Public Comment Period on Intent to Make a Determination
Strategic Tanker Transport Capability Project Support Infrastructure – Phase 1: Construction of a Two-bay Hangar – 8 Wing Trenton

December 20, 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 February 5, 2025 to:
Todd Osmond, Project Manager, NORAD Modernization Infrastructure Project Delivery
Mailing Address:  NDHQ – 101 Colonel By Dr, Ottawa
Ontario, K1A 0K2
E-mail:  Todd.Osmond2@forces.gc.ca

The Proposed Project

The Department of National Defence (DND) is undertaking a project to modify existing infrastructure and construct new infrastructure in support of the Strategic Tanker Transport Capability Project (STTC) at 8 Wing Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Trenton. This submission relates to the construction of a two-bay hangar (Maintenance and Readiness Posture Facility) as well as the associated apron and taxi lane construction, herein referred to as Phase 1. Additional scope elements under the STTC project not covered in this submission include Airfield Modifications, Fueling and Defueling Infrastructure, Simulator and Training Facility, Cargo Handling and Processing Facility, and Passenger Terminal. These will be addressed in separate phases.

Phase 1 of the project will include construction of the following facilities within a single building envelope: an aircraft hangar bay; maintenance and wash hangar bay; general and specialty office and meeting areas; storage spaces; workspaces; warehouse with loading bays; and living areas. Exterior construction will include vehicle parking areas; support areas; apron aircraft parking spaces; and taxilanes. It is expected that the project will include 25,329 m² of new facility space and an estimated 86,875 m² of exterior space. The proposed project Site will be located on previously developed land and land currently operating as a golf course. It will require re-routing of North Perimeter Road and relocation of existing utilities including storm water management systems.

The following provides a summary of project activities throughout the project lifecycle:

Site preparation phase

• Site preparation will include clearing, tree and vegetation removal, grubbing and topsoil stripping on the site to prepare construction areas. Temporary staging and laydown areas will be established, and a temporary asphalt and/or concrete plant may be required. This phase may also include temporary security fencing and preliminary site grading.

Construction phase

• Construction of the new building will include excavation and construction of the hangar foundation, hangar structure, building systems and interior spaces. Construction of the exterior support areas, apron, and taxilane will include excavation, placement of backfill and paving. Associated utilities and civil works are expected to include water, sewage, electrical, communications, and stormwater management.

Site restoration phase

• Restoration is expected to consist of reinstating and restoring all areas disturbed by the construction (e.g., removal of temporary elements such as fencing, and planting and landscaping to restabilize exposed soils). This phase will follow completion of construction.

Operation and maintenance

• Operation and maintenance of the proposed new facility will include operation of heavy equipment and aircraft, spills and emergency management, waste management, snow clearing and ice management. These activities are anticipated to be similar to those currently undertaken at existing hangar facilities on site. Therefore, the operation and maintenance of the new hangar and related facilities has not been included in this assessment as no new impacts from operation and maintenance are expected.

Decommissioning and abandonment

• The facility will be designed for a minimum 50-year life expectancy, with a 25-year life expectancy for major facility systems. The associated apron and taxilanes will be designed to last 30-35 years and 15-20 years respectively for concrete and asphalt components before major rehabilitation is required. Because decommissioning and abandonment would take place decades in the future, it is assumed that all aboveground facilities and below ground infrastructure would be removed, and all disturbed area resulting from facility removal would be reclaimed. As a result, decommissioning and abandonment has not been included in this assessment.