February 12, 2021 – Fisheries and Oceans Canada and the Canadian Coast Guard has decided that the proposed Clam Bay Navigation Aid Replacement project is not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects

In making this determination, Fisheries and Oceans Canada and the Canadian Coast Guard considered the following factors and mitigation measures:

• Impacts on rights of Indigenous peoples: Engagement with the Penelakut Tribe was conducted and the Nation has confirmed that the activities within the project will not have a negative impact on their rights;
• Indigenous knowledge: the lands and waters around the project area were and are traditionally used by the  Penelakut Tribe and they currently operate shellfish aquaculture sites within the Clam Bay area. Project activities will not negatively impact the surrounding traditionally used land and water;
• community knowledge: Discussions with the Island Trust Conservancy to gain knowledge and mitigation regarding eelgrass beds in the Clam Bay area. Public notification on local wharfs and marinas as well as all the virtual platforms used by Thetis Island and the Penelakut Nation;
• comments received from the public: No public comments were received;
• mitigation measures:
  • Environment Protection Plan,
  • Environmental Monitoring including acoustic monitoring, water quality monitoring and marine mammal and finfish monitoring;
  • Application of bubble curtains
  • Establishing exclusion zones for aquaculture and eelgrass areas
  • Application of absorbent booms around creosote piles

 Implementation of mitigation measures is required for the project to address:

• Adjacent eel grass habitats
• Water and sediment quality
• Coastal riparian and shoreline
• Marine mammal and finfish presence
• Fish and fish habitat
• Indigenous fisheries and infrastructure

Fisheries and Oceans Canada and the Canadian Coast Guard is satisfied that there is little potential for the project to cause adverse environmental effects on areas of federal jurisdiction.

Therefore, Fisheries and Oceans Canada and the Canadian Coast Guard may exercise any power, perform any duty or function, or provide financial assistance to enable the project to be carried out in whole or in part.