Public Comment Period on Intent to Make a Determination
Department of National Defence, Strategic Tanker Transport Capability Project Support Infrastructure, Airfield Modifications Phase 1, 8 Wing Trenton – Year 2 Update

February 25, 2026 — The authorities must decide whether the proposed project is likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects.

To help inform this decision, the authorities are 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 16, 2026 to:
Adam Kurz, Project Manager, NORAD Modernization Infrastructure Project Delivery
Mailing Address:  NDHQ – 101 Colonel By Dr, Ottawa
Ontario, K1A 0K2
E-mail:  adam.kurz@forces.gc.ca

The Proposed Project

The Department of National Defence (DND) has proposed a project to modify existing infrastructure in support of the Strategic Tanker Transport Capability (STTC) Project at 8 Wing Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Trenton. This submission relates to Phase 1 of the Airfield Modifications, which includes the reconstruction and rehabilitation of Taxiway Papa, Runway 06 24, and their associated connector taxiways. Additional airfield modification phases associated with the STTC Project include the rehabilitation of other taxiways (Phase 2) and the extension of Taxiway Papa, which will require realignment of a watercourse and rerouting of an internal road (Phase 3). These subsequent phases will be addressed through separate assessment processes, as applicable.

Phase 1 of the Airfield Modifications is being implemented over two construction years. Year 1 includes the rehabilitation and widening of Taxiway Papa and modifications to associated connector taxiways. Year 2 includes the reconstruction of Runway 06 24, installation of runway end safety areas, construction of a turnaround and blast pads, rehabilitation of connector taxiways adjacent to the runway, replacement of approach lighting, and associated utility replacement and relocation. Phase 1 construction commenced in 2025. Year 1 activities are nearing completion, while Year 2 activities are expected to begin early 2026 and to be completed by end of 2026.

Phase 1 airfield modification project activities are concentrated on and adjacent to Runway 06 24 and Taxiway Papa, with ancillary activities occurring primarily within the Base property, including temporary laydown areas, movement and relocation of excess soil, utility replacement, and haul routes. Some external haul routes are required to provide access between areas of project activity.

The following provides a summary of project activities throughout the Phase 1 project lifecycle:

Site preparation phase
Site preparation activities include the installation for temporary fencing, establishment of temporary staging and laydown areas, temporary storage areas, and a temporary asphalt and concrete plant to support construction activities. This phase also included site access preparation and other preliminary activities required to support airfield construction. Site preparation activities associated with Year 1 construction have been completed.

Construction phase
Construction activities for Phase 1 include the rehabilitation and reconstruction of airfield infrastructure. Year 1 construction activities included milling and replacement of asphalt surfaces on Taxiway Papa and adjacent connector taxiways, widening of Taxiway Papa shoulders, excavation for shoulder expansion, reconstruction of portions of Taxiway Juliet, replacement and relocation of utilities within the taxiway rehabilitation areas, and painting of taxiway surface markings.
Year 2 construction activities include partial reconstruction of Runway 06 24 in concrete, placement of a structural asphalt overlay on remaining sections, excavation and replacement of existing pavement structures, installation of runway end safety areas, construction of a turnaround and blast pads, rehabilitation of connector taxiways adjacent to the runway, replacement of approach lighting, utility replacement and relocation, milling of removed asphalt and concrete, and painting of runway and taxiway surface markings.

Site restoration phase
Site restoration is expected to consist of reinstating and restoring all areas disturbed by construction, including removal of temporary elements and stabilization of exposed soils through planting and landscaping, as appropriate. Site restoration activities associated with Year 1 construction are ongoing and will continue following completion of construction activities.

Operation and maintenance
Operation and maintenance of the airfield following completion of Phase 1 will remain consistent with existing airfield operations at 8 Wing CFB Trenton. Activities such as aircraft operations, maintenance, snow clearing, spill response, and waste management are anticipated to be similar to those currently undertaken at the Base.

Decommissioning and abandonment
No decommissioning phase is anticipated. In the unlikely event that the Project ceases to operate, DND would be responsible for decommissioning in accordance with applicable regulations as required at the time.

This submission has been reposted on the Canadian Impact Assessment Registry (CIAR) previously as CIAR number: 88860 to document new environmental information identified through monitoring and additional investigations. Specifically, the presence of Western Chorus Frog (Pseudacris triseriata), a species listed as Threatened under the Species at Risk Act (SARA), and its overwintering residence were identified within the Project footprint. As a result, a permit under SARA is required, and Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) is required to render a determination on whether the Phase 1 Airfield Modifications may proceed. This information is being provided as part of an amendment to the Environmental Effects Determination process. No changes to the Project scope are proposed as part of this submission. Additional mitigation measures and monitoring requirements have been identified to address potential effects on the Western Chorus Frog, and these measures are expected to be further refined once confirmed through the SARA permitting process.