Explosive Ordnance Disposal Range - 12 Wing Shearwater

The Department of National Defence (DND) has proposed a project. The Department of National Defence is proposing to construct an explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) range at 12 Wing Shearwater in Shearwater, Nova Scotia. Currently, Joint Task Force Atlantic does not have an EOD range in the Halifax area to dispose of munitions that are tasked for disposal by the Royal Canadian Navy's Fleet Diving Unit Atlantic. Live ordnance and white phosphorus munitions are currently being transported on public roads to the 5th Canadian Division Support Base Gagetown in Oromocto, New Brunswick to complete safe disposal. This is not best practice and is a significant drain on limited Unit personnel. The proposed EOD range will address this safety deficiency for the Unit.

The EOD range will consist of several purposed areas, including:

  • a fenced area with a sand pit and surrounding berm for the disposal of white phosphorus munitions;
  • a fenced area with dirt or fine gravel and surrounding berm for the disposal of all other conventional unexploded ordnance (UXO); and
  • an operational readiness suite (demolition bunker) consisting of an intermodal shipping container surrounded by protective works.

More

Latest update

March 10, 2026 – The public comment period on the project is closed. The Department of National Defence is considering comments received to help inform its determination on whether the carrying out of the project is likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects.

Participate

Key documents

Key documents
Document number Document title File Date
1 Public Comment Period on Intent to Make a Determination - February 18, 2026

Contacts

Lt Cdr Matthew Cary
Department of National Defence
Matthew Cary, Explosive Ordnance Disposal Officer
PO Box 99000 Stn Forces
Halifax, Nova Scotia B3K 5X5
Email: matthew.cary@forces.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

    • 12 Wing Shearwater (Nova Scotia)

  • Nature of Activity

    • Building and Property Development
    • Defense and Security

  • Assessment Status

    In progress

  • Start Date

    2026-02-18

  • Proponent

    Department of National Defence

  • Authorities

    • Department of National Defence

  • Assessment Type

    Project on federal lands

  • Reference Number

    90236

Nearby assessments

...within 200 kilometres
Report a problem on this page
Date modified: