Reconstruction of a Wharf at the Louisbourg Small Craft Harbour, Nova Scotia

Wharf structure #402 is a T-shaped pier structure that is the primary service wharf at the Louisbourg Small Craft Harbour and also serves to protect adjacent public and private infrastructure inside the harbour basin.  The existing wharf consists of two separate structure types: an inner timber pilework structure with concrete pile caps and deck, measuring 66 m in length and 10.8 m in width; and an outer gravity structure consisting of a series of four concrete caissons oriented in a T configuration with the stem and T both being approximately 60 m in length and 10.5 m in width.  The outer T caisson section has deteriorated to the point whereby it is partially barricaded and major reconstruction is required.

 

The project will involve the reconstruction of the outer stem and T sections of the wharf.  The two sections of wharf will be demolished down to approximately 0.9 m above chart datum with the bottom of the caissons remaining in place.  The caissons will be encapsulated by a new Berlin wall-type structure (i.e., steel H piles and concrete panels).  The H piles will be drilled and socketed in place around the perimeter of the wharf and tied together near the top with steel tie rods and concrete anchor blocks.  Pre-cast concrete panels will be lowered in place between the piles, the new pier structure will be infilled and a new cast-in-place cope wall and deck system installed over the top fill layer.  A layer of rip-rap will be placed around the outside perimeter of the new walls for scour protection.

 

The new wharf will be constructed to an elevation of 4.0 m above chart datum and will ramp down to 3.2 m to match the elevation of the inner pilework structure.  Reconstruction will be carried out along the same alignment as the existing wharf but will involve an expansion due to the encapsulation of the existing caissons resulting in a permanent increase in footprint of approximately 550 m².

 

The work will be conducted using heavy equipment such as excavators, cranes, front-end loaders, and trucks working from existing structures and/or temporary work platforms.  If temporary stockpiling of material is required, the stockpile area will be located at the Small Craft Harbour and coordinated with the Harbour Authority to avoid disruption of fishing activities. 

 

Construction activities are anticipated to commence in November 2025 and be completed by the end of March 2027.  Project commencement is, however, subject to DFO-SCH operational priorities and funding, as well as the completion of regulatory approval processes, therefore work may be delayed.  The scope of the impact assessment (subject to the Impact Assessment Act) will, therefore, be based on the works being completed over a period of 16 months commencing within a period of 5 years following finalization of the assessment. 

 

The Louisbourg Small Craft Harbour is currently a core fishing harbour that was developed to serve the fishing industry in the area.  The harbour is an important regional landing site for a large transient fleet throughout the year, especially in the winter when other ports are iced in.  The wharf is an integral component of the harbour infrastructure as it serves the fishing fleet and provides protection to important private and public infrastructure inside the harbour, including the Canadian Coast Guard Louisbourg Search and Rescue Station.  The main purpose of this project is to carry out reconstruction of the existing infrastructure to support the continued viability of the harbour for the commercial fishery and other commercial and recreational sectors.

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Latest update

Notice of Determination

 

September 8, 2025:  The Small Craft Harbours branch of Fisheries and Oceans Canada as well as Transport Canada have determined that the reconstruction of a wharf project, located at the Louisbourg Small Craft Harbour in Nova Scotia, is not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects on areas within federal jurisdiction and can, therefore, proceed.  Environmental effects on areas within provincial jurisdiction will be addressed through applicable provincial legislation and processes.

 

This determination was based on a consideration of the following:

 

  • Potential impacts on rights and interests of Indigenous peoples;
  • Any shared community and Indigenous knowledge;
  • Comments received from the public;
  • Potential impacts to the following environmental components:
    • Air Quality
    • Aquatic Species and Habitat
    • Avian Species and Habitat
    • Health, Social, and Economic Conditions
    • Land and Resource Use for Traditional Purposes
    • Marine Sediments
    • Navigation
    • Physical and Cultural Heritage
    • Sensory Disturbance (air/water, noise, and vibration)
    • Structures, Sites, or Things of Historical, Archaeological, Paleontological, or Architectural Significance
    • Terrestrial Species and Habitat
    • Terrestrial Soils
    • Water (marine, ground, surface, drainage, water levels, flow, etc.)
    • Wetlands; and
  • Application of technically and economically feasible mitigation measures (including but not limited to those listed in the attached document).

 

With this determination, Fisheries and Oceans Canada and Transport Canada may exercise any power, perform any duty or function, or provide financial assistance to enable the project to be carried out in whole or in part.

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Key documents

Key documents
Document number Document title File Date
1 Mitigation_Measures-Wharf_Reconstruction-Louisbourg_Small_Craft_Harbours PDF (206 KB) September 8, 2025

Contacts

Planning and Environment Group
Fisheries and Oceans Canada - Small Craft Harbours, Maritimes and Gulf Regions
343 University Avenue
Gulf Fisheries Centre
Moncton, New Brunswick E1C 5K4
Email: DFO.SCHMGEnvironment-MGEnvironnementPPB.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca


Disclaimer

This map is for illustrative purposes. The markers represent the approximate locations based on available data. More than one marker may be identified for a given assessment.

  • Location

    • Louisbourg Small Craft Harbour (Nova Scotia)

  • Nature of Activity

    • Ports and Harbours

  • Assessment Status

    Completed

  • Start Date

    2025-07-04

  • Proponent

    Fisheries and Oceans Canada – Small Craft Harbours

  • Authorities

    • Fisheries and Oceans Canada
    • Transport Canada

  • Assessment Type

    Project on federal lands

  • Reference Number

    89693

Nearby assessments

...within 200 kilometres
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