The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency (the Agency) invites the public to comment on the summary report on additional mitigation measures for the proposed Chemainus Well Water Supply Project, located on the Chemainus River in the District of North Cowichan, BC.
In response to public concerns raised in 2005 on the comprehensive study report (CSR), additional studies and further actions were undertaken as follows:
- Additional pump testing in September 2005 indicated measurable connectivity between the Chemainus River and the aquifer at the well field site.
- Solander Report (March 8, 2007) found that fish and fish habitat are naturally at risk during low flow periods in the Chemainus River and could be affected by continuous operation of the project.
- To mitigate potential impacts of the project during low flow periods, on May 24, 2007, the District of North Cowichan committed to operate the wells only during the period between October 15 and June 15.
In light of the studies' findings and the additional proposed mitigation, the public is invited to comment on the conclusions and recommendations of the summary report and any other aspect of the environmental assessment, including the CSR prepared for the proposed project.
Public comments received by March 28, 2008 will be considered. All documents received will be considered public and will become part of the public registry.
The CSR and related documents are available on the Agency's Web site.
Additional information on the project can be obtained from the BC Environmental Assessment Office web site.
Interested persons or groups are invited to send their comments in the official language of their choice to:
Linda Sullivan, Senior Program Officer
Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
757 West Hastings Street, Suite 320
Vancouver, BC V6C 1A1
Tel.: 604-666-8784
Fax: 604-666-6990
Linda.Sullivan@ceaa-acee.gc.ca
The District of North Cowichan is proposing to replace the existing surface water supply from Banon Creek with three groundwater wells supplying 131L/s at a well-field located northeast of the Chemainus River highway bridge, and to install 4,000 metres of water main and a new 4.54 million litre concrete reservoir.
The proposed project is also under review by the province of British Columbia. The province and the federal government are coordinating their respective environmental assessment processes.
Western Economic Diversification Canada, the responsible authority for this project, submitted the CSR to the federal Minister of the Environment and to the Agency in December 2004. Public comments received during the public consultation from January 2005 to February 2005 required further studies.
After reviewing the report of the additional studies, the CSR and any public comments received, the Minister of the Environment will determine whether to refer the project back to the responsible authority for appropriate action, or whether to refer it for further environmental assessment by a review panel or a mediator.
