What is being proposed?
A company 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.
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This project has been rebranded several times, and may be referred to as the Dartmouth Cove Waterfront Infill Project, Dartmouth Cove Waterfront Access, Dartmouth Cove Remediation Project and the One Dartmouth Cove Remediation Project.
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.
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Updates
NOVEMBER 2025
Early in the month, Premier Tim Houston dismissed HRM’s new Dartmouth Cove bylaw as “ambiguous” and “political” — a sharp contrast to his silence when identical protections were applied to the Northwest Arm. With ARCP’s CEO, Tom Hickey, a personal friend of the Premier and the main beneficiary if the bylaw is overturned, the community immediately raised concerns about provincial interference.​​
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In response, residents organized two major protests, one at Province House and one in downtown Dartmouth. Both drew strong crowds and sent a clear message: the Province must respect HRM’s authority, just as it did on the Arm, and must not undermine a bylaw that protects public habitat.
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This momentum continued with our first-ever Dartmouth Cove Bioblitz, where more than a dozen divers documented thriving marine life — mussel beds, sea stars, kelp, juvenile fish habitat, anemones, sculpins, and more. The findings directly contradict ARCP’s claims that the Cove is “black sludge” and reinforce DFO’s own conclusion that the infill proposal would destroy fish habitat.
Dartmouth Cove is alive, the community is united, and we’re not backing down.
Over 80 people showed up to show the community that we expect no interference from the Province on the HRM Dartmouth Cove bylaw.
Over 80 people showed up to show the community that we expect no interference from the Province on the HRM Dartmouth Cove bylaw.
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.
