Public Comment Period on Intent to Make a Determination
Ortona Road Fireguard Expansion – Canadian Forces Base Shilo

August 12, 2022 — The Department of National Defence must decide whether the proposed project is likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects.

To help inform this decision, the Department of National Defence is inviting comments from the public on the project and its potential effects on the environment. All comments received will be considered public. For more information, individuals should consult the Privacy Notice on the Registry website.

Written comments must be submitted by August 31, 2022 to:
Robert Riesz, Base Engineering Officer
Mailing Address:  PO Box 5000, Station Main, Shilo
Manitoba, Canada, R0K 2A0
E-mail:  Robert.Riesz@forces.gc.ca

The Proposed Project

The Department of National Defence (DND) has proposed a project which consists the expansion of Ortona road, to construct a fireguard roughly 11 kilometers in length and with a width of 30 meters starting from the west road edge, expanding easterly into the prairie. The road is considered part of the fireguard therefore 28.5 meters of undeveloped land will be cleared of trees and other vegetation types. Clearing efforts will extend about 28 meters east of the road and ploughed 1-2 times per year to prevent re-vegetation to occur. Areas of the fireguard are undulating and have multiple hills that will be graded. Equipment to construct the fireguard may include but not limited to: a dozer, front end loader, grader, tree cutters, tractor with a plough or skid-steer loader. Fireguard expansion must meet the requirements of the DND Explosives and Ammunitions Safety Manual.