World Protected Areas

Overview

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Building on the established corridor from Project 1, this analysis evaluates how world protected areas intersect with the proposed subsea cable route between St. George’s, Bermuda and Baccaro Point, Nova Scotia.

The focus is on the proximity of designated conservation zones to the cable landing zone in Nova Scotia and the potential implications for permitting, routing refinement, and environmental compliance.

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Protected Area Context

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Port La Tour Bogs Wilderness Area is a provincially protected site in Nova Scotia known for its intact coastal bog ecosystem, unique peatland habitats, and support for rare plant and wildlife species. The wilderness area helps preserve sensitive wetland environments and contributes to regional biodiversity conservation (World Database on Protected Areas, 2024).

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Results

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Protected Area Distribution Patterns

• Nova Scotia Landing Zone (KP1236):
  The Port La Tour Bogs Wilderness Area lies approximately 60 meters east of KP1235 at its closest location to the route, placing it in close proximity to the corridor’s planned Nova Scotia landing. This represents a nearshore environmental constraint zone, particularly given the sensitivity of the habitat.

• Bermuda and Mid-Corridor:
  No world protected areas were identified in proximity to the Bermuda landing zone or along mid-corridor segments, indicating minimal regulatory or ecological constraints offshore.

Sensitivity & Risk Characterization

• Nova Scotia:
  High sensitivity zone due to the immediate adjacency of a designated wilderness area. Although the route does not cross the protected boundary, the narrow buffer zone (~60 m) raises considerations for construction methods, access planning, and permitting.

• Bermuda:
  Low sensitivity. No WDPA-designated protected areas identified near the Bermuda BMH.

• Mid-Corridor:
  Low sensitivity. No WDPA features occur within the corridor or buffer.

Hotspot Intensity

• A single high-intensity hotspot is located at the Nova Scotia BMH, where the corridor lies within 100 meters of the Port La Tour Bogs Wilderness Area.

• Offshore and Bermuda segments show no proximity to WDPA sites, confirming that regulatory considerations are localized to the Nova Scotia landing.

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Recommendations

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• Nova Scotia Approach:

  • Coordinate early with environmental regulators regarding proximity to the wilderness boundary.

  • Evaluate micro-routing or trenchless installation methods (e.g., HDD) to reduce ecological disturbance.

  • Prepare thorough environmental impact documentation to support permitting.

• Bermuda and Offshore Corridor:

  • Maintain current alignment — no additional constraints from protected areas identified.

• Regulatory & Permitting:

  • Engage with provincial and federal conservation agencies to ensure compliance with buffer regulations and secure early approvals.

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Conclusion

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This protected area analysis highlights a critical regulatory sensitivity zone at the Nova Scotia landing site, where the cable alignment is within 60 m of the Port La Tour Bogs Wilderness Area. Proactive permitting strategies, habitat protection measures, and careful engineering can reduce ecological risk and regulatory delays.
The offshore and Bermuda segments remain low-risk, supporting overall project feasibility and focused mitigation where it matters most.

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