Grand Passage Lifeboat Station, Digby County, NS

The Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) has proposed a project. The proposed project is the new Grand Passage Lifeboat Station at Freeport (South Cove) Small Craft Harbour (SCH) on Long Island, Digby County, Nova Scotia. The existing infrastructure at Freeport SCH will be used with the following upgrades:

  • dredging of the main navigation channel between the north and south breakwaters to -2.7 m Chart Datum for an approximate quantity of 10,640 m3;
  • raising the existing north and south breakwaters;
  • closure of the side channel in the north breakwater;
  • infilling the southwest corner of the basin to provide space for the station building and supporting laydown and parking areas;
  • construction of a marginal wharf;
  • and installation of pile supported floating docks.

Dredging operations may be carried out from temporary causeways or land-based equipment such as long stick excavators.

Two (2) layers of 5-7 tonne armour stone placed at a 1:2 slope along the southwest breakwater will be used to raise the crest to approximately +10.1 m Chart Datum. The northeast breakwater will be reconstructed to close the 12 m wide channel to an elevation of +7.6 m.

The dredge material from the main navigation channel will be used for infilling the southwest corner of the basin. Approximately 15,804 m3 of material will be needed to reach capacity. The proposed service area will be built up to an approximate elevation of +7.30 m by placing gravel approximately 200 mm thick on top of the dredge material. Two (2) layers of 200-600 kg rip rap at 1.2 thickness will be placed at a 1.5:1 slope on the north side of the service area.

A marginal wharf approximately 30 m wide with a 300 mm concrete deck at an elevation +7.30 m will be constructed along the seaward face of the infill area. Floating docks will be constructed adjacent to the marginal wharf.

A launching ramp will be built off the existing gravel parking lot measuring approximately 64 m in length by 6 m wide from Chart Datum elevation +1.18 m to +7.30 m. At the seaward end of the launch ramp, 2 layers of 200-500 kg rip rap 1.1 m thick will be placed at a 1.5:1 slope to provide scour protection. On the existing harbour bottom, core stone will be placed to support the pre-cast and cast in place slabs which will constitute the launch ramp. Along each side of the launching ramp, 2 layers of 200-500 kg rip-rap 1.1 m thick will be placed at a 2:1 ratio to assist with slope protection.

The construction activities will consist of the use of heavy equipment such as excavators and haul trucks.

The CCG Search and Rescue (SAR) station building project encompasses land development, including site preparation, grading and foundation construction. The project will incorporate the installation of septic and potable water systems to meet sanitation and drinking water needs compliant with provincial guidelines/regulations. Basic construction items for the building will include the erection of structural frameworks, roofing, and exterior finishes, along with interior elements such as flooring, walls, and essential utilities like electrical and plumbing systems. The objective is to deliver a SAR station building that supports the operational needs of CCG.

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Latest update

Notice of Determination

 

September 25, 2026 – The federal authorities have determined that the proposed Grand Passage Lifeboat Station, Digby County, NS project is not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects. 

 

This determination was based on a consideration of the following factors:

  • impacts on rights of Indigenous peoples;
  • Indigenous knowledge;
  • community knowledge;
  • comments received from the public; and
  • technically and economically feasible mitigation measures.

 

Mitigation measures  taken into account for this determination are: 

  • Develop and implement a project-specific Environmental Protection Plan, Emergency Response Plan, and Erosion and Sediment Control Plan.
  • Restrict construction activities to approved work areas and minimize environmental disturbance.
  • Regularly inspect and maintain erosion and sediment control measures throughout construction.
  • Remove erosion and sediment control measures once disturbed areas have been stabilized.
  • Assess weather conditions daily and avoid work during severe weather events where practical.
  • Ensure all construction materials are clean and non-toxic.
  • Prevent construction materials, debris, waste, and contaminants from entering marine, freshwater, or terrestrial environments.
  • Dispose of all waste materials and debris at approved facilities.
  • Develop and implement a comprehensive blast plan in accordance with DFO Guidelines for the Use of Explosives in or Near Canadian Fisheries Waters and the project-specific Risk Assessment of Underwater Blasting.
  • Conduct blasting only during daylight hours and within approved seasonal windows.
  • Implement a minimum 500 m exclusion zone for marine mammals and species at risk.
  • Conduct pre-blast monitoring and delay blasting if marine mammals or species at risk are present within the exclusion zone.
  • Employ soft-start procedures, scare charges, or other approved fish deterrence methods before blasting.
  • Utilize bubble curtains or equivalent attenuation measures where required.
  • Ensure blasting complies with applicable overpressure and vibration thresholds established by DFO.
  • Remove blasting debris from the marine environment and dispose of it at approved upland locations.
  • Implement all conditions of the Fisheries Act Authorization issued by DFO Fish and Fish Habitat Protection Program.
  • Maintain fish passage and avoid restricting channel width or flows.
  • Minimize the duration of in-water works.
  • Conduct turbidity monitoring in accordance with Fisheries Act Authorization requirements.
  • Utilize sediment control measures such as silt curtains where necessary.
  • Restore any temporarily disturbed habitat features.
  • Implement the approved fish habitat offsetting plan and associated monitoring requirements.
  • Conduct all blasting activities in accordance with approved monitoring requirements, including use of soft-start procedures, scare charges, exclusion zones, and bubble curtains where required.
  • Conduct periodic visual monitoring for marine mammals, sharks, sea turtles, and other listed aquatic species at risk.
  • Suspend blasting or other applicable activities when listed species are observed within prescribed safety zones.
  • Resume activities only after species have exited the area or monitoring requirements have been satisfied.
  • Clean and inspect vessels, barges, excavators, pumps, pipelines, cranes, haul trucks, and other equipment before arriving on site.
  • Maintain records demonstrating equipment cleaning and aquatic invasive species prevention measures.
  • Drain standing water from equipment and allow equipment to dry prior to transfer between waterbodies.
  •  
  • Control runoff and prevent the release of sediment-laden water to adjacent aquatic environments.
  • Conduct visual turbidity monitoring and stop work if excessive sedimentation is observed.
  • Wash, refuel, and service equipment in a manner that prevents deleterious substances from entering waterbodies.
  • Store, handle, and transport hazardous materials in accordance with applicable legislation.
  • Install and maintain drainage, erosion-control, and sediment-control infrastructure during upland construction activities.
  • Conduct all work in compliance with the Migratory Birds Convention Act.
  • Conduct nest surveys where work may occur during the migratory bird nesting period.
  • Establish and maintain appropriate buffers around active nests where required.
  • Direct lighting away from nesting and wildlife habitat where practical.
  • Ensure food waste and garbage do not accumulate at the worksite.
  • Restrict vehicles, equipment, materials, and activities to designated work areas.
  • Inspect work areas daily for wildlife prior to commencing activities.
  • Stabilize and restore disturbed areas following construction.
  • Implement Environment and Climate Change Canada guidance for oiled seabirds if encountered during project activities.
  • Stop work immediately if archaeological resources or potential heritage materials are encountered.
  • Notify the Nova Scotia Department of Communities, Culture and Heritage and the project authority if archaeological resources are discovered.
  • Implement chance-find procedures for archaeological resources and human remains.
  • Comply with all applicable conditions issued under the Canadian Navigable Waters Act.
  • Notify the Canadian Coast Guard Marine Communications and Traffic Services prior to the commencement and completion of in-water works.
  • Maintain navigation safety measures, including signage, lights, buoys, and notices to mariners, throughout construction.
  • Maintain safe passage for vessels through or around the work area.
  • Remove any tools, equipment, temporary structures, debris, or materials from navigable waters upon completion of construction activities.
  • Implement dust control measures, including water application where required.
  • Minimize equipment idling.
  • Maintain equipment in good working order to minimize emissions and noise.
  • Conduct construction during approved working hours.
  • Minimize unnecessary noise, vibration, horns, and other disturbance where practical.
  • Maintain spill response equipment onsite at all times.
  • Develop and implement spill response procedures.
  • Report spills and releases to the appropriate authorities.
  • Clean up spills immediately and dispose of impacted materials appropriately.

 

The federal authorities are satisfied that that the carrying out of the project is not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects. Therefore, the federal authorities may carry out the project, exercise any power, perform any duty or function, or provide financial assistance to enable the project to be carried out in whole or in part.

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Key documents

Key documents
Document number Document title File Date
6 Notice of Determination - September 25, 2026
5 End of Public Comment Period - June 15, 2026
4 Public Comment Period on Intent to Make a Determination - May 15, 2026

Contacts

Director Environment and Sustainable Management, Assistant Deputy Minister (Infrastructure & Environment)
Department of National Defence
National Defence Headquarters
60 Moodie Drive
Ottawa ON K1A 0K2
Email: mnd.environment-environnement.mdn@forces.gc.ca

Department of National Defence
Andrew McKinnon, Project Engineer
1 Challenger Drive
Building Strickland, BIO Floor 2
P.O. Box 1006 Mail Stop S220
Dartmouth NS B2Y 4A2
Telephone: 902-292-4130
Email: andrew.mckinnon@dfo-mpo.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

    • 430 Overcove Road, Digby County (Nova Scotia)

  • Nature of activity

    • Ports and Harbours

  • Assessment status

    Completed

  • Start date

    2024-09-11

  • Proponent

    Canadian Coast Guard

  • Authorities

    • Department of National Defence
    • Fisheries and Oceans Canada
    • Transport Canada

  • Assessment type

    Project on federal lands

  • Reference number

    88894

Nearby assessments

...within 200 kilometres
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