Archived - Unexploded Ordnance Detection and Clearance at West Grenade Range, CFB Borden

Borden Range and Training Area (ON)

Reasons for a Federal Assessment
Project Description
Final Decision

Reference Numbers

Canadian Environmental Assessment Registry: 07-01-32877
Department of National Defence: 1267‑0113‑02127

Environmental Assessment Type

Screening

Responsible or Regulated Authorities

Department of National Defence

Reasons for a Federal Assessment

On July 5, 2007, it was determined that an environmental assessment was required in relation to the project because Department of National Defence was the proponent for the project.

Project Description (as posted in the Notice of Commencement)

Project description: Evidence indicates that the West Grenade Range located within the CFB Borden Training Area is affected by Unexploded Explosive Ordnance (UXO), munitions scrap (MS) and non-munitions scrap (NMS).

The West Grenade Range is located on the south side of the Lisle Road, immediately west of a tributary. The range contains a bunker and an impact area. The range has been active since approximately 1942. The range currently has a tank hull, an APC (M113) and various cars used for EOD training. The range was graded during summer and winter months prior to range practices. The following fragmentation grenades may have been used at the range but are not limited to the following: No. 69 series, No. 36 series, M26 series, M67 series and V40.

Due to historical military use of the site, there is a potential safety risk related to munitions. Consequently, DND proposes to complete a unexploded ordnance (UXO) investigation and clearance using non-intrusive and intrusive geophysical techniques which may include any one or a combination of the following:

- Surface Layer clearance of 1.5 ha;
- A Munitions or Explosive Concern clearance of the surface layer to a Depth of Exploration of 10-15 cm will be conducted using hand held search instruments capable of detecting the materials expected in the area over the entire area of approximately 1.5 hectares prior to vegetation clearance and geophysical data collection. Vegetation clearance will consist of manual removal of all low shrubs/ brush and trimming of the lower branches on larger trees to enable instrument detection near the trunks;
- Geophysical data collection;
- Hand excavation to unearth localized anomalies in order to confirm the nature of the anomaly to be one of the following; Munitions or Explosive Concern, Munitions Debris, or Non-Munitions Debris. Subsurface clearance, depths ranging from 15 cm to 45 cm, to unearth any potential Munitions or Explosive Concern and remove from site; and
- Blow in Place (BIP) of MEC that are considered un-safe to move.

The non-intrusive investigative techniques will allow DND to detect and delineate subsurface features during which the possibility of recovery and disposal of munitions related items may take place. Once subsurface features have been identified as potential UXO, the areas will undergo a subsurface clearance. This will involved the removal of soil to depths of 15 cm and 45 cm. Pending on results, subsurface clearances may be required in subsequent years.

The West Grenade Range is located on the south side of the Lisle Road, immediately west of a marshy tributary. The project activities will come within 30 m of the Mad River tributary. There is a steep slope of ~4-5 m from Range to the tributary. No work will be completed in the tributary.

The UXO Investigation and Geophysical Survey's is considered a project, as defined by the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act. An Environmental Assessment is required as the project is not on the Exclusion List Regulations.
Approximate Start: Fall 2007
Approximate Finish: Fall 2010

Final Decision

A decision was taken on February 20, 2008 and was that the authority may exercise any power or perform any duty or function with respect to the project because, after taking into consideration the screening report and taking into account the implementation of appropriate mitigation measures, the authority is of the opinion that the project is not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects.