Disposal at sea permit application guide: disposal site selection, notes

Important Notes

Detailed application of these guidelines

The degree to which these guidelines are applied will depend on the risk involved and the predictions made of potential impacts during the early stages of the site selection process.

Disposal site used for multiple projects

Any future predicted uses of a proposed disposal site should be identified, as this will help inform the site selection review process and cumulative effects assessment. If a proponent of a future project proposes to use an existing site, the following questions would assist framing issues and appropriate next steps:

1. Is the capacity of the site adequate?
2. Will the new project impact other nearby uses?
3. Are the physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of the material to be disposed at the site appropriate to site conditions?
4. What are the potential impacts upon the site and surrounding areas, including impacts upon benthic organisms, the fish and shellfish, sensitive species, and important habitats associated with disposal?
5. What management measures are needed to mitigate potential impacts?
6. What additional information may be required to verify predictions in the analyses leading up to permit issuance?

Quality control

Sampling plans should be submitted to Environment and Climate Canada's Disposal at Sea Program for review. All analytical data collected from environmental baseline studies and sampling activities must be quality assured to auditable standards as outlined in the Minimum Sample Analytical Requirements table in Appendix C.4 and submitted to Program staff.