consist of steel H-piles driven to bedrock, with treated timber lagging installed between the upper 2 m of the pile webs, providing a stable transition to the existing service area.

 

The work is expected to be conducted using large commercial vehicles and equipment for heavy civil construction such as excavators, cranes, front-end loaders, and trucks operating from the upland and existing structures.  Upland areas of the SCH will likely be used as a staging area for equipment storage and as a lay-down area for demolition and construction materials (treated timber, steel piles, and concrete panels).

 

Construction activities may commence as early as September 2026, however actual project commencement is subject to DFO-SCH operational priorities and funding, as well as the completion of regulatory approval processes.  The scope of the environmental effects determination (subject to S.82 of the Impact Assessment Act) will, therefore, be based on the works being completed over a period of 18 months commencing within a period of 5 years following the determination of significance of environmental effects. 

 

The Mink River SCH is a core fishing harbour that was developed to serve the fishing industry in the area.  The harbour currently has considerable marine infrastructure and remains well situated and protected to support both the commercial fishing and aquaculture industries.  Given its sheltered location, there is minimal ice cover in the winter and with the proximity to mussel leases, the harbour operates year-round. 

 

The main purpose of this project is to carry out reconstruction of the existing infrastructure so that the harbour can continue to serve the fishing and aquaculture industries.  The southern wharf is an integral component of the overall harbour infrastructure as a service and berthing facility as well as providing harbour protection and access for land-based dredging equipment.  Given that the existing infrastructure is well beyond its service life, the status quo of leaving the deteriorated wharf structures available and in use is not currently a viable option.  DFO-SCH considered design alternatives and selected the king pile structure option as the most technical and economically feasible construction approach.

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Latest update

Notice of Determination

 

April 10, 2026 – The Small Craft Harbours program of Fisheries and Oceans Canada as well as Transport Canada have determined that wharf reconstruction project at Mink River Small Craft Harbour in Prince Edward Island, 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
    • 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.

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Key documents

Key documents
Document number Document title File Date
3 Standard Mitigation Measures PDF (130 KB) April 10, 2026
2 End of Public Comment Period - March 6, 2026
1 Notice of Intent to Make a Determination – Start of Public Comment Period - February 5, 2026

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

    • Mink River Small Craft Harbour, Kings County (Prince Edward Island)

  • Nature of Activity

    • Ports and Harbours

  • Assessment Status

    Completed

  • Start Date

    2026-02-05

  • Proponent

    Fisheries and Oceans Canada – Small Craft Harbours

  • Authorities

    • Fisheries and Oceans Canada
    • Transport Canada

  • Assessment Type

    Project on federal lands

  • Reference Number

    90204

Nearby assessments

...within 200 kilometres
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