Environmental Services

DCC’s Environmental Services team is using geographic information systems (GIS) technology to map hazards on unexploded explosive ordnance (UXO) legacy sites and ensure public safety for years to come.

For DND, the task of developing risk mitigation strategies for its 2,500 UXO legacy sites is substantial. Not only must the department keep accurate records of munitions types, locations and densities, but it must also share data with local governments to confirm buried munitions do not threaten future land use.

DCC has developed a new method to help DND manage this critical public safety obligation. Members of the Corporation’s Environmental Services team will use GIS technology to model UXO legacy sites, evaluate risks to the public and develop mitigation strategies that will ensure safety for years to come.

Mapping UXO legacy sites
GIS technology enables users to capture, store, analyze and display geographically referenced information. It is commonly used in applications such as cartography, archaeology and urban planning, and enables users to digitally model discrete realworld objects (such as roads and buildings) and continuous conditions (such as topography or climate).

Using GIS technology, DCC is able to develop three-dimensional maps of legacy sites and pinpoint the locations of UXOs. By combining its knowledge of the concentrations of UXOs on legacy sites and the public’s use of these sites, DCC is able to help DND prioritize clearance exercises and develop risk mitigation strategies for legacy sites.

Other GIS applications
GIS technology can be used for more than mapping UXO legacy sites. DCC can manipulate GIS data to develop comprehensive schedule and costing analyses for UXO remediation exercises. The Corporation also plans to share its GIS data with municipal governments to ensure that UXO risks are properly managed on privately held legacy sites.

Environmental Services helps DND meet environmental performance targets, comply with regulatory requirements, and manage due diligence and risk.

The Environmental Services team protects the Canadian public through its work on DND’s unexploded explosive ordnance (UXO) and legacy sites programs.