VANCOUVER, B.C. –
John Cummins, Member of Parliament for Delta-Richmond East,
announced today, on behalf of the Honourable Loyola Hearn,
Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, the commitment of $ 1.4
million for harbour improvements at five fishing harbours in
British Columbia.
“Safe and efficient harbours are
vital to the economic well-being of British Columbia’s fishing
communities,” said Mr. Cummins. “Local fishermen and all those
who rely on the fishery will benefit from this investment in
their harbour infrastructure.”
Lower Fraser Area:
At the Steveston Gulf of Georgia
harbour, construction projects will include repairing the
foundation of an important storage building by installing
reinforced concrete footings and stabilizing the adjacent areas
with fill. Work on the roof will also be undertaken, including
repairs to truss members and roof sheeting. Replacement of
damaged windows and siding will also be completed.
At the Steveston Paramount
site three projects are planned. Dredging will be undertaken to
ensure the harbour and channel maintain adequate depths for the
safe passage of harbour users. Also, to prevent pollutant runoff
entering the harbour, the fourth phase of a boatyard containment
project will reconstruct a portion of the upland service area.
Lastly, the final portion of a multi-year project to reconstruct
a travel lift wharf will be carried out.
Gibsons:
This project will analyse the current wind and wave climate in
the area of Gibson’s Landing and provide recommendations for the
location of a floating breakwater. Included in the study will
be an assessment of other breakwater structures in the harbour,
in order to determine their eventual configuration in the future
layout of the harbour.
South Coast Area:
Degnen Bay:
This project will address safety and fire risks
at the harbour by repairing the electrical system and upgrading
the cabinets and wiring.
Egmont:
This project will repair handrails, tie-rails and
deck planks, piles, float flanges and also address the float
mooring system. Mooring components with an extended design will
be installed
so that future maintenance
costs will be reduced.
The projects are being carried out
under Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s Small Craft Harbours Program
in collaboration with harbour authorities that manage and
operate facilities for the benefit of local users. This
cooperation enables the federal government to continue to
provide an operable system of harbours and facilities throughout
Canada in support of commercial fishers and coastal communities.
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For further information:
Carrie Mishima
Communications Advisor
Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Pacific Region
(604) 666-0392
