Environmental Impact Assessment

Management Planning

Carleton Martello Tower National Historic Site of Canada Management Plan

This management plan for Carleton Martello Tower National Historic Site of Canada has been assessed to identify any adverse environmental effects of proposed strategies and actions and to consider environmental effects on the site that should be taken into account in setting management direction. The environmental assessment was conducted in accordance with the following guidance documents: Parks Canada Guide to the Environmental Assessment of Management Plans (2000); Strategic Environmental Assessment: The 1999 Cabinet Directive on the Environmental Assessment of Policy, Plan, and Program Proposals. Guidelines for Implementing the Cabinet Directive; Guiding Principles and Operational Policies (1994); Procedures of the Department of Canadian Heritage for Complying with the CEAA (1996); and Parks Canada Management Directive 2.4.2 (1998b). In addition, the environmental assessment ensured the plan’s adherence to Parks Canada’s environmental policies and those of the Government of Canada in general.

Opportunities were provided for public input into the planning process before the plan was drafted, thereby allowing the public to influence final plan content, as required. The environmental assessment was conducted at the near-final-draft stage of the management plan so that any necessary changes to the plan as a result of the assessment have been incorporated into the final version.

The environmental assessment focused on how this draft management plan could likely affect the site’s cultural resources. There were no identifiable sources of environmental stress emanating from the proposed activities/concepts in the plan. However, there are effects of the environment on the site and site values. Regional haze is possibly affecting viewing distance from the site across the Bay of Fundy. The environmental assessment recommended that monitoring of air pollution on vistas be conducted and evaluated. The northern perimeter of the site property is a naturalized area with potential habitat for native species at risk. The environmental assessment recommended that a species at risk inventory of the site be conducted. The above recommendations have been incorporated into the management actions described in Section 5 of this management plan.

There are no physical works planned at the site, nor are there any activities or concepts existing or proposed that will negatively impact on the natural, cultural or socio-economic environments. The predicted “changes” to these environments are minimal and, if anything, positive. The activities/concepts put forward in the plan contribute to the commemorative integrity of the site. Altogether, the strategies and actions put forth in this management plan should bring this historic site closer to its overall purpose.