Wharf Demolition and Removal at the Lorneville Small Craft Harbour, Saint John County, New Brunswick

The Lorneville Small Craft Harbour (SCH) is situated on a natural promontory extending northward into Lorneville Harbour.  The harbour is further protected by a 165 m-long rubblemound breakwater (SCH Facility Number (#) 301) that extends out from the headland.  The existing public wharf (#401) is a tee-shaped timber pile structure located on the lee side of the breakwater.  The structure consists of square-post trestle bents along the approach stem and a timber pile bent system at the tee section.  The wharf is more than 60 years old and has reached the end of its service life.

 

The proposed works will involve the complete demolition and removal of the wharf structure.  Demolition activities will likely be undertaken using land-based construction methods, either from a temporary earthen platform constructed along the interior side of the existing breakwater (#301) or by installation of a temporary trestle bridge.  These approaches will facilitate the use of land-based equipment, including long-reach excavators, cranes, and haul trucks operating in dry conditions.  Alternatively, the methodology could also involve a barge operation with equipment such as a crane and/or excavator operating from the floating platform to dismantle the wharf and relay material to the upland.

 

The existing structure will likely be dismantled in sections or segments and temporarily placed along the approach road for further processing and separation.  Materials suitable for recycling or reuse will be salvaged where practical, while unsuitable materials will be managed as waste, loaded onto trucks, and transported to provincially-approved disposal facilities.  Demolition activities will also involve the removal of ballast boxes and stone and may also require incidental excavation of underwater sediments.  Following completion of demolition activities, all temporary work areas and disturbed ground surfaces will be stabilized as required, with ballast and earthen materials/rock from temporary access reworked into the existing breakwater.  All construction equipment and construction waste materials will be removed from the site.

 

Demolition activities are anticipated to commence in November 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 environmental effects determination (subject to S.82 of the Impact Assessment Act) will, therefore, be based on the works being completed over a period of three (3) months commencing within a period of 5 years following the determination of significance of environmental effects. 

 

The Lorneville SCH is fishing harbour that was originally developed to serve the fishing industry in the area.  The site has been used as a fishing harbour for several decades. Departmental records indicate that a breakwater has been in place since at least the late 1800s.  Its well-protected location provides easy access to the fishing grounds of the Bay of Fundy. 

 

Given that the existing wharf is well beyond its service life and load restricted, the status quo of leaving the deteriorated structures available and in service represents a contingent liability to the Crown.  Repairs are not practical and complete reconstruction would be necessary to provide the same level of service.

 

The four (4) homeport vessels at the Lorneville SCH have relocated to the Five Fathom Harbour SCH (approximately 8.5 kms to the northwest) due to the harbour's deteriorated condition.  Following review of the costs associated with reconstruction of the wharf at Lorneville, DFO-SCH decided that permanent accommodation of these users at Five Fathom Harbour SCH through the installation of an additional floating dock was the most practicable and cost-effective long-term option.

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Latest update

Notice of Intent to Make a Determination – Start of Public Comment Period

 

July 20, 2026 – The Small Craft Harbours branch of Fisheries and Oceans Canada as well as Transport Canada intend to make a determination regarding whether carrying out of the wharf demolition and removal project at the Lorneville Small Craft Harbour in New Brunswick is likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects. To help inform this determination, the federal authorities are inviting public comments in respect to that determination for 30 days following the posting of this notice.  Please send comments in writing to:

 

Planning and Environment Group

Fisheries and Oceans Canada – Small Craft Harbours

Maritimes and Gulf Regions

Email:  DFO.SCHMGEnvironment-MGEnvironnementPPB.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca.

Participate

Key documents

Key documents
Document number Document title File Date
1 Notice of Intent to Make a Determination – Start of Public Comment Period - July 20, 2026

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

    • Lorneville DFO-SCH (New Brunswick)

  • Nature of Activity

    • Ports and Harbours

  • Assessment Status

    In progress

  • Start Date

    2026-03-31

  • Proponent

    Fisheries and Oceans Canada – Small Craft Harbours

  • Authorities

    • Fisheries and Oceans Canada
    • Transport Canada

  • Assessment Type

    Project on federal lands

  • Reference Number

    90651

Nearby assessments

...within 200 kilometres
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