Terms of Reference

Review of the Sydney Tar Ponds Marine Environmental Effects Monitoring Program Results with Consideration to Sydney Harbour Dredging

Maritimes Region Science Special Response Process (SSRP)

February 2011
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia

Chairperson: Kristian Curran

Context

Prior to commencement of the Sydney Tar Ponds Remediation Project, Nova Scotia, a Panel reviewed and approved the Project pursuant to the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (refer to Environmental Assessment No. 05-05-8989 on the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency Registry for more information). A recommendation of the Panel was that a long-term monitoring program be developed to track changes in the state of the environment of Sydney Harbour as remediation of the tar ponds proceeds. In January 2011, Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC), the federal responsible authority overseeing the monitoring program for the Sydney Tar Ponds Remediation Project, informed the Environmental Management Committee that it intends to cancel the marine component of the monitoring program. PWGSC's rationale for this proposed decision is that the results collected to date indicate that the Sydney Tar Ponds Remediation Project has had little to no negative effects on the state of the marine environment of Sydney Harbour relative to its pre-Project baseline conditions. PWGSC also believes that the proposed dredging and infilling of Sydney Harbour may affect its monitoring methods in a manner that makes it difficult to interpret future results of the monitoring program.

On February 4, 2011, Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s (DFO) Environmental Assessment and Major Projects Division (EAMP), Maritimes Region, requested that DFO Science, Maritimes Region, provide advice regarding the Year 1 results of the Sydney Harbour Remediation Project Marine Environmental Effects Monitoring Program, as well as the potential effects of dredging and infilling of Sydney Harbour on applicable monitoring methods and future results. A CSA Special Science Response Process (SSRP) was used due to the short deadline for advice of January 18, 2011. The advice from DFO Science will be provided to the Environmental Management Committee of the Sydney Tar Ponds Remediation Project. A decision to discontinue the marine component of the monitoring program is at the discretion of PWGSC.

Objective

The objective of the SSRP is to provide science advice on the following questions:

1. Are the conclusions of each monitoring method valid based on the Year 1 monitoring results and baseline observations? Should the monitoring methods be changed, based on the Year 1 monitoring conclusions, to better improve the monitoring program?
   
   
2. Is the proposed dredging and infilling of Sydney Harbour likely to affect the monitoring methods and future results of the Sydney Tar Ponds Remediation Project Marine Environmental Effects Monitoring Program (MEEMP)?
   
   
3. For each MEEMP method where potential effects from Sydney Harbour dredging and infilling are likely to occur, should the MEEMP method continue as proposed, be re-designed, or be discontinued? If re-designed, provide suggestions/recommendations for a revised MEEMP method.

Expected Publications

CSAS Terms of Reference
CSAS Special Science Report

Participation

DFO Science Branch
DFO Oceans, Habitat and Species at Risk Branch