Public Notice

23 December 2020 – Canadian Coast Guard, Integrated Technical Services, Maritime and Civil Infrastructure must determine whether the proposed Otter islands Helipad Installations project, located at the Otter Islands Aids to Navigation range sites approximately 4.5km North of Tobermory, Ontario is likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects.

To help inform this determination, Canadian Coast Guard, Integrated Technical services, Maritime and Civil Infrastructure is inviting comments from the public respecting that determination. All comments received will be considered public and may be posted online. For more information, individuals should consult the Privacy Notice on the Registry website.

Written comments must be submitted by 23 January 2020 to:

Neil Curtis

Engineering Technologist

520 Exmouth Street

Sarnia, Ontario

N7T 8B1

Telephone: (226) 402-1361

Email: neil.curtis@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

The Proposed Project

The Otter Islands Aids to Navigation sites are located approximately 4.5 kilometers north of Tobermory, Ontario. LL817 Otter Island front range is located on the South Otter Island at 45.285899°N, 81.694771°W. LL818 Otter Island rear range is located on the North Otter Islands at 45.292228°N, 81.687129°W. The Otter Islands range sites consist of two lit fixed aids to navigation structures that exist to provide a leading line to navigators of vessels. The front and rear range structures are separated by approximately 900m of water. The sites are situated on federal land administered by Parks Canada, but the sites are operated and maintained by Canadian Coast Guard. The front range is currently only serviceable via boat. The rear range is serviceable by boat or helicopter; however, the existing elevated concrete helipad structure has deteriorated.

Canadian Coast Guard is planning to install two (2) new helipads at the Otter Islands range sites. One helipad per range site. The existing elevated concrete helipad at the rear range site will be demolished due to safety concerns. Site works will include installing helipads complete with rock drilled anchor systems and grout footings, brushing trees in the vicinity of the new helipads to accommodate the helicopter landing area, replacement of the existing steel aids to navigation towers, removal of an existing transformer box and electrical cabling, demolition of the existing elevated concrete helipad, and any remedial measures to restore areas of the sites affected by construction.