Construct Modular Office Complex, Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Edmonton, AB

Notice of Determination

October 1, 2026

The Department of National Defence has determined that the proposed ‘Construct Modular Office Complex, Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Edmonton, AB' 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

In making this determination, mitigation measures were associated with the following components which may be affected by the various activities related to the project:

• Disposal of Wastes:
  • Do not bury rubbish and waste materials on site.
  • Ensure that all waste materials, equipment and debris are adequately contained on site.
  • During dry, windy conditions, the soil surface can be lightly wetted to reduce dust if necessary.
  • Remove from Department of National Defence (DND) property for disposal all wastes or volatile materials, such as mineral spirits, oil or paint thinner.
  • Do not dispose of waste or volatile materials, such as mineral spirits, oil or paint thinner into waterways, storm or sanitary sewers.
• Drainage:
  • Provide temporary drainage and pumping required to keep excavations and site free from water.
  • Ensure pumped water into waterways, sewer or drainage systems is free of suspended materials.
  • Control disposal or runoff of water containing suspended materials or other harmful substances in accordance with local authority requirements.
• Site Clearing and Plant Protection:
  • Protect trees and plants on site and adjacent properties where indicated.
  • Wrap in burlap, trees and shrubs adjacent to construction work, storage areas and trucking lanes, and encase with protective wood framework from grade level to height of 2 m.
  • Protect roots of designated trees to dripline during excavation and site grading to prevent disturbance or damage. Avoid unnecessary traffic, dumping and storage of materials over root zones.
  • Minimize stripping of topsoil and vegetation.
  • Restrict tree removal to areas indicated or designated by Defence Construction Canada (DCC) Representative.
  • Remove and separate topsoil in a manner so as to avoid admixing. Stockpile topsoil for future use at a location approved by DCC Representative.
  • Vehicle movement shall be restricted to the project work area in order to limit the impact to the surrounding soil and vegetation.
  • Construction materials shall be stored in existing hard packed areas where possible to avoid impacting soils and vegetation.
  • Clear vegetation, such as trees and brush, in required areas only using appropriate equipment (hydro-axe and/or brush mower) cutting as close to the ground surface as possible.
  • Clearing and removal of grassland type vegetation/topsoil to be completed using low impact equipment that will allow the separation of topsoil. Equipment is to be approved by DCC Representative.
• Work Adjacent to Waterway:
  • Do not operate construction equipment in waterways.
  • Design and construct temporary crossings to minimize erosion to waterways/ditches.
• Erosion and Sediment Control:
  • Provide Erosion and Sediment Control Plan identifying type and location of erosion and sediment controls provided. Ensure plan includes monitoring and reporting requirement to assure that control measures are in compliance with erosion and sediment control plan, Federal and Provincial laws and regulations, Alberta Transportation Erosion and Sedimentation Control Best Management Practices. Using "Sediment Control Measures".
  • Sediment and erosion control measures will be implemented prior to and maintained during the construction phase to prevent entry of sediment into water.
  • All disturbed areas will be stabilized and restored upon completion of the works.
  • All activities including maintenance procedures will be conducted to prevent entry of petroleum products, debris, rubble, concrete or the deleterious substances into the water/ditches. Vehicular refueling and maintenance will be conducted a minimum of 30 m from the water, ditches and storm sewers.
  • All erosion of sediment control must be inspected weekly and immediately after rain fall events. Silt fence shall be inspected for rips or tears, broken stakes, blow-outs (structural failure) and accumulation of sediment. These shall be repaired immediately. The construction site shall be examined for any unstable or grading area and these shall be stabilized immediately by the use of rip rap or 50 mm crushed stone depending on the severity of the flow.
  • All dewatering shall be located at least 15 m from the edge of the watercourse/ditch to a sediment / dewatering trap. No flow diversion Shall be sent directly to any watercourse/ditch.
  • Monitor weather conditions to ensure that works are being completed under stable conditions.
• Dust Control:
  • Maintain sufficient watering equipment on site at all times throughout the duration of the Contract to control construction dust.
  • Should the Contractor fail to control dust emissions or loose debris, the DCC Representative reserves the right to order the Contractor to cease all operations until adequate measures have been taken.
• Construction Waste:
  • Provide sufficient suitable refuse containers throughout the site to receive and control construction wastes. Keep containers closed to prevent contents from blowing around site.
• Environmental Management:
  • Protect all downstream areas from any negative impact whatsoever from the construction activities. Protect all areas downstream from damage due to siltation, run-off and dewatering procedures from the construction site.
  • Implement an appropriate traffic management plan as needed during all phases of project works.
  • During periods of heavy precipitation, avoid construction activities that could cause soil compaction, rutting or admixing.
  • Any vehicles and equipment present in the project areas, not in use, are not to be left idling.
• Environmental Incident or Emergency:
  • In the event of an environmental incident or Incident or emergency such as:
    1. Chemical spill or petroleum spill.
    2. Poisonous or caustic gas emission.
    3. Biological or chemical explosion.
    4. Hazardous material spill.
    5. Sewage spill.
    6. Contaminated water into waterways.
  • The Contractor or his employees shall:
    1. Notify the Contractor's job superintendent.
    2. Call local Base Fire Hall, notify DCC Representative and give type of emergency.
    3. Report the incident using applicable reporting documentation.
  • The Contractor is to submit to DCC Representative a copy of its Spill Response Plan for approval within ten days of contract award.
  • In the event that soil contamination or archaeological artifacts are encountered during the project, activities shall cease and DND Representative and Base Environment should be contacted for direction. Recommendation for remediation shall be provided by Base Environment through DCC Representative and these recommendations shall be followed.
• Vehicle Refueling:
  • Portable tanks used for re-fuelling on-site must meet the Transportation of Dangerous Goods requirements. If the tanks do not meet these requirements, the Federal Storage Tank Regulations shall apply, including the requirement for registration with Environment Canada.
  • Refuelling of equipment to be performed in locations as directed by, and procedures approved by the DND Representative.
  • Oil changes or equipment repairs in the field or on DND land are not permitted.
  • Contractors to have drip pans sized for amounts of product to be recovered and customized to fit under pieces of equipment to perform routine maintenance to equipment while maintaining equipment on property. Drip pans to be used whenever leaving equipment on site or parking overnight when not in use.
  • Parking of equipment on site to be on level ground in locations away from watercourses and as approved by DCC Representative. Equipment with leaks or poor mechanical repair to be removed from site when so ordered by DND Representative.
  • Use petroleum containers approved for products with no spill fill spouts, equipped with a self closing valve, for dispensing fuels. Prevent any flow of fuel until the nozzle is inserted into the receiving container. On removal from the receiving container the slide valve should close to eliminate any fuel spill. The nozzle to be equipped with an automatic vent, eliminating the need for the user to open or close air inlets on the pouring container.
  • Nozzle to support the weight of the pouring container. Nozzles to automatically stop the flow when the receiving container becomes full. The nozzle to be such that it reduces evaporation losses of volatile organic compounds during the fuel transfer.
  • All spills of hydrocarbon based products such as gasoline, kerosene, naptha, lubricating oils, engine oils, greases and de-icing fluids or antifreeze shall be reported immediately to DND Representative, Base Environment and to the Base Fire Hall.
• Spills:
  • The Contractor is to submit a copy of its Spill Response Plan for approval to DCC Representative within 10 days after award.
  • If a spill occurs, follow the requirements for spill response and reporting from DND.
  • Disposal of spilled materials to be off DND property and at approved locations for materials to be disposed of.
  • When parking of equipment on site, the equipment is to be secured from entry, inspected for leaks and the ground protected from leaks.
  • Contractor to protect all wells, catch basins, dry wells, drains and water courses from contamination in the event of a spill.
  • All equipment to be used for the Work of the Contract is to be inspected by the DND Representative for leaks. Equipment not in good repair to be removed/repaired when directed by DCC Representative.
  • All spills must be reported to Base Environment, Base Fire Hall and the DND Representative:
    1. Petroleum, Oil, and Lubricants product greater than 10 L.
    2. Any glycol spill greater than 1 L.
    3. Any battery acid spill.
    4. Any other hazardous/deleterious substance.
    5. Any release of halocarbons, including releases from refrigerators, chillers, air conditioners (vehicles and building).
    6. Any spill that enters a drain, ditch or water body regardless of amount.
  • For spills occurring, the Contractor is to immediately remove as much or all of the contaminated soils created by the spill from Work of the Contract as possible.
  • Contaminated soils/materials to be placed in containers compatible to the contaminants.
  • Any remaining clean-up to be performed at no extra cost to DND. Clean-ups to be completed to the DND Representative and Base Environment's satisfaction.
  • In the event of a spill, follow the procedure for management of an environmental incident or emergency as outlined in Environmental Incident or Emergency.
• Spill Control Kits:
  • Contractor to have at the work site a spill control kit consisting of the following minimum types of equipment:
    1. A spaded shovel.
    2. A stable broom.
    3. A broad nose shovel.
    4. A container (s) suitable, compatible to and of sufficient size to contain petroleum products being used with equipment.
    5. Absorbents.
    6. Rags.
    7. Metal container for soiled rags.
    8. Booms when working next to a water course.
  • Spill control kit to be inspected and approved by DND Representative prior to Work commencing. Spill control kits to be available to Contractor employees at all areas where Work of the Contract is being performed and at all times during the course of the Contract.
  • Contractor employees to be trained in the use of the spill control kit and the equipment they contain.
• Notification:
  • DCC Representative will notify Contractor in writing of observed noncompliance with Federal, Provincial or Municipal environmental laws or regulations, permits, and other elements of Contractor's Environmental Protection plan.
  • Contractor: after receipt of such notice, inform DND Representative of proposed corrective action and take such action for approval by DND Representative.
  • DND Representative will issue stop order of work until satisfactory corrective action has been taken.
  • No time extensions granted or equitable adjustments allowed to Contractor for such suspensions.
• Additional Measures:
  • Noise exposure levels will not exceed those outlined in Section 7.4 of the Canada Occupational Health and Safety Regulations.
  • All site soils (new fill or excess soil) will be handled according to the DND Contaminated Sites Instruction for testing, import and/or disposal.

The Department of National Defence is satisfied that that the carrying out of the project is not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects.

Therefore, the Department of National Defence 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.