Notice

On June 29, 2012, the Fisheries Act was amended. Policy and regulations are now being developed to support the new fisheries protection provisions of the Act (which are not yet in force). The existing guidance and policies continue to apply. For more information, see Changes to the Fisheries Act.

Your infrastructure project

Any infrastructure project receiving federal funding under the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund must meet all current federal regulatory requirements. If you are planning to do any work near water, this may include the requirements of the habitat protection provisions of the federal Fisheries Act. The following information will guide you through these requirements.

Does my project need a Fisheries Act approval?

• No impact to fish or fish habitat
  Not all infrastructure projects will result in harm to fish and fish habitat. Some projects will not be in or near water and will have no impact on fish or fish habitat. If this is the case, there is no need for you to contact Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO).
  
  
• Low risk to fish and fish habitat
  If there is a potential for impacts on fish and fish habitat, there may still be an opportunity to make changes in the project plan to avoid them by following standard practices, advice and guidance available on this site. If this is the case, DFO would not need to review your project.
  
  
• Potential impact to fish and fish habitat
  There are three possible situations when a project proposal should be submitted to DFO for advice and any required Authorization. If you are submitting your project to DFO for review, it is very important that you clearly identify if your project is funded by the federal government under the Building Canada Plan, or any other federal infrastructure initiative. Please note that this includes federal funds administered by the provinces and territories.

Please consult the following guide for more information:

• A Proponent's Guide to Fisheries Act Reviews for Federally Funded Infrastructure Projects.

Will I need other approvals for my project?

You are required to respect all municipal, provincial, territorial or federal legislation that applies to the work being carried out in relation to your proposed development. In the event that you are working in a province where there is joint referral process between provincial agencies and Fisheries and Oceans Canada, you are also encouraged to contact the province with your proposed development plans.

How can I contact someone if I have questions?

Since there are some differences depending on which province or territory you live in, it is recommended that you contact your local DFO Habitat Management office.