What is being proposed?
A developer affiliated with Atlantic Road Construction and Paving (ARCP) has applied for a permit to fill in Dartmouth Cove with pyritic slate and quarry rock from local excavation sites. The project sponsors are saying this will last 2 years but their original proposal suggested 6 years.
The resulting moonscape is not for the benefit of the community, but only as a means of getting rid of excavation materials.
Trucks and heavy machinery for several years
Using access from Maitland Street, the proposal outlines using dump trucks over a period of 2-6 years to bring in pyritic slate and other fill.
10,000 Truck loads of contruction debris
The developer has applied to infill this water lot with 99,700 cubic metres of material from local excavation sites, or the equivalent of 3 football fields.
Environmental Impact
Years of industrial silt sitting in a neutral state at the bottom of the cove will most likely be stirred up and wreak havoc on the fish and other wildlife within the cove. This includes fish, lobster, seals, river otters and over 100 species of bird that have been observed in the Cove.
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Future Development?
While the developer’s proposal states that the newly created land could be used for future development. under the current rules it would be zoned for parkland only. So there is no clarity on what would become of the property beyond being a mass of rubble and rock.
Updates
AUGUST 2024
In another victory for the community, HRM City Council has continued moving forward with the motions previously discussed in November of 2023 and June of 2024 and is pursuing bylaw amendments to help protect Dartmouth Cove from infill.
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This is a great move in the right direction to help protect the Dartmouth Cove waterfront, the business and research interests of COVE, as well as the native wildlife and fish habitats present in Dartmouth Cove.
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Recent actions from Atlantic Road Construction and Paving have shown where their true intentions lie.
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The company has made good on their threats to close the trail to the public should HRM move forward with bylaw amendments. While both HRM and Build NS have demanded that the barriers be removed, the callous nature of ARCP's actions cannot be ignored.
The proposed infill area
The infill area outlined in the proposal would stretch from just past Maitland Street all the way to Parker Street next to The Cove facility.
What can be done?
Make our community's voice heard
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If you are a resident of the Dartmouth Cove area, a user of the trail and the waterfront, or just someone who is interested in preserving our natural habitats, there are steps that we can take to prevent this infill.
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The infill project has wide reaching impacts for the surrounding community. To better understand how the project affects these areas, and who to contact regarding these concerns, please reference our communication guide to help make our voices heard.
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Federal Contacts
The proposal is currently under federal review. You can contact the Member of Parliament for Dartmouth - Cole Harbour to let him know your opposition.
Let the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard
know that this coastline is too precious to lose.
Transport Canada has approved the application, but you can still express your disapproval with the decision. You can reach out to them directly by contacting the Minister.
Dartmouth Cove is home to various fish, birds, otters and seals. Let the Minister of Environment and Climate Change know that habitat shouldn't be infilled.
Your local officials
Get in Touch
If you have information that you'd like to share, or you'd like to stay up to date with developments, please let us know.
