Archived - Road Construction and Maintenance (Fire Roads and Primary Forest Roads)

Gagetown, Canadian Forces Base (NB)

Reasons for a Federal Assessment
Project Description
Final Decision

Reference Numbers

Canadian Environmental Assessment Registry: 10-01-53429
Department of National Defence: 003‑2010_ Road Construction and Maintenance

Environmental Assessment Type

Screening

Responsible or Regulated Authorities

Department of National Defence

Reasons for a Federal Assessment

On January 11, 2010, it was determined that an environmental assessment was required in relation to the project because Department of National Defence was the proponent for the project, considered providing financial assistance to the proponent and considered providing federal lands.

Project Description (as posted in the Notice of Commencement)

Description of the Project: Fire Roads - As part of the ongoing Wildland Fire Management Program at CFB Gagetown, roads are being constructed and maintained around the perimeters and within designated Impact/Target Areas. The fire roads provide three main requirements: (1) contain fires, (2) provide access into the Impact/Target Areas so fire personnel can monitor fire activity (3) provide a control line where personnel can safely conduct indirect suppression activities and prescribed burning. The work involves the constructing of forest type roads (bulldozing, excavating, graveling), installing in-stream and cross drain culverts and conducting general maintenance such as grading, ditching and brush cutting. The Wildland Fire Management objective is to control the spread of range fires and restrict or contain fires to individual Impact/Target Areas. The fire roads when cleared of unexploded ordnance provide safe access into the areas and serve as fire-breaks. The fire road network is utilized extensively during annual Spring Hazard Reduction Burning Operations Primary Forest Roads - Annual program, as part of our Sustainable Forest Management commitment, there is a requirement to maintain our Primary Forest Road Network. The network provides extensive access throughout the Timber Management - Sustained Harvest Area on CFB Gagetown. The roads provide access for forest management activities such as timber harvesting; stand tending, forest surveys and forest fire protection. The roads require annual maintenance including spot gravelling, grading, culvert replacement and brush cutting. Primary Forest Roads are the conduit between harvest block extraction roads and the Base's Main Service Roads (MSR). The planned work is mostly routine and can be performed utilizing Best Management Practice's developed by industry and government departments. Activities within 30 m of a watercourse require due care and attention and are regulated by the Dept of Fisheries & Ocean (DFO) and local Provincial Environment Depts. Water course alterations planned for streams identified as fish habitat shall be site specific and engineer approved. All culvert installations will be supervised by personnel certified in Watercourse Alteration Procedures. Project Schedule: Start: 01 June 2010 End: 31 Oct 2010. All watercourse alterations are scheduled between 01 June 2010 and 31 Sept 2010.

Final Decision

On July 6, 2012, the new Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012 came into force which replaced the former Canadian Environmental Assessment Act. As a result, there is no longer a requirement to complete the environmental assessment of this project.