Featured Project
Esquimalt Harbour Marine Remediation
Location
Greater Victoria, BC
Key Services
- Dredging and Dewatering
- Water Treatment
Description
Milestone Environmental Contracting Inc. was awarded the Esquimalt Harbour Marine Remediation, Y Jetty and Lang Cove contract. The project involved complex dredging and screening requirements to dispose of more than 40,000 cubic meters of material and debris contaminated with various chemicals of concern (from historical industrial and commercial use). In addition, the work involved retrieval of archaeological artifacts and potential unexploded ordinance (UXO) from the harbour. Located in the traditional territory of the Lekwungen People of the Coast Salish Nation, known today as the Esquimalt and Songhees Nations, a key aspect of the project was meaningful business development and socio-economic outcomes for indigenous communities.
Read the Project Milestones on Canada.ca
Key Challenges
- Complex dredging and screening operations in a sensitive and challenging environment.
- Disposal of over 40,000 cubic meters of material contaminated with various chemicals of concern, debris, suspected Unexploded Explosive Ordinance, and of historical and archaeological significance.
Key Solutions
Through collaborative efforts, an innovative solution for artifact screening was developed, that resulted in the recovery of many artifacts that were provided to the Royal BC Museum for cataloguing and preservation. The site will also house a Jetty building with rotating archaeological displays to provide the public with information about the rich history of the harbour.
Project Scope
- Mobilization
- Dredging
- Hazardous waste sediment stabilization
- Screening for UXOs and archaeological materials
- Near shore excavating
- Installation of granulated activated carbon (GAC) permeable reactive barrier (PRB) in a near-shore environment
- Backfilling of dredge units
- Demobilization
Indigenous Engagement
Vision:
Situated in the traditional territory of the Lekwungen People of the Coast Salish Nation, now recognized as the Esquimalt and Songhees Nations, the project prioritized meaningful business development and socio-economic benefits for local indigenous communities.
Plan:
Establish an Indigenous Benefits Plan (IBP) with Songhees and Esquimalt Nations members. The IBP intended to maximize the local purchase of goods and services, to employ, engage and train as many members of the communities as possible and to provide additional community benefits.
Outcome:
Milestone crafted a comprehensive Indigenous Benefits Plan to facilitate the procurement of goods and services from Indigenous-owned businesses and provide training and employment opportunities to community members of both Nations.
Early engagement between the client, First Nations, and project team, as well as a dedicated liaison in designing, collaborating, and delivering an IBP, was instrumental in aligning with community objectives and creating extended community benefits.
Resulting in:
16,000 + hours of work
2,500+ training hours
$1,400,000+ in goods and services were procured from the First Nations.
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Head Office
Langley, BC
Regional Office Locations
Ottawa, ON
Port Hope, ON
Cambridge, ON