Public Comment Period on Intent to Make a Determination
Range and Training Area Upgrades – Canadian Armed Forces Training Area (CAFTA) Cedar Springs

January 22, 2026 — 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 10, 2026 to:
Julie Dalgard, Environmental Officer, 4th Canadian Division Support Base Petawawa Environment Services / Garrison Toronto
Mailing Address:  701 Oxford St E, London
Ontario, Canada, N5Y 4T7
E-mail:  Julie.Dalgard@forces.gc.ca

or

Rabi Gautam, Engineering Officer, Real Property Operations Unit
Mailing Address:  1 Yukon Lane, Toronto
Ontario, Canada, M3K 0K1
E-mail:  Rabi.Gautam@forces.gc.ca

 

The Proposed Project

The Department of National Defence (DND) proposes a project. The Canadian Armed Forces Training Area (CAFTA) Cedar Springs is an active training facility that runs approximately 70 training events per year with the expectation that this number will increase in the coming years. As such, the existing Cedar Springs Range and Training Area (RTA) is lacking the infrastructure to support the expected increase in training events at this site. Therefore, DND intends to upgrade the training area to be more consistent with the proposed future capabilities and are looking to improve the range infrastructure for the future training requirements.

The project activities include:

Backstop Berm Upgrades:

• Backstop berm work at the site involves the removal of existing sand pits, removal and replacement of the backstop, providing new wood borders around bullet catch areas and filling with rubber mulch and geotextile materials for the base of pits, in addition to grading, topsoiling and hydroseeding the work area.

Firing Range Upgrades

• The firing range upgrades include the installation of new coloured lane markers at firing points, replacement of the target numbers on the backstop berm and removal of existing firing point berms to meet the requirements of the DND Range Area Construction Manual.

Trenching Area and Confidence Course Work

• Trenching area work that will take place includes the installation of four wooden post markers to identify the trenching area.
• Confidence course work includes the replacement or reinstallation of the existing high wall, all rusted fasteners, wood planks on the bridge infrastructure, and securing the existing ramp box to supports.
• Obstacle (OB) infrastructure improvements include: The realignment of steel posts, the replacement of steels posts, and installation of tie-backs, the repair of timber planks, the reconnection of overhead bungee cords to timber posts, replacement of rusted wire rope, repairing rusted steel angle connections, replacement of deteriorated plywood, and the replacement of steel cable covers at top of timber posts.

Improvements to Site Drainage:

• Overall site drainage improvements throughout the firing range and confidence course area, directing water from this area to the existing drainage ditches to eliminate pooling issues.
• Natural enhancements to the site layout, such as improved sloping and diverting surface runoff toward swales. No underground services or catch basins will be installed as part of this project.

Additional Site Improvements:

• Installation of electrical infrastructure for existing wood pads used for tenting in the forward operating base (FOB).
• Extension of the southwest portion of the perimeter fence.
• Repair or replacement of existing sentry huts, if needed.
• Provision of new light poles with new high efficiency LED luminaries, controlled by a new centralized photocell and fed from the new main power panel of the base.
• Target shed construction behind firing butt area.