Public Comment Period on Intent to Make a Determination
Interim Operating Capability – Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Esquimalt

August 1, 2023 — The Department of National Defence must decide whether the proposed project is likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects.

To help inform this decision, the Department of National Defence is inviting comments from the public on the project and its potential effects on the environment. All comments received will be considered public. For more information, individuals should consult the Privacy Notice on the Registry website.

Written comments must be submitted by August 20, 2023 to:
Ben Sproule, Commodore
Mailing Address:  Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt, PO Box 17000 Stn Forces
Victoria, BC, Canada, V9A 7N2
E-mail:  Commodore@cfsaessq.ca

The Proposed Project

The Department of National Defence (DND) is proposing a project. This project will build on the completed first phase of the Canadian Forces Sailing Association (CFSA) marina relocation project. It involves connecting the four existing North/South marina docks by constructing a roughly East/West backbone, which will connect to upland surface and in-ground infrastructure works on the Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Esquimalt Naden property.

In Water Work

Additional concrete anchor clumps will be permanently placed to supplement the existing anchor blocks and to secure the backbone. The backbone will also utilize existing shore-based anchor eyes. The marina will be connected to land (CFB Esquimalt – Naden) at the West and East ends.

The land connection to the West will utilize existing concrete footings that will be remediated and a single steel pile to a landing float. To the East, the connection will be made using steel piles, a bridge, and gangway down to a landing float. The landing floats are used to interface between the anchored marina and the piled land connections.

Upland Work

The connection to the East will land near Ontario Drive. There, on the West side of Ontario Drive, upland infrastructure will include a sloped walkway, fill and asphalt surfacing, a retaining wall, sanitary, water and power connections for the marina, a small shelter to house waste facilities and a small building for washrooms.

On the East side of Ontario Drive the roadway will be expanded to accommodate angled parking and a sidewalk and crosswalk will be installed. The existing ceremonial trees and lamp standards will be relocated/removed as required.