Public Notice

Advocate Harbour Dykeland Upgrade Project – Public Comments Invited

December 19, 2025 – The authorities must determine whether the proposed Advocate Harbour Dykeland Upgrade Project, located in Advocate Harbour is likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects.

To help inform this determination, the authorities are inviting comments from the public respecting that determination. All comments received will be considered public and may be posted online.

Written comments must be submitted by January 19, 2026 to:

Fisheries and Oceans Canada
PO Box 1006, Dartmouth, NS B2Y 4A2

Telephone: 902-426-3909

Fax: 902-426-7174
Email: DFO.FPPMAR-PPPMAR.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

 

The Proposed Project

The Advocate Marsh is located in Advocate Harbour, Cumberland County, Nova Scotia. The existing dyke system spans approximately 1,714 metres and includes two aboiteaux. The dyke crest is typically at elevation 6.0 m (CGVD2013) and protects 206 hectares of provincially regulated marshland, nearby residences, and a fish farm near the western end. The site borders the upper Bay of Fundy and is partially shielded by a natural gravel bar.

The Nova Scotia Department of Public Works (NSDPW), on behalf of the Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture (NSDA), proposes to upgrade the dyke system under the Dykeland System Upgrades Project (DSUP) to meet current design standards and address climate change and sea level rise vulnerabilities.

The proposed works include reinforcing the existing dyke with armour rock along its full 1,714 m length. The dyke will be raised, widened, and extended by approximately 900 m to the east. Fill will be placed on both sides of the dyke, and riprap and armour rock will be installed on the seaward side. Aboiteau 002 on Spicer Brook will be extended by 6.4 m on the landward side using a 900 mm concrete pipe, and deteriorated timber crib beams on the seaward side will be replaced. This work will occur below the ordinary high water mark (OHWM) and alter the drainage channel. No work is planned for aboiteau 008 on McRitchie Brook. Two new aboiteaux are proposed for stormwater drainage: one with 28.9 m of 1500 mm concrete pipe and another with 21.3 m of 750 mm concrete pipe, located along Route 209 and Mills Road. Construction below the OHWM is scheduled for Q1 and Q2 of 2026, with tendering in 2025 and potential mobilization in late 2025. No in-water work will occur in 2025. Activities will be timed to coincide with neap tides and sufficient ground frost conditions.

The proposed works will result in the harmful alteration, disruption, or destruction (HADD) of approximately 16,880 m² of intertidal salt marsh, rock mudflat, and riverine fish habitat. NSDPW intends to use credits from the Mavillette Salt Marsh Habitat Bank (Provincial Habitat Banking Arrangement (19-HMAR-00464)) to offset the impacts of the undertaking. In total, NSDPW will withdraw 33,760 m² from the Habitat Bank to offset 16,880 m² of habitat impacts.