A huge thank you to the community for your ongoing support and engagement. Public opposition with this proposal has significant, but now is the time to action your voice.
With the recent approval from Transport Canada, the developer is continuing to move forward with their proposal and is currently seeking approval from other government bodies to ensure they can action their September 1, 2024 start date.
We need letters addressed to the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans expressing concerns and highlighting community impacts if this proposal is allowed to move forward.
The Department of Fisheries and Oceans is actively reviewing the proposal from Atlantic Road Construction and Paving and they have the power to stop this at the Federal level. When writing your letter to the minister, specific evidence of the consequences of this proposed infill will be helpful, but any and all concerns should be included. This may be any of the following:
Environmental impacts - Including sightings or evidence of protected species if applicable. Ex. references to the American Eel habitat between the Cove and Shubenacadie Canal. Also any other concerns related to water quality and impacts to the Harbour and surrounding area
Community Concerns - Explain how this activity of having trucks and excavators on our waterfront will impact quality of life for people in the community. Usage of the Trans Canada Trail, dust and debris on homes in the surrounding area, constant noise and increased traffic.
Economic impacts - HRM has recently discussed creating a plan to encourage more tourism and development for the Dartmouth Waterfront. This plan is counterintuitive to that. There would also be impacts on local businesses, impacts on roads and utilities in the area, and potential repercussions for environmental remediation. This would also have significant impacts on property values in the immediate area.
Social and Health impacts – This project if approved, will be a disruption to the daily lives of residents of the area and users of the trail. Noise, dust and traffic congestion will impact quality of life in the area. Not to mention potential health risks associated with air and other environmental hazards that will be stirred up with new dumping activity. There will also be loss of recreational opportunities in the area as anyone who uses the trail and Cove for walking, kayaking, fishing or biking will need to find elsewhere to go. These impacts also have the potential to be exacerbated for lower income households who are significantly more dependant on this public infrastructure.
We would ask that if you haven’t yet reached out to the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans that you do so ideally as soon as possible. Please driect your email to the Hon. Dian Lebouthillier and cc the emails included below.
Email:
Hon. Diane Lebouthillier, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans | DFO.Minister-Ministre.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
Department of Fisheries and Oceans General Contact | info@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
MP Mike Kelloway, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans | Mike.Kelloway@parl.gc.ca
MP Darren Fisher, Dartmouth-Cole Harbour | darren.fisher@parl.gc.ca
To everyone who has written already, we want to thank you again for your ongoing support and passion. Feel free to follow up with the Minister if you haven’t yet heard back. There’s no limit to the amount of outreach that can help improve our case.
Other parties to reach out to:
Reach Out to Halifax City Council: While the infilling itself can be approved at the federal level, the activity still happens within the confines of HRM. Using HRM streets, within HRM neighbourhoods and across city land. Express to City Council how critical this is it stop this dumping activity however possible.
Email: (you can copy and paste the following addresses directly, more detailed contact is at the bottom of this post): david.hendsbee@halifax.ca,cathy.deaglegammon@halifax.ca,mayor@halifax.ca,becky.kent@halifax.ca,trish.purdy@halifax.ca,sam.austin@halifax.ca,tony.mancini@halifax.ca,waye.mason@halifax.ca,lindell.smith@halifax.ca,shawn.cleary@halifax.ca,kathryn.morse@halifax.ca,patty.cuttell@halifax.ca,iona.stoddard@halifax.ca,pam.lovelace@halifax.ca,lisa.blackburn@halifax.ca,paul.russell@halifax.ca,tim.outhit@halifax.ca
Contact Build Nova Scotia: Voice your disagreement with allowing access to their land for this development. Build NS is a provincially managed crown corporation and works for the people of Nova Scotia. Highlight the need to prioritize the preservation of our natural spaces over facilitating unnecessary construction waste dumping.
Email:
David Benoit, President and CEO | david.benoit@novascotia.ca
Jonathan Veal, Vice President Infrastructure and Development | Jonathan.veale@novascotia.ca
Kim Masland, Minister Responsible for Build NS | publicworksminister@novascotia.ca
Premier Tim Houston | premier@novascotia.ca
General Inquiries | info@buildns.ca
Suggested Starter Content for DFO - Please make this you edit to reflect your own experience to ensure your submission is impactful to the Minister.
Dear Minister Lebouthillier,
I am writing to express my deep concern about the proposed "Dartmouth Cove Waterfront Infill Project." As a resident of the Dartmouth Cove area, *include your specific viewpoint of this project.
The Cove is home to a diverse range of species, including fish, lobster, seals, river otters, and over 100 species of birds. The infill project, which involves placing fill material into a 2.7-hectare water lot, poses a significant threat to these species. *Include any details about speicifc sightings and your own personal experience at Dartmouth Cove
Moreover, the community has not been adequately consulted on this matter, and the long-term environmental impacts have not been fully assessed. *ask the Minister and the Department if they can share their findings and environmental assessments or what their plans are to evaluate the area.
I urge the Department of Fisheries and Oceans to reject this project proposal. It is crucial to prioritize the preservation of our natural resources and ensure that any development is sustainable and environmentally responsible.
Thank you for your attention to this matter. I hope that you will take the concerns of the community into account and act in the best interest of our environment and its residents.
Sincerely
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