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Research Document 1997/90

Middle Shoal Channel Improvement Project - Environmental Effects Monitoring

By H.B. Nicholls

Abstract

The "Middle Shoal Channel Improvement Program" is a channel dredging project at the entrance to the Bras d'Or Lake in the southern Sydney Bight area of Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia. The dredging was undertaken by Little Narrows Gypsum Company Limited for the purpose of allowing fully loaded bulk carriers to access the company's mine at Little Narrows. One of the requirements for proceeding with the work was that a monitoring program be undertaken. This program was designed to determine the impacts of the dredging operation and the resultant changes in the channel bathymetry on fisheries. There were several components of the program including, physical oceanographic observations and measurements, turbidity measurements, surveys and monitoring of fish migration and behaviour, monitoring of the disposal area for commercial species, and measurement of noise. The proponent and their consultants presented the results of this program at an open meeting of the DFO Maritimes Region Habitat Regional Advisory Process Subcommittee on December 18, 1996. The meeting considered whether or not the monitoring program was effective in determining the impact of the dredging operation on the movement of fish in and through the channel and on fish habitat. It was concluded that the program did not clearly demonstrate the degree of impact on fish movement but did adequately document changes and impact on fish habitat.

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