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Britannia Beach Shoreline Area Public Consultation

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Britannia Beach Shoreline Area Public Consultation December 2008 BRITANNIA BEACH SHORELINE AREA PUBLIC CONSULTATION Britannia Remediation Project Submitted to: Ministry of Agriculture and Lands P.O. Box 9361 Stn Prov Govt Victoria, BC V8W 9M2 REPORT Report Number: 04-1421-080 Distribution: Ministry of Agriculture and Lands Ministry of Environment Environment Canada Fisheries and Oceans Canada Golder Associates Ltd. BRITANNIA BEACH SHORELINE AREA PUBLIC CONSULTATION EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The Britannia Remediation Project is an ambitious undertaking that is the result of considerable planning and budgeting dating back to 1997. The project involves the remediation of the former Britannia Mine which operated primarily as a copper and zinc mine from 1904 to 1974. During its operational life, the mine generated over 40 million tonnes of tailings, largely deposited onto the marine, subtidal slope of Howe Sound in the area of Britannia Beach. The Province of British Columbia assumed responsibility for remediation of the Britannia Mine in April 2001; the Ministry of Agriculture and Lands (MAL) is responsible for the delivery of the Britannia Remediation Project. The Britannia Remediation Project has had the benefit of considerable consultation that has involved: Ongoing input from and consultation with an external Technical Advisory Committee (TAC); Provincial and federal regulatory agencies including the Ministry of Environment (MOE), Environment Canada (EC) and Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO); Public meetings and updates on the Britannia Remediation Project; A project website (www.britanniamine.ca) where extensive and detailed technical documents can be accessed; Quarterly update reports to the Squamish Nation; Site meetings with MAL, their technical project managers, Golder Associates Ltd. (Golder) and the Squamish Nation; and, Site meetings and ongoing communication with the local developer. In support of remedial planning along the Britannia Beach shoreline, MAL initiated consultation with the local community. The objectives of this consultation were to provide an opportunity for the community to review environmental information, provide the project team with an understanding of the community’s values and aspirations for the shoreline area and their views on levels of remediation expected. This information is of broad importance to the overall remediation project and of specific importance to helping the project team set Resource Conservation Objectives. The consultation effort included the preparation of background information on the remediation project and findings from the environmental monitoring program. This information was circulated to the community in printed form in advance of a public meeting where a narrated slide show was presented along with interactive aquarium and scientific instrument displays. Posters were also positioned in various locations in the room and technical specialists from the project team were on hand to answer questions and provide additional information to participants. Participants were then asked to complete an online or “hard copy” survey. The survey asked participants to identify their level of awareness of the remediation project and their connection to the area (e.g., whether they were a resident), how they currently use the shoreline area, and their desired use and future vision for the shoreline area. They were also asked about their views on the level of ecological restoration that they expected for the shoreline area. The report provides an analysis of the data obtained from the survey and from direct feedback during the public meeting. An interpretive summary of narrative feedback received is provided, and comments received, in their original form have also been included. December 2008 Report No. 04-1421-080 BRITANNIA BEACH SHORELINE AREA PUBLIC CONSULTATION Most of the respondents were residents of the community of Britannia Beach and indicated that they felt they had a good level of awareness of the Britannia Remediation Project. The survey results represent the views of people who live in, or are otherwise closely associated with the community of Britannia Beach. Survey responses indicate there was a clear desire for the community to have safe access to the waterfront area. The predominant views on ecological restoration reflected a desire to see environmental improvements but those views were balanced by costs and an understanding that the shoreline has been impacted from mining activities. Respondents also indicated a desire to see retention of the community’s heritage as well as some commercial (but not residential) development. December 2008 Report No. 04-1421-080 BRITANNIA BEACH SHORELINE AREA PUBLIC CONSULTATION Table of Contents 1.0 INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND ...........................................................................................................................1 1.1 Consultation Objectives .......................................................................................................................................2 2.0 BRITANNIA SHORELINE REMEDIATION – COMMUNITY CONSULTATION................................................................3 2.1 Consultation Approach.........................................................................................................................................3 2.2 Scope of Community Consulted...........................................................................................................................3 2.3 Consultation Tools ...............................................................................................................................................4 2.3.1 Community Open House ................................................................................................................................4 2.3.2 Survey ............................................................................................................................................................5 3.0 RESULTS OF THE SURVEY............................................................................................................................................6 3.1 Respondent Background......................................................................................................................................6 3.2 Views on Current Shoreline Use ..........................................................................................................................7 3.3 Desired Use and Vision for the Shoreline Area....................................................................................................9 3.4 Additional Comments.........................................................................................................................................15 4.0 SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS..................................................................................................................................17 FIGURES Figure 1: Location of the Britannia Mine APPENDICES APPENDIX A Project Summary and Background Information APPENDIX B Community Flyer APPENDIX C Open-house Poster Displays APPENDIX D Public Consultation Survey APPENDIX E Hand-drawn Sketch of One Respondent’s Vision of the Britannia Shoreline December 2008 Report No. 04-1421-080 i BRITANNIA BEACH SHORELINE AREA PUBLIC CONSULTATION 1.0 INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND The former Britannia Mine (45 km north of Vancouver, adjacent to Howe Sound; Figure 1) operated primarily as a copper and zinc mine from 1904 to 1974. During its operational life, the mine generated over 40 million tonnes of tailings, largely deposited onto the marine, subtidal slope of Howe Sound in the area of Britannia Beach. Mining operations also led to the generation of acid rock drainage (ARD) that was historically released from two point discharges (2200 Level and 4100 Level portals) which, along with other non-point sources, drained into Britannia Creek. Soil contamination, in combination with non point source ARD, has also resulted in elevated concentrations of metals in groundwater, which in the alluvial fan area of Britannia Creek (Fan Area) subsequently discharge to Howe Sound’s intertidal zone. The Province of British Columbia assumed responsibility for remediation of the Britannia Mine in April 2001; the Ministry of Agriculture and Lands (MAL) is responsible for delivery of the Britannia Remediation Project. The Britannia Remediation Project is an ambitious undertaking that is the result of Figure 1: Location of the Britannia Mine considerable planning and budgeting dating back to 1997. Significant stakeholder consultation took place in the development of the remediation plan. Additional technical oversight was provided by an external Technical Advisory Committee (TAC). Throughout the program implementation, the Ministry of Environment (MOE) has provided regulatory oversight and has been joined in these efforts by Environment Canada (EC) and Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) for matters concerned with the mandate of those agencies. In 2003, an Overall Remediation Plan (ORP) was developed to address site remedial planning, construction of a water treatment plant, treated effluent outfall construction and the disposal of contaminated soils and water treatment plant sludge. The ORP was developed in consultation with the external Technical Advisory Committee, provincial and federal regulators, stakeholders, various technical consultants and technical specialists in the Ministry of Agriculture and Land. Communication and consultation approaches have included technical workshops with
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