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

Preface

Canada aims to prevent pollution and protect the marine environment by controlling the disposal of wastes into the sea through the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999. A rigorous permitting process for evaluation and management of wastes proposed for disposal at sea is implemented through the Environment and Climate Change Canada Disposal at Sea Program. The primary obligation of the applicant is to reduce the amount of waste generated for disposal. An assessment of alternatives that includes considerations of feasible management options for the waste material must also be undertaken, and should include alternatives to disposal (for example, re-use), and various disposal scenarios (for example, upland or at sea).

The Disposal at Sea Program strives to minimize the number of active disposal at sea sites so that potential impacts associated with disposal at sea activity are spatially limited and monitoring efforts are focused and effective. Existing sites should always be considered first when preparing a disposal at sea permit application.

Specified in this guidance is the information and data needed to demonstrate that disposal activities at a newly proposed site will not cause unacceptable impacts to the marine environment, human health, or other uses of the sea. Comprehensive information is needed on physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of the seafloor and of the water column, along with an evaluation of the potential impacts of the proposed disposal action upon other uses of the sea.

This guidance was developed following review of similar guidance documents in Australia, United Kingdom, United States, and the Netherlands. It is consistent with Canada’s obligations to implement the London Protocol, an international treaty on the prevention of marine pollution from dumping. Although this guidance was primarily written for inert, inorganic geological matter (excavated material) and dredged material, portions of it may also be applicable to other waste types (for example, fish waste or organic material).

The information and assessment requirements specified in this guidance document should be followed closely; however, there may be exceptions in some cases, dependent upon the degree of risk involved and the size and complexity of the project.