Public Comment Period on Intent to Make a Determination
Replacement and Repair of Utility Poles – Farnham Range and Training Area

June 12, 2025 — The Department of National Defence and Environment Climate Change Canada 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 June 21, 2025 to:
Richard Mayrand, Superintendent Production Workshop
Mailing Address:  25 Chemin du Grand Bernier Nord (Saint-Jean Garrison)
C.P. 100, Richelain, Quebec, J0J 1R0
E-mail:  richard.mayrand@forces.gc.ca

The Proposed Project

The Department of National Defence (DND) is proposing a project for the replacement and repair of utility poles within the firing ranges and training areas of Farnham. The work involves cutting utility poles which have been greatly weakened by the presence of Pileated Woodpecker cavities. These poles will be cut at the height of the wires, and new poles will later be added close by to install new wires. The cut poles, with no electric wires, will remain in the same place. The work also includes filling the cavities on some of the remaining solid utility poles, to restore their structural integrity. All the preserved poles will be repaired by applying a foam formula (Polywater UPR) that will expand to fill the entire cavity. All the work will be carried out outside the migratory bird nesting period (September 1 to April 14). National Defence, Real Estate Operations Unit, will oversee the project.