Public Hearing of the Joint Review Panel for the Environmental Assessment of Whites Point Quarry and Marine Terminal Project

Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources Preliminary Summary of Comments

June 11, 2007 The Joint Review Panel for the environmental assessment of the Whites Point Quarry and Marine Terminal has requested that representatives from the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) give a presentation and be prepared to answer questions from the panel and the hearing participants. DNR is slated to appear before the Panel on Tuesday June 19th, 2007 at 2:00pm.

The panel has asked the Department to: • present its views on environmental effects associated with the project, with specific reference to rare and potentially at risk terrestrial species known to exist at the quarry site; • provide expertise in forestry and forest ecology to evaluate proposed buffer zones and reclamation plans; • address the issue of alternative quarry sites on the North Mountain; • provide expertise on potential alternate aggregate sites along the Nova Scotia; • address the issue of resource royalties or fees; • provide any other information that relates to the Panel’s mandate in assessing the effects of the proposed project.

Presenters will be: Mark Elderkin, Species-at-Risk Biologist; Peter Neily, Senior Forester, Ecosystem Management; Mike MacDonald, Director of Geological Services; and Don Jones, Director of Mineral Development and Management.

Each of the Presenters will show slides at the Public Hearing based on the following summaries:

Mark Elderkin, Species-at-Risk Biologist

• Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources strives to meet components of the National Accord for the Protection of Species at Risk (1996) through its Departmental responsibilities including Environmental Assessment.

• The National Accord for the Protection of Species at Risk makes clear that:

“…lack of full scientific certainty must not be used as a reason to delay measures to avoid or minimize threats to species at risk.”

Language and spirit of the Accord are echoed in both the Federal Species at Risk Act and the Nova Scotia Endangered Species Act.

• In the absence of listing under laws, the status of species is assessed in the Nova Scotia General Status of Wild Species which is an expert based, status assessment process. There are about 200 species known to be at risk that are flagged as “RED”

−2− (Known or believed to be at-risk). Other status categories include “YELLOW” (Species sensitive to human activities or natural events), “GREEN” (Secure), “EXTIRPATED” (No longer exists in Nova Scotia).

Species listed under laws and those identified under the Nova Scotia General Status of Wild Species were included in the pre-screening process and environmental assessment review.

Hundreds of species were considered in the White’s Point screening and their potential occurrence investigated on-site through field inventories. Despite one of the most exhaustive taxonomic screenings we have yet seen in an environmental assessment in Nova Scotia, no species listed under Federal Species at Risk Act or Nova Scotia Endangered Species Act were found inextricably associated with habitats on the proposed development site.

• Three Nova Scotia General Status of Wild Species listed species of vascular plants were found in the White’s Point environmental assessment and include: (a)Glaucous Rattlesnake Root (Prenanthes racemosa) = Believed Extirpated, (b) Mountain Sandwort (Minuartia groenlandica) = YELLOW(Sensitive to human activities and natural events), and (c) Hemlock Parsley (Conioselinum chinense) = YELLOW (Sensitive to human activities and natural events)

Adult Monarch Butterfly that are listed as Vulnerable under the Federal Species at Risk Act were found on site in the summer of 2006, however we suggest that last year was an exceptional year for Monarchs and that the development would pose no threat to this species.

• Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources recommended that the proponent provide a 100 metre buffer to protect the coastal zone where rare Rattlesnake Root and Mountain Sandwort are known to occur. While some of our earlier comments on the review of the project suggested that the buffer width could be lessened based on results of monitoring (if the project was to be approved), additional analysis and site visits since that time suggest that 100 metres should be applied throughout the duration of the project. This buffer width is required in the interest of precaution to protect rare plants and integrity of sensitive coastal barrens. We also recommend that monitoring be undertaken at three year intervals to ascertain what, if any impacts the development may pose to rare plants.

Peter Neily, Senior Forester, Ecosystem Management

• Forest Soils

−3− - these soils are derived from basalt and/or basalt till and are inherently nutrient rich and have a high pH value compared to the provincial average for forest soils - on a less harsh environment they would be very productive; - there would be little to no benefit in enriching these soils with nutrients or lime; - stock piling the soils may lead to chemical changes such as loss of organic matter (carbon) and nutrients; - soil depths >1 m will not contribute to stability or nutrition because of the rooting habits of native species

• Forest Communities - the severe exposure of this area significantly influences the natural forest communities; - sheltered sites can support hardwood species such as beech, yellow birch, and sugar maple; exposed sites support spruce fir forests; - ecological diversity should not be manipulated with new habitat types; - settlement and agricultural clearing have influenced forest community development.

• Reclamation of Forest Communities - native species best option; - unlikely to be able to control revegetation to native herbs and shrubs; - reforestation may require assistance, use local seed sources

• Buffer Zone Management - there are no regulations re: buffer zone establishment between properties; - tree stability a function of soil drainage and depth, tree species, and exposure; - wider zones will be more resilient when hazard is high to windthrow; - for buffer stability, 50 metres should be suitable on most portions of the project site.

• Carbon Storage - focus on soil carbon as opposed to above ground carbon; - soil carbon is generally the largest portion of terrestrial carbon, therefore, proper handling of the topsoil is critical to carbon accounting;

Mike MacDonald, Director of Geological Services

• Slide 1 - Geology Map of Southern Nova Scotia

The first topic that I will address is the potential for alternate sites of suitable basalt quarry sites along the North Mountain.

The North Mountain extends for approximately 200 km from Brier Island to Cape Split. The diagram on this slide combines digital elevation information, or digital topography,

−4− and bedrock geology. The North Mountain basalts (NMB) form the upland region in light green.

• Slide 2 - Geology of the North Mountain (text slide) A recent geological mapping project that was conducted by Dr. Dan Kontak, a geologist formerly with the Geological Services Division, gives new insight into the geology of the NMB.

Dr, Kontak’s work reveals the entire NMB can be divided into three units, an Upper Flow Unit (UFU), a Middle Flow Unit (MFU) and a Lower Flow Unit (LFU).

Both the UFU and LFU consist of thick basalt flows that are medium to coarse grained and are generally massive and appear to be suitable for use as crushed stone aggregate. In the United States, which is the main export market for aggregate, this rock is referred to as Traprock.

Each individual site location within the UFU and LFU must be sampled and analyzed using a series of standard tests to assess the suitability for use as crushed stone aggregate.

The MFU contains multiple basalt flow that vary in thickness from several metres to more than 10 metres. MFU rocks contain abundant zeolite minerals and exhibit extensive hydrothermal (i.e. hot water) alteration that make these rocks generally unsuitable for use as crushed stone aggregate.

• Slide 3 - Field Photos of Basalt Outcrops These photos show typical bedrock exposures of UFU, MFU and LFU basalt.

The photo of the UFU shows the massive nature with common columnar jointing that formed from contraction during initial cooling of the basalt lava.

The photo of the MFU shows the abundance of zeolite minerals (mostly round whitish minerals). The brown colour reflects pervasive alteration of the basalt to secondary minerals. The combination of zeolite minerals and alteration make the MFU unsuitable for aggregate use.

The photo of the LFU shows the massive nature and pervasive development of columnar jointing.

• Slide 4 - Digital Elevation Model of North Mountain West of Digby

This is a digital elevation model image, or digital topographic map, of the North Mountain and adjacent Annapolis Valley west of the Town of Digby. Similar images have been useful in outlining the distribution of the three flow units in the North

−5− Mountain as there are typically breaks or inflections in the topography that reflect the underlying basalt units.

The current geological map of the North Mountain was constructed using digital elevation data and inspection of outcrop exposures.

All of the flow units in the North Mountain dip gently (approximately 3-5 degrees) toward the Bay of Fundy. The notable exception is at Cape Split where some flows have a variable dip and form a bowl shape.

The highest elevations along the North Mountain, where all three flow units are present, are predominantly, but not restricted to, the UFU.

• Slide 5 - Geological Maps of the North Mountain

The distribution of the three flow units is shown in these three figures. The approximate location of the proposed White Point quarry is indicated by the red star.

Several features can be seen in the three geological maps: - the southwestern end of the NMB, from Port George near Middleton, to Brier Island has all three flow units. The UFU and LFU are generally exposed over similar widths whereas the MFU is present as a thin band. - From Port George to the northeast, the MFU increases in width significantly and forms the majority of the NMB from Margaretsville to Cape Split.

• Slide 6 - Factors For Selecting Suitable Quarry Sites (Text Slide)

The previous information gives insight into the question of alternate sites for aggregate on the North Mountain. There are several controlling factors that should be evaluated: - Suitable Rock Composition – basalt from both the UFU and LFU are generally suitable for aggregate, although detailed sampling and standardized analysis and testing of any proposed site must first be conducted to establish the suitability of the rock for use as crushed stone aggregate. Recent mapping indicates the MFU rocks are generally not suitable for high quality aggregate. - Sufficient Elevation – the footprint of a quarry will depend in part of the elevation of the quarry site. A larger volume of rock can be extracted from a site with higher elevation. In general the highest elevations adjacent to tide water are in areas of UFU and LFU in the southwestern part of the NMB from Port George to Long Island. - Sufficient water depth – The area from Port George to Brier Island and along the NMB in Saint Mary’s Bay has sufficient water depths to support an aggregate operation.

• Slide 7 - Geology Map of North Mountain With Possible Alternate Quarry Locations

−6− Areas of the North Mountain that have potential for deep-water crushed stone aggregate quarry development are indicated with red lines.

• Slide 8 - Geology Map of Nova Scotia

The second topic that I will address is the potential for other sites along the Nova Scotia coastline that are suitable for deep-water crushed stone aggregate operations.

This is a simplified geology map of Nova Scotia. Each colour represents a specific rock type of group of rocks of similar age.

The North Mountain basalt flows are shown in green, and the potential sites for basalt quarries are outlined with red lines.

It is evident from the map that Nova Scotia has a complicated geology with many different rock units. Several rock units have potential for use as crushed stone aggregate.

The chief export market for aggregate is the US.

US specifications vary from state to state and may be very specific. Some states that have deposits of basalt (i.e. traprock) have specifications that favour basalt sources.

• Slide 9 - Pie Chart Showing Aggregate Consumption by Rock Type

A recent United States Geological Survey publication lists the relative percentages of crushed stone currently used in the US.

The breakdown of rock types is: 70% limestone and dolomite; 16% granite, 7% traprock (basalt); and 7% miscellaneous rocks including quartzite, slate, marble, and volcanic rocks.

• Slide 10 - Geology Map of Showing Potential Aggregate Sites along Nova Scotia Coast

Limestone & Dolomite Nova Scotia has large deposits of metamorphosed limestone and dolomite (marble) but these are mostly in central , and under present economic conditions these deposits are too far from deep-water for development of crushed stone aggregate quarries because of high trucking costs to tidewater.

Granite Nova Scotia has abundant granite deposits throughout the province, however, many deposits are coarse grained and are not of sufficient quality for use as crushed stone aggregate.

−7− Granite deposits that have potential for use as crushed stone aggregate include those situated: ¾ In Southwest Nova Scotia near Barrington, although water depths in this area may be shallow; ¾ Along the western shore of Saint Margarets Bay, although this area has abundant real estate developments; ¾ Along the southern shore of Chedabucto Bay from Queensport to the Town of Canso; ¾ At Kellys Mountain; ¾ Near Forchu, in Eastern Cape Breton Island; ¾ Along the western shore of the , although this area is exposed to storms; ¾ At Georgeville along the Northumberland Strait, north of Antigonish.

Traprock The North Mountain Basalt flows are the only traprock (basalt) source rocks in Nova Scotia that are suitable for aggregate use, with the exception of smaller deposits at Cape d’Or and Five Islands that might be unsuitable because of their development as provincial tourist destinations.

Miscellaneous Metamorphosed sandstone is used extensively in the Halifax Regional Municipality metro area. There are large deposits of this rock type throughout southern Nova Scotia and there are numerous locations along the South and Eastern shores that are near deep water and have potential for developing an export operation. This rock type is prone to react with the calcareous matrix of concrete (i.e. ‘alkali reactivity’), a feature that makes it somewhat unsuitable for this application and therefore limits its attractiveness for export markets.

Don Jones, Director of Mineral Development and Management

Summary of comments on royalties or fees are forthcoming.

−8−