Containment Cell Construction at the Three Fathom Harbour Small Craft Harbour, Nova Scotia

The proposed project will involve the construction of two new conjoining containment cells located in the intertidal zone south of the launching ramp located at the Three Fathom Harbour Small Craft Harbour.  The proposed project also involves re-dredging of the historic channel and basin limits of the harbour. The harbour was last dredged in its entirety in 2013 and before that in 2001 which would indicate a twelve (12)-year dredge cycle.

 

The proposed new containment cells will include core stone berms placed on the existing substrate with side slopes shaped at 1.5:1 (horizontal to vertical).  The first cell will run approximately 60 m between the launching ramp and an existing rock groyne that is orientated perpendicular to the shoreline.  The adjacent cell will be constructed on the opposite side (south) of the rock groyne and extend approximately 220 m to the south.  A synthetic geotextile layer will then be placed over the prepared core stone slopes to provide filtration and separation.  The exterior slopes and tops of the berms will be covered with layers of imported armour stone (500 – 1,000 kilogram stones) for protection from storm surges.  The elevation of the new cells will be 4.0 m above chart datum. 

 

Given the lack of upland in the vicinity of the construction site, the rock materials will likely be hauled in and placed directly in the new works starting on shore and working incrementally between the rock groynes to complete the new rubble mound berms. The construction is expected to be carried out using land-based equipment such as loaders, excavators, and trucks operating from shore. If temporary stockpiling of material is required, the stockpile area will be located at the Small Craft Harbour and coordinated with the Harbour Authority to avoid disruption of fishing activities.

 

Dredging is required throughout the channel and basin to remove accumulated sediments in order to provide safer navigational access and maneuverability within the harbour.  The last dredging event in 2013 included an area of approximately 18,283 square meters (m2) with a dredge volume of approximately 11,000 cubic meters place measure. This same area will be dredged as part of this proposed project with the same design dredge grade of 2.0 m below chart datum.

 

Dredging is expected to be carried out using a combination of land-based equipment (long-reach excavator) and floating plant equipment.  Dredge material will be excavated from the basin and loaded by the long reach excavator directly on to dump trucks and then deposited into the new on-site containment cells.  Dredging involving floating plant equipment would include a mechanical dredge on a barge with scows that will relay dredge material to where it can be reached from land, removed from the scows and loaded on trucks for transit or deposited directly into the containment cells.

 

Construction activities are anticipated to commence in spring 2026 and be completed by the end of March 2027.  Project commencement is, however, subject to DFO-SCH operational priorities and funding, as well as the completion of regulatory approval processes, therefore work may be delayed. The scope of the impact assessment (subject to the Impact Assessment Act) will, therefore, be based on the works being completed over a period of 12 months commencing within a period of 5 years following finalization of the assessment.

 

Three Fathom Harbour SCH is currently classified by DFO-SCH as a Class "C" fishing harbour and home port to 10 commercial fishing vessels that operate on a seasonal basis. The main purpose of the proposed project is to facilitate dredging of the channel and basin to allow for safe navigation to support the continued viability of the harbour for the commercial fishery and other commercial and recreational sectors.

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Latest update

Notice of Determination

July 7, 2026:  The Small Craft Harbours and Fish and Fish Habitat Protection programs of Fisheries and Oceans Canada as well as Transport Canada have determined that the construction of a containment cell project, located at the Three Fathom Harbour Small Craft Harbour in Nova Scotia, is not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects on areas within federal jurisdiction and can, therefore, proceed.  Environmental effects on areas within provincial jurisdiction will be addressed through applicable provincial legislation and processes.

 

This determination was based on a consideration of the following:

 

  • Potential impacts on rights and interests of Indigenous peoples;
  • Any shared community and Indigenous knowledge;
  • Comments received from the public;
  • Potential impacts to the following environmental components:
    • Air Quality
    • Aquatic Species and Habitat
    • Avian Species and Habitat
    • Health, Social, and Economic Conditions
    • Land and Resource Use for Traditional Purposes
    • Marine Sediments
    • Navigation
    • Physical and Cultural Heritage
    • Sensory Disturbance (air/water, noise, and vibration)
    • Structures, Sites, or Things of Historical, Archaeological, Paleontological, or Architectural Significance
    • Terrestrial Species and Habitat
    • Terrestrial Soils
    • Water (marine, ground, surface, drainage, water levels, flow, etc.)
    • Wetlands; and
  • Application of technically and economically feasible mitigation measures (including but not limited to those listed in the attached document).

 

With this determination, Fisheries and Oceans Canada and Transport Canada may 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
4 MITIGATION MEASURES PDF (226 KB) July 7, 2026
3 Notice of Determination - July 7, 2026
2 End of Public Comment Period - November 24, 2025
1 Notice of Intent to Make a Determination – Start of Public Comment Period - October 24, 2025

Contacts

Planning and Environment Group
Fisheries and Oceans Canada - Small Craft Harbours, Maritimes and Gulf Regions
343 University Avenue
Gulf Fisheries Centre
Moncton, New Brunswick E1C 5K4
Email: DFO.SCHMGEnvironment-MGEnvironnementPPB.MPO@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

    • Three Fathom Harbour Small Craft Harbour (Nova Scotia)

  • Nature of Activity

    • Ports and Harbours

  • Assessment Status

    Completed

  • Start Date

    2025-10-24

  • Proponent

    Fisheries and Oceans Canada – Small Craft Harbours

  • Authorities

    • Fisheries and Oceans Canada
    • Transport Canada

  • Assessment Type

    Project on federal lands

  • Reference Number

    89962

Nearby assessments

...within 200 kilometres
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