Small Project Environmental Screening Report (DND/DFO)

Esquimalt Harbour – Small Project Environmental Screening Report

Canadian Environmental Assessment Registry (CEAR) #: (provided through DND after posting on the public registry)

SECTION 1.

SITE ADDRESS / LOCATION:

1. Site Address / Location: 333A Stewart Ave, View Royal BC South east corner of Helmcken Bay (part of Esquimalt Harbour) Lot 16 B Section 8 Esquimalt District Plan VIP81834

SECTION 2.

PROJECT TITLE:

Private Moorage

SECTION 3.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

a. Name: Agent: Stephen Gormican (Gormican Environmental Services) b. Address: 10686 Derrick Road c. Telephone No.: 250 727-5464 d. Fax no.: e. Email (Internet): ges@telus.net

f. Name: Client: Gary Mathies g. Address: 333A Stewart Ave, View Royal h. Telephone No.: 604 329-0704 C 778 440-3204 H i. Fax no.: j. Email (Internet):

SECTION 4.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION: DOCK AND RAMP FOR OWNER’S USE.

The dock and ramp system will be used for storing and accessing a small boat and kayaks. The small dock will be constructed of materials outlined in the DFO BMP for small dock construction (i.e. concrete, steel, aluminum, BMP-treated or recycled wood). The walkway leading to the hinge point of the ramp will be made of aluminum rails and aluminum non-skid grating, which will allow light to pass through so as not to shadow the tidal area. The walkway will run in a direction of approximately north south in order to minimize shadowing.

The ramp (approximately 40'x3') will be made out of the same materials and will be hinged to the walkway with stainless steel bolts to allow free movement of the dock.

The dock 12' wide by 30' long will be constructed with 4x6" yellow cedar stringers and cross members, 2x8" red cedar decking and 2x12" red cedar facia. All hardware is hot dipped galvanized and Envirofloat encapsulated flotation. The dock will be placed so the depth of water under the float will always be greater than 6' (2 m). All the guidelines and Best Management Practices of Fisheries and Oceans will be followed.

SECTION 5.

PROJECT SCHEDULE:

The schedule is to be determined upon project approval. The timing will depend upon biological considerations and will adhere to Fisheries and Oceans Canada timing windows for activities in the marine/foreshore environment.

Pending approvals, construction will take place in the Winter December 01, 2014 – February 15, 2015 fisheries timing window for Area 19.

SECTION 6.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT LOCATION:

Gary Mathies 333A Stewart Ave South west corner

Vegetation:

Description: (blank)

The intertidal area under the dock approach and float has very little vegetation due to the exposure of the area and the substrate. The bedrock immediately under the approach has some patchy areas of brown algae (Fucus Sp.). No emergent vegetation was observed under the area where the float will be placed. Eelgrass was not found in the area. Sea lettuce (Ulva sp.) was observed (patch about 1 square meter) but appeared to have floated onto the beach from elsewhere. The Natural Areas Atlas shows the area to have moderate sealettuce abundance but little was observed in adjacent areas. For further information at the site refer to the supplemental environmental letter completed by Gormican Environmental Services Ltd. regarding vegetation in the project area.

Surface Water:

Description: (please provide a brief description of each item checked) The site is located in Esquimalt Harbour, on the northeast side at the entrance to Limekiln Cove. The subject area is tidal and there are no streams entering the Harbour within 1 km in any direction.

Surface Terrain:

Description: (please provide a brief description of each item checked) The project area consists of mainly bedrock with a small pocket beach. To the South there is a vertical rock bluff. To the North there is a 40' rock point jutting out from shore. The pocket beach proximal to where the dock is proposed to be placed, consists of shell and gravel.

Storm Outfalls:

Description: (blank)

Wildlife:

Description: (please provide a brief description of each item checked) Some areas of rock in the intertidal area had barnacles on them but no other marine fauna was observed during the site visit to complete this EA. For further information on the site refer to the supplemental environmental letter completed by Gormican Environmental Services (GES) regarding wildlife in the project area. A second site survey was conducted on February 22, 2010 by GES at a tide height of 0.8 m above datum. No live clams were observed and the pocket beach consisted of 5-15 cm of sand/shell substrate over a bed rock base. The vertical rocks surrounding the beach had sea stars, barnacles and limpets in a few crevices. A followup survey was also conducted on August 19, 2014.

Upland / Foreshore / Waterlot Use at Project Location:

Description: (please provide a brief description of each item checked) The up land property has a residential home. The foreshore is currently undeveloped and the proposed dock will allow pleasure boating and kayaking by the family. The water lot will be used for private moorage.

Adjacent Upland / Foreshore / Waterlot Use:

Description: (please provide a brief description of each item checked) There is a residential property on each side of the proposed site. The property to the north has a boathouse and a dock application in process. The property to the south has a dock in place.

Historical Upland / Foreshore / Waterlot Use:

Description: (please provide a brief description of each item checked) The upland property has been residential for many years. Esquimalt Harbour has been used for over 100 years as the western base for the Canadian Navy. This proposed project site as stated previously, consists of bedrock and a shell and gravel pocket beach. No visual evidence of any first nations cultural artifacts or middens, was observed during the site visit for this EA.

PROPOSED ACTIVITIES:

(Please check all applicable activities)

Construction Activities: