Environmental Impacts
Garbage, human waste and all contaminated water (including grey water) will be collected for return to CFB Trenton, ON at the end of the training, or disposed of in accordance with local landfill regulations and policies. Nothing will be released onto the land and no waste disposal of any kind will be permitted outside of a community. All site locations will be returned to their previous condition prior to departure.
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS
It is important to note that DND operates under strict environmental guidelines. Digital images of locations will be taken during and after use and will be included in the Post-Operation Environmental Report. Some of the environmental protection measures that will be implemented include but are not limited to:
All CAF personnel will be briefed with respect to general environmental awareness, including spill response and reporting procedures;
All hazardous materials, fuel storage, generator and vehicle parking areas are subject to inspection by environmental support staff. All involved elements will appoint an environmental representative, accountable for the supervision of best environmental practices;
All hazardous materials and fuel will be stored in approved storage containers and facilities, including compliant secondary containment;
Generators will be placed within suitable containment throughout the operation, and will be emptied for transportation;
Local treatment systems and municipal landfill or incineration will be used for the disposal of human waste wherever possible. Waste generated by personnel on the land will be bagged and packed out for appropriate disposal;
Local landfill or incineration will be used for the disposal of combustible waste. Disposal will occur in accordance with Territorial and Municipal regulations (waste will be handled by contract);
Local landfill, incineration or recycling centres, where available, will be used for the disposal of non-combustible wastes. Disposal will occur in accordance with Territorial and Municipal requirements (waste will be handled and disposed by contract); and
Hazardous waste will be appropriately packaged and transported to a suitable facility for disposal, in accordance with appropriate regulations – provided by an approved third party waste disposal facility if required.
Permitting process requires detailed information regarding the nature and locations of the operation. The information contained in this document that is known at the time of production. A Post-Operation Environmental Report and will include the precise locations of activities during the operation, along with an overall review of the execution.
The following is a list of potential impacts that could result from the proposed activities:
Activity and vehicle traffic from the proposed activities is expected to increase ambient noise levels and may also cause minor disturbance to the wildlife within the vicinity of activity locations. However, because all activities will be temporary and all wildlife will be actively avoided, impacts are expected to be minimal.
Emission from vehicles involved in the operation will release particulate into the atmosphere and contribute to greenhouse gas emissions. Air quality in the vicinity of activities may be temporarily reduced due to the increased fumes. However, due to the relatively short duration of the activity, and the use of new, lower emission vehicles, impacts to the atmosphere are expected to be minimal.
Despite efforts to ensure that all waste material is to be properly contained and transported back to municipal facilities for disposal, the potential exists for waste material produced during the Operation to litter property or be windblown onto surrounding locations. However, every effort will be made to ensure this does not happen, therefore the impact is considered to be easily mitigated and insignificant.
Should a fuel leak and/or spill occur from vehicles, equipment, etc., the possibility exists for contamination of ground water resources, soil and/or surface water. However, all units traveling on the land will have spill cleanup supplies, and will be instructed on their use; therefore the potential for a malfunction and/or accident to cause any significant impact is low.
Although there is potential for activities to impact the environment, mitigation measures have been established to minimize their significance. These mitigation measures, include, but are not limited to:
An environmental brief will be provided to personnel involved in the exercise to ensure they have the required general level of environmental awareness and knowledge, and are aware of requirements related to wildlife prevention, response and reporting.
Vehicle movement will be restricted to avoid sensitive areas where possible. In the event that established trails are impassable, personnel will be instructed to use alternate routes for as limited a distance as necessary.
Individuals will be tasked to ensure that waste material and litter is collected on the site prior to departing the camp location. All waste produced on site will be packed out to municipal facilities for proper disposal.
In order to prevent any unnecessary wildlife encounters, all waste will be appropriately contained, stored and removed from the sites as soon as possible.
Personnel will be made aware of the potential for threats from local wildlife and instructed to avoid encounters or disrupting any wildlife.
All activities that generate excess noise will be minimized to the furthest extent possible.
Vehicles and equipment will be maintained in good repair to prevent leakage of fluids and fuel.
When in built up area, all vehicle/equipment refueling will occur at a commercial, municipal or prepared site.
Use of spill containment items including drip pans or mobile plastic berms will be used during refueling.
All fuel storage systems and containers used in the proposed operation will be transported, stored, protected and handled according to proper legislation, regulation, codes and guidelines.
HAZMAT prevention/response resources (spill pans, hydrocarbon spill pads, absorbal etc.) will be available and ready for use if required. Spill kits will be specifically located at all fuel storage areas, vehicle maintenance areas and refueling areas.
Photographs will be taken of all locations before during and after use and noted in the In/Out Clearance Report.
Waste Management
Waste Type |
Quantity Generated |
Treatement Method |
Disposal Method |
Sewage (human waste) |
100 L |
n/a |
via CAFATC |
Non-Combustible wastes |
100 L |
n/a |
via CAFATC |
Greywater |
50 L |
n/a |
via CAFATC |