Disposal at sea permit application guide: permitting process for fish waste, chapter 3.2

Official Title: Disposal at Sea Permitting Process for Fish Waste, Chapter 3.2, Step II: Submission of Permit Application

The entire application assessment process can take up to 90 days for a new permit application. In addition, the Disposal at Sea Program must publish a copy of the permit in the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA) Registry. This process requires 7 days, and publication occurs every Tuesday. Without exception, a permit must be published in the Registry for 7 days before the first date on which loading or disposal can be authorized by the permit..

Applications are submitted to the nearest Disposal at Sea Program regional office. You are strongly encouraged to follow the pre-application steps in Section 3.1 prior to submitting the application package. We will contact you if the application does not contain sufficient information to initiate the review process. We will also notify you once the review process has begun.

For applications to renew existing permits, the review process can take up to 45 days, with other details as described above for new permit applications.

Related link

• CEPA, section 133: publication

3.2.1 Submit a permit application with supporting documentation and prescribed fee(s)

The information collected during the pre-application phase should be included in the application package. You must provide the proof of publication of the notice of application (full newspaper page where the notice is posted, including the date of publication). If the notice of application was displayed in a post office or other locally accessible public place, proof of display is required after a reasonable time period (attach the notice bearing the 2 post office stamps).

If further assistance is required in completing your application, please contact your nearest Disposal at Sea Program regional office in Appendix A, and refer to the Disposal at Sea Permit Application Form Guide for Fish Waste.

As per the Disposal at Sea Permit Fee Regulations, all applications must be accompanied by a non-refundable application fee of $2,555. This fee must be paid in full prior to initiating the application review process and the cheque made payable to the Receiver General for Canada. Post-dated cheques, cash or credit cards will not be accepted.

Renewal application packages need to contain the following:

• completed renewal application form
• any documentation pertinent to the aspects of the project that have changed since the original permit application was submitted
• published notice of application
• $2,555 permit application fee.

Related links

• Service standards and fees
• Renewalable permits

3.2.2 Submit a waste prevention audit, an assessment of alternative disposal options and a disposal at sea site selection

Waste prevention audit

You need to make attempts to reduce the necessity for disposal and consider if there are any possibilities for reduction or re-use of the waste. This could also include the consideration of other beneficial uses (for example, compost, fish meal, zoo food). Environment and Climate Change Canada will issue a permit only when disposal of the waste at sea is demonstrated to be necessary and demonstrated to be the environmentally preferable and practical waste management option.

Assessment of alternatives

Guidance on the assessment of alternatives for potential Disposal at Sea permit applicants is in development. It will specify when an assessment of alternatives will be required and the level of effort that will be considered appropriate. Fish waste assessment alternatives should focus on reducing the necessity for disposal at sea through waste reduction measures followed by alternative uses of the material.

Assessment of alternatives must address the following:

• environmental impacts
• risks to human health
• hazards associated with transport and disposal
• economics
• conflicting use of resources.

Please contact the nearest Disposal at Sea Program regional office for additional information. The application will be rejected if the alternatives assessment demonstrates that disposal at sea is not the preferred option.

Disposal site selection

The disposal site must be identified and characterized through consultation with Program staff to understand the potential impacts and their extent on the receiving environment and the suitability of the site for disposal. The detail required will be proportionate to the level of risk posed by the proposed disposal activity.

Existing sites should be considered first. If a new site is to be considered, you must contact the nearest Disposal at Sea Program regional office for advice and site specific guidance.

Related link

• Permit application guide, appendix C: disposal site selection

Application checklist

The application package should include the information listed in the checklist below.

3.2.3 We notify you that the application is complete

You will receive written notification that your application is complete. The review of the complete permit application package and a decision to issue (signature of a permit) or refuse to issue a permit may take up to 90 days from the date that the Disposal at Sea Program regional office notifies you that the application is complete and ready for review. The process can take additional time if additional information is required upon review of the application package or if additional consultations are needed.