Monitoring in Esquimalt Harbour
Monitoring Overview
Environmental practices in Esquimalt Harbour have substantially improved over the years. Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Esquimalt has implemented strict environmental practices and procedures for its use of the harbour, and all harbour users are taking active steps to better manage environmental issues and implement mitigation strategies to prevent contamination.
DND remediation projects will considerably reduce exposure of marine life to contaminants and support a healthier, more diverse habitat for marine communities. This will contribute to the long-term environmental health of the harbour.
During remediation and construction activities, DND monitors aquatic habitats, marine animals, sediments, and surface water to minimize any impacts to the environment. After construction and remediation, a monitoring program will be implemented to verify the effectiveness of new habitat in the harbour. A robust harbour management program will include habitat dive surveys and sampling of sediment, stormwater, and surface water quality to ensure the continual improvement of ecological health in the harbour.
During dredging, mitigation measures such as sediment curtains are used to prevent the spread of contaminated sediment. All dredging projects also employ a water quality management plan that includes monitoring and marine water quality sampling to ensure areas outside of the dredge footprint are not being negatively affected.
DND is committed to greening our defence operations and mitigating the environmental effects of our military activities. To ensure that work in the harbour is completed in an environmentally responsible manner and that all possible steps to protect marine life are taken, DND works closely with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) to assess and mitigate environmental impacts in the harbour. DND employs third‑party environmental monitoring specialists through each stage of work to ensure all necessary environmental regulations are met.
Marine mammal exclusion zones and underwater noise limits are set by DFO and monitored by qualified environmental professionals for every blast. Blasting does not take place if marine mammals are present within their respective exclusion zones, and monitoring is conducted by qualified marine mammal observers prior to and during each blast. Hydrophones are deployed at various distances prior to the blast to measure underwater noise and verify that the work is being conducted in compliance with the underwater noise limits. DND also uses bubble curtains, which use bubbles as a barrier to help keep fish out of working areas.
To compensate for disturbances to fish habitat, DND built a series of underwater reefs near the western entrance of the Esquimalt Harbour in 2012. Marine blasting only takes place during the DFO least risk windows for the protection of fish and fish habitat, which are July 1 to October 1 and December 1 to February 15 for Esquimalt Harbour (DFO Area 19). All blasting activities are being conducted in consultation with the DFO, under the DFO Authorizations (e.g., A/B Jetty Recapitalization Project and the Small Boat Floats Project activities are coordinated with the DFO).
Types of Environmental Monitoring in Esquimalt Harbour
Environmental monitoring requirements for marine projects are determined as part of the project-specific Environmental Effects Determinations completed in advance of the projects and modified as needed as the work proceeds. Marine projects often require a DFO Authorization or Letter of Advice, which may also outline specific environmental monitoring requirements. Environmental monitoring currently being conducted for marine projects in Esquimalt Harbour includes (but is not limited to):
- Water quality monitoring
- Fish and marine mammal monitoring
- Underwater and ambient noise monitoring
- Fish/kelp salvages
- Endangered species surveys (e.g., Northern abalone).