Environmental Approvals and Protection
On This Page
The construction industry, like any other commercial activity in the province, must take steps to protect the environment during planning and execution of construction-related projects.
Certain projects will require an environmental assessment review even before construction begins. Other provincial requirements focus on protecting the environment during the actual construction work.
See the Environment Act and associated regulations.
| Requirement | Act / Regulations |
|---|---|
| A person must not carry out, cause, permit or be responsible for the burning of a designated material. | Section 4(1) Air Quality Regulations |
| Material banned from burning | Schedule B of the Air Quality Regulations |
| To obtain a burning permit, please contact your municipality or the Department of Natural Resources. More Information - Burning (Fire) Permit: Industrial / Domestic (DNR) |
Section 23 Forests Act; Forest Fire Protection Regulations 3A (1) (a) and (b) |
| Requirement | Documents | Act / Regulations |
|---|---|---|
| Certain activities or undertakings may require the completion of an Environmental Assessment (EA). These include industrial facilities, mining, transportation, energy, waste management and other projects as defined in the Regulations. | Developments That Require Environmental Assessment (PDF) | Schedule "A" of the Environmental Assessment Regulations - Class I and Class II Undertakings |
| Registration of an Undertaking* (as defined in the EA Regulations) | Section 33(a) Environment Act and Section 9(1) Environmental Assessment Regulations | |
| Obtain an Environmental Assessment Approval More Information |
Fee Schedule (PDF) Guide (PDF) |
Section 32(1) and (2) Environment Act |
More Information
About Environmental Assessments
- Environmental Assessment - Balancing Environmental Protection with Economic Growth (PDF)
- Glossary
- FAQs: Common Questions about Environmental Assessments
Preparing an Environmental Assessment
- Guide to Addressing Wildlife Species and Habitat in an Environmental Assessment Registration Document (PDF)
- Requirements for Submitting Electronic Copies of Environmental Assessment Documents (PDF)
- Regulatory Time Frames for Environmental Assessment (PDF)
| Requirement | Act / Regulations |
|---|---|
| Duty to report the release of a contaminant | Part VI, S. 69 of the Environment Act; and Section 6, Schedule "A" of the Emergency Spill Regulations |
More Information
Petroleum Storage Tanks
Construction Debris Disposal and Recycling
Construction materials and debris must be properly disposed.
- Construction and Demolition Debris Disposal Site Guidelines (PDF)
- Construction and Demolition Debris Disposal Sites (Provincial)
- Municipal Solid Waste Disposal Sites (Provincial)
- Material Banned from Disposal Sites
- Municipal Solid Waste Landfill Guidelines (PDF)
- Recycling Facilities (Provincial)
Protected Areas, Nature Reserves, Wilderness Areas
In Nova Scotia, protected areas have been established to safeguard the species, ecosystems, and other natural features within a designated area. Therefore, any activities which may cause damage or disturbance to natural features (such as forestry, mining, road-building, motorized vehicle use) are restricted or prohibited.
To determine whether the construction project is within the boundaries of a protected area, check the Protected Areas map for: Nature Reserve, Heritage River, or Wilderness Area.
| Requirement | Document | Act / Regulations |
|---|---|---|
| Protect Wilderness | Protecting Wilderness: A Summary of Nova Scotia's Wilderness Areas Protection Act (PDF) | Wilderness Areas Protection Act |
| Be aware of restricted activities in a Nature Reserve generally include forestry, mining, road-building, motorized vehicle use, hunting, and camping. For a complete list, see Section 14 of the Nature Reserves Protection Act. | n/a | Section 14 Nature Reserves Protection Act |
| Avoid prohibited activities in Wilderness Areas | n/a | Section 17(1) Wilderness Areas Protection Act |
| Attain a license for vehicle access in a Wilderness Area (Leaseholder or Private Landowner Inholding) | n/a | Section 23(4b) and (5) Wilderness Areas Protection Act |
| Requirement | Act / Regulations |
|---|---|
| Follow the Beaches Act and Beaches Regulation (restricted activities, use of vehicles, beach development, removal of beach aggregate) | Beaches Act Sections 5, 6, 7 and 9 Beaches Regulations |
| Attain a Protected Beach Vehicle Permit to operate any vehicle for any purpose on a "protected" beach in Nova Scotia (as designated the Beaches Act). See list of designated beaches. More Information |
Beaches Act Sections 9 Beaches Regulations |
| Requirement | Act / Regulations |
|---|---|
| Travel In Woods During Woods Closure Permit to travel on forest land while a travel ban (woods closure) is in force. More Information |
Section 25 Forests Act |
Pollution Prevention
- Become a Water Steward in Your Community (PDF)
- Business Environmental Checklist (PDF)
- Developing an Environmental Policy (PDF)
- Green Office Checklist (PDF)
- P2 at Home, at Work and in Business (PDF)
- Pollution Prevention Workbook for Business (PDF)
- Reducin' Pollution - An Environmental Health and Safety Guide for the Fibreglass Industry
- Volume 1 - Guidebook (PDF)
- Volume 2 - Workbook (PDF)
- Take the Green Craft Challenge