Government of New Brunswick

Projects that must be registered under the EIA Regulation

Proponents intending to modify, extend, expand or reconstruct an existing facility should also refer to the Department’s  Policy on Modification, Extension or Rehabilitation of an Undertaking under New Brunswick’s Environmental Impact Assessment Regulation.

For definitions of key words found in the list of projects that must be registered please see the Glossary.   

Guidance on (a) all commercial extraction or processing of a mineral as defined in the Mining Act

This category includes mines of any type that will be used to extract any mineral for commercial gain.

The following are examples of projects that require EIA registration:

  • A new mine for the purpose of extracting minerals.
  • Extraction of a soluble mineral by injecting and recovering water or another fluid.  
  • Decommissioning, rehabilitation and clean-up of a mine or a location where extraction occurred, or a location where commercial processing, washing, crushing, milling, refining or smelting of a metallic or non-metallic mineral took place.

The following are examples of projects that do not require EIA registration under item (a) of Schedule A:

  • Collecting or retrieving bulk samples in order to verify grade, test extractive methods or perform metallurgical testing where the bulk sample is: (i) less than 4000 tonnes; (ii) not taken from a location with a high potential to produce acid rock drainage; and (iii) not taken from an environmentally sensitive area as defined by the Department of Environment and Local Government in consultation with other Departments or agencies.
     

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Guidance on (b) all electric power generating facilities with a production rating of three megawatts or more

This category includes any generators or turbines or other devices (such as solar panels) that convert thermal, atomic, wind, solar, tidal or another source of energy into electricity, and have a combined electricity production rating that exceeds 3 Megawatts.

The following are examples of projects that require EIA registration:

  • A project consisting of one or more generators or turbines or devices that use an energy source to create electricity and have a cumulative (combined) production rating that exceeds 3 Megawatts.

The following are examples of projects that do not require EIA registration under item (b) of Schedule A:

  • Addition of solar panels to a building.
  • Construction or installation of an emergency, stand-by generator.
  • Maintenance activities (routine or otherwise) that would not increase electricity production capacity and would not in themselves result in an increase of emissions of a contaminant to the environment. 

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Guidance on (c) all water reservoirs with a storage capacity of more than ten million cubic metres

This category includes any dam or artificial lake created to store water for any purpose, with a storage capacity of more than ten million cubic metres.

The following are examples of projects that require EIA registration:

  • All water reservoirs created to store water for any purposes, with a storage capacity of more than ten million cubic metres.

The following are examples of projects that do not require EIA registration under item (c) of Schedule A:

  • Dike, dam or reservoir restoration and maintenance activities (routine or otherwise) that: a) are not designed to affect the water level within a reservoir; and b) will not result in the discharge of a contaminant to the environment. 

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Guidance on (d) all electric power transmission lines exceeding sixty-nine thousand volts in capacity or five kilometres in length

This category includes power lines constructed on poles or in a trench, that exceed the specified capacity or length thresholds.

The following are examples of projects that require EIA registration:

  • A new power transmission line or realignment of an existing power transmission line requiring an uninterrupted length of more than five kilometres of new right-of-way.
  • A new power transmission line or upgrade to an existing transmission line that will exceed 69 thousand volts in capacity.

The following are examples of projects that do not require EIA registration under item (d) of Schedule A:

  • The construction of a new electric power transmission line of any length where not more than five kilometres of uninterrupted new right-of way is required.
  • The dismantling and abandonment of an electric power transmission line less than 5 kilometers in length.
  • Construction or reconstruction of a transformer station that is not part of an undertaking as defined in Item d).
  • Vegetation removal within an existing power transmission right-of-way using tools, machinery or the application of herbicides.
  • Routine or emergency maintenance of power transmission lines.

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Guidance on (e) all linear communications transmission systems exceeding five kilometres in length

This category includes any communication systems that use wires that are mounted on poles or laid in a trench to transmit information, and that exceed the specified length threshold.

The following are examples of projects that require EIA registration:

  • A new communications transmission line or realignment of a communications transmission line requiring an uninterrupted length of more than five kilometres of new right-of-way.  

The following are examples of projects that do not require EIA registration under item (e) of Schedule A:

  • The construction of a communications transmission line of any length where not more than 5 uninterrupted kilometres of new right-of way is required.
  • The installation of a communication line that takes place on existing telecommunication or transmission line infrastructure and within an existing right-of-way.
  • The dismantling and abandonment of a communication line.
  • Lines installed to connect a building or a property (i.e., a customer) to a transmission line.
  • Vegetation removal within an existing right-of-way using tools, machinery or the application of herbicides.
  • Routine or emergency maintenance of communications transmission systems.

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Guidance on (f) all commercial extraction or processing of combustible energy-yielding materials except fuel wood

This category includes any project that will extract or process any combustible material that may be used as a source of energy. Examples include production of oil, gas, coal, or plant-based alcohols. Wood harvested for burning is excluded.

The following are examples of projects that require EIA registration:

  • Production of charcoals, biochar or other fuels or substances derived from wood or biomass.
  • Production of biogases produced from organic materials by anerobic digestion.
  • All facilities and activities associated with harvesting of forest biomass for use in energy production.
  • A natural gas processing plant.
  • Production of hydrogen.
  • A uranium mine, coal mine, oil well, or natural gas well.

The following are examples of projects that do not require EIA registration under item (f) of Schedule A:

  • Pilot scale extraction, from organic materials sourced from within New Brunswick, of animal or vegetable oil at a rate of less than 1000 litres per day over a period of less than 1 year.
  • Production of soil amendments (biochar), biogases or other fuels from organic matter for on-farm use by the facility owner (i.e., not for commercial sale).
  • When located within the site of an existing extraction or processing facility, construction of an establishment or the installation of equipment solely for assessing the performance of a new technology or a new method of operation prior to commencing full scale production.

 

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Guidance on (g)  all offshore drilling for, or extraction of, oil, natural gas or minerals

This category covers mining or drilling in the ocean (i.e., on submerged, provincial Crown land).

The following are examples of projects that require EIA registration:

  • All offshore drilling mining or extraction of oil, natural gas or minerals.
  • Associated land-based processing facilities such as laydown areas, fabrication yards, etc. intended to support the above offshore activities.

The following are examples of projects that do not require EIA registration under item (g) of Schedule A:

  • Routine maintenance activities at existing facilities.

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Guidance on (h) all pipelines exceeding five kilometres in length, except (i) water, steam or domestic wastewater pipelines, and (ii)pipelines or pipe lines that are the subject of an application under the Gas Distribution Act or the Pipe Line Act 

This category includes pipelines constructed above or below the ground that transport something other than water, steam or sewage and that exceed the specified length threshold. Pipelines that are subject to an application under the indicated provincial Acts or are regulated by the Canada Energy Regulator (formerly called the National Energy Board) are exempt.

The following are examples of projects that require EIA registration:

  • Constructing a new pipeline where more than a total of 5 kilometres of new right-of way is required.
  • Constructing a new pipeline having more than 5 kilometres of uninterrupted length  within an existing right-of-way.
  • Changing the flow direction, or purpose of an existing pipeline over a  uninterrupted length of greater than 5 kilometres.

The following are examples of projects that do not require EIA registration under item (h) of Schedule A:

  • A pipeline of any length where less than a 5-kilometre uninterrupted total length of new right-of way is required.
  • All or part of a gas pipeline, up to and including the meter, that is used to distribute gas to a building.

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Guidance on (i) all causeways and multiple-span bridges

This category includes:

Bridges that are at least 250 metres long and are supported by at least one pier located between the riverbanks.

Causeways of any length that may obstruct the flow of water or cause damage to fish habitat.

The following are examples of projects that require EIA registration:

  • A multiple span bridge with a total, cumulative span length of 250 metres or more.
  •  A causeway that may obstruct the flow or water or may have an impounding effect on upstream surface waters. 

The following are examples of projects that do not require EIA registration under item (i) of Schedule A:

  • A multiple span bridge less than 250 metres long.
  • A single span bridge (i.e., no intermediate piers located between the abutments).
  • Routine maintenance and repair of a bridge or causeway.

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Guidance on on (j) all major highway projects involving either a significant length of new highway alignment or a major upgrading or widening of an existing highway resulting in a change in its intended use or classification   

This category includes:

Any new highways or re-alignments that are proposed as part of the TransCanada Highway.

Any new highways or re-alignments that are not part of the TransCanada Highway and that exceed 5 kilometers in total length. If the work is located entirely within an existing right-of way, then the threshold for registration for these projects increases to 10 kilometres.

Any work intended to change a highway classification as defined in the Highway Act.  Classifications include:  an arterial highway, a collector highway or a local highway.

The following are examples of projects that require EIA registration:

  • All new highways or new highway alignments (e.g., twinning, horizontal or vertical realignments) proposed as part of the TransCanada Highway system.
  • All new highways other than the TransCanada highway having an uninterrupted length of more than 5 kilometres.
  • All new highway alignments (e.g., twinning, horizontal or vertical realignments) proposed as part of a highway other than the TransCanada highway over a total length of more than 5 kilometres.
  • Work intended to change the classification of a segment of highway more than 5 kilometres long.

The following are examples of projects that do not require EIA registration under item (j) of Schedule A:

  •  Improvements to existing highways that are not part of the TransCanada highway system and are located entirely within an existing right-of-way and are less than 10 kilometers in total length.
  • New highway projects located outside an existing right-of-way, that are not part of the TransCanada Highway system and are 5 kilometres or less in total length.
  • Intersection improvements to a highway other than the TransCanada where the total  length of work outside an existing right-of-way is 5 kilometres or less. 
  • Resurfacing a highway with no change to its alignment.
  • New highway signage or lighting.
  • Installation of traffic safety and control systems such as guide rails or median barriers.
  • Installation of noise barriers, or fencing including wildlife fencing.
  • Installation of drainage features such as catch-basins, ditches or storm sewers within an existing right-of-way.
  • New streets or sidewalks constructed by a local government.
  • Maintenance and operation of highways.
  • Construction and operation of borrow pits for highway maintenance.
  • Removal of vegetation from within an existing right-of-way.

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Guidance on (k) all facilities for the commercial processing or treatment of timber resources other than fuelwood, except maple sugaries, shingle mills and sawmills producing less than one hundred thousand foot board measure annually.    

This category includes pulp mills, paper mills, facilities for creating pressure-treated wood, and facilities for creating veneer, plywood, particle board or waferboard.

The following are examples of projects that require EIA registration:

  • Manufacturing of veneer, plywood, particle board or waferboard.
  • Pulp mills.
  • Paper mills.
  • Production of pressure-treated, chemically treated or heat-treated wood products.
  • Construction of laminated structural members from wood.
  • Facilities for the extraction of chemicals, compounds or elements from wood or from forest biomass.

The following are examples of projects that do not require EIA registration under item (k) of Schedule A:

  • Facilities solely for the purpose of sorting and recycling of paper, carboard, wood or wood products unless chemical de-inking occurs at the facility.
  • Facilities for the manufacturing of wood products such as furniture, cabinets, boxes, pallets or containers.
  • Harvesting of firewood or biomass for heat production.
  • Facilities for collecting and processing maple sap for syrup or sugar production.
  • Shingle mills and sawmills with annual production less than one hundred-thousand-foot board measure annually.

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Guidance on (l) all programs or commercial ventures involving the introduction into New Brunswick of plant or animal species which are not indigenous to New Brunswick

This category addresses projects aimed at bringing a non-native plant or animal species to New Brunswick.

The focus is on species that could cause ecological harm if these species escape into the wild.

There are a number of exceptions which acknowledge, for example, the use of such species for research purposes, and certain on-going commercial uses such as zoos, pet stores, or aquariums.

Other exceptions include projects that comply with certain other policies, protocols and regulations such as Agriculture Canada’s captive wildlife and non-native species regulations and handling protocols .

The following are examples of projects that require EIA registration:

  • Importing from out-of-province, non-indigenous species for commercial game farms.
  • Species introductions for the purpose of the establishment of wild populations of non-indigenous fish or wildlife.
  • Commercial fish farming operations involving the rearing of non-indigenous fish species.

The following are examples of projects that do not require EIA registration under item (l) of Schedule A:

  • When introduced by government, universities, botanical/horticultural gardens and research centres for research and evaluation purposes, all cultivated plant species and varieties and all plant species and varieties.
  • Aquaculture facilities that can demonstrate compliance with the New Brunswick Rainbow Trout Aquaculture Policy.
  • Commercial farming involving the importation and rearing of Ratite species (Ostrich, Emu, Rhea, etc.) provided that the project meets conditions established by the province, and all Agriculture Canada quarantine and animal health inspection and importation requirements.
  • Importing species (including genetically modified species) that will be contained in a laboratory.  
  • Importing and sales of species by zoos, pet stores and aquariums.
  • Importing biological control agent projects for which an approval has been obtained from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency under the Plant Protection Act.
  • Importing gallinaceous birds kept in captivity in accordance with a game bird farm licence or a pheasant preserve licence issued under the Fish and Wildlife Act.
  • Importing and using federally approved genetically modified crops or seeds.

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Guidance on (m) all waste disposal facilities or systems   

This category includes facilities such as landfills for industrial or municipal solid waste, permanent facilities for waste incineration, and industrial wastewater treatment systems.

Dredge material disposal sites accepting 10,000 or more cubic metres of material are also included.

Municipal sewage treatment systems are addressed separately in Schedule “A” category (n).

Exceptions include composting facilities, waste transfer stations, and recycling facilities where no waste is disposed of on site.

The following are examples of projects that require EIA registration:

  • Landfills for municipal, industrial or other waste.
  • Facilities for the incineration of municipal, industrial or other waste.
  • Facilities for the thermal or chemical combustion, conversion or treatment of agricultural waste, industrial waste or municipal solid waste.
  • Wastewater treatment systems including but not limited to facilities using techniques such as adsorption, coagulation, ozonation, membrane filtration, ion exchange, chemical oxidation, and biological treatments, etc.
  • Facilities for the treatment or disposal of hazardous waste materials including but not limited to chemical, medical or radioactive wastes.
  • Dredge material disposal sites accepting 10,000 or more cubic metres of material.
  • Pre-treatment systems implemented at an industrial facility for the purpose of treating an industrial effluent prior to release to a municipal sewer system.
  • Wastewater disposal wells. 

The following are examples of projects that do not require EIA registration under item (m) of Schedule A:

  • A dredge material disposal site with a cumulative (total) disposal amount of less than 10,000 cubic metres of material.
  • All construction and demolition debris sites.
  • All composting facilities.
  • On-site disposal of animal carcasses in accordance with approved practices or guidelines such as Canadian Food Inspection Agency requirements and/or New Brunswick’s Abattoir Waste and Carcass Disposal Guidelines.
  • Establishing a transfer station for waste that is not imported from out-of-province and where the waste is treated, processed or disposed of at another approved location.
  • A facility for recycling of waste that is not imported from out-of-province and where disposal of residual waste occurs at another location.
  • A facility designed solely for the in-situ remediation of contaminated soils.
     

Note:
Direct application of biosolids on land in New Brunswick is not permitted
 

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Guidance on (m.1) all disposal, destruction, recycling, reprocessing or storage of waste that originates outside New Brunswick and all facilities or systems for the disposal, destruction, recycling, reprocessing or storage of such waste

This category is intended to capture all projects that involve the importation of waste into New Brunswick for any purpose. In general, the Department does not support waste importation unless it provides some benefit to the province (for example, it is recycled to create a value-added product).

The following are examples of projects that require EIA registration:

  •  Projects and facilities involving the importation of waste into New Brunswick for any purpose.

The following are examples of projects that do not require EIA registration under item (m.1) of Schedule A:

  • Activities involving waste that originated in New Brunswick (exported, then re-imported).
     

Note:
The Department does not support importation of waste products from outside New Brunswick unless it can be demonstrated that:

  1. The waste proposed for importation can be recycled, reprocessed or reused for another beneficial use or converted to a value-added product with all residual wastes being: a) fully recycled or reused for another beneficial use or b) returned to the jurisdiction or origin; or
  2. The waste proposed for importation is part of a multi-jurisdictional waste management program that New Brunswick has endorsed and participates in; or
  3. The waste proposed for importation is similar to waste presently being generated in the province and the importation is essential to the economic sustainability of a waste management system serving the people of New Brunswick; or
  4. The recycling, reprocessing or reuse of an imported waste results in an overall environmental benefit to the province, and any residual waste is suitable for disposal at a regional landfill, and the solid waste commission agrees to accept it.

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Guidance on (n) all sewage disposal or sewage treatment facilities, other than domestic, on-site facilities 

This category addresses facilities for the treatment and/or disinfection of municipal sewage. These include things such as sewage lagoons to settle out solids, sewage aerators to breakdown waste, facilities for chlorination or ultraviolet treatment to remove pathogens, etc.

The category also includes other (non-municipal) facilities for the treatment and/or disinfection of sewage, excluding on-site sewage disposal systems as defined in the Public Health Act .

The following are examples of projects that require EIA registration:

  • Facilities for the treatment and/or disinfection of municipal sewage.
  • Other (non-municipal) facilities for the treatment of sewage, excluding on-site sewage disposal systems as defined in the Public Health Act.
  • Sewage treatment and disposal sites that receive hauled septage (e.g. from septic tank pump-outs) and discharge treated or untreated effluent to the environment.

The following are examples of projects that do not require EIA registration under item (n) of Schedule A:

  • All new sewage collection systems as well as extensions and replacements of existing collection systems including sewers, lift stations, and force mains.
  •  Repairs and maintenance on existing sewage treatment facilities.

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Guidance on (o) all provincial or national parks

This category is intended to capture a) the creation of a new national or provincial park; (b) the closure of a national or provincial park; (c) the designation of land for a proposed park, (d) the removal of a park designation from land; and (e) fundamentally changing the purpose, classification, use, or management plan of an existing park.

The following are examples of projects that require EIA registration:

  • The creation of a new national or provincial park;
  • The closure of a national or provincial park;
  • The designation of land for a proposed national or provincial park,
  • The removal of a national or provincial park designation from land; and
  • Fundamentally changing the purpose, classification, use, or management plan of an existing national or provincial park. For example, changing the fundamental use of a park or a portion of a park from wilderness protection to intensive recreation.

The following are examples of projects that do not require EIA registration under item (o) of Schedule A:

  • Leasing of park facilities such as campgrounds or concessions, for operation by a third party.

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Guidance on (p) all major recreational or tourism developments, including developments which consist of changing the use of land so that it is used for recreational or tourism purposes

This category is intended to capture projects that entail:

•  a new recreational or tourism development having the potential to cause an environmental impact because of a change in land cover or land use, increased vehicular traffic, visual impact, noise, impacts to water quality, etc.; or

•  a fundamental change in key features of an existing recreational or tourism development (e.g., the visitor capacity, timing of uses and activities, size of physical footprint etc.,) that has the potential to result in environmental impacts.

The following are examples of projects that require EIA registration:

  • A new ski hill.
  • A new golf course.
  • A new trail system greater than 2 kilometres long intended for use by motorized vehicles.

The following are examples of projects that do not require EIA registration under item (p) of Schedule A:

  • A new trail system intended for non-motorized use (i.e., for pedestrians, bicycles etc.).
  • Construction of a building, arena or other enclosed facility intended to host a recreational use (e.g., an arena, theatre, etc.).
  • A “zip-line” or “Tree-go” facility.
  • Modification or demolition of land-based recreational buildings.
  • Removal of beach wrack, seaweed or other debris from a beach.
  • Installation of boardwalks.

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Guidance on (q) all ports, harbours, railroads and airports 

This transportation-related category is intended to capture facilities such as marinas, breakwaters, docks, marine terminals and other facilities for on-loading and off-loading cargo, vehicles or passengers and maintaining and refuelling vessels; airports, railroads and railyards.

The following are examples of projects that require EIA registration:

Ports and Harbours

  • A new freshwater or marine ferry terminal for vehicles or pedestrian traffic.
  • Construction of a breakwater.
  • A new drydock or shipyard.
  • A recreational marina that includes a breakwater, or a fuel dispensing facility, or a permanent dock with mooring space for motorized watercraft.

Railroads

  • New rail lines exceeding 5 kilometers in length.
  • An increase in the physical footprint (area in square units) of a rail yard or intermodal facility.

Airports

  • Any new airport on land or water.

The following are examples of projects that do not require EIA registration under item (q) of Schedule A:

Ports and Harbours

  • An increase in the physical footprint of a small craft harbour if the size of the expansion is an increase of 25% or less; and the size of the expansion is less than 10,000 m2.
  • Periodic maintenance dredging for an existing facility, designed to maintain (not increase) its capacity.
  • Within the footprint of an existing facility, addition of shore-based structures and facilities such as cranes, parking areas, loading bays, offices, warehouses, etc.
  • Installation of floating docks intended for seasonal use.
  • Installation of a temporary wharf required for land-based construction work.
  • Repairs to a damaged wharf or breakwater

Railroads

  • New railway sidings or loading/unloading areas within an existing rail yard or intermodal facility or those located entirely within an existing industrial site.
  • A new segment of railway line in a new right-of-way less than 5 kilometres long.
  • Twining or upgrading an existing railway line within an existing right-of-way or within the footprint of an existing rail yard.
  • Revisions to existing trackwork, relocated or new switches or signal systems when limited to existing line.
  • The construction, installation, expansion or modification of an automatic warning structure at a railway level crossing.

Airports

  • Work concerning only the construction of hangers or administrative buildings or intended for air traffic control or meteorological monitoring.  
  • Installation or modification of aircraft maneuvering lights or navigation aids for aircraft.

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Guidance on (r) all projects involving the transfer of the water between drainage basins 

This category includes a drainage ditch, canal, channel, waterway, dam, dike, tunnel or pipe that, by means of a gradient alteration or a pump, captures and re-directs surface water to a drainage basin other than one to which the water would naturally flow.

The following are examples of projects that require EIA registration:

  • A drainage ditch, canal, channel, waterway, dam, dike, tunnel or pipe that, by means of a gradient alteration or a pump, captures and re-directs surface flow/run-off to a drainage basin other than one to which the water would naturally flow.
  • Discharge of groundwater extracted from one drainage basin to the surface or subsurface of another drainage basin.
  • A drainage ditch, canal, channel, waterway dam, dyke, tunnel or pipe that, by means of a gradient alteration or a pump, at a location 500 metres or more upstream of a natural discharge location to the ocean, captures and re-directs stream flow and conveys it directly to the ocean.

The following are examples of projects that do not require EIA registration under item (r) of Schedule A:

  • Maintenance activities (routine or otherwise) to existing diversions, provided that the activities are not designed to change the amount of water that is diverted; and will not result in the discharge of a contaminant to water.
  • Diversion or channeling of flow emerging from an artesian well. 
  • Drainage captured and diverted due to grading, piping or ditching necessary to accommodate a runway, highway or railway.
  • Drainage diversions constructed as water intakes as part of a new municipal water supply.
  • Temporary flow diversions required as part of construction work.
  • Work intended only for wildlife management with the intention of improving the biodiversity or wildlife habitat of a location.

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Guidance on (s) all waterworks with a capacity greater than fifty cubic metres of water daily

This category covers projects that will include the extraction of surface or groundwater for any intended use. A project must be registered if the proposed water supply has the ability (capacity) to extract more than 50 cubic meters (50,000 litres, or 11,000 gallons) of water in a 24-hour period.

The following are examples of projects that require EIA registration:

  • A residential development consisting of five dwelling units or more connected to one well regardless of lot size.
  • A residential development consisting of 25 dwelling units or more where at least one well serves more than one dwelling unit.
  • Permanent irrigation systems (agriculture, golf course, etc.) that exceed the stated capacity threshold.

The following are examples of projects that do not require EIA registration under item (s) of Schedule A:

  • All new water distribution systems including pumphouses, pumps, reservoirs and water treatment plants as well as extensions and replacements or existing distribution systems.
  • Pumping or extraction of ocean water provided it is not discharged to freshwater whether above or below the ground.

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Guidance on (t) all major residential developments outside incorporated areas

This category covers projects involving the construction of a residential development in a rural district that includes 50 or more separate dwelling units or will have a developed area greater than 40 hectares.

The following are examples of projects that require EIA registration:

  • A new residential development in which all phases (current and future) exceed the 50-dwelling threshold or will have a developed area more than 40 hectares in size.
  • An existing residential development that, once expanded will exceed the 50-dwelling unit threshold or will have a developed area more than 40 hectares in size

The following are examples of projects that do not require EIA registration under item (t) of Schedule A:

  • A residential development consisting of less than 50 dwelling units or will have a developed area less than 40 hectares in size.

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Guidance on (u) all enterprises, activities, projects, structures, works or programs affecting any unique, rare or endangered feature of the environment

This category is intended to protect special features of New Brunswick’s environment such as a) species at risk; b) natural or built environmental features that are tourist attractions at the provincial, national or international scale; or c) species or features that are limited or scarce within the province. Examples include King’s Landing, Acadian Village, Le Pays de la Sagouine, Hopewell Rocks, species at risk as defined in provincial or federal legislation, etc.

The following are examples of projects that require EIA registration:

  • A project that has the potential to adversely affect a place of provincial cultural significance including but not limited to:  King’s Landing, Acadian Village, Le Pays de la Sagouine, Hopewell Rocks, etc.
  • A project that has the potential to affect a species at risk as defined in provincial or Canadian federal legislation including but not limited to the Wood Turtle, Piping Plover, Bank Swallow, etc.

The following are examples of projects that do not require EIA registration under item (u) of Schedule A:

  • Modification, alteration or demolition of a building or structure located within an area where an archaeological heritage preservation by-law is in effect.

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Guidance on (v) all enterprises, activities, projects, structures, works or programs affecting two hectares or more of bog, marsh, swamp or other wetland

This category covers any activities that directly affect 2 or more hectares of wetlands.

If the project footprint will occupy 2 or more hectares in total, and there are at least 2 hectares of wetland on site, then the project may require registration under the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulation. Please see the examples below for clarification. 

Example 1

The project will directly affect a total of two hectares of wetland by occupying parts of two wetlands. Registration is required.

Example 2

The project will directly affect a total of two hectares or more of a single wetland. Registration is required.

Example 3

The project will directly affect less than 2 hectares of wetland. Registration is not required.

Note:
Anyone intending to do an alteration (i.e. construction, demolition, cutting trees, earth moving, placing of fill, landscaping, etc.) in or within 30 metres of a watercourse or a wetland must obtain a Watercourse and Wetland Alteration Permit.

Guidelines and factsheets about wetlands are available at Wetlands - Environment and Local Government

 

The following are examples of projects that require EIA registration:

  • Projects that will directly/permanently affect two or more hectares of wetland including but not limited to:
    • Draining two or more hectares of wetland
    • Placing fill in two or more hectares of wetland

The following are examples of projects that do not require EIA registration under item (v) of Schedule A:

  • Temporary bridges.
  • Beaver dam management and removal.
  • Timber harvesting or removal of non-merchantable woody vegetation.
  • Wetland restoration/rehabilitation activities.

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Guidance on (w) all facilities for the processing of radioactive materials

This category covers activities such as processing nuclear wate to create fuel for an atomic reactor, or processing nuclear waste prior to its storage, containment, or disposal.

The following are examples of projects that require EIA registration:

  • The construction of a facility used for extracting, enriching, concentrating, processing or storing radioactive elements or radioactive compounds.
  • The construction of a facility that manufactures, concentrates, processes, reprocesses, or stores nuclear waste or nuclear fuel.
  • Extraction or separation or treatment of naturally occurring radioactive material (NORMs) from water generated by subsurface drilling, including but not limited to, oil and gas exploration and development.
  • Concentration of a solid, liquid or gas NORM that would result in enhancing or increasing its radioactivity.

The following are examples of projects that do not require EIA registration under item (w) of Schedule A:

  • Projects that do not involve the processing of radioactive materials

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