Environmental Review Report – Retaining Wall Modification at 4 Governors Point Rd

RE: Environmental Review Report – Retaining Wall Modification at 4 Governors Point Rd, Victoria, BC

On 11 April 2017 Swell Environmental Consulting Ltd. (Swell) visited the site at 4 Governors Point Road, Victoria, BC to review the possible environmental impacts of a partially completed retaining wall modification within the Town of View Royal’s Natural Watercourse and Shoreline Areas Development Permit Area (Figure 1). The Natural Watercourse and Shoreline Areas Development Permit Area includes the 15 m backshore from the natural boundary, within which the wall is situated.

According to the owner, the pre-existing site slope consisted of large boulder slope protection with only minimal ornamental plants on the north side of the wall, and ivy and blackberries on the south (water side) of the wall. The owner was in the process of increasing the height of a row of rocks with a cemented rock wall and with the intention of filling in a small area behind the wall with rock and brick landscaping.

The wall is situated near the top of a steep, heavily modified slope above a cement stairway and shoreline access path. The work site is separated from the marine shoreline area by the pathway and significant growth of invasive vegetation. The south (downslope) side of the wall repair consists of thick English ivy (Hedra helix, a non-native, invasive species) that has been folded back from the wall to create a standing work surface and is not impacting the sparse patches of common snowberry, the only native vegetation observed on the slope. The site conditions observed are consistent with the owner’s description and no native vegetation appears to have been removed or impacted (Photos 1 & 2).

Based on the observed site conditions there is no evidence of environmental impact from the current wall modifications.

For completion of the work, the following General Best Management Practices (BMPs) for construction based on the proposed work are recommended to protect the marine ecosystem from construction activities:

• Schedule construction activities during dry weather;
• Ensure concrete wastes are contained: wet concrete is not deposited into surrounding aquatic ecosystems, remove excess concrete, and do not allow water from equipment and tool cleaning to enter the aquatic environment; and
• Remove all wastes associated with construction.

The cutting of the rooted English ivy at the base of the wall (the current standing area) may delay the regrowth of the ivy on the new wall; however this invasive species is the dominant plant species in the cove and would be expected to re-grow quickly. If small planting areas are desired above or below the wall, Table 1 contains some suggestions of native plants that could grow in these conditions. This list is not exhaustive; consultation with a native plant nursery such as Saanich Native Plants (www.saanichnativeplants.com) would provide additional options and a source for plants.

Table 1. Partial list of suitable low-growing native species:

Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions you may have.

Sincerely,

Report prepared by:

Sara Stallard BSc, ASCT (#22338), Dipl.Env.Tech.

Report review by:

Lehna Malmkvist, MSc, RPBio (#1613)