Terms of Reference

Review of an Environmental Assessment for a Wharf Dredging Project in Sydney Harbour

Regional Science Special Response Process – Maritimes Region

May 2012
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia

Chairperson: Trevor Floyd

Context

Fisheries and Oceans Canada's (DFO) Habitat Management Division, Maritimes Region, is reviewing an Environmental Assessment (EA) for proposed dredging of approximately 160,000 cubic meters of contaminated sediments immediately in front of Provincial Energy Venture’s (PEV) existing wharf in Sydney Harbour, Nova Scotia, to determine if the project is likely to result in negative impacts to fish and fish habitat. The project is being assessed under a harmonized provincial and federal environmental assessment process. As a responsible authority under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, DFO is required to assess and make a determination of the significance of the environmental effects associated with the project. DFO Ecosystem Management has asked DFO Science to review the draft environmental assessment.

Objectives

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

• What are the potential risks to fish health associated with the resuspension of contaminated sediments identified in the environmental assessment report (Appendix C) and with the decanting of water at the site of the confined disposal facility?
• Are there any mitigation measures that should be considered in addition to those that are proposed to address contaminated sediments, water quality and fish health?
• Are there any monitoring components and analyses that should be incorporated into the environmental effects monitoring plan to address contaminated sediments, water quality and fish health?

Expected Publications

• Science Response

Participation

• DFO Science
• DFO Ecosystem Management