EA Project Engagement

Welcome to our engagement site for Projects currently undergoing the Environmental Assessment (EA) process, pursuant to the Nova Scotia Environment Act and Environmental Assessment Regulations. The EA Process is administered by the Nova Scotia Department of Environment and Climate Change (NSECC).

Here, you are invited to review information related to the proposed Project, presented as an online 'open house', and to provide feedback prior to Project being registered with NSECC. Any feedback you provide will be considered in the ongoing preparation of the EA Registration Document that is being prepared for the Project.

CURRENT PROJECT:
Cambridge Mtn Rd Pit Expansion

Proponent: LRD Excavating & Welding Limited
Location: Cambridge Mountain Road, Kings County, NS

1. What is the EA Process?

Environmental Assessment (EA) is a decision-making tool used to promote sustainable development by evaluating the potential environmental effects of major developments before they proceed. This is accomplished by involving the public along with various government departments and agencies during the environmental assessment.

Environmental assessment also promotes better project planning by identifying and addressing environmental effects at the earliest stages of project development and can save proponents time and money.

More information of the EA Process can be found at the NSECC's EA Frequently Asked Questions page.

2. Project Description

2a. Project Overview

Fraxinus Environmental & Geomatics Limited has been retained by LRD Excavating & Welding Limited (the Proponent) to prepare an Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Cambridge Mountain Pit Expansion Project (the Project). LRD Excavating & Welding Limited is a locally owned and operated company based in Waterville, Nova Scotia, providing excavation, welding, and construction-related services throughout Kings County and surrounding areas. The Proponent has experience in aggregate extraction and land rehabilitation and is committed to compliance with applicable regulatory requirements and the implementation of environmentally responsible practices.

Aggregate extraction activities have occurred on lands along Cambridge Mountain Road, between the communities of Cambridge and Prospect, Kings County, Nova Scotia, for several decades under previous and current ownership. The Proponent has operated sand and gravel extraction activities in this area for approximately 20 years, supplying materials primarily for local construction and agricultural uses, including use by the Proponent and other local contractors. Portions of previously worked areas have been subject to reclamation efforts, and aggregate production has historically included sand, gravel, and pit-run materials.

The Project involves a proposed expansion of sand and gravel extraction into areas adjacent to the existing pit. While the overall Project Site encompasses approximately 75 hectares (ha), extraction activities will be developed gradually and confined to smaller, defined areas at any given time. Extraction will be phased to limit disturbance, with progressive reclamation implemented as areas are completed and phased out of active use.

The purpose of the Project is to extend the operational lifespan of the existing pit and continue supplying aggregate materials to local and regional markets. Activities may include sand and gravel extraction and processing, stockpiling, transportation, and site management. Blasting is not routinely required but may occur on a limited and infrequent basis if necessary.

The Project is located on lands owned by the Proponent on Cambridge Mountain Road, Kings County, Nova Scotia, comprising PIDs 55489009, 55167407, and 55166136, and includes the existing pit area and surrounding lands under consideration for future aggregate development. The extent and phasing of any future development within these lands will be refined through the EA and subsequent permitting processes.

2c. Location & Site Details

The Project Site encompasses approximately 75 ha and includes the existing sand and gravel pit area and surrounding lands under consideration for future pit expansion and associated activities. The Project Site is situated in a predominantly rural area with mixed land use, including residential, agricultural, and forested areas. The Project is located on Cambridge Mountain Road, between the communities of Prospect and Cambridge, Kings County, Nova Scotia, approximately 10 km southwest of the Town of Kentville and 9 km southeast of the Town of Berwick. Highway 101 lies approximately 3.5 km north of the Project Site, and Highway 1 (the Evangeline Trail) lies approximately 1.6 km north.

The Project Site is accessed via a private driveway from Cambridge Mountain Road to the site's immediate west. The Project Site lies within two ecodistricts: the northwestern portion lies within Ecodistrict 610 (Annapolis Valley), and the southeastern portion lies within Ecodistrict 710 (Valley Slope). Further, the Project Site is located within the Gaspereau River Primary Watershed and the Cornwallis River Secondary Watershed. Surface water features within and adjacent to the Project Site include watercourses and wetland habitat. Desktop review and field studies have identified these features within the Project Site, and they will be protected in accordance with applicable provincial requirements.

2b. Project Scope & Objectives

The primary objective of the Project is to support the continued and sustainable extraction of sand and gravel to meet local and regional demand for aggregate materials. The Project is intended to extend the operational lifespan of the existing pit and provide flexibility for ongoing aggregate production, rather than substantially increasing annual production volumes.

The scope of the Project includes site preparation, sand and gravel extraction, processing through screening and occasional crushing, stockpiling of materials, and progressive site reclamation to minimize long-term environmental effects.

The Project aims to:

Support the continued supply of aggregate materials to local markets;
Operate in compliance with provincial environmental standards;
Implement best practices for minimizing environmental impact; and
Reclaim the site to ensure safety and environmental integrity compatible with the surrounding environment.

2d. Project Components

Key components of the undertaking include:

Extraction Areas: Designated areas for sand and gravel extraction within the Project Site. These include the existing pit area and additional areas under consideration for future expansion. The specific extent and sequencing of extraction areas will be refined through the EA and subsequent permitting processes.
Material Processing: On-site processing activities may include screening and occasional crushing of aggregate materials using mobile equipment. Processing methods will be tailored to project needs and market demand. Aggregate washing is not currently proposed but may be considered in the future, subject to applicable regulatory approvals.
Site Equipment: Typical equipment used at the site includes the following:
- Excavators
- Front-end loaders
- Mobile screening and crushing units
- Haul trucks
- Dozers
- Graders
- Other support vehicles (e.g., water truck for dust control)

Equipment may be stored on site during off-season periods.

Product Stockpiling Areas: Designated areas within the Project Site will be used for the temporary stockpiling of sand, gravel, and other aggregate products generated through extraction and processing activities.
Reclamation Material Stockpiling Areas: Native topsoil and organic materials salvaged during site preparation will be stockpiled for use in progressive reclamation activities. Grubbings and woody debris may also be stockpiled and managed in accordance with applicable regulatory requirements, with material reused where feasible to support site rehabilitation.
Access Roads: Access to the Project Site is currently provided via an existing private access road connecting to Cambridge Mountain Road, which will be maintained and, where necessary, upgraded to support Project operations. The potential for an additional access road to support future development within the southern portion of the Project Site may be considered, subject to further design refinement, environmental review, and regulatory approval.
Water Management: Surface water management measures will be implemented to manage runoff and reduce erosion and sedimentation. Stormwater is generally managed through on-site drainage features and infiltration into native soils. Excavation activities are anticipated to remain above the groundwater table. Erosion and sediment control measures will be implemented as required during site development and operation.
Environmental Protection Measures: Vegetated buffers will be maintained around identified watercourses in accordance with applicable regulatory requirements. Erosion and sediment control measures will be implemented as required during site development and operation. Berms are constructed around the existing pit area and will be incorporated in the expansion where the Project abuts neighbouring property lines for safety and noise abatement. Dust control measures may include the application of water and approved chloride mixtures using a water truck on access roads and active work areas, as required during operations.

2e. Project Activities

The primary activities associated with the Project include:

Site Preparation: Clearing vegetation and grading land within areas proposed for aggregate extraction and stockpiling. Organic materials and topsoil may be salvaged for use in progressive reclamation.
Extraction Operations: Using mechanical equipment such as excavators, loaders, and trucks to extract sand and gravel and transport it to mobile processing units.
Blasting: Blasting may be used on a limited and infrequent basis if required to facilitate aggregate extraction in localized areas. Any blasting would be conducted under the supervision of a qualified blasting engineer in accordance with applicable provincial regulations and industry best practices, including the development of site-specific blasting plans and the implementation of appropriate safety, notification, and monitoring measures.
Processing: Sorting and screening extracted materials to meet aggregate product specifications using mobile processing units. Sand is filtered and graded, while stones are crushed using mobile processing units to create the desired aggregate material size. Aggregate washing is not currently proposed but may be considered in the future, subject to applicable regulatory approvals.
Stockpiling: Temporary storage of sand, gravel, crusher dust, and salvaged topsoil on-site. Organic materials, woody debris, and grubbings may be stockpiled and managed to support reclamation activities.
Aggregate Quantification: Products are measured by volume using loaders or other standard on-site methods prior to sale.
Transportation: Hauling materials to local markets in Kings, Annapolis, and Hants counties using trucks or semi-trailer trucks as required.
Environmental Setbacks: A 30 m vegetated buffer will be maintained around identified watercourses in accordance with applicable provincial regulatory requirements.

2g. Project Timelines

Public consultation for the Project and engagement with Mi’kmaq are planned for early 2026, and an EA registration document will be submitted to NSECC for the Project in Spring, 2026.

The Project is proposed to be developed in stages over an anticipated operational lifespan of approximately 20 to 40 years. The existing pit area will continue to operate while expansion areas are prepared, with extraction in the new areas beginning as operational needs dictate.

Progressive reclamation will occur throughout the life of the Project, ensuring that disturbed areas are restored in a phased manner. Upon completion of pit operations, final decommissioning and site rehabilitation will be carried out, with ongoing monitoring to confirm the effectiveness of reclamation measures.

2f. Site Reclamation

Reclamation activities will be implemented concurrently with extraction through a program of progressive reclamation, whereby disturbed areas are stabilized and rehabilitated as pit development advances and individual extraction areas are phased out of active operations. Topsoil, organic material, and woody debris will be salvaged during site preparation and stockpiled for use in progressive reclamation. Some woody debris may be managed through controlled burning to enrich topsoil stockpiles.

Progressive reclamation measures will be refined over time and incorporated into amendments to the site’s Industrial Approval, as required, to reflect changes in active extraction areas and the rehabilitation of completed pit areas. Reclamation activities are intended to return disturbed areas to a stable condition compatible with surrounding land uses and the natural environment.

The majority of the site is expected to be re-naturalized following completion of extraction activities, allowing forested vegetation to re-establish and supporting long-term ecological function. Portions of the Project Site may be considered for future development, subject to future planning and regulatory approvals.

Closure activities will include the removal of equipment, final grading, re-vegetation of disturbed areas, and post-closure monitoring to confirm the effectiveness of reclamation measures. Additional details regarding these measures will be provided as part of the EA and associated mitigation planning.

3. Mapping

Please take some time to explore the general project site in the map below (Desktop recommended)

If you are viewing this site on a mobile device, please open this link for best results.

https://felt.com/embed/map/2025-005-Cambridge-Mtn-Rd-Pit-EA-For-Public-Engagement-eYKTreOxRKuG2ugogRqYhC?loc=45.039347%2C-64.62263%2C15.82z

Alternately, scan the QR code to open this map on your mobile device

4. Site Photos

Typical conditions at the project site are shown below.

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5. How are EA's Conducted?

The Fraxinus team has extensive experience in conducting environmental assessments (EAs). EAs involve conducting various surveys and assessments to characterize the environmental attributes of a project and the land it is located on.

These include:

Wetland assessments
Watercourse and aquatic habitat assessments
Botanical inventories, rare vegetation assessments and forest habitat assessments
Surveys for wildlife, including bird surveys, acoustic bat assessments and wildlife photo traps

Additionally, we conduct extensive research using mapping tools and other databases on air quality, geological conditions, groundwater conditions, greenhouse gas emissions and other biophysical characteristics.

We also conduct extensive research on various social and economic factors in the area of the Project's development. As part of this we conduct research on the local economy, tourism, demographics, and infrastructure. Finally, we include an extensive analysis on how the Project will impact human health and well-being. As part of this we include analysis on factor such as air quality and emissions, noise, impacts to water quality, and public safety.

We use the results of these studies and research to identify how the Project will interact with these different components, and how these interactions can be mitigated to reduce or eliminate negative effects. These mitigation measures are incorporated into environmental management plans, which require review and approval from the provincial government. We then work with the proponent and government regulators to implement these management measures and conduct environmental effects monitoring to ensure the management strategies are effective.

6. What Comes Next?

The Project is expected to be registered with NSECC in Spring 2026.

At that time, a formal review will begin, based on the information provided in the EA documentation.

The EA review includes a public comment period, whereby members of the the public may formally provide feedback for consideration in the Ministerial decision-making process.

7. Submit Your Feedback!

We encourage the public to direct any comments or inquiries to: engagement@fraxinusenviro.com