Council Meeting/Documents/Esquimalt Harbour Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes (November 22, 2018)

Minutes

Esquimalt Harbour Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes (November 22, 2018)

July 16, 2019Pages 151–1574 sections

Minutes from an external committee meeting discussing marine response coordination, harbour remediation, and project updates.

November 22, 2018Discussion of pleasure crafts anchoring without authorizationUpdate on the Small Boat Floats Project (closeout Spring 2022)

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

0103F-1150-1 (POESB/RDIMS 897703-2)

09 July 2019

Distribution List

Page 151–157

ESQUIMALT HARBOUR ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING HELD AT 1300 ON 22 NOVEMBER 2018 AT THE CANADIAN FORCES SAILING ASSOCIATION CLUBHOUSE, ESQUIMALT

Chairperson: Mr. S. Singh - Deputy Queen's Harbour Master, DND

Members Present:

LCdr C. Maier - Commodore, Canadian Forces Sailing Association (CFSA)
Capt M. Demeulenaere - Real Property Operations Unit (Pacific), DND
Ms. C. Foreman - Formation Safety and Environment, DND
Ms. L. Crinkley - Branch Environment Officer, DND
Mr. S. Bingham - Director Esquimalt Graving Dock/Infrastructure Assets Management
Ms. H. Walker - Deputy Project Manager, Defence Construction Canada
Mr. N. Banks - Victoria Esquimalt Harbour Society
Mr. B. Brown - Director of Development Services, Township of Esquimalt
Ms. A. Zemanek - Defence Construction Canada
Ms. K. Goodyear - Constable, South Island Integrated Marine Unit Island District, RCMP
Mr. D. Roy - Constable, South Island Integrated Marine Unit Island District, RCMP
Mr. L. Fairley - Marine Environmental Emergency Response Officer, DND
Ms. M. McCooey - Victoria Harbour Master, Transport Canada
Ms. Z. Polden - Senior Port Operations Officer, Transport Canada
Mr. M. Bodman - Formation Safety and Environment, DND
Mr. M. Lowry - Western Canada Marine Response Corporation (WCMRC)
Ms. S. Hughes - Canadian Coast Guard Environmental Response
WO J. Eves - Military Police Unit Esquimalt, DND
Ms. S. Dooley - Esquimalt Harbour Official, DND

Recorder: Mrs. H. Bauer - Port Operations and Emergency Services Branch, Administrative Assistant, DND

Page 151–157

ITEM	DISCUSSION	ACTION
I	INTRODUCTION 1. Call to Order. The Deputy Queen's Harbour Master, Mr. Singh called the meeting to order at 1305 recognizing the Esquimalt and Songhees Nation for whose land we work, live and play. 2. Opening Remarks. The Deputy Queens Harbour Master, introduced himself and explained the future timings of the bi-annual meetings for 2019. He welcomed everyone to the meeting and had members introduce themselves in round-table format.
II	ADOPTION OF PREVIOUS MINUTES 3. Mr. Singh asked if everyone had a chance to review the previous minutes. No concerns were raised.
III	PRESENTATIONS Mr. Fairley introduced the speakers. 4. Western Canada Marine Response Corporation. Mr. Lowry spoke on the WCMRC Regional Response Plan and what they do including an overview and breakdown of the history, geographic response areas, response times, and lessons learned. He went on to explain the response assets, funding, fees, and equipment. Additionally, he explained the Coastal Response Program including the Graphic Response Strategies (GRS), Whaler Bay Coastal Response Package (CRP), Trans Mountain expansion response area, spill response timing enhancements, and potential growth. Mr. Fairley explained that WCMRC has done GRS's for the Esquimalt Harbour as well. A question was asked as to whether there were plans for the Victoria Harbour. Mr. Lowry replied that there are 2 GRS's available.	Mr. Lowry to arrange a meeting with the Victoria Harbour Authority
	5. Canadian Coast Guard. Ms. Hughes referenced Canada Shipping Act. She spoke on the WCMRC response capacity for spills. She added to the Regional Response Plan presentation speaking on the relationships with the WCMRC and GRS's, Ocean Protection Plan projects, Ministry of Environment, other government initiatives, and First Nations. She went on to discuss the initial assessment, coordination process, notification and activation of the response plan to ensure suitable response. She also explained the initiatives, implementation and background of the Incident Command System (ICS), systemic approach timeline, Joint Information Center (JIC), South Coast Planning future plans, and Emergency Management BC (EMBC). A question was brought forward from Mr. Roy regarding the process for reporting spills. Ms. Hughes explained how the communication process works and how it's progressed through the appropriate entities. Mr. Singh asked if the response information flow is based on the primary and secondary organizations involvement in the spill response. Ms. Hughes replied yes, it has to do with jurisdiction based on mandated response for the agencies. The Integrated Response Plan has a second layer of notification being set up that will not distinguish between primary and secondary stakeholders. The notification for any significant event would be managed by the EMBC Coast Guard that hosts the call but EMBC sets up the initial one, any updates after that the Coast Guard Alerting Desk will set the system of reporting. The Greater Vancouver plan has been activated twice, neither time located in the area that is covered under the plan. The first was Bella Bella, where there was a bit of a learning curve in regards to the communication between Coast Guard and the First Nations. The second time was the Fraser River tug incident, the Incident Command Post had more people arrive than expected. Half of the municipal representatives who are part of the existing group and the other expanded areas were not sure of their roles. Once they were read in they were 150% on board.
IV	STANDING REPORTS 6. Environmental Report. Mr. Fairley stated that upon review of the last minutes he noted that the procurement of the ocean boom for the Royal Roads anchorages should have stated 3000 ft. instead of 300 ft. It has not been set up yet for response, but has been placed at D Jetty for initial response (less than an hour depending on time of day) and containment of any commercial vessels at the Royal Roads anchorages. The Environmental sub-committee has been shut down due to redundancy with the same stakeholders being at the EHAC meeting. Larger skimmers have now been procured for use in open water. Due to presence of an elephant seal the Yew Point boat ramp was closed for a week. Mr. Singh asked how many times the ramp has been used in an emergency in the past two years. Mr. Fairley replied that it has been mostly used for maintenance purposes. Mr. Bingham asked if there is an inventory of available environmental equipment in the Esquimalt Harbour that doesn't belong to DND as possible ancillary resources, if the need arises. If not, it would be a good idea to have one available.	Mr. Fairley/Ms. Crinkley to arrange a meeting with Mr. Bingham to discuss available resources
V	OLD BUSINESS 7. There was no Old Business referred to at this time.
VI	NEW BUSINESS 8. Small Boats Floats Project Update. Ms. Zemanek gave an update on the project thus far, she included a background on the project along with the areas slated for construction, designs, timelines, and funding. Slated date for project closeout is Spring 2022. 9. A and B Jetties Project Update. Ms. Walker spoke about the history of the jetties, the course of the construction process and design. B Jetty is assumed to take up to four years for completion. The A Jetty project will start once B Jetty is functioning. It is estimated that the project will take approximately 10 years to complete. 10. Esquimalt Harbour Remediation Activities. Mr. Bodman spoke about the remediation of the Esquimalt Harbour and the clean-up of the contaminated soil. He gave an update on the areas of remediation in the harbour, risk management plan, strategies for monitoring, and what they do. He brought in a display of artifacts remediated from the harbour and updated everyone on the process of the clean up to date. He hopes the current work will be finished around May 2019. Upcoming work will include Y Jetty around to Lang Cove starting in the New Year through to March 2020. A question was asked as to where the contaminated soil is being disposed. Mr. Bodman said that it's being transported to a landfill in Oregon State. Mr. Fairley asked if there will be overlap with the ML float dredging and Y Jetty dredging. Mr. Bodman stated that there will be an overlap of about three months, with two sets of contractors and two processing plants working. 11. Esquimalt Harbour Practices and Procedures Changes. Mr. Singh shared the Esquimalt Harbour Management Authority's (EHMA) concern regarding pleasure crafts anchoring within Esquimalt Harbour without authorization. He stated that Esquimalt Harbour Practices and Procedures (EHP&P) will require another revision, in the future, to articulate maximum allowable time for anchoring of the pleasure crafts within Esquimalt Harbour. There was no representative from the Town of View Royal to participate in the discussion. He articulated that the EHMA is exploring options to moderate the anchoring time of pleasure crafts, which are anchoring indeterminately, under the current EHP&P rules. The Department of Justice (DOJ) was informed of the EHMA concerns related to anchoring and DOJ indicated that the civil trespass mechanism is not effective or efficient from a timing or cost perspective. A non-compliance notice is being considered by EHMA, which is expected to address and deter pleasure crafts from anchoring indeterminately. The current process involves a notice being affixed to a vessel requiring the owner to contact the EHMA. If no immediate response is received, a second notice is posted on the vessel. If there is no response after the second attempt then a non-compliance notice will be issued, as a progressive action by EHMA. 12. Contractor assets utilized in the harbour (i.e. barges) and the standard of maintenance of contractor assets has created a possible risk and liability issue within the harbour, new language has been proposed for the EHP&Ps. The EHMA proposed that contractors provide Canadian Maritime Document, at the request of the harbour official, to prove that the assets are mechanically sound, completely sea worthy, equipped with readily accessible lifesaving equipment, and adequately manned. EHMA will be using a Canadian Maritime document as a means to enforce safety in the harbour. Mr. Singh asked if the Victoria Harbour had similar issues, and what has been implemented in regards to enforcing more safety related aspects in the harbour. There is currently no standard for the companies used for projects in the Victoria Harbour as they are fairly reputable and there hasn't been an issue in the past. Mr. Bingham suggested that Mr. Singh provide a list of examples of Canadian Maritime documents required from the vessels. Mr. Singh stated that these documents are not a new requirement and are listed under interpretation section of Canada Shipping Act, 2001. The EHP&Ps are currently being reviewed by the DOJ, once finalized they will be posted on the Esquimalt Harbour website. A question was raised about the protocol to seek permission to enter/leave the Esquimalt Harbour. Mr. Singh replied that Channel 10 should be used upon entrance to and departure from the Esquimalt Harbour. This information has been added to Chart 3419 for Esquimalt Harbour. This helps to keep track of the daily movements within the Esquimalt Harbour and for enforcement purposes.
VII	BUSINESS FROM THE FLOOR 13. Derelict Boats. Mr. Roy attended a meeting where Ms. Linda Simpson, from the Canadian Coast Guard, provided a presentation on the Vessels of Concern Program. He passed along a few notes from the meeting. There is new legislation being tabled and the formation of a new unit out of Vancouver Island. The unit is currently taking an inventory of the derelict vessels, locations and complaints. He mentioned the Transport Canada licencing issue regarding the registration of boats. There are many issues surrounding the removal of derelict boats that make it a difficult process including housing issues and the Mental Health Act. After 60 days of the initial notice then a group can apply for funding to have the derelict boat removed at 75% of the cost. The group then has to come up with the remaining 25%. All in all the process is very time consuming and costly. He suggested that perhaps Ms. Simpson could come to the next meeting to pass along more information on this program. 14. Esquimalt Graving Dock Update. Mr. Bingham gave an update on major projects at the dock. The sub jetty replacement is scheduled for completion November 2019. The 5th high voltage substation installation is up for public tender, work to start in January 2019. On the marine side, a huge trench will be dug across the north landing area impacting the transit of the submarine. Slated for completion by late August. The other major impact to the community will be working with BC Hydro to replace the main distribution line on the Esquimalt sub-station all the way to the Main Gate, which means Colville Road will be dug up for approximately a year. Harbour movements include the TAKAHA, which has been alongside and will be at the dock for the month of December. Two smaller vessels will be at the dock for the entire month of January. February has the Fraser River Pile and Driving Barge 309 at the dock for the month of March and then end of March the Emerald Princess will be at the dock from 21 Mar to 7 April. Right after, the VANCOUVER enters the dock for 5 ½ months and a caisson gate is going in for a major refit. There will be no ship movement from 8 April to 8 September. The new MV ESQUIMALT III work boat has arrived. 15. CFSA. LCdr Maier will present an update on the relocation of the club at the next meeting. CFSA hosted the Melges 24 World Championships this past summer. Next big regatta will be the Francophone Games in the summer of 2020. 16. Upcoming Major Harbour Projects. Mr. Fairley mentioned the replacement of G Jetty in Colwood is currently being looked into. Another project on the radar is the addition of a breakwater at Yew Point to provide additional protection to vessels alongside at D Jetty. Mr. Singh asked who is championing this project. Mr. Fairley mentioned that FSE is spearheading the initial feasibility study - beyond that QHM will carry the force behind the decision for the approval/implementer/fund seeking. The Options Analysis and initial concepts to be ready for review by end of this year.	Mr. Bingham to forward Esquimalt III specs to QHM
VIII	NEXT MEETING 17. The next meeting is tentatively scheduled for May 2019. Exact date will be promulgated when determined.
IX	ADJOURNMENT 18. The meeting was adjourned at 1508.