Environmental Assessment Regulations

made under Section 49 of the

Environment Act

S.N.S. 1994-95, c. 1

O.I.C. 95-220 (effective March 17, 1995), N.S. Reg. 26/1995

amended to O.I.C. 2022-326 (effective December 19, 2022), N.S. Reg. 328/2022

Table of Contents

Please note: this table of contents is provided for convenience of reference and does not form part of the regulations.
Click here to go to the text of the regulations.

Citation

Definitions for the Act and these regulations

Application of the regulations

Exemptions

Administrator

Alternate dispute resolution

Registration

Notification

Class I and Class II undertakings

Factors relevant to the Minister’s decision

Minister’s decision upon registration of Class I undertaking

Focus report

Public comment on focus report

Review of focus report

Minister’s decision on focus report

Terms of reference

Notice of terms of reference

Environmental-assessment report

Review of environmental-assessment report

Environmental-assessment report accepted

Public consultation on environmental-assessment reports

Referral to board [review panel]

Administrator’s summary of comments/recommendation

Ministerial decision

Commence work on approved undertaking

Notice

Schedule A—Designated Class I and Class II Undertakings

Class I Undertakings

A. Industrial facilities

Class II Undertakings

A. Industrial facilities

B. Energy

C. Waste Management

Citation

1 These regulations may be cited as the “Environmental Assessment Regulations”.

Definitions for the Act and these regulations

2 (1) In these regulations,

“Act” means the Environment Act;

“contaminated material” means a solid or semi-solid mixture that may contain stone, soil, ash, grit, surface coating, sediment, sludge or other matter containing a contaminant resulting from the release of a substance;

“day” means a calendar day, except for December 23rd to January 2nd, which are counted as 1 day;

“environmental health” means those aspects of human health that are or can be affected by contaminants or changes in the environment;

“hydrogen facility” means a facility that produces, generates or stores hydrogen gas or ammonia whether within the facility or in a standalone facility;

“mineral” means a mineral as defined in the Mineral Resources Act;

“mitigate” means, with respect to an undertaking, to eliminate, reduce, or control the adverse effects or the significant environmental effects of an undertaking, and may include restitution for any damage to the environment caused by such effects through replacement, restoration, compensation or any other means;

“oil refinery” means a facility used for manufacturing hydrocarbon products from condensate, crude oil, synthetic crude oil, wood products or other hydrocarbon feedstock;

“paper product” means a product made from pulp;

“petrochemical manufacturing plant” means a plant that manufactures organic chemical substances produced from petroleum-based materials, but does not include any of the following:

(i) an oil refinery,

(ii) a natural gas processing plant,

(iii) a plant that only blends or packages petrochemicals;

“pit” means a ground disturbance or excavation made for the purpose of removing aggregate from the environment without using explosives;

“pulp” means processed cellulose fibres that are derived from wood or other plant material;

“quarry” means a ground disturbance or excavation made for the purpose of removing aggregate from the environment with the use of explosives.

“significant” means, with respect to an environmental effect, an adverse effect that occurs or could occur as a result of any of the following:

(i) the magnitude of the effect,

(ii) the geographic extent of the effect,

(iii) the duration of the effect,

(iv) the frequency of the effect,

(v) the degree of reversibility of the effect,

(vi) the possibility of occurrence of the effect;

“smelter” means a pyrometallurgical industrial facility that recovers a metal or metals from mineral concentrates by heating the concentrates to a point where melting and a chemical change occurs and that produces more than 1 tonne per day of product;

(2) In the Act and these regulations,

“commence work” means, with respect to an undertaking, to begin construction or site preparation activity for an undertaking or any part of an undertaking;

“extension” means, with respect to an undertaking, an increase in the size, volume or other dimension of the undertaking that may cause adverse effects or significant environmental effects if not properly mitigated;

“modification” means, with respect to an undertaking, a change to the undertaking that may cause adverse effects or significant environmental effects if not properly mitigated, and includes all of the following:

(i) an expansion of the same process,

(ii) a change in products used or produced,

(iii) replacement of equipment with different technology other than that presently in use.

Application of the regulations

3 (1) Undertakings and classes of undertakings listed in Schedule “A” to these regulations are designated as undertakings or classes of undertakings, as the case may be, to which Part IV of the Act applies.

(2) The Act and these regulations may apply to a modification, extension, abandonment, demolition or rehabilitation of an undertaking listed in Schedule “A” which was established either before or after March 17, 1995.

Exemptions

4 (1) These regulations and Part IV of the Act do not apply to any of the following:

(a) routine maintenance or repair of existing facilities;

(b) policies, plans or programs developed after March 17, 1995, which will not directly or indirectly cause an adverse effect or a significant environmental effect;

(ba) a pit or quarry operated as described in subsection (2);

(c) an undertaking that was registered pursuant to Section 149 of the Revised Statutes of Nova Scotia, 1989, the Environmental Assessment Act, and regulations made thereunder.

(2) The Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal shall ensure that a pit or quarry established solely to provide fill or aggregate for road building or maintenance contracts with the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal is operated in accordance with all applicable guidelines and regulations under the Act.

Administrator

5 The Minister may appoint an Administrator to administer these regulations.

6 [repealed]

Alternate dispute resolution

7 (1) An undertaking may be referred to an alternate dispute resolution procedure in accordance with the provisions of the Act and regulations where the Minister believes an alternate dispute resolution technique is appropriate for the resolution of a dispute or an issue.

(2) Where an undertaking is referred to an alternate dispute resolution procedure, the Minister may

(a) require the results of the alternate dispute resolution procedure to be reported to the Minister by a time to be specified in the referral; or

(b) adjust the time limits in these regulations to accommodate the alternate dispute resolution procedure.

(3) Where time limits are adjusted in accordance with subsection (2), the Minister or the Administrator shall notify the proponent in writing.

8 [repealed]

Registration

9 (1) The registration of an undertaking required by clause 33(a) of the Act must occur before a proponent proceeds with the final design of an undertaking.

(1A) To register an undertaking, a proponent must submit all of the following to the Department:

(a) all applicable fees prescribed under the Act;

(b) a registration document in the format provided by the Administrator that includes all of the following:

(i) the name of the proposed undertaking,

(ii) the location of the proposed undertaking,

(iii) the name, address and identification of the proponent,

(iv) a list of contact persons for the proposed undertaking and their contact information,

(v) the name and signature of the Chief Executive Officer or a person with signing authority, if the proponent is a corporation;

(vi) details of the nature and sensitivity of the area surrounding the proposed undertaking,

(vii) the purpose and need for the proposed undertaking,

(viii) the proposed construction and operation schedules for the undertaking,

(ix) a description of the proposed undertaking,

(x) environmental baseline information,

(xi) a list of the licences, certificates, permits, approvals and other forms of authorization that will be required for the proposed undertaking,

(xii) all sources of any public funding for the proposed undertaking,

(xiii) all steps taken by the proponent to identify the concerns of the public and aboriginal people about the adverse effects or the environmental effects of the proposed undertaking,

(xiv) a list of all concerns expressed by the public and aboriginal people about the adverse effects or the environmental effects of the proposed undertaking,

(xv) all steps taken or proposed to be taken by the proponent to address concerns of the public and aboriginal people identified under subclause (xiv).

(2) To assist in the assessment of the undertaking, the proponent may provide information in addition to that required under subsection (1).

(3) The proponent may be required by the Administrator to provide additional copies of information included with a registration.

(4) The date of registration for an undertaking is 7 days after the applicable fees are paid and all information specified in subsection (1) has been received by the Department.

Notification

10 (1) Within 7 days following the registration date of a Class I undertaking, the proponent shall publish a notice in 1 newspaper having general circulation in the locality in which the undertaking is to be located and in 1 newspaper having province-wide circulation.

(1A) Within 14 days of the registration date of a Class II undertaking, the Administrator shall publish a notice in the manner provided in Section 29 stating that the undertaking has been registered, and that the public may submit comments on the proposed terms of reference for the environmental assessment report.

(1B) A notice referred to in subsection (1) or (1A) must state that written comments may be submitted to the Administrator within 30 days following the date of publication of the notice.

(2) Where there is no newspaper having general circulation in the locality in which the undertaking is to be located, the notice shall be posted in the manner provided in subsection 29(2) of these regulations.

(3) A notice referred to in subsection (1) shall include the following information:

(a) the name and address of the proponent;

(b) the proposed location of the proposed undertaking;

(d) the registration date pursuant to the Act and regulations;

(e) the proposed commencement date and project schedule where applicable; and

(f) locations where registration information may be viewed by the public.

(4) Copies of the published notice shall be filed with the Administrator within 7 days after the date of publication of the notice.

Class I and Class II undertakings

11 (1) With respect to a Class I undertaking listed in Schedule “A” or an undertaking which the Minister determines to be a Class I undertaking, the environmental assessment process

(a) shall include registration;

(b) may include a focus report, terms of reference, and an environmental-assessment report;

(d) may include referral to a review panel where an environmental-assessment report is required.

(2) With respect to a Class II undertaking listed in Schedule “A” or an undertaking which the Minister determines to be a Class II undertaking, the environmental assessment process

(a) shall include registration, terms of reference, and an environmental-assessment report;

(b) may include alternate dispute resolution; and

(3) If the Minister is of the opinion that any of the following is an undertaking, the Minister must classify the undertaking as either Class I or Class II and must advise the proponent in writing of the classification and, if not already registered, the requirement to register the undertaking in accordance with the Act and regulations:

(a) a policy, plan or program;

(b) a modification, extension, abandonment, demolition or rehabilitation of an undertaking.

Factors relevant to the Minister’s decision

12 All of the following information shall be considered by the Minister in formulating a decision under subsection 34(1) of the Act:

(a) the location of the proposed undertaking and the nature and sensitivity of the surrounding area;

(b) the size, scope and complexity of the proposed undertaking;

(c) concerns expressed by the public and aboriginal people about the adverse effects or the environmental effects of the proposed undertaking;

(d) steps taken by the proponent to address environmental concerns expressed by the public and aboriginal people;

(da) whether environmental baseline information submitted under subclause 9(1A)(b)(x) for the undertaking is sufficient for predicting adverse effects or environmental effects related to the undertaking;

(e) potential and known adverse effects or environmental effects of the proposed undertaking, including identifying any effects on species at risk, species of conservation concern and their habitats;

(f) project schedules where applicable;

(g) planned or existing land use in the area of the undertaking;

(h) other undertakings in the area;

(ha) whether compliance with licences, certificates, permits, approvals or other documents of authorization required by law will mitigate the environmental effects;

(i) such other information as the Minister may require.

Minister’s decision upon registration of Class I undertaking

13 (1) No later than 50 days following the date of registration, the Minister shall advise the proponent in writing of the decision under subsection 34(2) of the Act

(a) that the registration information is insufficient to allow the Minister to make a decision and additional information is required;

(b) that a review of the information indicates that there are no adverse effects or significant environmental effects which may be caused by the undertaking or that such effects are mitigable and the undertaking is approved subject to specified terms and conditions and any other approvals required by statute or regulation;

(c) that a review of the information indicates that the adverse effects or significant environmental effects which may be caused by the undertaking are limited and that a focus report is required;

(d) that a review of the information indicates that there may be adverse effects or significant environmental effects caused by the undertaking and an environmental-assessment report is required; or

(e) that a review of the information indicates that there is a likelihood that the undertaking will cause adverse effects or significant environmental effects which are unacceptable and the undertaking is rejected.

(2) Where additional information is required pursuant to clause (1)(a), the proponent

(a) shall submit the required information as an addendum to the original registration information and Section 12 applies; and

(b) except as provided in subsection (3), shall submit the required information no later than 1 year after the date the proponent is advised under clause 13(1)(a);

(c) if the Minister considers it necessary to fulfill the notification requirements of clause 33(b) of the Act, may be required by the Minister to publish a notice in the same manner as the original notice under Section 10 announcing the release of the additional information to the public and stating that written comments may be submitted about the additional information to the Department.

(3) If the Minister considers that the time period prescribed in clause 13(2)(b) is insufficient, the Minister may extend the time for filing of the information and shall advise the proponent in writing.

(4) If additional information is submitted under clause (1)(a), the Minister shall, within 50 days, advise the proponent in writing of the decision under subsection 34(2) of the Act.

14 [repealed]

Focus report

15 (1) Where a focus report is required under clause 34(1)(b) of the Act, the Administrator shall provide the proponent with written terms of reference for the preparation of the focus report within 25 days following the decision made by the Minister.

(2) Within 1 year following the date that the Administrator provides the written terms of reference under subsection (1), the proponent shall prepare the focus report and shall provide

(a) the focus report in printed form and in such other format [as] requested by the Administrator; and

(b) the number of copies of the focus report required by the Administrator.

(3) Where, in the opinion of the Minister, the time period prescribed in subsection (2) is insufficient, the Minister may extend the time for preparation of the focus report and shall advise the proponent in writing.

(4) If the supply of copies of the focus report required pursuant to subsection (2) is exhausted during the assessment process, the proponent shall, if requested by the Administrator, provide additional copies of the focus report within 7 days following the request by the Administrator.

Public comment on focus report

16 (1) Within 14 days following receipt of the copies referred to in Section 15, the Administrator shall publish, in the manner provided in Section 29, a notice to announce the release of the focus report to the public and shall state that written comments may be submitted to the Administrator within 30 days following the date of publication of the notice.

(2) Where, in the opinion of the Minister, the 30 day review period is insufficient, the Minister may extend the review period and shall advise the proponent in writing.

Review of focus report

17 (1) The Administrator shall, within 25 days following the final date for public comments, submit to the Minister a summary of comments provided by provincial, federal and municipal departments and agencies and the public together with a recommendation respecting the approval or rejection of the undertaking.

(2) Where, in the opinion of the Minister, the time period prescribed in subsection (1) is insufficient, the Minister may extend the review period and shall advise the proponent in writing.

Minister’s decision on focus report

18 Within 14 days following the date of the summary and recommendation provided under Section 17, [the] Minister shall advise the proponent in writing of the decision

(a) that a review of the focus report indicates that, within the limits of the focus report terms of reference, there are no adverse effects or significant environmental effects which may be caused by the undertaking or that such effects are mitigable and the undertaking is approved subject to specified terms and conditions and any other approvals required by statute or regulation;

(b) that a review of the focus report indicates that there may be adverse effects or significant environmental effects which may be caused by the undertaking and an environmental-assessment report is required; or

(c) that a review of the focus report indicates that there is a likelihood that the undertaking will cause adverse effects or significant environmental effects which are unacceptable and the undertaking is rejected.

Terms of reference

19 (1) Where an environmental-assessment report is required, the Administrator shall prepare terms of reference for the preparation of the environmental-assessment report which shall include, but not be limited to, the following information:

(a) a description of the proposed undertaking;

(b) the reason for the undertaking;

(d) a description of alternatives to the undertaking;

(e) a description of the environment that might reasonably be affected by the undertaking;

(f) the environmental effects of the undertaking, including identifying any effects on species at risk, species of conservation concern and their habitats;

(g) an evaluation of advantages and disadvantages to the environment of the undertaking;

(h) measures that may be taken to prevent, mitigate or remedy negative environmental effects and maximize the positive environmental effects on the environment;

(i) a discussion of adverse effects or significant environmental effects which cannot or will not be avoided or mitigated through the application of environmental control technology;

(j) a program to monitor environmental effects produced by the undertaking during its construction, operation and abandonment stages;

(k) a program of public information to explain the undertaking;

(l) information obtained under subsection (2) which the Administrator considers relevant.

(2) The terms of reference specified under subsection (1) shall be prepared taking into consideration comments from

(a) the public;

(b) departments of Government;

(d) municipalities in the vicinity of the undertaking or in which the undertaking is located;

(e) any affected aboriginal people or cultural community; and

(f) neighbouring jurisdictions to Nova Scotia in the vicinity of the undertaking.

(3) [repealed]

(4) [repealed]

(5) Within 5 days following the expiry of the period specified in Section 19A, the Administrator shall

(a) advise the proponent of any comments received in response to invitations under Section 19A, and

(b) advise the proponent that the proponent has 21 days to respond in writing to the comments.

(6) Within 14 days following the final date for written response from the proponent, the Administrator shall provide the proponent with final written terms of reference for the environmental-assessment report.

Notice of terms of reference

19A (1) To give the public and proponent an opportunity to comment under clause 36(b) of the Act, the Administrator must publish a notice of the proposed terms of reference in the manner set out in Section 29 no later than 14 days after the date the proponent is advised of the need for an environmental-assessment report for their Class I undertaking.

(2) A notice of proposed terms of reference must state that the public may submit comments on the proposed terms of reference to the Department within 30 days following the date of publication of the notice.

Environmental-assessment report

20 (1) Within 2 years following the date of the final written terms of reference, the proponent shall provide

(a) the final draft of the environmental-assessment report in printed form and in such other format requested by the Administrator; and

(b) the number of copies of the final draft of the environmental-assessment report required by the Administrator.

(2) Where required studies would cause the preparation of the environmental-assessment report to exceed the 2 year period prescribed in subsection (1), the Minister may extend the time period by 1 year and shall advise the proponent in writing.

Review of environmental-assessment report

21 (1) The proponent may submit a preliminary draft of the environmental-assessment report to the Administrator.

(2) The Administrator shall examine any preliminary draft or the final draft of the environmental-assessment report to determine whether it addresses the items specified in the terms of reference.

(3) Within 14 days following receipt of the final draft of the environmental-assessment report, the Administrator shall advise the proponent in writing that

(a) the final draft of the environmental-assessment report does not address the items specified in the terms of reference or is deficient in any respect and additional information is required to complete the final draft of the environmental-assessment report; or

(b) the final draft of the environmental-assessment report addresses the items specified in the terms of reference and is accepted.

(4) The proponent shall submit the additional information required under clause (3)(a) and the procedures and requirements of subsections (1), (2) and (3) apply.

Environmental-assessment report accepted

22 (1) Where the proponent is advised in writing that the final draft of the environmental-assessment report is accepted under clause 21(3)(b), the proponent shall provide

(a) the environmental-assessment report in printed form and in such other format requested by the Administrator; and

(b) the number of copies of the environmental-assessment report required by the Administrator.

(2) Copies of the environmental-assessment report required by subsection (1) shall be submitted within 14 days following the date of the acceptance by the Administrator of the final draft of the environmental-assessment report under clause 21(3)(b) unless the time limit has been extended in writing by the Administrator.

(3) If the supply of copies of the environmental-assessment report required pursuant to subsection (1) is exhausted, the proponent shall, if requested by the Minister or the Administrator, provide additional copies of the environmental-assessment report no later than 14 days after the date they are requested to the Administrator.

Public consultation on environmental-assessment reports

23 (1) For an environmental-assessment report for a Class I undertaking that is not referred to a review panel, the Administrator shall, no later than 12 days after receiving copies of the final draft of the report, publish a notice in the manner set out in Section 29 announcing the release of the environmental-assessment report to the public and shall state in the notice that the public may submit written comments to the Administrator within 48 days following the date of publication of the notice.

(2) If the Minister considers the time period for submitting comments under subsection (1) to be insufficient, the Minister may extend the deadline and shall advise the proponent in writing of the decision.

(3) For an environmental-assessment report for a Class I undertaking that is referred to a review panel or for an environmental-assessment report for a Class II undertaking, public notice and consultation shall be in accordance with the Environmental Assessment Review Panel Regulations.

Referral to board [review panel]

24 (1) Within 10 days following receipt of the copies referred to in subsection 22(2) with respect to a Class I undertaking, the Minister may refer the environmental-assessment report to a review panel.

(2) Within 10 days following receipt of the copies referred to in subsection 22(2) with respect to a Class II undertaking, the Minister shall refer the environmental-assessment report to a review panel.

Administrator’s summary of comments/recommendation

25 (1) For a Class I undertaking not referred to a review panel, the Administrator shall within 25 days following the final date for public comments on the environmental-assessment report, submit to the Minister a summary of comments provided by provincial, federal and municipal departments and agencies and the public together with recommendations respecting the approval or rejection of the undertaking.

(2) Where, in the opinion of the Minister, the time period prescribed in subsection (1) is insufficient, the Minister may extend the time period and shall advise the proponent in writing.

Ministerial decision

26 (1) Within 21 days following receipt by the Minister of

(a) a summary of comments or recommendations respecting the undertaking by the Administrator;

(b) the results of an alternate dispute resolution where an undertaking is referred to an alternate dispute resolution procedure; or

(c) a report and recommendation by a review panel where an environmental-assessment report is referred to a review panel;

whichever occurs later, the Minister shall make a decision in accordance with Section 40 of the Act.

(2) [repealed]

Commence work on approved undertaking

27 (1) Where an undertaking is approved by the Minister under Section 40 of the Act, the proponent shall within 2 years of the approval commence work on the undertaking.

(2) The Minister may extend the time period provided in subsection (1) in writing if a request is made by the proponent in writing and the Minister considers the request to be valid and reasonable.

28 [repealed]

Notice

29 (1) Where the Minister or the Administrator is required by the Act or these regulations to publish a notice, the notice shall be published in the Royal Gazette, in 1 newspaper having general circulation in the locality in which the undertaking concerned is to be located and in 1 newspaper with Province-wide circulation.

(2) If there is no newspaper having general circulation in the locality in which the undertaking concerned is to be located, the notice shall be posted in at least 2 of the following locations in the locality:

(a) a municipal building;

(b) a post office;

30 [repealed]

31 [repealed]

Schedule A—Designated Class I and Class II Undertakings

Class I Undertakings

The following are designated as Class I undertakings under the Act:

A. Industrial facilities

1. A storage facility that has a total storage capacity of over 5000 m³ and is intended to hold liquid or gaseous substances, such as hydrocarbons or chemicals other than water.

2. A facility for manufacturing wood products that are pressure treated with chemical products.

3. A facility that produces fish meal.

4. A rendering plant.

5. An onshore pipeline that is 5 km or longer, other than a pipeline that carries any of the following:

(a) natural gas, if the pipeline has a maximum operating pressure below 3450 kPa (500 psig);

(b) water;

(d) domestic wastewater.

5A. A hydrogen facility, but only if the facility is otherwise designated as a Class I undertaking.

6. A natural gas processing plant.

7. A paper product manufacturing plant.

8. An oil refinery that

(a) produces no more than 200 000 L of hydrocarbon products per day; and

(b) uses a feedstock that meets all of the following criteria:

(i) it contains no more than 1% sulphur or sulphur compounds by weight;

(ii) it does not contain halogenated compounds.

B. Mining

1. A facility that extracts or processes any of the following:

(a) metallic or non-metallic minerals;

(b) coal;

(d) peat moss;

(e) gypsum;

(f) limestone;

(g) bituminous shale;

(h) oil shale.

2. A pit or quarry, other than a pit or quarry exempted under Section 4 of the regulations for the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal, that is larger than 4 ha in area for extracting one of the following:

(a) ordinary stone;

(b) building or construction stone;

(d) gravel;

(e) ordinary soil.

C. Transportation

1. The construction of a new paved highway that is longer than 2 km and is designed for 4 or more lanes of traffic.

2. The construction of a new paved highway that is longer than 10 km and is designed for 2 or more lanes of traffic.

D. Energy

1. A corridor for 1 or more electric power transmission lines that have a cumulative voltage rating equal to or greater than 345 kVA.

2. An energy generating facility, other than an emergency generator, that meets any one of the following:

(a) it has a production rating of at least 2 MW derived from wind, tides or waves;

(b) it has a production rating of at least 2 MW and no more than 25 MW derived from hydroelectricity, other than run-of-the-river facilities under 10 MW;

(d) it has a daily fuel input rating of at least 250 GJ and no more than 2500 GJ derived from fossil fuels other than natural gas;

(e) it has a daily fuel input rating of at least 4000 GJ and no more than 10 000 GJ derived from fuels other than fossil fuels, but excluding solar power.

E. Waste management

1. A facility for storing, processing, treating or disposing of waste dangerous goods that were not produced at that facility, except all of the following facilities:

(a) a facility operated by, or on behalf of, a municipality or Provincial agency for waste dangerous goods collected only from residential premises;

(b) a facility in which asbestos waste is stored, if waste dangerous goods are not otherwise processed, treated or disposed of at that facility;

(c) a facility in which lead acid battery waste is stored, if waste dangerous goods are not otherwise processed, treated or disposed of at that facility.

2. A facility for treating, processing or disposing of contaminated materials that is located at a site other than where the contaminated materials originated.

3. A thermal treatment facility as defined in the Solid Waste-Resource Management Regulations made under the Act.

F. Other

1. An undertaking that involves transferring water between drainage basins, if the drainage area containing the water to be diverted is larger than 1 km².

2. An undertaking that disrupts a total of 2 ha or more of any wetland.

Class II Undertakings

The following are designated as Class II undertakings under the Act:

A. Industrial facilities

1. A facility for manufacturing, processing or reprocessing radioactive materials.

2. A heavy water plant.

3. A pulp mill.

4. A petrochemical manufacturing plant.

5. A cement plant.

6. An oil refinery other than an oil refinery listed as a Class 1 undertaking.

7. A non-ferrous or ferrous metal smelter.

8. A lead acid battery plant.

9. A ferro-alloy plant.

B. Energy

1. An energy generating facility, other than an emergency generator, that meets any one of the following:

(a) it has a production rating of more than 25 MW derived from hydroelectricity;

(b) it has a daily fuel input rating of more than 31 000 GJ derived from natural gas;

(d) it has a daily fuel input rating of more than 10 000 GJ from fuels other than fossil fuels, but excluding solar power.

2. A water reservoir that has a storage capacity of 10 000 000 m³ or more than the mean volume of the natural water body source for which it is a reservoir.

C. Waste Management

1. An incinerator as defined in the Solid Waste-Resource Management Regulations made under the Act.

The current consolidation of the Environmental Assessment Regulations made under the Environment Act includes all of the following regulations:

The following regulations are not yet in force and are not included in the current consolidation:

N.S. Regulation	In force date*	How in force	Royal Gazette Part II Issue
26/1995	Mar 17, 1995	date specified	Apr 14, 1995
71/2000	Apr 26, 2000	date made	May 19, 2000
44/2003	Feb 28, 2003	date specified	Mar 21, 2003
348/2008	Aug 6, 2008	date specified	Aug 29, 2008
277/2009	Sep 15, 2009	date specified	Oct 9, 2009
18/2013	Jan 22, 2013	date specified	Feb 8, 2013
171/2016	Sep 13, 2016	date specified	Sep 30, 2016
120/2017	Aug 8, 2017	date specified	Aug 18, 2017
221/2018	Dec 10, 2018	date specified	Dec 21, 2018
328/2022	Dec 19, 2022	date specified	Dec 30, 2022

*See subsection 3(6) of the Regulations Act for rules about in force dates of regulations.

ad. = added am. = amended	fc. = fee change ra. = reassigned	rep. = repealed rs. = repealed and substituted
2 ........................................................	rs. 348/2008
2(1)...................................................	am. 221/2018 (clause lettering removed)
2(1), defn. of “hydrogen facility”	ad. 328/2022
2(1), defn. of “oil refinery”.........	am. 221/2018
2(2)...................................................	am. 221/2018 (clause lettering removed)
4........................................................	ra. as 4(1) 348/2008
4(1)...................................................	ra. from 4 348/2008; am. 348/2008
4(1)(ba)........................................	ad. 348/2008
4(2)...................................................	ad. 348/2008
6	rep. 348/2008
7(1)...................................................	am. 348/2008
8	rep. 348/2008
9(1)...................................................	rs. 348/2008
9(1A)................................................	ad. 348/2008
9(4)...................................................	ad. 348/2008
10(1).................................................	am. 348/2008
10(1A)-(1B)......................................	ad. 348/2008
10(3)-(4)...........................................	am. 348/2008
11(3).................................................	rs. 348/2008
12......................................................	am. 348/2008
12(b)–(d).....................................	am. 348/2008
12(da)..........................................	ad. 348/2008
12(e)............................................	rs. 348/2008
12(ha)..........................................	ad. 348/2008
13(1).................................................	am. 348/2008
13(2)(a).............................................	am. 348/2008
13(2)(b).............................................	rep. 348/2008; ad. 348/2008
13(2)(c).............................................	ad. 348/2008
13(3)–(4)...........................................	ad. 348/2008
14......................................................	rep. 348/2008
15(1).................................................	am. 348/2008
16(1).................................................	am. 348/2008
18......................................................	am. 348/2008
19(1)(f).............................................	am. 348/2008
19(2).................................................	am. 348/2008
19(3)-(4)...........................................	rep. 348/2008
19(5).................................................	am. 348/2008
19A...................................................	ad. 348/2008
20(1)(a)-(b).......................................	am. 348/2008
21(3).................................................	am. 348/2008
22(2).................................................	am. 348/2008
22(3).................................................	am. 348/2008
23......................................................	rs. 348/2008
23(3)............................................	am. 18/2013
26(1).................................................	am. 348/2008
26(2).................................................	rep. 348/2008
27(1).................................................	am. 348/2008
28......................................................	rep. 348/2008
29(2).................................................	rs. 348/2008
30-31.................................................	rep. 348/2008
Schedule A
entire schedule..................................	rs. 348/2008
Class I, item A, Section 5A..............	ad. 328/2022
Class I, item A, Section 6.................	rs. 71/2000
Class I, item A, Section 8.................	ad. 277/2009; am. 221/2018
Class I, item E, Section 1.................	rs. 120/2017
Class I, item E, Section 3.................	ad. 171/2016
Class I, item D, Section 2.................	ad. 44/2003
Class II, item A, Section 6...............	am. 277/2009
Class II, item C, Section 1................	am. 44/2003; rs. 171/2016
“the Board” replaced with “a review panel” throughout...........................	am. 18/2013

	Note	Effective date
1	References to the Department of Transportation and Communications in Schedule A, Class I, Section B, item 2(2)(a) should be read as references to the Department of Transportation and Public Works in accordance with Order in Council 96-216 under the Public Service Act, R.S.N.S. 1989, c. 376.	Apr 1, 1996
2	References to the Department and Minister of Environment should be read as references to the Department and Minister of Environment and Labour in accordance with Order in Council 2000-484 under the Public Service Act, R.S.N.S. 1989, c. 376.	Sep 28, 2000
3	References to the Department of Transportation and Communications in Schedule A, Class I, Section B, item 2(2)(a) should be read as references to the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal in accordance with Order in Council 2007-533 under the Public Service Act, R.S.N.S. 1989, c. 376. (corrected by N.S. Reg. 348/2008)	Oct 23, 2007
4	References to the Department and Minister of Environment should be read as references to the Department and Minister of Environment in accordance with Order in Council 2008-161 under the Public Service Act, R.S.N.S. 1989, c. 376. (corrected definitions of “Department” and “Minister” removed: N.S. Reg. 348/2008)	Mar 31, 2008
5	Definitions placed in alphabetical order for the purposes of this consolidation.	Dec 10, 2018
6	References to the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal should be read as references to the Department of Transportation and Active Transit in accordance with O.I.C. 2021-56 under the Public Service Act, R.S.N.S. 1989, c. 376.	Feb 23, 2021
7	References to the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal should be read as references to the Department of Public Works in accordance with O.I.C. 2021-209 under the Public Service Act, R.S.N.S. 1989, c. 376.	Aug 31, 2021

N.S. Regulation	Title	In force date	Repealed date
94/1989	Environmental Assessment Regulations made under the Environmental Assessment Act	July 14, 1989	Mar 17, 1995

Note: Only regulations that are specifically repealed and replaced appear in this table. It may not reflect the entire history of regulations on this subject matter.

Environmental Assessment Regulations	N.S. Reg. 26/1995
Environment Act
Note: The information in these tables does not form part of the regulations and is compiled by the Office of the Registrar of Regulations for reference only.