New Guidance on Erosion, Sediment at Construction Sites
A new guide from the Province will provide regulatory clarity on preventing erosion and sedimentation at work sites. Milford House Lake in Annapolis Royal is pictured. (Communications Nova Scotia / File)
A new planning guide released today, January 31, as part of Red Tape Awareness Week, will help protect the environment from sediment and prevent erosion at construction sites.
“Nova Scotians want more homes faster, growth and a strong economy, but not at the expense of keeping our lakes, rivers and streams pristine and protected,” said Timothy Halman, Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister of Service Efficiency. “We know citizens care about the water quality of their lakes, rivers and streams. We also heard from developers who want user-friendly tools to help them comply with environmental protection requirements.”
The new Guide to Developing Erosion and Sediment Control Plans will provide regulatory clarity on preventing erosion and sedimentation at work sites, making it easier to comply with Nova Scotia’s rules for erosion and sedimentation.
The Province is continually reviewing its regulations and approaches to make requirements clearer and easier to understand, with a minimum amount of red tape.
Red Tape Awareness Week, organized annually by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, highlights the work of people and governments to reduce red tape for businesses across the country.
Quotes:
“The Nova Scotia Road Builders Association is very pleased to see this document finalized. It will provide clarity for the industry as to what is required, which greatly facilitates our planning as we move forward.”
— Grant Feltmate, Executive Director, Nova Scotia Road Builders Association
Quick Facts:
- when soil is disturbed at construction and industrial sites it is more prone to erosion, and rain and storms can carry sediment into nearby water; developers and construction sites are required to have a plan to stop this from happening
- key industry stakeholders were consulted and their input helped inform the new guidelines
- the Department does about 1,500 proactive inspections each year on average, to make sure companies are compliant with the terms and conditions of their approvals
- two business navigators are available to help companies understand the environmental regulatory approval process applicable to their project
Additional Resources:
Guide to Developing Erosion and Sediment Control Plans: https://www.novascotia.ca/nse/surface.water/docs/guide-developing-erosion-sediment-control-plans-en.pdf
Erosion and Sediment Control Information Sheet: https://www.novascotia.ca/nse/surface.water/docs/erosion-sediment-control-info-sheet-en.pdf
Environment Act: https://nslegislature.ca/sites/default/files/legc/statutes/environment.pdf
Activities Designation Regulations: https://novascotia.ca/just/regulations/regs/envactiv.htm