Elmsdale Business Park Environmental Assessment
The Elmsdale Business Park is growing, and attracting attention.
UPDATED February 14th, 2019
In order to accommodate demand for large 10+ acre lots, future development of the Elmsdale Business Park is expected to require the alteration of more than two hectares of wetland. This in turn requires an Environmental Assessment.
The Municipality of East Hants previously submitted an application in 2016 and received a decision from the Minister of Environment on December 8th, 2016. The Minister requested additional information at that time.
Subsequently, in 2017 and 2018, the Municipality proceeded to gather the additional information requested and also rescinded its application due to a wetland application required for the construction of the East Hants Aquatic Centre.
Official Registration Notice (click to enlarge)
The Municipality submitted a new Environmental Assessment Registration Document on February 8th, 2019. This document, which officially registers on February 15th, 2019, builds off the original work in 2016, with the following improvements:
- A reduced Project Footprint size;
- A detailed design for Phase 1, including a stormwater management plan;
- A spring plant survey; and
- Updated analysis.
The entire document and all of its appendices will be available starting on February 15th on the Nova Scotia Environmental Assessment Projects Page.
Phase 1 Detailed Design (click to enlarge)
What is an Environmental Assessment (EA)?
An environmental assessment is a tool through which the environmental effects of an undertaking are predicted and evaluated, and a subsequent decision is made on the acceptability of the undertaking. The purpose of environmental assessment is to promote sustainable development by protecting and conserving the environment. Environmental assessment promotes better project planning by identifying and assessing possible adverse effects on the environment before a new undertaking begins.
More information on EAs is on the provincial website.