Port Operations and Emergency Services Branch Canadian Forces Base PO Box 17000 Stn Forces Victoria BC V9A 7N2

0103F-l 150-l (POESB/RDIMS 752331 ) clb January 2018

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MINUTES - ESQUIMALT HARBOUR ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING HELD AT 1330 HOURS ON THURSDAY, 30 NOVEMBER 2017 AT THE CANADIAN FORCES SAILING ASSOCIATION CLUBHOUSE, ESQUIMALT

Chairperson: Commander Gregory Walker - DND, Queen's Harbour Master

Members Present: Mr. John Sanderson - Board Member, Victoria Esquimalt Harbour Society Ms. Michelle Holmes - Assistant Support Technician, Fort Rodd Hill, Fisgard Lighthouse National Historic Site Mr. Ron Mattson - Councillor, Town of Lieutenant-Commander Christopher Maier - Commodore, Canadian Forces Sailing Association (CFSA) Mr. Doug Kimmett - DND, Deputy Queen's Harbour Master Ms. Kathryn Goodyear - Constable, RCMP, South Island Integrated Marine Unit Island District Mr. Stafford Bingham - Director, Esquimalt Graving Dock/Infrastructure Assets Management Mr. Bill Brown - Director of Development Services, Township of Esquimalt Ms. Rachel Speller - DND, Formation Safety and Environment (FSE), Environment Officer Mr. John Stein - Constable, RCMP, South Island Integrated Marine Unit Island District Sub-Lieutenant Leblanc - DND, Military Police Unit (MPU), Esquimalt Sub-Lieutenant Boland - DND, Military Police Unit (MPU), Esquimalt Ms. Jody Watson - Harbours and Watershed Coordinator, Capital Regional District (CRD) Mr. Lyle Fairley - DND, Marine Environmental Emergency Response Officer Ms. Sheila Dooley - DND, Esquimalt Harbour Official

Recorder: Ms. Brianna Beaudry - DND, Port Operations and Emergency Services Branch Headquarters, Administrative Assistant

Reviewed by: Ms. Sheila Dooley - DND, Esquimalt Harbour Official

1/7 ITEM DISCUSSION ACTION I INTRODUCTION

1. Call to Order. The Queen's Harbour Master, CD R Walker, called the meeting to order at 1335 recognizing the Esquimalt and Songhees Nation for whose land we work, live and play.

2. Opening Remarks. The Deputy Queen's Harbour Master, Mr. Kimmett, welcomed everyone to the meeting and requested that members introduce themselves in round-table fashion. Commander Walker ·stressed the importance of these meetings in keeping an open dialogue and public awareness.

II ADOPTION OF PREVIOUS MINUTES

3. CDR Walker provided an overview of the purpose of the Carried meeting and stated that the meeting is a venue for harbour stakeholders to discuss issues and concerns within Esquimalt Harbour. Commander Walker asked if everyone had a chance to review the previous minutes. There being no errors or omissions, the motion to adopt the minutes held 08 June 2017 was carried by LCdr Maier and seconded by Ms. Watson.

III OLD BUSINESS

4. There was no Old Business referred to at this meeting.

IV NEW BUSINESS

5. Small Boat Floats Project. Mr. Kimmett explained that the Small Boat Floats Project is well underway. Ms. Watson asked about soil remediation and Mr. Kimmett explained that contaminated soil removal is a two-part process where contaminated soil is removed down to clear clay and then the remaining clay is removed. Remediation is nearing completion and the last steps involve rock removal and dredging. Mr. Kimrnett pointed to the importance of limiting the amount of trucking being done through communities during rock removal and that barges will be utilized as much as possible. Mr. Kim.mett went on to explain that the new floats are being constructed by Blue Water Systems in Vancouver and the first delivery is expected by the end of December dependent on weather. Modules will be stored as they are built with the expectation of being assembled in 2018. The new facility will accommodate patrol class and Auxiliary vessels. Mr. Kimmett stated that the current priority is remediation before putting any projects into place.

2/7 ITEM DISCUSSION ACTION

6. A/B Jetties Project Update. CDR Walker stated that B Jetty has been fully demolished and remediation is currently being done in preparation for the construction phase. Mr. Kimrnett reminded attendees that all of the current projects are very large and will be done in stages including remediation of A/B Jetties. Additionally, CDR Walker wanted to make individuals aware that the inset (graphic included) labeled Processing Plant that can be seen in the harbour is currently being used to verify material that is being dredged to ensure there are no unexploded ordnance before it is sent down to the waste management plant in Oregon. Ms. Holmes asked if there was a way to do any story telling in regards to the current remediation projects to provide visitors with an interpretation of what is currently occurring in the harbour. Mr. Kimmett stated that he would be happy to provide information. Ms. Watson added that on the CRD website there are pages of various harbours including Esquimalt Harbour and that it would be a good time to update the website to reflect remediation efforts. Mr. Kimmett stated that on the website www.esguimaltharbour.ca there is information on the current remediation projects and gave Ms. Watson permission to share the images of the barges, as a visual aid, provided during the meeting. Another map was provided by Ms. Speller showing construction within the harbour. Ms. Speller reiterated that B Jetty demolition is completed and dredging is underway. Ms. Speller also stated that the tender for Ashe Head and Plumper Bay are now closed and the contracts will be awarded shortly. It is estimated that Y Jetty and Lang Cove remediation will be completed by 2020.

7. Esguimalt Harbour Remediation Projects. Ms. Watson was asked about the status of the Contaminants and Seaweed study, which she confirmed the thesis has been completed. Ms. Watson stated that they are looking to try and have the data presented in the spring to local First Nations Partners and others through the creation of documents that will explain how contaminated areas may affect food harvesting sites. Meeting attendees were all in favour of having the thesis presented during the next EHAC meeting.

8. The Environmental Sub-Committee. Mr. Fairley put forth the motion to disband the Environmental Sub-Committee as almost all of the members attend both meetings and it is becoming redundant. Mr. Kimmett explained that the committee was originally formed because no groups were meeting in regards to Esquimalt Harbour. In the fullness of time. Mr. Kimmett stated that relationships have now been established and individuals now know

3/7 ITEM DISCUSSION ACTION who to go to for infonnation. CDRWalker asked if anyone was opposed to dissolving the subcommittee. All were in favour of the Ms. Dooley- motion on the condition that an environment standing item be added Add an to the Agenda and in outstanding cases, a group of environmental environmental specialists be fonned for a specialized EHAC meeting. standing item

V BUSINESS FROM THE FLOOR

9. Fisgard Lighthouse National Historic Site. Ms. Michelle Holmes infonned the committee that the Fisgard Lighthouse would be shut down for eight hours on 8 December 2017 to fix a transformer. All necessary arrangements have been made.

10. Esguimalt Graving Dock. Mr. Bingham provided a report at the last committee meeting outlining the major projects going on and as follow up presented the committee with an upgraded graphic with projects that have been completed and some that are upcoming. The new South Jetty is still pending Treasury Board approval to spend the money which should be announced in January. Mr. Bingham stated that the cruise ship Star Princess will be arriving 2 December 2017 for ten days and shortly after it leaves the North Star is going to dock for one month. This is the largest LNG conversion that has been undertaken to date, to a marine vessel, and Seaspan has the contract. Mr. Bingham stated that a large crane known as the Mighty Beast will be in the harbour to lift the tanks and assemblies. Mr. Bingham also stated that they took delivery of a new crane this morning, increasing capacity from 35 to 80 tonnes.

11. Town of View Royal. Councillor, Mr. Mattson, directed two questions to Mr. Kimrnett regarding derelict boats and expected truck traffic through the municipality during the remainder of the remediation projects and construction. Mr. Kimmett stated that until a contract is bid it cannot be said how traffic will be managed; however, in the contract language it states that traffic should be minimized when possible. Mr. Kimmett indicated that most construction components will be barged, as normally this is the most economical means when dealing with large volumes of material. Mr. Mattson asked that if Mr. Kimrnett became aware of any possible changes to traffic to please give the town a call. Mr. Kimmett stated that the Base Public Affairs PAO, James Vassallo, is in charge of communicating infonnation out to the municipalities if there are changes or issues around projects. In regards to derelict vessels, Mr. Kirnmett stated that this is currently a large topic and was discussed during a Transport Canada Training Seminar the

4/7 ITEM DISCUSSION ACTION week prior. Mr. Kimmett stated that there is a lot of focus on the local issues; however, a lot of Transport Canada Acts and Regulations are geared towards ships and shipping vessels which are normally compliant. Mr. Kimmett stated that the Government is currently providing municipalities funding under the Oceans Protection Act and that there is also the Abandoned Boats Program. Mr. K.immett stated that Esquimalt Harbour is very proactive in approaching boats and asking their intent and as such do not have many issues with derelict boats.

12. Canadian Forces Sailing Association. Lieutenant- Commander Maier shared that the CFSA is tentatively scheduled to be the coaching club for the Canadian sailing team for the 2018 Invictus Garnes in Sydney, Australia. Lieutenant-Commander Maier stated that CFSA is also co-hosting the Melges 24 World Championships this summer. The World Championships will be held after CFSA hosts the Canadian National Championships. The Sailing Club will be the logistics base and from the 31 May to 8 June 2018 there will be a lot of sports boats in the area. Lieutenant- Commander Maier stated that the Mayor of Esquimalt has been made aware as well as N31 and as requested by Mr. Kimmett he will be in touch with QHM Operations.

13. Military Police Unit (E). SLt LeBlanc, asked attendees if there were any issues that needed to be brought to their attention. Mr. K.immett stated the only security issue at the moment was in regards to approaching vessels from their harbour authority role and whether or not the RCMP believed this to be a good idea. Mr. Kimmett stated they may contact the Military Police for direction.

Sub-Lieutenant LeBlanc asked to clarify the graphic for DND and PSPC concerning the custody transfer of administration of Munroe Head- Naden, Esquimalt, BC, as he noticed that his office in Naden, and nearby parking lot are not DND property. As of 1 April 2018, · buildings N4, Nl 1, and N12 are all on PSPC property and DND has five years (April 2022) to vacate.

14. Formation Safety and Environment. Ms. Speller confirmed that FSE was still responsible for areas that CFSA occupied. Sub- Lieutenant LeBlanc also agreed to confirm if the Military Police will continue to patrol CFSA even though it is located outside of DND property on PSPC land. Sub-Lieutenant 15. Marine Environmental Protection. Mr. Fairley stated that LeBlanc- they are in the process of procuring 300 feet of ocean boom in confirm if the

5/7 ITEM DISCUSSION ACTION response to the Anchorages being identified as a spill Military Police risk. The procurement will hopefully happen in the next fiscal year will continue to to allow the Harbour Authority the capability for initial response. patrol CFSA

16. Capital Regional District. Ms. Watson stated that Transport Canada has come forward with funding to help local jurisdictions to deal with abandoned boats. The CRD board determined that there should be regional coordination around this because it is very time consuming to inventory and then apply for assessment and removal funding. Ms. Watson stated that the CRD is also working closely with the Non-Profit Dead Boats Society who have been doing inventories mostly on the Golf Islands where there have been 25 vessels identified for assessment and removal although many more exist. Ms. Watson stated that inventory has also been completed for the Sooke Basin and Tsehum Harbour. Between the Dead Boats Society, Oak Bay Staff, Royal Victoria Yacht Club, and the Cadboro Bay Residential Association, close to 50 abandoned vessels have already applied for assessment funding with the next step being funding proposal for the removal. Ms. Watson stated that the CRD has also been talking to Transport Canada and First Nations Partners to see if it is possible to work with the First Nations to help remove derelict boats on the reserve lands. Ms. Watson then spoke of the CRD currently being tasked with working with all of the municipalities on long term anchorage as many of the abandoned boats are in these areas. Mr. Mattson asked Ms. Watson if there was no way to hold the previous boat owners accountable for their abandoned boats. Ms. Watson stated that attempting to identify the previous owners is a part of the process with Transport Canada by checking a database but is often not possible. If no owner is found, Transport Canada provides authorization for the CRD to take possession of the boat.

17. Royal Roads Anchorages. Mr. Kimmett stated that the historical anchorages for freighter traffic were transferred to DND from Transport Canada many years ago and is aware that some individuals are concerned about the light pollution thee freighters produce. Mr. Kimmett stated that when possible, freighters are asked to dim their lights or have horizontal facing lights turned vertical; however, ships need to follow international conventions and ship owners dictate security postures so sometimes all lights have to be on. Mr. Kimmett also acknowledged that there has been lots of discussion around harbour practices, procedures and standards for vessels, barges and equipment that come in and out of the harbour as there is a bit of a grey area under the Transport Canada regulations for vessels not necessarily in the regime. Mr.

6/7 ITEM DISCUSSION ACTION Kimmett is beginning to look internally at language being used to require futures stakeholders to meet the Transport Canada Standards.

18. Esquimalt Harbour. Commander Walker stated that within the harbour the current barges being used are inert and not filled with fuel. In the area North of Waterlot A, one of the breakwater modules was temporarily stored. Commander Walker also extended congratulations to Mr. Kimmett who will be retiring on 29 December 2017; thanking him for his large part in making this committee an opportunity for open and fair discussion.

VI NEXT MEETING

19. The next meeting is tentatively scheduled for the Spring 2018. Exact date will be promulgated when determined.

VII ADJOURNMENT 20. 0ng was adjourned at 1451.

..r- Commander Gregory Walker Queen's Harbour Master

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