A berm to help control flooding in the area of the Health Sciences has been released from the Environmental Assessment Process, on a number of conditions.

The Department of Environment says the south berm has to be constructed the same time as the north berm to protect nearby properties from changes to the floodplain.

The department also says that in order for the berm to carry out its designed function of protecting provincial health care infrastructure in the vicinity of the Health Sciences Centre, the hydrologic function of the surrounding wetlands must be preserved.

Eastern Health is being instructed not to implement land development that further encroaches on those wetlands.

The berm project is unrelated to efforts to replace the old Waterford Hospital. The provincial government’s plans are to construct the new facility on a known flood plain.