Public Comment Period on Intent to Make a Determination
Paardeberg Range Improvements – 4th Canadian Division Training Centre (Meaford)

February 21, 2024 — The Department of National Defence must decide whether the proposed project is likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects.

To help inform this decision, the Department of National Defence is inviting comments from the public on the project and its potential effects on the environment. All comments received will be considered public. For more information, individuals should consult the Privacy Notice on the Registry website.

Written comments must be submitted by March 11, 2024 to:
Capt Devon Kavka, Commanding Officer Real Property Opertaion, Section Meaford
Mailing Address: RR #1 Meaford, 112 Valour Road
Meaford, ON, Canada, N4L 0A1
E-mail:  4tc_rpops@forces.gc.ca

The Proposed Project

The Department of National Defence (DND) is proposing a project. The Paardeberg Anti-Tank range at 4 Canadian Division Training Centre (CDTC) Meaford is 1 of 2 anti-tank facilities used by the Department of National Defence to train Canadian Forces personnel in the province of Ontario. The range is currently not in service, as the range does not meet safety standards and is currently undersized. A combined area of 1,373m² or 0.1373ha will be added to the end of the existing range to meet safety standards. The project proposes to clear and grub the range area, excavate the range floor to a depth of 150mm and create a berm at the end of the range, with the excavated material. Following the excavation, granular imported fill will be emplaced, graded, and compacted to create a hard surface across the entirety of the range floor. The range floor will be appropriately shaped to allow for appropriate site drainage. Additional site work includes minor ditching around the perimeter of the range, with rock check dams installed at discharge points, a replacement culvert under the range access road, and a vehicle turnaround area, located southeast of the existing parking lot, as well as emplacement of range markers. Recommended mitigation measures will be implemented throughout the course of the project and until the site has fully stabilized.