Erosion Protection Project

Mniku (Chapel Island), Potlotek First Nation, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia

Mniku is approximately 200 m offshore at the north end of Sitmuk Awti (Chapel Island Road), off of Highway 4, in Potlotek. The Project site is located along the eastern shoreline of the southern portion of Mniku, and is accessible by way of watercraft launched at a small wharf located at the north end of Sitmuk Awti. 

Mniku is a National Historic Site of cultural, spiritual, and archaeological importance to the Mi'kmaq. Portions of the Mniku shoreline are lowlying and vulnerable to coastal erosion and flooding. Shoreline retreat has resulted in the exposure of sacred burial grounds and culturally significant artifacts, highlighting the sensitivity of the site and the need for erosion mitigation measures that protect both physical landforms and irreplaceable cultural heritage. Coastal hazards at Mniku have intensified over time due to increasing storm activity, elevated water levels, and climate change impacts, with notable erosion damage occurring during major storm events such as Hurricane Fiona in September 2022. These processes continue to pose a risk to culturally sensitive shoreline areas, particularly along shores actively used for community and ceremonial activities.

The proposed design is considered a hybrid nature-based infrastructure solution which pairs a rock revetment along the shoreline on Mniku with planted vegetation features on the crest and landward side of the revetment. The entire revetment structure will be constructed on the landward side of the delineated Eelgrass habitats along the shoreline of Mniku to avoid directly impacting these habitats, and will be constructed above the higher-high water large tide elevation for this site. There are no planned site preparation activities along the shoreline due to the presence of graves and archaeological resources; the materials used to construct the revetment will be placed directly overtop of the existing shoreline materials, and there are no requirements to relocate existing structures or vegetation along the existing shoreline. The total footprint area of the structure is 650 m2.

Eskasoni First Nation, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia

Portions of the Eskasoni shoreline along Shore Road are relatively low-lying and are vulnerable to coastal erosion and flooding. Erosion of the shoreline has led to shoreline retreat and over time this process has the potential to pose a risk to the portion of the shore in the project footprint area which is used recreationally (e.g., swimming, fishing) by the community.

The proposed design is considered a hybrid nature-based infrastructure solution that pairs three low-crested rock sills with landward sediment infill and planted vegetation features on the landward side of the revetment. The sills dissipate wave energy generated within the Bras d'Or Lake before it reaches the shoreline which reduces the erosive forces acting on the shoreline and backshore areas. Small gaps between each sill allow for water circulation and sediment exchange while maintaining effective wave attenuation. This proposed configuration of sills and sediment infill is well suited to the mild to moderate, fetch‑limited wave conditions present at the site.

The proposed Project design avoids overlap or interaction with the delineated wetland or Eelgrass habitats during or following construction. Overall, the project footprint area for the three sills and coarse sand infill is 980 m2.

More

Latest update

June 29, 2026 – Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada to make a determination regarding whether the carrying out of the project is likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects. To help inform this determination, Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada is inviting public comments until July 29, 2026 respecting that determination.

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Key documents

Key documents
Document number Document title File Date
1 Notice of Intent to Make a Determination - Start of Public Comment Period - June 29, 2026

Contacts

Environmental Assessment and Indigenous Consultation
Nathalie MacPherson, Environmental Review Officer
180 Kent Street
Ottawa, Ontario K1P 0B6
Email: nathalie.macpherson@infc.gc.ca


Disclaimer

This map is for illustrative purposes. The markers represent the approximate locations based on available data. More than one marker may be identified for a given assessment.

  • Location

    • Eskasoni, Cape Breton (Nova Scotia)
    • Miniku (Chapel Island), Cape Breton (Nova Scotia)

  • Nature of Activity

    • Remediation and conservation

  • Assessment Status

    In progress

  • Start Date

    2026-06-29

  • Proponent

    Union of Nova Scotia Mi'kmaq

  • Authorities

    • Infrastructure Canada

  • Assessment Type

    Project on federal lands

  • Reference Number

    88840

Nearby assessments

...within 200 kilometres
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