Contaminated sites program

The contaminated sites program covers everything from the release of a contaminant, notifying the Department of Environment and Local Government, conducting site assessments, remedial activities and monitoring and achieving site closure. The program is outlined in the Contaminated Sites Regulation, under the Clean Environment Act, and in six ministerial protocols.

• Contaminated Sites Program (Protocol-100) (PDF 453KB) provides a brief overview of the program and provides basic information on the Department’s requirements.
• Notification of the Release of a Contaminant (Protocol-200) (PDF 390 KB) -  This protocol outlines the requirements to notify the Department of a release of a contaminant.
• Limited Impact Release (Protocol-300) (PDF 395 KB) – This protocol offers guidance on handling releases of petroleum hydrocarbons or other contaminants that may have limited environmental impacts. For additional information, visit the limited impact release section on this page. 
• Environmental Site Assessment (Protocol-400) (PDF 446 KB) – This protocol describes the requirements that must be followed for conducting an environmental site assessment and reporting the results to the department. The responsible party must engage a site professional to plan, implement, and oversee an appropriate assessment.
• Remediation, Risk Assessment, and Monitoring (Protocol-500) (PDF 439 KB) – This protocol describes the next steps following submission of an environmental site assessment, including the requirements for a remedial action plan and/or monitoring reports. 
• File Closure (Protocol-600) (PDF 545 KB) – This protocol outlines the requirements needed to close a contaminated site file and the criteria that could lead to its reopening. 

Anyone who knows or has reason to believe that a contaminant has been released into or is present in the environment must notify the department. The department’s head office in Fredericton is supported by six regional offices. Between 8:15 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., contact the office nearest to the release.

Notification of the Release of a Contaminant (Protocol-200 (PDF 390 KB))

If spilled material is an immediate threat (fire, explosive, etc.) towards public safety, 911 is the first call that should be made.

If the environmental emergency occurs after-hours, contact the National Environmental Emergencies Centre at 1-800-565-1633.

Historical contamination is usually contamination that is hidden underground and discovered during a site assessment or excavation of a property. It can be reported to the department by submitting a Notification of Historical  Contamination Form (PDF 773 KB) along with supporting information (sampling results).

If a contaminant release may cause environmental harm, the site is designated as a contaminated site and screened to determine whether it can be managed as a Limited Impact Release or must proceed as a Contaminated Sites Management file.

A release may qualify as a limited impact release if it is current (not historical), involves petroleum hydrocarbons, affects only soil, has no groundwater or ecological impacts, and can be remediated within 30 days.

Limited Impact Release (Protocol-300 (PDF 395 KB)) – This protocol offers guidance on handling releases of petroleum hydrocarbons or other contaminants that may have limited environmental impacts.

Limited impact release closure submission form (PDF 106 KB)